Selection

Frisking The Fixtures – Gameweek 5 – The Strong

We now enter a phase where all 20 teams face three home matches and a trio of away encounters over the next six Gameweeks.

Premium options from Spurs and Man City have the fixtures to deliver big hauls during this period, while members of Newcastle United’s backline could continue providing excellent value.

Here’s our summary of those sides with the schedule to drive Fantasy investment, together with analysis of where the points will come and when the tide turns.

Tottenham Hotspur

(SWA whu hud BOU LIV mun)
The Prospects – Goals
In a nutshell, the short-term prospects are outstanding.

Saturday’s match-up against Swansea City is hugely promising – no team have conceded more big chances (10) than the Welsh side.

West Ham United, meanwhile, have allowed the most goals (10), and Huddersfield Town’s bright start may just have stalled after a 2-0 defeat to the Hammers on Monday night.

Bournemouth have given up more close-range efforts (48) than any other team, while Liverpool have conceded eight goals in their two road trips.

With three clean sheets so far, a trip to Old Trafford will be tough, although Jose Mourinho’s men have given up six big chances.

Added to this, the Spurs attack looks to be coming to the boil, with their 3-0 win at Everton producing an impressive 15 shots.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Equally, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will surely prosper at the back over the next four fixtures.

Swansea rank bottom for total goal attempts and should present a great opportunity for defensive returns on Saturday evening.

West Ham and Huddersfield – who have both failed to score in two matches apiece – also appear favourable opponents for the accomplished Spurs defence.

Bournemouth, likewise, are struggling for goals, scoring just once so far, though keeping the Liverpool attack out will be a far tougher task.

Both the Reds and Man United feature among the three clubs registering the most penalty area shots so far.

The Turning Point
The next four Gameweeks are incredibly strong for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but the schedule does stiffen from Gameweek 9 onwards – they face Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal in a four-match spell.

Verdict
After getting off the mark at Goodison Park with a brace, Harry Kane is likely to warrant the armband for the majority of the next four Gameweeks.

Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli should also be among the points. The latter will also remain fresh given that he is “excused” from Champions League duty due to his UEFA suspension.

Meanwhile, in defence, leading Fantasy Premier League scorer Ben Davies should continue to provide outstanding value.

Manchester City

(wat CPL che STO BUR wba)
The Prospects – Goals
Only Man United (14) have scored more goals than City’s 12, while their neighbours are also the only other side to have created more big chances (16) than City’s 14.

Although Watford have kept three clean sheets, the fact that they conceded three times at home to Liverpool should offer encouragement for Pep Guardiola’s attack.

Crystal Palace are yet to keep a clean sheet, although Chelsea will present a testing match-up.

Stoke City rank seventh for total shots conceded, while no team has allowed more goal attempts than Burnley (78).

West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, surprisingly conceded three times to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out and should also present opportunities.

The home fixtures are stronger, but City did score more goals away from home (28) than at the Etihad (24) last season, with Saturday’s 5-0 win over Liverpool perhaps not a fair reflection of home form given Sadio Mane’s dismissal.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Watford are decidedly improved as an attacking force under Marco Silva and could present tricky opponents on Saturday.

Palace are yet to find the net and appear the ideal match-up, but Chelsea have to be backed to score at home in Gameweek 7.

Stoke have only notched once on their travels, with Burnley perhaps trickier opposition – they have scored four goals away to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

West Brom should also present a reasonable opportunity for defensive returns for a City defence that has only conceded twice and allowed just two big chances.

The Turning Point
City’s fixture list remains favourable for a prolonged period, with their most difficult matches arriving in Gameweeks 16 and 18, against Man United and Spurs respectively.

Verdict
While the fixtures are very strong, rotation is a big concern for the majority of City players given that the UEFA Champions League group stage is now underway. Despite this, their leading attacking option Gabriel Jesus remains an exceptional option up front, despite losing minutes, if not starts.

The appeal of Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy is lessened by the presence of Danilo, though with Vincent Kompany still nursing an injury, he could remain as part of a back three and cement the starts for both wing-backs. The skipper’s return changes matters and will also cast doubts over John Stones’ security.

West Ham United

(wba TOT SWA bur BHA cpl)
The Prospects – Goals
Two of the Hammers’ three home matches look very promising.

Swansea are conceding a lot of chances, while Brighton have only produced a single shutout – against the 10 men of Watford.

Spurs will offer much sterner opposition, though, having kept clean sheets in both of their away matches.

The away fixtures for Slaven Bilic’s side also show promise.

West Brom have shipped four goals in their last two encounters, while Burnley and Palace have both lost at home. The Clarets are devoid of Tom Heaton’s significant influence in goal, while the Eagles defence is in transition following the arrival of Mamadou Sakho and new manager Roy Hodgson.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
It’s much the same story looking at the prospects for the West Ham defence.

