The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 5

Our Watchlist rankings, which offer player recommendations over the next four to six Gameweeks, have been updated over the last 24 hours. This week’s big movers come courtesy of Southampton. The Saints have picked up victories in their past two Gameweeks, scoring seven goals and only conceding one across that pair of fixtures, and they offer us in-form options across the field with fixtures also on their side.

At the back, Fraser Forster climbs to the summit of our goalkeeper rankings, whilst Ryan Bertrand moves into second place for defenders courtesy of his assist against Newcastle at the weekend – both are available for a budget friendly 5.0 price tag, with the latter cheaper than fellow full-back Nathaniel Clyne.

In the Saints’ midfield, Dusan Tadic’s creative potential has already seen the summer signing acquire two assists so far this season, though Morgan Schneiderlin has accrued 24 points across his last couple of appearances and is certainly worth considering if you’re shopping on a budget. Meanwhile, man of the moment Graziano Pelle is knocking on the door of our top three forwards after his Gameweek 4 brace – with a mere 4% ownership, he continues to offer a real differential option up top.

Burnley are fast emerging as a surprise package at the start of the campaign. Whilst their attacking options are toiling in the top flight, The Clarets’ rearguard assets have accumulated two clean sheets in a row in the past couple of matches – as a result, Tom Heaton enters our Watchlist for the first time, whilst marauding right back Kieran Trippier holds on to his fifth spot in our defender rankings, though Michael Duff, at a mere 4.0, is staking a claim as a strong alternative. Sean Dyche’s men have home games against Sunderland and West Ham, allied with trips to West Brom and Leicester, to come in their next four to continue their defensive form. In the centre of the park, George Boyd, at 4.4, is current the cheapest starting midfielder around, though if Scott Arfield can turn his underlying stats into points he’ll surely be set for a rise in the rankings.

Elsewhere in defence, 4.5-priced Callum Chambers re-enters our thoughts with Mathieu Debuchy set to face a lengthy absence after sustaining an ankle injury against Man City at the weekend. If Arsenal can finally rediscover the defensive form that saw them chalk up 17 shut outs last campaign, Chambers could prove a budget sensation so long as he can hold down a starting berth.

Across at Anfield, Alberto Moreno displaces Dejan Lovren as our Liverpool defender of choice near the summit of our rankings – the full back grabbed an assist in last night’s Champion’s League encounter to supplement his Gameweek 3 goal against Spurs, and has three home fixtures in his next five to add to his appeal.

In midfield, Nacer Chadli and Kevin Mirallas currently stand out as mid-price options to contemplate. Both remain differentials despite having hit their goal-scoring stride in recent weeks, though Chadli’s kinder price tag ensures he hovers above his fellow Belgian in our estimation for now. Angel di Maria, meanwhile, enters at sixth place for midfielders after his impressive showing against QPR on Sunday, ousting Juan Mata as our Man United midfield cover, with the Spaniard’s pitch time currently looking far from certain.

Finally, in the forwards department, we’re backing Leicester’s Leonardo Ulloa to continue the form that makes him our highest ranked budget striker right now. The former Brighton man has proved a consistent option so far, notching in three of his four appearances for the Foxes. The visit of United this weekend may waver some enthusiasm, but goals against Everton and Arsenal have shown that Ulloa is perfectly capable of delivering against the big sides.

Elsewhere, Connor Wickham arrives on our radars after being moved to a central role last weekend as Steven Fletcher found himself dropped, and the Black Cats have decent fixtures ahead for the youngster to find his first goal of the season.