Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 18 – The Weak

Having analysed those sides with Strong upcoming schedules over the next four-to-six Gameweeks yesterday, we turn our attentions to those whose fixtures are a little trickier. Two of the top four have some tough looking matches on their short-term agendas, whilst the Swans are bracing themselves as a tough run of fixtures edges ever-nearer.

Chelsea

Whilst a content Jose Mourinho may be set to sit down and tuck into his Christmas Day turkey with the Blues three points clear at the summit, the leftovers could well leave a sour taste in his mouth; a Boxing Day meeting with in-form West Ham is proceeded by two tough away fixtures against Southampton and Spurs to see in the New Year. With a potentially pivotal Gameweek 23 clash versus Man City also looming, there’s no doubt that Chelsea are set for some testing times in the coming weeks.

Skipper John Terry underlined his appeal with his first strike of the season against Stoke on Monday night, and that attacking potential could be relied upon by he and his rearguard team-mates across the impending schedule, as their impressive record of five shutouts in their last six will surely be put to the test. Three away trips in their next five will put Eden Hazard’s credentials under the microscope, after the Belgian overturned his poor away form with an assist at the Britannia, while Diego Costa – with just one goal in his last four outings – may well struggle to sojourn his slipping form, with many of his 59% owners considering a re-think.

Swansea

A major reshuffle by Garry Monk against Hull at the weekend may have disappointed owners of Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson, but it did prove the Swans’ strength in depth prior to a hectic and challenging festive schedule. A Liberty Stadium clash with Aston Villa in two days’ time won’t have Monk worrying too much, but beyond that Swansea have their work cut out, as trips to Liverpool and QPR are followed by the visits of West Ham and Chelsea to South Wales.

The aforementioned Sigurdsson has recovered from a foot injury in time for the Villa encounter, but with just one assist from his last five outings and with the fixture listing looking so ominous, owners of the Icelandic international may be tempted to offload anyway. Bony’s form, on the other hand, should ensure that managers are content to hold until the striker heads off to the African Cup of Nations to represent the Ivory Coast, at which point the onus will be on Bafetimbi Gomis and new loan signing Nelson Oliveira to step up to the plate. The former has managed just a single goal in 14 appearances this season – without a clinical finisher up top, the creative potential of the Swans’ assets across the pitch could suffer as a result. A possible lack of goals will amplify the importance of their backline’s performance in those testing fixtures, and the likes of Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor will have to be at their very best if they are to continue justify our attention.

Southampton

A comfortable 3-0 run out against Everton put an end to the Saints’ five-match losing streak, but Ronald Koeman’s outfit will now be hard-tasked to maintain that momentum, with a trio of fixtures approaching between Gameweeks 19-21 that could well see their top four dreams dissolve. The Saints welcome Chelsea and Arsenal to St Mary’s before travelling to Old Trafford, and with a trip to Newcastle then awaiting them beyond that, it might prove a less than happy New Year for the south coast side.

A clean sheet against the Toffees was their first in six league outings, though popular picks Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand will clearly be overtaxed if they are expected to continue to register defensive returns. The finishing prowess of Graziano Pelle also looks vital here: the Italian striker has notched in two of his last three displays, hinting at a return to his early season form, and he will certainly have to be at the top of his game if he is to guide the Saints to victory in their upcoming fixtures.

Be Wary Of…

West Ham
The Hammers are amid an irresistible run of form, having lost just once in their last 11 league fixtures, though the next two are sure to challenge their resolve. Sam Allardyce’s boys travel to Chelsea on Boxing Day before facing Arsenal in Gameweek 19, and the Hammers’ boss will be desperate for Stewart Downing to maintain the level of performance that has seen the former Liverpool midfielder earn returns in each of his last four outings. Likewise, Andy Carroll will be relied upon to continue his recent dominant displays up top; his battle with Terry and Gary Cahill in a couple of days’ time will be monitored by many, with the big Geordie on numerous Watchlists ahead of the winter wildcard season.

West Brom
After accruing two clean sheets in Gameweeks 15 and 16, all looked dandy for the Baggies after they went 2-0 up at QPR after 20 minutes on Saturday. Cue a Charlie Austin hat-trick, and Alan Irvine’s side are now in need of a major pick-up. Unfortunately, the fixture list isn’t in their favour here, as a clash with Man City is up next, before back-to-back away days at Stoke and West Ham, whilst further ahead, meetings with Everton and Spurs round off their January. Budget defensive favourite Andre Wisdom looks set for a sustained stint on our benches, then, whilst the recent attacking verve of Stephane Sessegnon, who has grabbed three assists in his last two, could suffer an abrupt halt. The 13.3% of managers still clinging to Saido Berahino will also be running out of excuses for retaining his services.

Newcastle
The Magpies suffered a tortuous trio of results last week, conceding nine times, being knocked out of the Capital One Cup and being defeated by bitter rivals Sunderland. The good news is that a home encounter with Burnley now lies in wait. The bad news is that they have to endure clashes with Man United and Everton before they reach it and also travel to Chelsea after their showdown with the Clarets. The mid-price appeal of defender Daryl Janmaat looks on the slide then, whilst Alan Pardew will surely be tempted to end his continued caution with the minutes of Papiss Cisse, as the Magpies’ boss will likely be keen to get the most out of his Senegalese striker before he heads off to the ACoN.