Frisking The Fixtures – Gameweek 23 – The Weak

After we sifted through those teams treated to a favourable schedule over the next four-to-six Gameweeks back on Thursday, it’s now time to analyse the sides who come packaged with a health warning for the forthcoming spell.

The pitfalls of potential blanks due to the EFL Cup final and the FA Cup sixth round in Gameweek 28 play a key part in our thinking, with Liverpool and Sunderland facing the sternest examination.

Liverpool

(CHE, hul, TOT, lei, ARS, BUR)

While the Reds enjoy six of their next nine Gameweek outings at Anfield, it’s the fact that they host fellow top four sides Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal in their next three at home that gives cause for concern.

Goals may certainly be harder to come by in those fixtures, and that’s a key factor, despite their other three matches on the current slate appearing favourable.

In addition, with the Gameweek 28 home fixture with Burnley still in doubt, that raises major concerns on Liverpool’s schedule.

Saturday’s shock defeat to Wolves does little to secure that Gameweek 28 fixture, as Burnley sealed passage to the fifth round draw with victory over Bristol City in their own tie. Much will depend on the Clarets’ faith in Monday evening’s draw.

Regardless, with form also faltering, neither Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are screaming out for investment, with Fantasy managers likely to park their interest in Liverpool’s attack until Sadio Mane is settled following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Senegal eliminated on Saturday evening, we could even see Mane considered for the Gameweek 23 meeting with Chelsea, although a run-out against Hull City next weekend would seem more likely.

Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea have scored 12, 11 and nine goals respectively over the last four Gameweeks, so given the erratic form of the Liverpool defence, it’s difficult to see them keeping clean sheets in any of those matches.

Their other three ties could yield shut-outs, but of those three, it’s the Burnley clash that appears the most favourable, which, as discussed, remains in doubt.

Sunderland

(TOT, cpl, SOT, eve, MCI, mid)

The prospects for the Black Cats’ attack, in particular, is a real concern given that they face strong defences such as Spurs and Everton in the next six. Their remaining fixtures also look far from straightforward.

Sam Allardyce may yet introduce some improved resilience to the Crystal Palace defence and, although Manchester City have shown vulnerability at the back, they still could still limit the number of chances Sunderland can create purely by controlling possession.

The Middlesbrough fixture in Gameweek 28 will test the Black Cats cutting edge, and that may even be postponed should the Teessiders progress to the FA Cup fifth round.

As their key Fantasy asset, Jermain Defoe is already the third most sold player ahead of Gameweek 23. That’s harsh on the forward given the level consistency he’s provided, but it’s perhaps understandable when you factor in the fixtures ahead.

As ever, David Moyes’ side also seem unlikely to keep goals out at the other end. Spurs, Everton and City have to be backed to breach the Black Cats’ porous defence which remains riddled with absentees and uncertainty.

Papy Djilobodji is now suspended for the next four matches, while Patrick van Aanholt appears on the verge of sealing a move to relegation rivals Palace.

The Dutchman could face his former club when the two sides meet in Gameweek 24 and, given Palace’s position in the table, this promises to be a crunch fixture for both teams.

That perhaps only leaves only the Southampton and Middlesbrough encounters as reasonable possibilities for defensive returns.

Stoke City

(EVE, wba, CPL, tot, MID, mci)

The Potters endure a tricky upcoming schedule, with the Gameweek 26 trip to White Hart Lane looking the most daunting, while they could also face a blank in Gameweek 28 should Manchester City progress past the FA Cup fifth round.

Both Spurs and Everton rank among the most impressive backlines over the past few weeks, so Stoke’s attack will be severely tested in those match-ups.

Elsewhere, none of the Potters’ other fixtures really stand out as a favourable encounter.

Those owning a Stoke attacking option may hold with more pressing transfers scheduled, though the likes of Peter Crouch and Joe Allen will likely struggle to repay such faith.

Bearing in mind that West Brom have been prolific at The Hawthorns – scoring 15 goals in their last six at home – Stoke also look to have four matches where clean sheets seem unlikely. Certainly, they will be backed to concede in ties with Everton, Spurs and City.

Lee Grant’s owners may be content to keep faith in the hope of save points and shut-outs against Palace and Middlesbrough, but there looks to be little appeal in recruiting from Mark Hughes’ backline, with Erik Pieters’ 6.7% ownership likely to be considering their options.

Also be wary of…

Arsenal
The Gunners have a blank in Gameweek 26 due to the postponement of their match against Southampton as a result of Saints’ progress to the EFL Cup final, while they also face tough away clashes at Chelsea and Liverpool in the next four.

Also, having sealed passage to the FA Cup fifth round draw, the plum Emirates Gameweek 28 encounter with Leicester City is also in big doubt, potentially giving Arsenal two blanks in the space of three Gameweeks.

That clearly creates concern for those owning assets both in defence and attack: only a kind run of home matches keeps them from being written off over the next month.

The Arsenal rearguard will certainly be tested by Chelsea and Liverpool, leaving the home clashes with Watford and Hull City as the key remaining fixtures for those holding Laurent Koscielny (18.2%) and Hector Bellerin (14.8%).

While the possibility of two blanks will dent Alexis Sanchez’ stock, many of his 37.6% ownership will likely look to hold as their default option, hoping he can maintain his stunning away form at both Chelsea and Liverpool. Again, the two guaranteed Emirates meetings with Hull and Watford will be cited as vital as a source of potentially big returns.

Despite the emphatic form shown by the fit-again Theo Walcott at St Mary’s on Saturday, outside of the Sanchez option, interest in Arsenal’s squad comes with a major caveat, at least until we have further clarity on the Gameweek 28 scenario.

Southampton
Saints have the confirmed blank in Gameweek 26, while their Gameweek 28 home fixture against Manchester United also remains at risk.

The Red Devils are expected to progress past Wigan Athletic today to claim passage into the fifth round draw.

However, those holding Southampton assets will still look on the short-term schedule (swa, WHM, sun) and feel optimistic of returns.

But Virgil van Dijk’s likely absence through injury certainly lessens the potential of defensive points, while we are still waiting for a Saints attacker to show enough consistency to warrant serious consideration.

Rotation remains a key concern among Claude Puel’s charges, and the situation is not helped by their EFL Cup final appearance. It’s a factor that could influence the teamsheet for the Gameweek 25 trip to Sunderland, prior to the Wembley showpiece.

Bournemouth
Eddie Howe’s side face a difficult stretch of matches (eve, MCI, wba, mun) following Tuesday night’s home encounter against Palace, with Cherries’ assets looking likely to struggle for returns in the coming Gameweeks.

There is a major positive regarding Bournemouth players, though, with Howe’s men one of only four sides certain to face a Gameweek 28 fixture. They are due to play West Ham that weekend and, with both sides eliminated from the FA Cup, that match-up definitely goes ahead.

So, while short-term investment is perhaps ill-advised once Tuesday’s plum tie has passed, interest will likely pick up again closer to Gameweek 28.

Notably, Bournemouth follow the home fixture with the Hammers with another obliging match-up at the Vitality Stadium with Swansea City in Gameweek 29.