Fixtures

Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 3

Our weekly assessment of the upcoming schedules finds a potentially prosperous outlook for the north London duo over the next four to six Gameweeks, though the fixtures seem a little more cruel for a trio of midlands-based outfits.

The Strong

West Ham

It’s two clean sheets from two for Sam Allardyce’s side after Saturday’s goalless draw at Newcastle. The Hammers upcoming four fixtures bode well for further returns at both ends of the pitch – home games with Stoke and Everton, coupled with trips to Southampton and Hull seem favourable for Jussi Jaaskelainen and James Collins owners, while Kevin Nolan will be confident of adding to the Gameweek 1 strike against Cardiff. The schedule takes a turn for the worse around Gameweek 7, though, giving us enough time to plan exit routes in advance.

Fulham

The Cottagers are afforded plenty opportunity to bounce back from last Saturday’s lunchtime defeat by Arsenal with a run of six fixtures which is rated the kindest of any side. Martin Jol’s men play host to West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke and with trips to goal-shy Newcastle and Palace also scheduled, Darren Bent could be set for a rise in ownership after climbing off the bench to score on his debut. Dimitar Berbatov will also be favoured, though the Bulgarian is expected to drop into “the hole” behind Bent, while Sascha Riether’s raiding runs from right-back may provide attacking returns. Aaron Hughes and David Stockdale could be decent budget prospects if Fernando Amorebieta and Maarten Stekelenburg remain sidelined with injury, though Brede Hangeland’s appeal may be on the up in light of the new bonus system.

Arsenal

While some may be deterred by Sunday’s north London derby, it’s worth remembering the last five at the Emirates have harvested 30 goals – Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud owners will have no fear heading into this one. After that, Arsene Wenger’s men have a schedule which could bring investment their ways at both ends of the pitch – home clashes against Stoke and Norwich, and visits to Sunderland and West Brom all look potentially prosperous, with Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker coming back onto the radar after the Gunners bounced back quickly from the Gameweek 1 defeat at the hands of Villa.

Tottenham

Andre Villas-Boas’ side also come into consideration over the next six matches. Spurs also have a clash with Chelsea on their agenda which may temper investment but with home games against Norwich and West Ham, supplemented with visits to Cardiff and Villa, plenty will be loading up on Roberto Soldado after the Spaniard notched in each of the first two Gameweeks. A weekend switch to 4-3-3 boosted Paulinho’s prospects of attacking points considerably, though many will wait until the transfer window closes until assessing the situation properly. With a clean sheet in each of their opening two, the Tottenham defence seems to have stepped up this season so far – Jan Vertonghen has collected bonus points in both his appearances, while Michael Dawson offers a cheaper alternative to the Belgian in the heart of the back-four.

Liverpool

Similar to Spurs, Brendan Rodgers’ side have also kicked off their campaign with back-to-back 1-0 wins. Once this weekend’s clash against United is out the way, investment in the Reds looks a likely tactic in light of their following five fixtures (swa, SOU, sun CPL, new) and with further analysis showing Liverpool have just one tricky match from Gameweek 4 to 11, many Fantasy managers will be pinpointing the Merseysiders as a source of points. Simon Mignolet looks the kindest route into the backline until the prognosis on Kolo Toure’s groin problem becomes a little clearer, while further up the pitch, Philippe Coutinho has hinted at producing the points without quite yet delivering. Daniel Sturridge continues to shine up top – a hefty bandwagon looks on the cards if he maintains his recent impressive displays as the Reds lone forward.

Also Consider

Hull – granted, a trip to City is far from enticing but Steve Bruce’s side are then handed three home games in four (CAR, new, WHM, AVL) to build on last week’s win over Norwich at the KC Stadium. Robbie Brady’s move to the left of a front three, allied with spot-kick duties, has already paid off for the 5.0 midfielder – he is bound to pick up some new owners, while James Chester’s budget 4.0 FPL price tag should bring investment his way at the back.

