The upcoming double Gameweeks play a significant part in this week’s Watchlist refresh, as we assess the options over the next four-to-six rounds of fixtures. Liverpool’s rearguard have a chance to atone for their St Mary’s capitulation, whilst Arsenal’s raiding right-back also charges up the standings, with form and fixtures very much on his side.
Goalkeepers
Having kept two clean sheets and registered a penalty save in his last four appearances, Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet looks in fine form between the sticks ahead of two double Gameweeks, (TOT, STO, bou & EVE, NEW, swa, WAT & CHE) in the next six rounds of fixtures. The Belgian stopper only sets us back 4.9 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), and can currently be classed as a differential given his ownership of just 5%. With rotation possibly blighting the Reds defence, Mignolet’s appeal is on the up, given that he looks the most secure route into Jurgen Klopp’s backline.
Also on the rise is Man United’s David de Gea (5.7), who, like Mignolet, has form in his favour. The former Atletico Madrid keeper has registered two shut-outs over the last three Gameweeks, but unlike the Belgian faces a mixed upcoming fixture list. Certainly, the Spaniard looks very useful for double Gameweeks 34 (AVL & CPL) and 37 (nor & whm) respectively but is perhaps unlikely to provide many points from the other three matches United face over the coming period (EVE, tot, LEI), while they also have a blank in Gameweek 35.
Everton’s Joel Robles and Palace’s Wayne Hennessey are both significant climbers in light of yesterday’s double Gameweek 33 announcement. The duo now play five times apiece in the upcoming three rounds of fixtures before Gameweek 35 blanks, though Robles also has a pair of matches in Gameweek 37 (lei& sun) on either side of home encounters with Bournemouth and Norwich to strengthen his appeal. At 4.3 and 4.2 respectively, they offer the cheapest routes into their respective defences, though neither the Toffees or Palace have looked resilient of late.
Petr Cech does enjoy a slight rise on the Watchlist this week given Arsenal’s very favourable run of fixtures over the next five Gameweeks (WAT, whm, CPL & WBA, sun, NOR). With concerns over his availability for Gameweek 32, though, the 5.9-priced Czech international’s appeal is somewhat dented.
At the opposite end of the price spectrum is Newcastle’s Rob Elliot, who as 4.0 in FPL looks an ideal second keeper for those who still have their wildcard and Bench Boost chip still to play. The Magpies also have a fixture in Gameweek 35, albeit away to Liverpool, while they face two home matches in DGW34 (SWA & MCI). The rest of their fixtures over the coming period (nor, sot, CPL, avl) are also pretty favourable, so having only conceded two goals (and no big chances) in their two matches under Rafael Benitez, there do seem to be signs of improvement from the Magpies’ rearguard.
West Ham’s Adrian also climbs a few spots in our latest refresh, with Slaven Bilic’s men facing two doubles (lei & WAT, SWA &MUN) over the coming period. The Hammers also face pretty favourable matches at home to Crystal Palace and away to West Brom in the next six, although they do face a blank in Gameweek 35. The Spaniard looks very fairly priced at 5.0 in FPL, though, having averaged 6.75 points per appearance over the last four Gameweeks, thanks to two clean sheets and a penalty save.
Watford’s Heurelho Gomes (4.9) also has two doubles on his agenda, though the downside is that all four fixtures are on the road, where the Hornets have managed two clean sheets all season. Factor in a blank Gameweek 35 and his appeal is a little limited, despite home encounters with Villa and Sunderland in the final three Gameweeks.
With Joe Hart now expected to recover quickly from the calf complaint that forced him off against United last weekend, Willy Caballero looks unlikely to be afforded a run of starts between the City sticks. Although the Etihad side face a very reasonable run of fixtures over the next four Gameweeks (bou, WBA, che & new, STO), an imminent return for Hart would keep Caballero off our radars.
While Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel has kept four clean sheets in his last five matches, and faces a fairly favourable run of fixtures over the (SOT, sun, WHM, SWA), the lack of a double Gameweeks means the 4.7-rated Dane slides down our ladder this week.
Defenders
Having registered three assists and six bonus points in his last two appearances, Arsenal’s in-form Hector Bellerin returns to the summit. The Gunners also have that already mentioned kind run of fixtures over the next month or so (WAT, whm, CPL/WBA, sun, NOR), while the right-back also looks less prone to rotation given Arsene Wenger only has Calum Chambers as an alternative. Gabriel comes in far cheaper (4.3 to 6.3) and has started six of the last seven, though the Spaniard’s security of starts makes him a hassle-free option.
City’s Nicolas Otamendi moves up our ladder this week, having registered four shots from inside the box in as many matches. The centre-back has joined up with his international team-mates this week, so he should certainly be fit to face Bournemouth a week on Saturday, but given his 6.5 price tag in FPL, the former Valencia defender is unlikely to see much investment, despite City’s double Gameweek 34.
Liverpool defenders are likely to be popular choices for our five-man backlines over the next few weeks given their pair of double Gameweeks. With rotation expected at full-back due to the return of Jon Flanagan, though, we’re opting for Mamadou Sakho – the Frenchman has started 12 of the last 13 league outings and very kind on the budget at just 4.7 in FPL.
With two doubles to take advantage, West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell enjoys a hefty hike up our defenders ladder. The Hammers also face favourable clashes against Crystal Palace and West Brom over the coming weeks, and while the former Ipswich defender does set us back 5.7 in FPL, he has proven his worth over the course of the season, having scored one goal, provided three assists and racked up 11 bonus points.
Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat is another to enjoy a considerable leap up the Watchlist this time around with Rafael Benitez’ men facing a double Gameweek 34 (SWA & MCI) and clashes against Palace and Villa. The Dutch international, priced at 4.8 in FPL, did pick up a slight knee problem during the 1-1 draw against Sunderland, but should recover in time to face Norwich after the international break.
Scott Dann and Phil Jagielka are our Palace and Everton defenders of choice. Priced at 5.8, Dann has back-to-back doubles (NOR & EVE, ars & mun) in Gameweek 33-34 as he looks to add to his five-goal tally. At 5.1, the Toffees skipper is the cheapest of Roberto Martinez’ backline regulars ahead of their three doubles, though his lack of attacking output may persuade some to target Seamus Coleman (5.8), who has produced a goal and three assists. Ideally, we’d be looking at the three-goal Ramiro Funes Mori but the recent return of John Stones places enough doubt over for us to opt for Jagielka instead.
Like Dann, Patrick van Aanholt’s attacking potential atones for his side’s lack of resilience. The Dutchman is joint-top for goals scored amongst defenders this season, having found the net on five occasions, and has clashes with West Brom and Norwich in the next three in addition to a pair of vital home fixtures (CHE &EVE) in Gameweek 37 that could prove pivotal to the Black Cats’ survival bid.
Chris Smalling is the only nailed-on United defender ahead of their plum home clashes with Villa and Palace in double Gameweek 34. The Red Devils boast the best defensive record in front of their own fans, though with just a single assist to his name all season, you’re chiefly relying on shut-outs for a 6.5 price tag.
Christian Fuchs and Toby Alderweireld both slide down our ladder this week. Although both have been in fine form, the lack of a double – at a time where the likes of Liverpool and Everton both play nine times in the final seven Gameweeks – certainly limits their appeal for those wielding wildcards.
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