The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 7

Our Watchlist rankings, which offer player recommendations over the next four to six Gameweeks, have been updated over the last 24 hours.

There’s minimal movement at the back this time around. Having elevated budget options such as Vito Mannone and Tom Heaton last week, it’s pretty much “as you are” where keepers are concerned, though Adrian, Simon Mignolet, Wojciech Szczesny and Tim Howard are bubbling under near the basement. All four have decent fixtures to follow – Arsenal and Everton, in particular, from Gameweek 8 onwards – but none of the quartet has convinced at the back.

With the likes of Calum Chambers offering a cheap route into the Gunners backline, few will be prepared to shell out the extra budget on Szczesny, though it’s worth noting that Chambers is just one booking away from a single match ban, having been yellow carded in all four of his league starts to date.

Branislav Ivanovic, Ryan Bertrand and Leighton Baines remain our top three defenders – the Saints man justified his lofty placing with a strike in last week’s win over QPR and has the fixtures (tot, SUN, STO, hul, LEI, avl) to remain there for the next few matches.

Swansea’s Neil Taylor remains in our short-term thinking – Garry Monk’s side have conceded just once in three home fixtures and welcome Newcastle and Leicester to the Liberty in the next three. We’re also monitoring Tottenham skipper Younes Kaboul further down. Granted, four matches without a shut-out is hardly enticing but the north London side approach a kind run of fixtures from Gameweek 9 onwards which could boost their points potential.

Sunderland duo Vito Mannone and Patrick van Aanholt may be looking for a third straight clean sheet at home to Stoke this weekend but the Black Cats’ schedule takes a definite turn for the worse from next week onwards, as highlighted by our newly-updated fixture rankings. The Italian’s tendency to deliver saves points should still come in handy, though – he sits a mere two points off the top of the FPL keeper standings despite keeping out opponents on just two occasions.

In midfield, though, there are a number of mid-price options shaking up the rankings as Fantasy managers look for alternatives to the stricken Aaron Ramsey. Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli fired his fourth goal of the season in the weekend north London derby and has cemented his position as the man most likely in Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking midfield three.

The likes of Stewart Downing (QPR, bur, sto, AVL in the next five), Jason Puncheon (hul, wba, SUN in the next four) and Victor Moses (sun, SWA, WHM, BUR in the next six) all have the fixtures to maintain their recent rise to form – all three remain very budget-friendly and come in under 6.0 if you’re looking to release funds to strengthen elsewhere.

Dusan Tadic retains second spot amidst a handful of the big-hitters – his dead-ball duties keeps him ahead of team-mate Sadio Mane in our thinking, though we’re keeping an eye on the latter’s displays after he impressed on his debut against QPR.

David Silva’s pair of assists for City at Hull has earned him more than 53,000 new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners this week as those holding Ramsey assess their options. With Villa, West Ham, QPR and Swansea in the next six, his creativity looks key for the champions as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look to rack up the goals and get their title tilt back on track.

As evidenced by his display against Galatasaray last night, Alexis Sanchez will deliver when given the pitch time. It’s four goals in his last five appearances in all competitions for the Chilean now – he limped off against the Turkish side but is expected to be back in contention for the weekend trip to Stamford Bridge. Given the Gunners’ schedule, we really need one of their midfielders to step up – the imminent return of Theo Walcott can’t come quick enough for Wenger and Fantasy managers alike.

Up front, the form and upcoming fixtures of Danny Welbeck and Graziano Pelle are difficult to ignore. While Diego Costa now sits in an incredible 64% of FPL sides, both offer exceptional value in the mid-price bracket, though Sergio Aguero remains our heavy-hitter of choice for those looking for a premium-priced partner for Chelsea’s goal machine.

Edin Dzeko’s brace against Hull showed it’d be wrong to write him off. At 8.4, he’s substantially cheaper than Aguero (now up to 12.2) but Stevan Jovetic’s return to fitness once again highlights the uncertainty hanging over the Bosnian’s minutes. Goals in each of his last two keep Robin van Persie in our thinking as a result of Wayne Rooney’s suspension, though at 12.4, few are willing to shell out on the Dutchman. Mario Balotelli and Emmanuel Adebayor’s dire form ensures both suffer a drop, with the potential return of Daniel Sturridge set to shake up our rankings next time around.