Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 8 – The Strong

Focus turns to mid-term planning, as we scan the fixture list in an attempt to select those sides with schedules that promote Fantasy investment.

This week’s analysis reveals potential mid-price and budget options on show at Stoke City and Hull City in particular, while the premium assets at Arsenal and Liverpool look well placed to build on early season form.

Stoke City

(SUN, hul, SWA, whm, BOU, wat)

The Potters avoid all the sides currently residing in the top 10 over the next six Gameweeks, promoting interest in their mid-price and budget candidates.

From a defensive standpoint, the clashes against Hull City and Bournemouth may prove the most fruitful, with both of those sides ranked in the bottom four for shots inside the box over the last six Gameweeks.

Swansea City and Sunderland are the joint-second lowest scorers over the last six Gameweeks, so those matches could also yield some defensive returns, while the West Ham and Watford match-ups are also fairly reasonable.

Goalkeeper Lee Grant looks the stand out option at the back, with the Derby loanee coming in at just 4.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Erik Pieters and Geoff Cameron (both 4.4) provide the value in defence.

The outlook is similarly positive for Stoke’s attack, with West Ham, Hull, Swansea, Watford and Sunderland the leakiest defences, along with the Potters, over the last six Gameweeks.

Those five sides, along with Bournemouth, also feature in the top 10 for big chances conceded over the same period, so the prospects appear hugely positive for Stoke attackers over the coming weeks.

Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri look the obvious targets, with Joe Allen a cheaper option on his return from a hamstring injury.

Hull City

(bou, STO, wat, SOT, sun, WBA)

After a tough run of fixtures to start the season, the Tigers’ schedule now starts to ease. Hull City avoid all of the top eight over the next six Gameweeks, casting a new light on an array of options.

From a defensive perspective, it’s the next two matches against Bournemouth and Stoke that appear the most likely to provide returns.

The Cherries rank in the bottom five for total goal attempts and big chances created over the last six Gameweeks, while Stoke are the lowest scorers over the same period with just four goals.

Of the other four matches, none of the encounters are overly testing, although Watford have scored in all four of their home ties so far.

In general, then, members of Hull’s backline should be able to amass a shut-out or two over the next few weeks, so the likes of David Marshall and Andrew Robertson appear worthy of consideration. Michael Dawson’s return could also be a factor – he could be in contention to return against Bournemouth and will be an option at 4.4, in addition to bolstering the prospects of those around him.

At the other end of the pitch, Hull face very favourable clashes against Stoke and Sunderland in particular. The Potters have conceded 15 goals over the last six Gameweeks, the joint-highest in the Premier League along with West Ham, while Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet all season.

While none of the other four fixtures are overly tricky, Bournemouth have already kept two clean sheets at home, and Southampton have registered three consecutive shut-outs.

The West Brom defence is also unlikely to give up more than one goal, so while Robert Snodgrass looks a strong option for the forthcoming run of fixtures, it’s worth remembering there remains one or two tricky match-ups ahead for the Scotland midfielder.

Arsenal

(SWA, MID, sun, TOT, mun, BOU)

It’s in the short-term where Arsenal assets are expected to deliver, with plum home fixtures against struggling Swansea and Middlesbrough followed by a favourable trip to lowly Sunderland. In total, the Gunners have four home matches over the next six Gameweeks.

The Swans rank first for big chances conceded over the last six Gameweeks with 18, while they are second for shots conceded inside the box over the same period with 69. ‘Boro, meanwhile, have conceded eight goals in their last four matches, while Sunderland’s less than impressive defensive statistics have already been outlined.

With the home clash against Bournemouth in Gameweek 13 to also bear in mind, along with the fact Man United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches, then it looks near essential to own at least one Arsenal attacker, with the option to double up also holding some appeal.

Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott are the key duo to consider, although Mesut Ozil and even Santi Cazorla could also profit over the coming weeks.

Arsene Wenger’s men have registered back-to-back clean sheets, and further defensive returns are expected to follow against the likes of Swansea, ‘Boro, Sunderland and Bournemouth.