Newcastle – there’s no doubt the fixtures still fall in favour of the Magpies. With home games against Fulham and Hull, in addition to trips to Villa and Cardiff in the upcoming five Gameweeks, the schedule smiles kindly on Alan Pardew’s side – the problem, however, is whether they are capable of taking advantage of such a run. Yet to score this season, the Tyneside team have found the net just twice in their last eight league games – a clear sign of the lack of form from the likes of Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa – though a clean sheet accrued against West Ham last Saturday may persuade some to take a punt on the likes of 4.5 priced Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa at the back.

Southampton – unlucky only to pick up a single point at home to Sunderland, Mauricio Pochettino’s team will be confident of further returns ahead of a kind run of matches. The Saints face a trip to Norwich and home games against West Ham, Palace and Swansea, offering Rickie Lambert the chance to return to goalscoring ways, though new boy Pablo Osvaldo looks one to watch once he nails down a regular role. At the back, Artur Boruc’s cut-price appeal should help the stopper pick up more suitors, while Luke Shaw’s new owners will be hoping he recovers from the knee problem that forced him off against the Black Cats; Nathaniel Clyne offers a similarly-priced alternative route into Pochettino’s backline although he is far from assured a start with Callum Chambers starting the opening two fixtures.

The Weak

Chelsea

After Monday’s draw at United, Jose Mourinho’s side brace themselves for a schedule which hands them just one home game in the next four. Up next for Chelsea is a blank Gameweek 3 and with trips to Spurs and Everton on either side of a home clash with Fulham, investment in the Blues is likely to slow down. The imminent arrival of Willian merely adds to what was an already convoluted midfield area, while the chopping and changing up front suggest Mourinho’s teamsheets could disappoint over the season. At the back, though, there’s a greater consistency of selection –Branislav Ivanovic owners may hold due to his goal threat, while John Terry’s relatively kinder price also brings him into consideration, with the Blues looking particularly resilient under Mourinho once again.

Aston Villa

Similar to the Blues, Paul Lambert’s side also have a blank Gameweek 3 on the horizon. A home clash with Newcastle looks potentially prosperous before a trip to Lambert’s former club Norwich precedes a showdown with City. Christian Benteke owners will perhaps look to hold, given his Gameweek 1 exploits, while Villa may even fancy their chances of earning a clean sheet in light of Newcastle’s woeful attacking form.

Sunderland

Having picked up a somewhat fortuitous point at St Mary’s on Saturday, Paolo Di Canio’s side prepare for a daunting run of fixtures. While a trip to Palace offers a little respite this weekend, the Wearsiders will then welcome Arsenal, Liverpool and United in three of the following four Gameweeks – with a single goal scored and no clean sheets in their first two fixtures, few will be keen to draft in any Sunderland players ahead of such a run.

Also Be Wary Of

Norwich – lucky to earn a draw in the season opener at home to Everton, the Canaries failed to find a way past Hull last week despite their opponents playing most of the game with 10 men. Looking at the fixture list, Chris Hughton’s unit face a real uphill battle to improve upon their recent displays – home clashes with in-form Southampton, Villa and Chelsea, allied with trips to Spurs, Stoke and Arsenal will perhaps force Robert Snodgrass and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel owners to think twice over holding, while Michael Turner and co may struggle to present us with defensive returns.

Stoke – Mark Hughes may have registered his first win as Potters boss but, in the short-term at least, the fixtures are likely to pose problems. Trips to West Ham and Arsenal, with the visit of City in between, suggest returns at either end of the pitch may be hard to come by, with a home clash against Norwich the only bright spot on the horizon.

