Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 12 – The Weak

After casting an eye over those teams with some kind schedules to follow last Friday afternoon, we turn our attentions to those with less fortunate fixtures. Sunderland and Hull will do well to steer clear of the drop zone, whilst Stoke face a tough task to retain their current mid-table comforts.

Stoke

A plum home clash with Burnley precedes an evil looking run of matches which pits the Potters against Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the subsequent five. Stoke have struggled for defensive returns, with just two clean sheets all season, and Ryan Shawcross’ 12% FPL owners will be thinking of jumping ship here – as indeed will the 7% still keeping faith with Asmir Begovic.

Further up the field, Mark Hughes’ side have stepped up their attacking threat and have notched twice in three of the last four, with only Southampton keeping them out. If they are to prosper, Victor Moses – with a goal or assist in five of the last seven – looks key here, whilst Hughes will be hoping that Bojan Krkic’s goal in a 2-1 win at Spurs last time out is a sign that the Spaniard is finally set to make an impact.

Sunderland

The Black Cats’ tails will be up after taking four points in the previous two matches, including a home draw with Everton last time around. Gus Poyet’s side face a testing next few weeks, however, with back-to-back showdowns against Chelsea, City, Liverpool and West Ham from Gameweek 13 onwards certain to keep new number one Costel Pantilimon busy between the posts.

Only an upcoming trip to goal-shy Leicester holds promise for the Wearsiders and, despite racking up 33 points in the last five, Steven Fletcher has yet to convince FPL managers, with the 5.3-priced Scot still sitting in less than 1% of sides – he’s now a doubt after being ruled out of Scotland’s match with England tomorrow. Despite picking up returns in only one of the last seven, Seb Larsson remains Sunderland’s top scorer in the FPL game but few will be willing to consider the Swede, with form and fixtures very much against him.

Hull

Steve Bruce will be looking to batten down the hatches as the Tigers prepare for trips to United, Everton and Chelsea in the next five. Whilst the fixtures may frown upon the Humberside outfit, the good news is that the treatment room is starting to empty – Allan McGregor is back in full training and Michael Dawson and Nikica Jelavic are hopeful of returning in time to face Spurs at the KC this coming weekend.

Nonetheless, Bruce is still sweating over Curtis Davies’ fitness after the centre-half was forced off with a back injury in Gameweek 11, whilst a run of three matches without a goal underline just how sorely Jelavic’s absence has been felt. The Hull boss shifted back to a 3-5-2 against Burnley, allowing Mo Diame a more advanced berth once again as Hatem Ben Arfa dropped to the bench, but that schedule suggests Hull look a no-go area right now.

Also Be Wary Of…

Southampton
Fantasy managers face a real dilemma shortly as the schedule takes a turn for the worse for Ronald Koeman’s outfit. Once this week’s trip to injury-hit Villa is out of the way, Southampton then face City, Arsenal, United and Everton in four of the next five – a run of opponents which will severely test their credentials.

With just five goals against all season, those holding the likes of Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne may be tempted to keep if the Saints’ outstanding form can prevail over the fixtures. Further up the field, though, Dusan Tadic – with returns in two of the last seven – and Graziano Pelle – without a single shot on target in the last three against Stoke, Hull and Leicester – may well be deemed surplus to requirement.

West Brom
After falling to defeat at home to Newcastle, the Baggies face a tough trio of matches before the schedule smiles kinder in Gameweek 15. Alan Irvine’s side go head-to-head with Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham once the domestic action resumes and immediate investment will surely be tempered. Saido Berahino’s owners will be concerned his two-match goal drought could be extended, whilst a backline that’s been breached twice in four of the last five is unlikely to reap defensive returns right now.

Man United
Louis van Gaal’s troops have grabbed just one win in the last four now, whilst a change in formation has also seen the goals dry up – as evidenced by a narrow 1-0 victory over Palace last time out. Granted, United do have back-to-back home clashes with Hull and Stoke on the horizon but with showdowns against Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool also in the next five Gameweeks, their appeal is limited. Angel di Maria will be looking to improve upon a recent run of two assists in four, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping Adnan Januzaj or Marouane Fellaini can step up in the mid-price bracket. Up top, Wayne Rooney’s deep-lying role and Robin van Persie’s goal drought deprive us of a valid frontline option as Van Gaal’s tactical tinkering stunts his side’s Fantasy momentum.