Selection

The Watchlist – Sanchez Slide Continues

With our season now free from any more interruptions and the Double Gameweeks revealed, we felt it was timely to make a return to our Watchlist articles for the run-in.

We reconvene at a time when the midfield landscape, in particular, is in turmoil.

Anyone shocked by the Gunners’ Monday night capitulation at Crystal Palace will be even more concerned by the continued decline of Alexis Sanchez. Owned by 26.4%, the Chilean has – quite literally – been a central figure for Arsenal this season, scoring 18 goals and assisting a further ten from a role up front.

Yet as newspaper reports of unhappiness and unproductive contract talks increase, Arsene Wenger has made the decision to shift Sanchez to the left flank over the last five Gameweeks. Monday brought his third successive blank – his longest run without returns all season.

Subsequently, Sanchez drops to third in our midfield Watchlist rankings, with Tuesday’s double Gameweek revelations ensuring that he has to remain a key attraction – pending a further disappointment in Monday night’s encounter with Middlesbrough, that is.

Spurs midfielders are clearly the major draw, with Son Heung-min’s 19-point haul in the 4-0 win over Watford ensuring he becomes the third member of Mauricio Pochettino’s side to make the cut. The top transfer target heading into the weekend deadline, those new owners should get at least another start from the South Korean, despite the return to fitness of both Harry Kane and Victor Wanyama.

Son is, of course, joined in the rankings by the superb Dele Alli, who sits at the very summit following Sanchez’s recent malaise. In scintillating form, Alli has struck 13 goals from his previous 16 Gameweeks, with 53 points arriving from his last six. He is nearing essential status for Spurs’ generous run-in, starting on Saturday at home to Bournemouth.

Christian Eriksen is the third White Hart Lane midfielder on the Watchlist – a rare occurrence justified by their recent form and upcoming fixtures. The Dane has a remarkable consistency that gives him the fifth-highest overall tally in this season’s Fantasy Premier League. Like Alli, it’s difficult to see his starting role coming under threat over the remaining seven fixtures.

Monday night’s Selhurst Park clash shone a spotlight on two more popular options.

Theo Walcott captained Arsenal, hoping to provide a viable Sanchez alternative by scoring for a third consecutive match. Walcott’s tepid performance offered a reminder that perhaps those expectations are beyond him. He remains an interesting option but, frustratingly, his regular withdrawal is an issue – he has played more than 70 minutes just once in his past eight appearances.

Wilfried Zaha was the major stand-out in Monday’s Palace win. The winger lived up to his pre-match billing with a lively showing, assisting two Palace goals. After delivering 11 points against both Chelsea and Arsenal, his ownership will surely go on growing ahead of upcoming home meetings with Leicester and Burnley that sandwich a double Gameweek 34.

Elsewhere, both Josh King and Eden Hazard scored in Saturday’s tea-time clash.

The former is making a compelling case for fixture-proof status, firing goals against both Liverpool and Chelsea. King has nine strikes from as many appearances and his enticing final five fixtures include a trip to Sunderland, while Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Burnley drop in on the south coast.

Hazard has the benefit of a double Gameweek 37 but, as Chelsea near sealing the title, we do have to factor in the likelihood that the Blues could lack motivation and suffer squad rotation over the season run-in. That’s not a concern in the short-term, however, and Hazard has to be a worthy target.

A lighter Philippe Coutinho came off the bench to equalise at Stoke, extending his scoring streak to three matches despite a recent illness which led to significant weight loss. Although they lack a double Gameweek, Liverpool’s schedule remains favourable, but the Brazilian will surely be a casualty of the shake-up around Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Elsewhere, an underwhelming Dusan Tadic assisted against West Brom on Saturday. Southampton’s fixtures remain a mixed bag, but include two double Gameweeks. Even so, the Serbian is now coming under pressure from both Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, who offer kinder price tags and have more than kept pace with Tadic in recent Gameweeks.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling notched his 13th and 14th assists of the season against Hull City last time out, with consecutive home fixtures against Crystal Palace, Leicester and West Brom from Gameweek 36 providing him with the platform to excel further. With many choosing to omit Sergio Aguero to accommodate Harry Kane and Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front, Sterling offers us City coverage for their prosperous run-in at a knock-down price.