Brighton have failed to score in both of their away trips, while Swansea are currently offering very little attacking threat.

Spurs will be expected to notch at the London Stadium, though they did go down to a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last term.

The away matches look very promising – West Brom have only netted twice at home, while both Burnley and Palace have struggled for a cutting edge in front of their own fans this season.

The Turning Point
Between Gameweeks 11 and 17, the Hammers face a pretty brutal run, including fixtures against Liverpool, Everton, City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Verdict
Aaron Cresswell’s stock will rise rapidly if he continues to be used as a wing-back, with set-piece duties also boosting his prospects in addition to possible defensive returns.

Further forward, the return of Andy Carroll looks to have lessened the appeal of Chicharito, with Michail Antonio the prominent midfield option and the current go-to candidate to cover the Hammers’ attack.

Newcastle United

(STK bha LIV sot CPL bur)
The Prospects – Goals
Scoring just four goals so far, we perhaps shouldn’t expect too much from the Newcastle attack, although they rank in the top ten for both shots and penalty area efforts.

Stoke and Liverpool will be testing match-ups, but each club have yet to register a clean sheet on their travels.

Palace should provide easier opponents, although they could be a different proposition under Hodgson come Gameweek 9.

In the away fixtures, the prospects appear relatively buoyant – Brighton have yet to keep a clean sheet at home, while Southampton have conceded four goals in their last two home matches.

The clash at Turf Moor could prove to be the trickiest of the three road trips.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
It’s in defence where the outlook looks particularly positive.

The Magpies have registered back-to-back clean sheets, and home meetings with Stoke and Palace should provide further strong opportunities for shutouts.

There also looks little to fear in the away matches – Brighton have only managed to score in one match, while Southampton have blanked at home to both Swansea and Watford.

Burnley have also found the going tough at home – netting just once against West Brom and Palace.

The Turning Point
Rafa Benitez’s side avoid a sustained tough run of fixtures until the second half of the season. Clashes against Everton, Arsenal and City between Gameweeks 17 and 20 present the biggest obstacles before Christmas.

Verdict
It looks wise to find value in the Newcastle defence, with goalkeeper Rob Elliot providing the obvious route.

Centre-backs Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles offer a set-piece threat, with the delivery of Matt Ritchie making the midfielder a viable mid-price option. Joselu may yet emerge as a budget option as a third striker, although the jury remains out on the Magpies’ goal threat.

Also consider…

Southampton
Saints’ schedule has been strong from the outset, but faith is on the wane as they’ve failed to score in three of their four matches.

There is no convincing Southampton attacker, while with the short-term fixtures (cpl MUN stk) somewhat trickier, the appeal of Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand has slipped considerably.

The pair could re-emerge as leading options from Gameweek 8, though, when the schedule (NEW WBA bha BUR) improves once again.

Arsenal
It’s the Gunners’ next three home fixtures (WBA BHA SWA) that have piqued our interest.

The 3-0 victory over Bournemouth bodes well for those matches, with Sead Kolasinac now firmly on our radars should he remain at left wing-back.

In attack, Alexandre Lacazette is a viable option, having scored in both his appearances at the Emirates, although we’re yet to discover what effect the return of Alexis Sanchez will have on the Frenchman’s position and output.

The three away matches (che wat eve) are a potential deterrent to investment, however.

Leicester City
The Foxes face both Merseyside clubs at home over the next six Gameweeks, so it’s their away matches (hud bou swa) that may prove to be more profitable.

Even Liverpool and Everton have had their problems defensively, though, so Jamie Vardy is certainly a viable alternative to Roberto Firmino as a mid-priced third forward option.

With some reasonable match-ups from a defensive perspective, Harry Maguire looks set to become more of a factor due to his added set-piece threat.

Brighton & Hove Albion
Given that Arsenal and Everton are the toughest teams the Seagulls face over the next eight Gameweeks, Brighton assets should provide solid value for the time being.

The rest of the upcoming slate (bou NEW whu SOT swa STK) promises a solid platform for Chris Hughton’s side to build on the 3-1 win over West Brom.

The set-piece threat of Lewis Dunk makes him the favoured defensive option, while Pascal Gross’ 18-point explosion last weekend has seen him rival Anthony Knockaert as our favoured route to attacking returns.

2,148 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Goonermeister
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Does playing 2 of Joselu + Mee + CM each week seem a poor choice?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Can anyone tell what so special about Atsu at 5m when you can have the hapless but very lucky Fellani ??

      1. Nascimento
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Fellaini hasn't played more than 16 minutes in one league game so far this season. Not even casuals would take him.

