Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 18 – The Strong

We analyse the strength of schedule over the next four to six Gameweeks in this evening’s article. Our first instalment casts an eye over those clubs with some favourable festive fixtures ahead, as United and Liverpool look to take advantage and stake a claim for inclusion in Fantasy managers’ plans.

Liverpool

Granted, Brendan Rodgers’ outfit aren’t in the finest of form. But Sunday’s last gasp equaliser against a beleaguered Arsenal demonstrated the sort of grit and spirit that has been lacking from their displays recently, and the Merseysiders now have the opportunity to rebuild their season after a scratchy first half. Anfield encounters with Swansea and Leicester lie ahead, with promising away fixtures with Burnley, Sunderland and Aston Villa also in their next five.

Two clean sheets in their last five suggest that the Reds’ defence shouldn’t be overlooked, with the 5.8-valued Martin Skrtel the main candidate for investment after his late equaliser against the Gunners and bonus points in each of Liverpool’s last three shutouts. Kolo Toure, at 4.7, is the budget option, however, having started each of their last five in the league.

Further forward, a recent change of system by Rodgers has brought Raheem Sterling roaring back up our Watchlist – fielded in a central forward position, the youngster returned to scoring form with a brace in the Capital One Cup last week, and looks set to continue in that role across the festive period. Elsewhere in midfield, the likes of Phillipe Coutinho and Adam Lallana could also appeal after recently picking up their performances, whilst Jordan Henderson has settled well into his new role as a right wing back, registering returns in each of the last two matches in which the Reds have scored, and offers managers a more budget-friendly option at 6.0.

Man United

Their winning run may have been halted by Villa on Saturday, but Louis Van Gaal’s side are certainly deserved of their spot in the top four at Christmas, with triumphs over Arsenal and rivals Liverpool in that streak highlighting their upturn in consistency. The Red Devils will be optimistic of returning to winning ways with a home clash against labouring Newcastle awaiting them on Boxing Day, whilst further Old Trafford meetings with Southampton and Leicester are also scheduled in the next six.

Nine big chances conceded in the last four Gameweeks is a greater total than any other side and, with just three goals against in that period, it’s fair to say that United have a lot to thank David de Gea for. The star attraction in the Reds’ rearguard, the Spaniard’s heroics means he’s just two points off the top of the FPL keeper standings, whilst the fit-again Jonny Evans, at 5.2, looks a guaranteed starter as long as he can maintain fitness.

In midfield, Angel Di Maria’s return to action at the weekend should see his 13.7% ownership increase, f he can replicate the form that earned him three goals and six assists in ten appearances prior to injury. Owners of Juan Mata will have been less than happy to see the Argentine take to the pitch against Villa; the Spaniard has impressed of late, grabbing two goals and an assist in Di Maria’s absence, but his minutes could now be severely under threat. Competition is also rife further forward, with Robin Van Persie (12.6), Radamel Falcao (10.5) and young James Wilson (4.4) all in the mix for starts across the festive schedule; the former’s three double figure hauls in his last five outings place him highest in our Watchlist, though should rotation strike, the assured minutes of United skipper Wayne Rooney will see his appeal increase, despite his more withdrawn role in recent times.

Sunderland

The Black Cats are putting their early season blues behind them, with Sunday’s 1-0 Tyne-Wear derby win epitomising their current upturn in resilience. A tricky trio of fixtures against Man City, Liverpool and Spurs loom between Gameweeks 20-22, but the surrounding schedule looks decidedly glossier, with a home clash with Hull and trip to Aston Villa up next, and the visit of Burnley to the Stadium of Light lying in wait in Gameweek 23.

Costel Pantilimon’s installation between the sticks has proved a masterstroke from Gus Poyet, with the 4.5-rated keeper’s heroics earning the Black Cats four clean sheets in their last six outings – up against a Hull side that have notched just twice in their previous nine, the former Man City man’s form looks primed to continue. Adam Johnson underlined his worth with the winner against Newcastle, building on his assist in the previous Gameweek, and, now down to 6.0, the winger could prove a canny short-term option for Sunderland’s next two. Up top, Steven Fletcher has illustrated his explosive potential with two braces so far this season, but will need to rediscover his scoring touch to offer competition in the budget bracket.