Finally, Gylfi Sigurdsson warrants a mention. Usually so reliable, the Swansea City playmaker hasn’t produced a return for four appearances. While there’s real fear that Paul Clement’s honeymoon period is well and truly over, remaining match-ups against Watford and Stoke still hold some appeal. It’s a major drop for Sigurdsson, then, with another failure at Vicarage Road surely consigning him to omission from the Watchlist next time out.

You will find our current Watchlist standings in your right-hand menu on desktop and mobile.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

885 Comments Post a Comment
  1. K-win
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Sanchez to Hazard worth it before the doubles?

    1. K-win
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Then get Sanchez back GW36

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Is Jesus is fit we can afford both!

  2. Mic
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Hurrikane if you are around, you were talking about tekkers incoming explosion, can you talk me out of this
    -8 for
    Arnautovic(HULL)
    Benteke(LEI) with his great games to follow

    Sane Barnes out. Meaning i can bench King this week
    Yay or nay. Gut says do it and will have 0itb

  3. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    A) Bavies + Sanchez + Llorente > Ward/PVA + Townsend + Kane = -8
    B) Bavies + Aguero > Ward/PVA + Kane = -4
    C) Save FT

  4. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    So...
    A. an inform player vs good individual gk, but always conceded in away matches (no win)
    -Or-
    B. a really good player with no form vs terrible defense (play in better team)

    Pick one

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Big Rom 😎

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Goalkaku

  5. FPL Panda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Bailly or Valencia on a WC?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Rojo

    2. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Depends,
      What ure going to do with the 0.6 spare

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Wish I'd got Baily instead of Valencia!

    4. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bailly - I believe he is more nailed

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Valencia is the much better option (practically right wing) just Bailly is much more nailed on as it's a less strenuous role he plays! I'd hope they get knocked out of Europe and then go Valencia 🙂

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    What's the biggest realistic points total that can be caught at this point in the season?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If same chips remaining then I think about 80-90 points.

    2. Pete Campbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      great question

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      75-80, anything more and I would be nervous

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      An average of 10 a week seems reasonable. And depends on chips n shiit.

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Great, I'm about 180 clear in both my mini leagues so may put my feet up now and forget about Kane-gate 😀

    6. Tired and weary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on chips, quality of the other player etc but would say somewhere around 100-120 max realistically

  7. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Flawed logic?

    Considering I dont have a WC, whether to drop Aguero or Sanchez for Kane is the question...

    Dont want Aguero for his double anyway whereas I MIGHT want Sanchez for his double if he gets back to his best position. So better to drop Aguero this week, assess Sanchez in next 2 and make the decision on his future, plenty of options in midfield, wont be an issue to find his replacement anyway.

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If I didn't have WC I'd drop Aguero. Dropping Sanchez is easier with a WC as you can bring him back for W36

  8. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Which option do you like?

    Heaton Jaku
    Valencia Davies Mawson Holebas FM
    Sanchez Eriksen Alli Siggy Zaha
    Aguero Lukaku Llorente

    1 FT, 0.5 in bank

    WC in 35/36, have 3 Spurs

    a) Davies + Aguero > Gibson/any def + Kane (-4)
    b) Eriksen + Llorente > 4.3m fodder + Kane (-4) : Allows Aguero to Ibra in 34 and get to keep Lukaku
    c) Eriksen + Aguero > any mid + Kane (-4)
    d) forget Kane
    e) lose Sanchez and get Kane for -8
    f) something else

    Cheers

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B with Anichebe

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        The fodder would be a mid

        Lukaku Kane Aguero up top.

        1. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Lol sorry

    2. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Pete Campbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      D for me, but I hate hits and I have Llorente

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I would probably perma bench Llorente tbh.

    4. Mic
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A with Alonso

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A... Davies has to go at some point anyways! Eriksen a season keeper. Like Gibson for the double, otherwise PVA if fit probs

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Davies can go on WC. Palace looks a tricky game so not sure I'd want 3 attackers.