        1. Podge
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          No Pog now though

          1. Nascimento
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            I'd still expect it to mean more minutes for the likes of Herrera and Martial (albeit after a shuffle around in the case of the latter) before Fellaini though.

  2. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which group scores more over the next few gameweeks?

    A) Lukaku, Jesus, Mkhi, Alli, Eriksen
    B) Kane Jesus, Mkhi, Alli, Silva
    C) Kane, Lukaku, Mkhi, Alli, Gross/Antonio (-4)

    1. Kizza_10
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

  3. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Need to drop one of 3 spurs assets to bring in Kane.

    Forster
    Tripppier Alderweireld Bertrand Hegazi
    Eriksen Debruyne Atsu
    Lukaku Gabbiadini Jesus

    0.9M ITB + 2FT

    Thinking of the following 2 options

    A- Trippier to Maguire
    Lukaku to Kane

    Or

    B- Trippier to Maguire
    Debruyne to Coutinho / Salah
    Jesus to Kane

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'd certainly get rid of KdB, but not sure of Coutinho or Salah being worth the money when you can get Firmino for less.

  4. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Please rate my WC:

    Elliot
    Jones Simpson Trent
    Alli Salah Ritchie Knockaert
    Kane Lukaku Jesus

    Subs: Krul Naughton TCaroll Hunemeier

    I have decided to rely on 5 big guns up front so please rate it in this respect thanks..

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Love it

      Mine is similar. But thinking of taking out lukaku for firmino and getting in mkhi

  5. Ser Bronn of The Blackwater
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pulis admitted that Hegazi needed a rest for the game against Brighton after travelling to Uganda and then back to Egypt and then back home. Is it possible that his 56th min sub off was because of that and not that his first team place is under serious threat?

    1. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely

    2. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      you hope. Either way I don't think he is a long term regular starter with McCauley back soon on top on Evans. Nyom and others to compete with. He has looked a but shakey defensively (missed fairly easy goal saving clearances etc.)

  6. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Where are people finding their predicted goals stats from?

    1. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      thin air

      1. bojack
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        The same place as reasons for leaving the EU?

    2. MTPockets
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Google. understat.com is one site

        1. FPL Bargain
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks. Its brilliant

    3. Kizza_10
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A. Jesus

      Or

      B. Mortata

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        A

    4. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Benteke owners, are you still keeping him in your team in light of De Boer's sacking? This needs to be considered carefully. Don't have Kane yet, but if I do, it must be accompanied with a hit.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        look at those fixtures

      2. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I couldn't in good conscience keep an 8m striker from Crystal palace

      3. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Against all odds, I might give him the Southampton game and ship next week.

      4. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, folks. Think I'm looking at offload.

    5. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Which one to bring for Lukaku.

      Morata or Jesus?

      Need funds to bring Kolasinac in next gw.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Neither, get rid next rid if you still want too

        1. Klopp's Kids
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          next week*

    6. Goonermeister
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Start 1

      A) Foster (WHM)
      B) Elliott (STK)

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        B) Elliott (STK)

    7. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Foster, Elliot
      Trippier, Cedric, Daniels, Mee, Hunemeier
      Eriksen, Miki, Tadic, Ritchie, Carroll
      Kane, Lukaku, Firmino

      0.4 ITB, 1FT. Whould you use this FT now?

      Hope that Tripp will play this week and plan is to use 2FT next week to sell Tripp and Tadic and get Alonso/Kola/Mendy.

    8. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Simple question?

      A PES 18
      B FIFA

      1. willl
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        B

      2. Pauntley
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Fifa

      3. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        B..

      4. Bergkampgoal
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        A.

        1. Visionaries
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Agreed

    9. Goonermeister
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Best defender under 5.1m?

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Jones
        Cedric

        1. MikeRyko
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Also add Maguire, Evans / Dawson

          It depends how long term you are looking but Daniels isn't too bad over the next three as a short term punt.

    10. Pauntley
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Could I get your thoughts on this team (planning to bring Kola in next week and go 4-3-3)

      De Gea
      Alonso, Bertrand, Davies, Kolasinac
      Eriksen, Mkhitaryan, Mooy
      Lukaku, Morata, Firmino

      Subs: Elliot, RLC, Carroll, Mbemba

      Thanks

      1. bojack
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I'd prefer to go 442 so I didn't have to play Mooy every week.

        Bench looks thinner than Rooney's hair before the surgery.

    11. El_Shaw
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Foster, Elliot

      Bavies, Suttner, Daniels, Kola, Mee

      Ramsey, Mikhi, Salah, Ritchie, Carroll,

      Kaku, Kane, Abraham

      1FT, 1.5m ITB.

      Worth swapping Ramsey + Abraham --> Firmino + 5.4m Midfielder for a -4 hit?

