The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 35 – The Midfield

Having assessed the goalkeepers and defenders favoured for a strong finish to the season yesterday, we’re turning our attention to the midfield this afternoon. Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey are the big winners thanks to Arsenal’s upcoming double in Gameweek 37, while the search for differentials has brought Jack Grealish and Siem de Jong into contention.

Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey are the big movers this week ahead of a very favourable run-in (hul, SWA, mun/SUN, WBA), including the double in Gameweek 37. The Chile international will set you back 11.2 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), and although he has failed to produce attacking returns in four of his last five appearances, he has racked up an impressive 14 goals and eight assists in his first league campaign in England. Sanchez has registered a very respectable nine shots from inside the box in his last five outings, underlining the fact he is the number one option from the Gunners midfield and, indeed, in our Watchlist refresh.

Priced at 8.6, Ramsey is much more budget-friendly and has been in better form than Sanchez of late, scoring twice and providing three assists in his five matches since returning from a hamstring injury. The Wales international lags slightly behind the Chilean when it comes to shots inside the box, managing seven over the same period, but given the difference in price between the two, expect Ramsey to see plenty of investment in the coming weeks.

Despite failing to register attacking returns for only the second time in his last eight appearances in the goalless draw against Arsenal, Eden Hazard remains in our top two. Three of Chelsea’s final four matches (CPL, LIV, wba, SUN) are at Stamford Bridge, so while there won’t be quite as much motivation for Jose Mourinho’s side once the title is wrapped up, we believe the newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year will still be a valuable Fantasy asset, given the consistency he has shown throughout the season.

With tough fixtures away to Chelsea and Everton now behind them, Man United duo Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata see their stock rise this time around. Louis van Gaal’s side face a reasonable finish to the season (WBA, cpl, ARS, hul), and with an ownership ownership under 10%, both players can be regarded as differentials. The Belgian gets the edge on the Watchlist by virtue of his 6.4 price tag, with Mata valued at 8.5 in FPL. Fellaini is also more of a goal threat, having registered four shots from inside the box over the last four Gameweeks, compared to three for the Spaniard, although Mata has much more assist potential, creating nine chances compared to a meagre two for Fellaini. With Arsenal’s midfield assets top of our shopping list right now, investment in the United pair will probably be limited, but with rotation seemingly less of an issue at Old Trafford, they are worth some consideration.

Villa’s Jack Grealish splits the United pair in fifth spot ahead of three home matches (EVE, WHU, BUR) in the final four. Tim Sherwood’s side have racked up 11 goals in their last six and, having nailed down a starting berth behind Christian Benteke in each of the previous three, the youngster could be worth a flutter at a mere 4.3.

Leicester’s Esteban Cambiasso is a non-mover. The Argentine still looks a great budget option – like Grealish, he also has three fixtures in front of his own fans (NEW, SOT, sun, QPR) to follow and, priced at 4.8 in FPL, he’s scored once and laid on two assists in his last four appearances.

With a goal and an assist to his name in Swansea’s 3-2 win at Newcastle, Gylfi Sigurdsson is back on our radar. The 6.5-valued midfielder was restored to a position in “the hole” behind Nelson Oliveira as Garry Monk returned to the 4-2-3-1 formation used for the first half of the season, and immediately matched the attacking returns accumulated in his previous seven appearances in just 80 minutes. The Swans tough schedule (STO, ars, MCI, cpl) does limit his appeal somewhat, as does the concern over Jefferson Montero’s fitness, as if the Ecuador international is ruled out, Monk may be forced to change formations once again.

Raheem Sterling slides down our ladder after failing to produce attacking points in double Gameweek 34. The 8.6-valued midfielder only managed two goal attempts over his pair of matches, although he did create four chances. With Mario Balotelli doubtful with a foot problem, Sterling could revert to a more central attacking role against QPR, having started on the left in the last two encounters. That would enhance his prospects, but with confidence low at Anfield, many Fantasy managers may look to trade the England international for an Arsenal midfielder before the Reds travel to Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 36.

Following disappointing performances in plum home fixtures against West Ham and Aston Villa, David Silva is the big loser in our latest update. The Spanish international only created one chance in those two matches, compared to nine for his compatriot Jesus Navas, while he registered three shots from inside the box. The 9.6-rated midfielder was transferred out by over 230,000 FPL owners ahead of the Villa clash, and with the run-in not particularly favourable for Manuel Pellegrini’s men (tot, QPR, swa, SOT), many Fantasy managers may see Sergio Aguero as enough City coverage.

With no attacking points from his last five appearances, Sadio Mane is certainly on borrowed time when it comes to our Watchlist rankings. The Senegal international stays in our thoughts thanks to Southampton’s favourable run-in (sun, lei, AVL, mci), with this Saturday’s clash at the Stadium of Light particularly appealing, given the home side’s struggles against the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Bolasie in the last few months. With his price dropping from 6.7 to 6.3 down to 6.3 in FPL, it’s clear that many have already cut their losses.

Newcastle’s Siem de Jong demonstrated his eye for goal after emerging from the bench to notch in the weekend home loss to Swansea. The Dutchman isn’t quite ready to start matches after a number of injuries but his weekend showing clearly underlines the form that saw him thrive at former club Ajax. With showdowns against Leicester, West Brom, QPR and West Ham, De Jong, at 6.8, could prove a canny differential as John Carver looks to secure the Magpies’ safety.

After scoring in his last two appearances, we’ve found a place for Everton’s Kevin Mirallas on the Watchlist. The Belgian international does carry some risk, given he was hauled off after an hour against Burnley and only played 22 minutes against Man United as a substitute, but with confidence high at Goodison Park after winning five of their last six in the league, their next four fixtures (avl, SUN, whm, TOT) look potentially prosperous. With an ownership of just 1.9%, the 7.2-rated midfielder certainly is a differential with plenty of upside, having found the net seven times this term despite limited minutes. We opt for Mirallas over Aaron Lennon due to the fact that the latter cannot play against parent club Spurs in Gameweek 38.

West Ham’s kind remaining schedule (BUR, avl, EVE, new) keeps Stewart Downing in contention. After serving up a single assist in his previous 12, the Hammers man has dropped down to 6.0 in FPL but those fixtures ensure he still has a chance of finishing the season with a flourish.