Crystal Palace

James McArthur’s unjustly disallowed headed strike against Man City last weekend rather summed up Palace’s lack of fortune in recent weeks. Certainly, it’s been all sizzle and no steak lately from their main men, whose underlying stats beggar belief that they have only scored two goals and are without a win in the last five. The fixture list is in their favour, however, with clashes against fellow strugglers QPR, Villa and Burnley on the imminent agenda, and should they finally turn their potential into points, a rise up the league table could be in store.

At the back, just one shutout in their last 11 league encounters is hardly encouraging, though their budget price tags ensure that investment doesn’t come with too much risk – the attacking threat of Brede Hangeland (4.8), who has notched twice already this season, make the former Fulham man the prime candidate here. Similar to Liverpool, the Eagles are struggling to merit consideration up top, and it is in the middle where the points could lie, with Yannick Bolasie and Miles Jedinak standing out with five assists and five goals respectively thus far. The former is undoubtedly the ‘sexier’ pick, with his neat touches and silky skills having warranted plenty of attention recently, though with 38 attempts on goal across the campaign (only five less than Alexis Sanchez, for example) the 5.5-priced winger has been unlucky not to add to his single strike. Given that both Bolasie and Jedinak are set to leave in early January due to international commitments, though, many may choose to look elsewhere for long-term investments.

Also Consider…

Man City 
A sixth straight league victory against Palace ensured that Manuel Pellegrini’s side kept pace with Chelsea, and remain just three points off of top spot ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures. The Blues now face two Etihad encounters with Burnley and Sunderland, in addition to a trip to West Brom in their next three, as their impressive form looks set to continue. At the back, the Citizens have conceded just once in the last five, and Pablo Zabaleta has underlined his appeal with a goal and an assist in two of his last three outings. Gael Clichy has overcome a foot injury and could return at left-back, offering a cheaper option at 5.6, though with Vincent Kompany possibly returning next week, the numerous options in the back-four suggest keeper Joe Hart could be the answer here.

With an injury crisis currently afflicting the Blues up front, their attacking potential lies in midfield; the 10.8 priced Yaya Toure has found the back of the net in four of his last six appearances, whilst David Silva’s brace last weekend assured the Spaniard’s status as a valuable differential with an ownership of just 7.6%. Toure’s upcoming Ivory Coast duties limit his appeal, as does his four yellow cards. For those contemplating James Milner in the new false nine system, it’s worth noting that Pellegrini is hopeful on Stevan Jovetic’s availability for Sunday’s clash with the Clarets after the forward returned to training earlier today.

Aston Villa 
The Villians have failed to concede more than once in a match since Gameweek 10, and with an upcoming schedule featuring home meetings with Sunderland and Palace and away days at Swansea and Leicester in the next four, that solidity could be set to continue. Alan Hutton and Ciaran Clark’s 4.3 price tags make the duo the preferred pair at the back, whilst Christian Benteke looks primed for investment after acquiring two brilliant goals and an assist in his last four since recovering from injury.

QPR 
The Hoops carried on their outstanding home form with a 3-2 win over West Brom last weekend, and with three Loftus Road clashes in their next five (CPL, SWA, MNU), their improving form could continue over the next few weeks. Cut-price favourite Charlie Austin was the hero once more against the Baggies, and the 6.0-priced forward has now notched eight goals in his last five home outings, ensuring his status as the number one budget striker out there right now. Midfielder Leroy Fer has also demanded interest after securing returns in three of his last five displays, whilst, at the back, Rob Green and budget defender Yun Suk Young could earn attention, with the Hoops’ three shutouts this season thus far coming at Loftus Road. At a price of 3.9, the Korean is hoping to recover from an ankle problem in time for Friday’s trip to the Emirates.

Hull 
Off-field disputes, suspensions and injuries have the Tigers failing to flatter right now, though they are presented with the ideal opportunity to overturn a ten-match winless streak thanks to meetings with Sunderland, Leicester and West Brom in their next four. Despite their lack of form, Steve Bruce’s side have conceded just four times in as many matches, and the likes of James Chester and raiding full back Andrew Robertson could be in the points soon enough. Further forward, the Tigers’ recent dire offensive form will seem them looking to Nikica Jelavic to rediscover his scoring form, though Abel Hernandez will also be feeling the pressure after failing to find the net since Gameweek 8.