Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 12 – The Weak

After assessing the sides with obliging fixtures to come, we now check in on those teams inflicted with far more testing schedules heading into the festive period.

While our focus is normally restricted to the next six Gameweeks, many of the teams featured face a daunting run of opponents from now, right up to the turn of the year without respite. Indeed, with the fixtures piling up over Christmas, these next two months promise to be a turning point in the season, for Premier League bosses and Fantasy managers alike.

Southampton

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The Prospects – Goals
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have only managed a modest nine goals from their ridiculous kind run of fixtures over the opening 11 Gameweeks. With the schedule now turn viciously against them, their struggles in that department may well be prolonged.

They face three road trips over the next four, with a trip to Liverpool looking particularly tough, given that the Reds have only conceded once at Anfield.

Manchester City represent another gruelling prospect for the Saints’ ailing attack: Pep Guardiola’s defence are ranked second behind Liverpool in terms of shots in the box and shots on target conceded on home turf.

Meanwhile, although the trip to Bournemouth isn’t as treacherous, the Cherries have only shipped three goals over the last five Gameweeks and will surely raise their game for what is almost a derby clash.

The prospects aren’t any brighter at St Mary’s.

Everton’s visit provides the kindest match-up: the Toffees have conceded ten goals in their last four matches.

Following that, Arsenal arrive on the south coast having let in 12 goals on the road to offer Pellegrino’s attack some room for optimism.

Finally, Leicester City are an unpredictable force. Their level of resilience by Gameweek 17 remains in question, while there will be no question that new manager Claude Puel will demand a strong performance on his return to the south coast.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
The outlook is arguably even bleaker from a defensive standpoint.

In terms of the away matches, Liverpool have scored seven goals over the last two Gameweeks and will be very difficult to repel at Anfield.

The trip to the Etihad Stadium is surely an even tougher challenge. Man City have averaged four goals per match at home. At least the visit to Bournemouth offers some hope, with the Cherries scoring just three goals at the Vitality Stadium.

There may be some early joy in home matches, with Gameweek 13 opponents Everton scoring just twice on their travels so far.

But Arsenal remain in strong scoring form, registering 13 goals over the last six Gameweeks. Leicester will also provide a test to end the six-match run; the Foxes always pose a major threat to possession-based teams on the counter-attack.

The Turning Point
Southampton’s fixtures remain unfavourable for an extended period, with trips to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to come before the second Wildcard becomes available.

The turn of the year gradually sees Saints’ schedule ease, although there is no question that Pellegrino’s men have already been treated to their most favourable run of opponents and failed to capitalise.

Verdict
The Southampton attack has been a no-go area for much of the season, and that isn’t likely to change during this horrific stretch. This forthcoming period also looks barren in terms of defensive points, effectively ending our interest in Saints’ assets.

Newcastle United

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The Prospects – Goals
The Magpies are another side who face three away trips over the next four Gameweeks, including tests against Man United and Chelsea.

Goals and returns in those two fixtures appear unlikely. Jose Mourinho’s defence have yet to concede at home, while Chelsea’s resilience has been boosted by the return of N’Golo Kante as their screen in midfield; they have conceded just twice in his last six league appearances.

The third away fixture takes the Magpies to West Bromwich Albion, which offers some potential given that the Baggies have one clean sheet in their last nine.

The home fixtures aren’t as daunting, though the visit of Watford can hardly be seen as a favourable match-up given their results on the road. Defensively, however, Marco Silva’s side remain vulnerable: the Hornets have conceded nine goals over their last four Gameweeks.

Leicester arrive in Gameweek 16 and again, it’s difficult to predict the type of opponent they will provide. However, we can presume that Puel – a renowned defensive manager – may have instilled even greater resilience by that point.

A visit from Everton then rounds off the six Gameweeks and could offer perhaps the best opportunity for goals over this stretch. However, with a managerial appointment looming, there is uncertainty surrounding the difficulty of this fixture. Certainly, we should anticipate that Everton will have improved defensively heading into the Christmas programme.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
While Rafa Benitez’s men have generally been resolute at the back, it’s difficult to see them keeping out either Man United or Chelsea on their travels.

But only Brighton & Hove Albion (44) have mustered fewer shots in home matches than West Brom (48), so the Gameweek 14 trip to The Hawthorns could be a potential clean sheet.

Defensive returns look trickier to pick out on Tyneside, however.

Only Man City (14) have scored more goals away from home than Watford (12), while Leicester have scored two goals in each of their last two road trips, and, as mentioned have the pace on the counter-attack to trouble any side.

The Everton match-up appears the most promising of the three St James’ Park fixtures, although the Toffees may be a very different prospect by Gameweek 17.

The Turning Point
Newcastle’s schedule in the long-term is generally promising, with Gameweek 16 marking the point where their assets make a return to our radars.

Verdict
With our concerns mainly limited to the short-term, it’s likely that many Fantasy managers will be happy to bench the likes of Rob Elliot and members of their cut-price back four.

But without a goal in their last two encounters, and with Man United and Chelsea to face in the next four, it looks time to make alternative plans if you’re still clinging to a Magpies attacker.

West Bromwich Albion

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The Prospects – Goals
Looking over the next seven Gameweeks, clashes against Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Man United it seems very unlikely that the West Brom attack will spark into life.