‘Boro and Bournemouth both feature in the bottom three for big chances created over the last six Gameweeks, while Swansea have scored just two goals in their three away matches so far. The Sunderland attack is also fairly impotent, so the Gunners premium options at the back appear great options for the next few weeks.

Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi all hold plenty of appeal, with Petr Cech remaining a viable option in goal.

Liverpool

(MUN, WBA, cpl, WAT, sot, SUN)

The Reds have racked up nine goals in their two matches at Anfield, so the prospect of four home fixtures in six brings their attacking assets firmly onto our radars.

Watford and Sunderland have conceded 12 and 11 goals respectively over the last six Gameweeks, so it’s those two matches that appear particularly favourable.

Crystal Palace do rank in the top six for big chances conceded over the last six Gameweeks, though, while Jurgen Klopp’s side will also have to be fancied to notch in slightly trickier match-ups against Man United, West Brom and Southampton.

Midfielders Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane all look strong options, then, as does Adam Lallana, providing he recovers from a groin problem to face United on Monday night.

Liverpool have failed to keep out any of their seven opponents so far, but should be able to gather a shut-out or two over the coming period.

The Sunderland match-up looks the stand out fixture in regard to clean sheets, but across the other five matches, there should be a decent chance to claim further defensive returns.

Nathaniel Clyne looks the best route into the Reds defence should your budget allow, given his impressive attacking statistics, with Dejan Lovren a cheaper alternative.

Also Consider

Bournemouth
Eddie Howe’s men face favourable home matches against Hull City and Sunderland over the next five Gameweeks, along with reasonable trips to Middlesbrough and Stoke, so their main men may provide decent value over the next few weeks.

As already mentioned, the Cherries have kept clean sheets at home to West Brom and Everton this season, so further defensive returns appear a strong possibility, particularly at the Vitality Stadium.

Adam Smith looks a strong pick given his added attacking appeal, then, with Artur Boruc a viable option between the sticks.

Those four kind fixtures should also mean the Bournemouth attack is able to thrive over the coming month, with Hull, Sunderland and Stoke among the weakest defences in the top flight.

Callum Wilson could prove to be a viable third forward option, while Junior Stanislas has a goal and assist in the last couple of fixtures.

Man City
City avoid all of the “big guns” over the next six Gameweeks (EVE, SOT, wba, MID, cpl, bur), handing their leading lights the platform to flourish further.

Providing he shakes off a minor calf injury, Sergio Aguero should continue to be the primary option for captaincy over the next month or so, while Raheem Sterling looks set to keep providing strong value as long as he recovers from a minor calf problem. Kevin De Bruyne also has a chance of returning for the weekend – his average of 8.2 points per match is more than any team-mate.

Clean sheets may continue to be tricky to pick up, though, with mixed fixtures over the coming period, while City also face two matches against Barcelona and an EFL Cup tie against Man United over the next month. That makes them more vulnerable to fatigue and promotes the risk of rest and rotation in the defence.

Watford
The Hornets have four fixtures (mid, swa, HUL, STO) that appear favourable over the next six Gameweeks, so their budget and mid-price options should remain in our thoughts.

Walter Mazzarri’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet so far, but they will face four of the weakest attacking units over the coming period. The likes of Jose Holebas and Heurelho Gomes may provide good value at the back, then.

It’s in attack where Watford have impressed, and those four matches should provide the well-owned Etienne Capoue and the in-form Troy Deeney with opportunities to keep their points tallies ticking.

Capoue’s prospects could depend on Mazzarri’s tactics, however, with the recent shift to 4-3-3 appearing to hamper his attacking potential.

Leicester City
The Foxes face three favourable home fixtures (CPL, WBA, MID) over the next six Gameweeks, along with a trip to Watford, a spell which could yet resurrect Claudio Ranieri’s side as a source of Fantasy talent.

Once Saturday’s testing trip to Chelsea is out of the way, Leicester’s attackers may prove to be decent options, with Islam Slimani an intriguing differential. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy also have the chance to return to form, with those King Power encounters standing out.

Ranieri’s side have kept clean sheets in all but one of their four home matches so far, so further defensive returns appear likely over those next three King Power encounters. Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan remain the Foxes go-to defensive options.