    12. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hey up -
      I've got £17.4 to buy a MF and FWD.
      Kane/Firm & Mki/Erik/Choup/Gros already in

      what do you think is the better points combination:-

      A. Lukaku & Ducouré

      B. Rashford & Salah (or indeed any MF up to £9.9)

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        De Bruyne 9.9 no need to look elsewhere

        1. rdpx
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          You reckon Rashford KdB better than A?

          Are you not concerned KdB is playing too deep for such a price?

    13. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      My knowledge of American football is pretty limited.

      Are Atalanta any good?

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        no one gives a hoot about a game played by 1 country in the whole world

      2. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I 've got Gomez to score first

      3. PL Ball
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        New team. First season in MLS. So can't really say if their good or bad yet.
        There is also no other local team around the area, so they've got a fantastic support base.

      4. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        If you're talking NFL and not football then yes the Atlanta Hawks are not a bad team. Got to the Superbowl for the first time last year and all in all had a very successful season.

    14. davies
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Best Hegazi replacement?

      4.8 max and needs to play this week...

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Simpson?

      2. rdpx
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Lascelles

      3. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Clark.

    15. HD7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      On a Wc:
      4-3-3

      Elliot
      BDavies Jones Simpson* Kola
      Eriksen Miki* Ramsey
      Firmino Kaku Kane(C)

      Subs: Foster, T Caroll, Chalobah, Mbemba

      Any suggestions or G2G?

    16. New Post
    17. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Iheancho as a gabbiadini replacement

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I would prefer Vardy if you can spare the cash.

    18. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Has any coach been able to improve full backs as much as Pochettino?

      The guy seems to be a genius with them.

      Bertrand, and Clyne both played for England after his tutelage, when at Southampton.

      Now at Spurs, Walker, Rose, Trippier, and Davies have all improved significantly, and are now all international players.

    19. Delph & Safety
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Foster/Elliot
      Ake/Bailly/Suttner/Stephens/Naughton
      Mooy/Richarlison/Eriksen/Salah/Carroll
      Lukaku/Kane(c)/Abraham
      2.3M ITB
      STEPHENS TO DAVIES
      MAYBE BAILLY TO MAGUIRE FOR -4?

      Looking to bring in the likes of Mendy/Keane/Kolasinac soon also. Agree with Jontys point that defence and attack are the places to put your money atm. And I don't have 2 4.5s!

      I would also love to get firmino/vardy for Abraham maybe if I wildcard GW8?

      Also like to hear people's thoughts on dropping lukaku for Jesus/Morata round then.

      Thanks!

    20. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hiya lads, i'll cut to the chase, desperately want and need Kane.

      Lukaku + Salah > Kane & David Silva?

      Very risk, i realise this, have miki and Jones for other united 'cover'.

      I just don't know if i should do this or not, any advice?

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ooooooh now that IS a risk. This is why I have had Kane from the start, even though he blanked 3 times when he scores and has good fixtures, you are gonna want him.

        I do think David is a good option but Mo salah has done brilliantly and has a great fixture at him to Burnley.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          True, just a player at that price was not producing and had to give him the boot. He could still be patchy, and may not score against Swansea, but do feel i want him as you say.
          think i may leave it and roll with Lukaku against a weakened Everton, who will also be tired from tonights game.

          1. Delph & Safety
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Yes I do expect lukaku to be on the scoresheet against his former club and could outscore Kane!

            It will be a nervous watch on Saturday 5:30 though

    21. Mattymo23
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Any good strikers under 7.3?

      1. Holy1
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Wood ?

        1. Mattymo23
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Bad fixtures unfortunately

    22. Holy1
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      My WC team
      What do you think ?
      Ederson
      Davies-Alonso-Stones
      Gross-Eriksen-Mkhitarian-Choupo
      Morata-Firmino-Kane

      Elliot/Obiang/Gamez/Tuanzabe

    23. GXNG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      If Alli + Eriksen outscore Kane (C) over the next 4 Gws, will it be considered a success to have gone Alli + Eriksen over Kane?

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

        Depends how your captain does

    24. connorman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kane, David Silva, Salah, Morata
      or
      Kane, De Bruyne, Alli, Firmino

    25. biggy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Forster
      Alonso-Davies-Kola
      Eriksen-Antonio-Felaini-Gross
      Kane-Firmino-Jesus

      Elliot, Naughton, Carrol, Gamez

      Too weak mid in this wc team?

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

        Wouldn't touch fellaini with a barge pole

    26. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Forster
      Alonso Kolasanic Davies Jones
      Salah Pogba* Gross
      Kane Lukaku Chicharito

      Subs: Elliot, Carroll, RLC, Rosenoir

      Going to be one of these... what we saying?

      Pogba to Alli, Chicha to Joselu (-4)
      OR
      Pogba to Mahrez ?

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        -4