Chelsea have recorded back-to-back clean sheets, while Spurs have produced shut-outs in three of their last four at Wembley Stadium.

There is a small three-match window between Gameweeks 14-16 that provides some room for optimism, although Newcastle can frustrate teams away from home, while Crystal Palace are showing shoots of recovery in defence.

The trip to Swansea City appears to be the best opportunity for goals. Newcastle, Watford, Leicester and Brighton have all managed to breach Paul Clement’s defence at the Liberty Stadium so far.

The six-Gameweek spell ends at Anfield, currently the toughest away trip on the fixture list in terms of plundering goals.

Following that, Man United are the visitors to The Hawthorns to prolong a punishing schedule.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Our interest in West Brom assets is regularly limited to their defence and, while the next two opponents must surely be tipped to breach Tony Pulis’ rearguard, the three-match run from Gameweek 14 does at least offer some potential.

The Newcastle and Swansea match-ups are the most likely to return, with Palace potentially revived as an attacking force with Christian Benteke’s return now imminent.

However, having failed to deliver consistent defensive points, and with Liverpool and Man United looming in Gameweeks 17 and 18, it becomes difficult to build a case for investment.

The Turning Point
The schedule begins to ease for the Baggies from Gameweek 19, though our faith in their defence needs restoring – perhaps with some tangible set-piece threat – before we will be willing to revisit the likes of Ahmed Hegazi as an option.

Verdict
There are now stronger budget options in defence and, given their abject form and apparent lack of confidence, it is difficult to justify continuing to hold West Brom assets.

West Ham United

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The Prospects – Goals
Despite their struggles, West Ham have scored three goals in their last two matches, and in the short-term, the fixture list offers new manager David Moyes the platform to get some points on the board.

Gameweek 11 delivers a trip to Watford, who are an unpredictable opponent at Vicarage Road, having conceded 11 goals in five home encounters.

Clashes against Leicester and Everton are also reasonable fare for Moyes, who will surely look to this three-match run as a springboard heading into the festive period.

But the outlook then turns decidedly bleak from an attacking standpoint, with the Man City and Chelsea defences unlikely to surrender big chances to the Hammers attack.

The visit of Arsenal gives West Ham back-to-back home London derbies and, having conceded 12 goals on the road to date, Arsene Wenger’s defence will likely offer the Hammers the opportunity to cheer the London Stadium faithful.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four, the situation looks unlikely to change dramatically over the next six Gameweeks.

While Watford have struggled at home – ranking third from bottom for shots in home matches – they still have the weapons to test Moyes’ shaky defence.

Keeping Leicester at bay in Gameweek 13 could also prove challenging, given the effectiveness of the Foxes attack on their travels.

The trip to Goodison Park may well present the most likely source of defensive returns, depending on the confidence levels in the Everton camp by Gameweek 14.

Following that, clean sheets will surely be at a premium.

The trip to the Etihad Stadium is followed by visits from Chelsea and Arsenal. Given that Moyes’ side have conceded an average of two goals per match so far at the London Stadium, it seems very unlikely that we will see an improvement in those derby matches.

The Turning Point
From Gameweek 18 onwards, the fixture list eases considerably, with West Ham assets perhaps back in the reckoning, pending a sign of improvement under their new manager.

Verdict
The Hammers remain a no-go area for now. However, we can happily sit back and assess the impact of Moyes’ arrival, with West Ham potentially providing a valuable source of mid-price talent once we enter the busy Christmas period.

Also be wary of…

Huddersfield Town
The Terriers are another team who face three away matches (bou ars eve) over the upcoming four Gameweeks, while they also host Man City and Chelsea in the next month.

They then face a terrific run of fixtures between Gameweeks 18 and 24, however, so while their budget defenders and Aaron Mooy may struggle in the short-term, it won’t be long before we start to turn back to David Wagner’s squad for budget solutions.

Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls’ schedule over the next six Gameweeks (STK mun CRY LIV hud tot) is the definition of a mixed bag.

Unbeaten in their last four, they may have the confidence to thrive in the three favourable fixtures, meaning it’s worth keeping faith in their defence, along with the consistent Pascal Gross.

In-form forward Glenn Murray is also a viable option, but bearing in mind that Brighton have only scored 11 goals so far, we should remain wary with those three potential blanks to come.

Arsenal
Arsenal assets may experience some short-term suffering, with home clashes against Spurs and Man United, along with a trip to Burnley in the next four, forming a gruelling run.

The away trips to Southampton and West Ham are more favourable, though that alone is unlikely to revive interest in Arsenal’s premium options.

A lot will depend on how Arsene Wenger’s men fare in the Gameweek 11 derby, with the outcome of the clash with Spurs capable of turning confidence levels sharply in either direction.

With 27 points in his last three, Aaron Ramsey may well continue to be our most likely target.

Leicester City
The Foxes are another of the teams who look to have limited potential in the short-term, with home fixtures against Man City, Spurs and Burnley in the next four providing a test for Puel’s men.

The prospects in the medium term appear bright enough, though, and the window between Gameweeks 15 and 18 could turn heads.

Puel has got off to a promising start, so the progress of Harry Maguire, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy should be monitored regardless of a testing and intensive spell of fixtures between Gameweeks 19 and 23.