Our Watchlist rankings, which offer player recommendations over the next four to six Gameweeks, have been updated over the last 24 hours. Southampton continue to climb in our estimations, offering Fantasy managers the perfect combination of form and fixtures, whilst a number of budget back-lines come into contention as the premium defences continue to let us down.
Vito Mannone, Tom Heaton and Kasper Schmeichel all rise as budget keepers in this week’s refresh. Sunderland and Leicester have managed just one shut-out apiece but have the fixtures to improve that lack of resilience, with Mannone’s 10-point display against Burnley last weekend underlining his save and bonus point potential; indeed, in spite of keeping his opponents out just once so far, the Black Cats’ number one sits just six points off the summit for stoppers. In the main, though, budget back-lines looks the way to go for the coming month, as the likes of David de Gea and Simon Mignolet drop as confidence in the heavy-hitting defences declines.
In defence, Patrick van Aanholt and Callum Chambers are our choice of the 4.5-priced assets, while Ryan Bertrand retains his spot ahead of Nathaniel Clyne as a slightly cheaper route into the league’s most resilient defence, with the Saints set for four home clashes (QPR, SUN, STO, LEI) in the next six.
Both Kieran Trippier and Wes Morgan enjoy climbs – there are of course, cheaper options in their respective defences, i.e. Michael Duff and Liam Moore – but the former pair offers greater attacking potential. Andre Wisdom is also back on the radar – Joleon Lescott’s installation to the West Brom XI looks to have steadied the ship ahead of three strong home fixtures (BUR, CPL, NEW) in the next six.
The attacking output of Branislav Ivanovic and Leighton Baines keeps them in the top three, whilst Man City’s Vincent Kompany is beginning to figure as their fixtures brighten – he remains the only real assured asset in their rearguard.
Further up the pitch, Dusan Tadic climbs up to second spot amongst midfielders. Southampton’s aforementioned fixtures hand him plenty of opportunities to improve upon a record of two assists so far, whilst James Ward-Prowse’s foot injury absence means the Serbian is likely to dominate dead-ball duties. Furthermore, Tadic also looks set to be the Saints’ number one spot-kick taker, as evidenced by last night’s win at Arsenal.
Angel di Maria’s form is difficult to ignore as he rises up the rankings, though Aaron Ramsey is faltering somewhat, with Alexis Sanchez’ three goals in his last four appearances meaning the Chilean is now pushing hard as the weapon of choice for Arsenal – there’s a slight concern on pitch time but that’s likely to be extinguished. Stewart Downing is one to watch in the mid-price bracket given his new central role for the Hammers, while City’s David Silva also rises as the fixtures soften up for the champions.
Up front, Graziano Pelle is the big climber. The Saints’ fixtures are too good to overlook, and with three goals and an assist in the last three Gameweeks, the Italian is the form attacker for Koeman’s outfit.
Five goals in as many matches ensures Leonardo Ulloa also takes a significant move up the rankings. Leicester’s target man almost sneaks in above Sergio Aguero in our top three but it’s clear that a combination of Pelle and Ulloa with a heavy-hitter such as Chelsea’s Diego Costa looks a viable tactic in order to free up funds in midfield.
A move to “the hole” behind a front two sees Wayne Rooney falter. The United skipper is very close to being replaced by Radamel Falcao in our Watchlist now – we’ll be monitoring him at home to West Ham, but if Rooney remains in a more withdrawn berth, it seems likely we’ll be swapping targets here.
There are few consistent performers below that to tempt us, though Danny Welbeck’s goal and assist last weekend bodes well for his points potential as Arsenal’s schedule lightens considerably from Gameweek 8 onwards. We’re keeping an eye on budget-friendly options such as Saido Berahino, Mame Biram Diouf, Connor Wickham and Diafra Sakho for their ability to provide alternatives in the lower price-bracket, though in all honesty, they face a tough task to improve upon Ulloa’s record as the budget striker of choice.