    6. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B or E. With your WC still in tact I would just about go E, bring back Sanchez for DGW and keep Aguero Eriksen for this GW. Aguero Eriksen could easily get you 4 points in bonus

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, it's a tricky one. Have to sacrifice either Davies/Aguero, Eriksen or Sanchez for an extra hit. The safe play is a) but tempted by the others.

    7. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A

    8. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B sounds the best - you'd be very top heavy but that lets you have plenty of options for the next 2-3 game weeks.

    9. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      D

    10. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers all. Will have a good think as Kane probably rises tonight.

    11. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

  9. Pete Campbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    One for those with an indepth knowledge of mediocre players.

    I'm in a draft league and am deciding between:

    Denayer (Home to WHM, OShea the competition)
    Mariappa (Home to Swansea, Prodl the competition)

    Who would you go for?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      For this week only? Mariappa

      1. Pete Campbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yep for this week only, thanks!

  10. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Good idea to get rid of Valencia?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Depends for who of course.

    2. alangreat
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      i wouldn't

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I would hold for the double next gwl then decide.

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      The best Valencia replacement is Valencia. Not worth the FTs

  11. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    GTG ? 😀

    Grant
    Alonso Walker Holgate
    Sanchez Dele Eriksen Coutinho
    Ibra Kaku(c) Benteke

    Pickford Valencia Robertson DeRoon

    Or Valencia/Roebrtson in ?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Nice team looks good!

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks 😉

  12. WVA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you bench from this front 8?

    Sanchez Eriksen Sane Pedro Zaha
    Ibra Kane Benteke

    Thanks.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Reluctantly....errr...mmmm.....errrr....

      NO IDEA....It's a good problem to have though. Nice team.

    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Pedro

    3. Guvnor
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sane potential rotation risk with Pep forever tinkering
      Pedro occasionally subbed for Willian and sometimes plays RWB

      I'd bench Benteke due to Zaha already acting as Palace cover

  13. Deano
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    2FT and 1.8M ITB.

    Pickford
    Alonso Pieters Baines
    Firmino Eriksen Son Siggy Mahrez
    Kun Lukaku C

    Valdes Friend McAuley Anichebe

    Looking at Mahrez, Anichebe to Zaha, Benteke and benching Siggy.

    Any comments on these or other options you can see?

    Cheers

  14. alangreat
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who to play...?
    A. Foster (LIV)
    B. Heaton (eve)

    Foster slightly higher chance of CS, probably less save points though...both unlikely to concede 4 goals I reckon.

    Currently on Foster, any view? Cheers!

    1. Tired and weary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Same dilemma. Trust Lord Heaton more tbh

      1. alangreat
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        my guts says Heaton too, but I have Lukaku (and may captain him) and I don't have any Liv players!

  15. kirwy
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Heaton
    Alonso — Valencia — Holebas
    Sanchez — Alli — Eriksen — Siggy
    Ibrahimovic — Lukaku — Carroll

    Bench: Pickford – McAuley – Lovren – de Roon

    1 FT ... £0.1 itb

    Thoughts on Ibrahimovic > Kane & then WC GW34?

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sounds good. Just make sure you have a plan for taking out your DGW34erd

  16. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Please comment on my WC-team. 1,8 ITB.

    Henn / Forster
    Alonso Vert Bailly Chambers* Holgate
    Haz Alli Couts Zaha King
    Kane Kaku Tekkers

    1. Aljosa Borus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe Valdes instead of Forster and Yoshida instead of Chambers,double up on Crystal Palace can get you a big reward or nothing but worth a risk

  17. chaboi1998
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Short bit of time for you lot. Need some help with this benching problem?

    Bench 1- Defoe, Sane, A.Carroll, , Coutinho, Siggy (or should i use FT to get Zaha in?)

  18. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    I wasn't aware of this from a couple of days ago...so I'll post for anybody else who missed it...On Gabriel Jesus....