West Brom – with Romelu Lukaku back at Chelsea and Nicolas Anelka possibly set to hang up his boots, Steve Clarke’s side are toiling up top. One of only two sides – along with Newcastle – yet to find the net this term, the midlands outfit have an upcoming schedule which could see them continue to struggle – showdowns with Swansea, United and Arsenal in the next five, in addition to a Gameweek 8 trip to Stoke, look enough to deter many from drafting in the Baggies assets. With Ben Foster sidelined for up to 12 weeks with a foot injury that forced him off last weekend, those holding West Brom defensive assets may be considering a switch once the home clash with Swansea has passed.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,194 Comments Post a Comment
  1. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    guessing bale will suddenly be fit to play for wales now

    Open Controls
  2. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    BORED

    Open Controls
    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      White Star. The poor mans champagne.

      Open Controls
  3. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Huddlestone after the Citeh game?

    Open Controls
    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Are you a different person by day / night?

      Open Controls
      1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I've changed shifts...:):

        Open Controls
  4. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    How is this looking??

    Boruc
    Mert / Reid / Whittaker

    Silva / mirallas / walcott / coutinho

    Dzeko / sturridge / soldado

    Good to go???
    Armband? ???

    Suggestions please
    Cheers! !!

    Open Controls
    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Silva for the arm band...good team!!

      Open Controls
    2. The Mandalorian
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Silva for me to

      Open Controls
    3. Afterthe90
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'd favor someone in Saldado's place, not quite sure who though
      His return rate hasn't been to my liking and the teams attack isn't impressive

      Open Controls
  5. Kid Amnesiac
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I'm seriously considering Cisse as a short-term punt ... Could this be an unexpectedly great differential? Or are Newcastle attackers a no-go area given their poor run of form?

    Open Controls
    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Newcastle have been very poor, Cisse has been the poorest in a poor side.

      Open Controls
    2. Yank Revolution
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      1000 times, no!

      Open Controls
    3. Afterthe90
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going to gamble and take berbatov this week as Benteke is out, need to make it from USA top 20, to USA top 10,
      watch me rise

      Open Controls
  6. Mojo Rojo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Vorm
    Collins - Debuchy - Coleman
    Silva © - Walcott - Wanyama - Mirallas
    Soldado - Sturridge - Bony

    Boruc - O'Shea - Ward - Hazard*

    Any major problems? WC is available.

    Open Controls
    1. Afterthe90
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'd drop Bony for Dzeko

      Open Controls
  7. FF_EPL
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Guys, need advice for gw3 and beyond

    Migno (Davis)
    Player information

    Ivanovic–Collins– Coleman (Bennett, Baker INJURED)

    Silva— Walcott— Coutinho— Mirallas (Morrison WBA)

    Lambert —Soldado— Dzeko

    0.8 BANK

    Have only 10 players on the pitch (Ivan not playing, bennett not starter, and baker injured)

    USED MY SUB ( Silva >> Hazard)

    1. thinking of taking bennett out (maybe shaw, fonte?? or anyone else) — or should i not bother. Norwich are at home, and a 4 point hit might not be worth it.

    2. any advice on the state of the team overall?

    many thanks

    Open Controls
    1. Afterthe90
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Id sit out that sub, you right, -4 to pick up a defender may not be worth it

      Open Controls
  8. AAAAA
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    If Spurs sign Eriksen too then I think the Spurs midfield becomes a no-go just like Chelsea's. Rotation beckons

    Open Controls
  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    TWS site down?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nevermind, working now.

      Open Controls
  10. New Article Posted
    Open Controls
  11. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    WHo are wevthinking is the best defensive rotation (ideally sub 9m) from gw4 - jan?

    Was gonna go Collins / Clyne but not entirely convinced of Saints resilience nor home fixtures

    Anything else worth considering for my gw4 WC ? Thanks in advance for any helpful advice

    Open Controls
    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ugh, new post

      Open Controls
    2. polroger
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I have Collins / Garrido in my team, nor will be good at home...........

      Saints looks week in defence

      Open Controls
  12. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    BREAKING: Marc Overmars has just confirmed that they have been negotiating with Spurs today about Eriksen's transfer.