    "Two weeks? I think he's short,"........ "Hopefully the (FA Cup) final (May 27) if we arrive there, I don't know.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-team-news-latest-gabriel-jesus-a7677756.html

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      That means no Jesus for the DGWs, right?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Reading between the lines it would seem so. If he's not sure he makes the FA Cup final then we'd have to assume very little chance beforehand.

    2. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Are u sure Pep didn't refer to the semis?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yes he is....The statement is about the FA Cup....He's saying he won't be ready for the semi final and maybe not even ready for the Final if they progress. Which is at seasons end.

    3. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Hard to tell if he's only referring to FA Cup matches, or talking about their whole schedule. Sounds like he was only referring to Jesus' chances of playing in the FA Cup, to be honest.

  19. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Son and Vardy > Zaha and Kane(c) -4 worth it lads?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Probably.

  20. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Lads this is how I'm looking for this week.
    Grant
    Baines Alonso Walker
    Alli Walcott Siggy Sterling
    Aguero Kane c Llorente

    King Brunt Daniels Jaku
    Anything needed for a hit.
    Particularly worried about no Zaha.

    W

  21. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Lol. I can afford a direct swap of Aguero and Vardy to Ibra and Kane...two free transfers and all....

  22. Paramaribo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Pickford
    Alonso Brunt Robertson
    Son Hazard Firmino Sanchez
    Kane Lukaku Ibrahimovic

    Subs: Jakupovic, Fernandez, Stephens, T. Carroll
    0FT, 0.1 ITB

    I am not sure which are the best two defenders to start with Alonso. Which two of Brunt, Robertson, Fernandez and Stephens should be best to start?

    1. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Brunt + Robertson

  23. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Brunt Robertson

    1. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Reply fail

  24. KLOPPS GLASSES
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Going to do one this week and one in the next GW, so which one for this GW?

    A) Costa > Ibra
    B) Redmond > Sane

    1. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Costa > Ibra

  25. chaboi1998
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is Siggy to Zaha worth a FT short term?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yep

  26. Ozil Watchlist Error
    Mark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Apologies on the error with the Watchlist - a bug inexplicably lifted Ozil to the top in error. It should have course not be the case and has now been corrected. Apologies again.

    Also, it was my bad, not Marc's.

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Poor Ozil...

    2. chaboi1998
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Trolololololol

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil going to fire now in the next 3 weeks.

    4. Deano
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil to who for -4?

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe he is playing up top - the next Wenger masterstroke

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        He was playing deeper than ever on Monday!

    6. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Its the only way he will make the top 4 this season...

    7. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil essential, FPL gold etc etc

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Those were the days - effectively, about 21 days last season when he was a machine.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Sigh. I remember ... Assist after assist after assist.

    8. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Haha was wondering if Jonty had him "about to leap off" some form of nebulous stats table 🙂

  27. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    A) Aguero -> Kane (c) and Antonio -> Zaha 4pt hit

    B) Aguero -> Kane (c) and play Bally vs Chelsea

    C) Keep Aguero, Lukaku (c), Antonio -> Zaha and play Bailly vs Chelsea

    Then next week
    Lukaku to Ibra (c)
    Evans to Gibson 4pt hit

    3 extra double gameweekers for 8pts and means I don't have to play Evans against Liverpool

  28. Elwood
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    In the next 2 gameweeks how would you rank these forwards:

    Lukaku
    Ibra
    Aguero
    Costa
    Kane

    I'm on WC and wondering whether to ger Ibra in now or Kane for a week and get Ibra in for the double.

  29. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    A) Aguero -> Kane (c) and Antonio -> Zaha 4pt hit

    B) Aguero -> Kane (c) and play Bally vs Chelsea

    C) Keep Aguero, Lukaku (c), Antonio -> Zaha and play Bailly vs Chelsea

    1. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      C and transfer Aguero out for Ibra next GW providing you still have WC

    2. Mic
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      C

  30. chaboi1998
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Marc Albrighton looks a steal for 4.9m. Getting overlooked?

    1. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Just not now. (considering UCL)
      in gw 36-37 maybe he is!