    Overmars:"Eriksen is going to talk with Tottenham now."

    Overmars: "Obviously, if it happens, we won't be happy at all to lose Eriksen."

    Overmars:"Especially because we, the staff and I, thought this year he was just going to get better, and more decisive in the games."

    Courtesy of @ybthebest and Nitin who doesn't come on here anymore. 🙂

    Open Controls
  13. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    @Mathmo
    A good point on Eriksen.. more likely to play central.
    But I can't see only 2 of Sandro, Dembele , Paulinho and Capoue playing every week,
    Regarding Chadli, I expect him to be a squad player.

    Open Controls
  14. Wheato182
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Posted from earlier.....

    I have taken no hits and still have my wildcard intact

    http://i.imgur.com/iL8F87d.png

    Should I grin and bare? take a hit or 2 or just wildcard?

    Open Controls
  15. tw
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    so do we think Lamela will start in the Derby, or is it too soon?

    do we think he'll help or hinder soldado's fpl prospects? and will be be a decent prospect himself?

    cheers!

    Open Controls
    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      he played for argentina 2 weeks ago so has some fitness you'd assume (osvaldo played in that match too and was able to play 45mins straight away)

      Open Controls
    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      the way townsend played last week i can't see it though, too early still

      Open Controls
  16. Heels_Over_Head
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    The Big Question For Spurs and for FPL investment in Spurs players: can AVB manage this team and get them playing together well?

    Lost Gareth Bale

    Gained Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli, Vlad Chiricheș and maybe one or two more.

    That's a lot of new first team faces.

    Open Controls
    1. Sánchez
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Will chiriches get in before dawson?

      Open Controls
      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Certainly not at the weekend, I doubt he would be dropped later in the season as well. I think everyone fully fit the order would be Vertongen > Kaboul > Dawson > New fella

        Open Controls
  17. New Post
  18. S.Kuqi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    For long term?!

    A) Wally+Cout+Giroud

    B) Wally+Michu+Sturridge

    Open Controls
  19. Jacketts Potatoes
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi folks,

    Team is
    Mig (davis)
    Baines Coleman shaw Whittaker (Ivan)
    Silva Barkley kasami coutinho (RavMorrison)
    RVP lambert (benteke)

    FT used and 0.6m

    People say my mids are weaklinks, in the main I agree.

    A) take a -4 hit, coutinho > Wally
    B.) stick with this GW3
    C.) begin a plan of injecting cash into the team over say 2 or 3 weeks to upgrade mids...

    Baines > Vidic (1.5m)
    Shaw > Chester (0.5m)

    Then gives £2.6m to bolster mids.

    I know my attack is heavy and keep contemplating RVP or replacing and injecting cash, but know over the season he's going to get results

    Any thoughts please

    Open Controls
  20. The Mandalorian
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    How many wildcards will get played over the international break?

    Open Controls
  21. Tinmen
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    whats peoples thoughts on negredo finally starting this weekend.will it happen?

    Open Controls
  22. Riyomorii
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    So my punt on Torres failed. Who should I swap him out for in GW3? I'm looking at Rooney, Soldado or Bony. Have 10.5 to spend

    Open Controls
  23. Tinmen
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    what's peoples thoughts on negredo finally starting this weekend.will it happen???

    Open Controls
  24. MrKeygenn
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who is the best replacement for lukaku .. I have Dzeko and Sturridge as my other 2 strikers and have £9.8m to work with

    Open Controls
  25. Dugarry_21
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Very quick question guys, your opinions would be appreciated...

    Nolan or Silva for GW3?

    I would have three MCI players if I went for Silva or a remaining budget of £2.5m if I went for Nolan.

    Honestly can't decide between the two and I don't have a gut instinct on this one either.

    Cheers.

    Open Controls
  26. Hazard267
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is it best to put all the risers in your team if your on a wildcard ive got most of them just not yaya toure surely only players which will rise twice are the ones you want

    Open Controls