The Watchlist rankings have had their usual Tuesday shuffle and you can now view our new tables.
You can find the rankings in your right-hand sidebar on the frontpage. Use the tabs to peruse each position table. If you’re new to the Watchlist these represents our mid-term player recommendations based on the next five fixtures. This page offers more info on the factors that play a part in the selection.
The major movement this week finds Liverpool’s key Fantasy targets all on the rise ahead of their run of three home matches in four. Roy Hodgson’s side have so far been a no-go area for talent but a run of kinder oppoents should see returns improve, particularly at the back.
Here’s a brief rundown on the major changes ahead of Gameweek Six…
Pepe Reina with his three kind Anfield encounters, knocks Chelsea’s Petr Cech from the top spot in the Keepers rankings. Cech slides down the reckoning as Chelsea’s fixtures stiffen considerably over the next three matches. The likes of Ben Foster and Joe Hart remain high up the table and the value potential of Newcastle stand-in Tim Krul has him as a high new entry as Newcastle continue to surprise us with their defensive resolve. Three strong home games for Krul could well see him offer decent returns over the next five.
In the Defenders rankings both Paul Konchesky and Glen Johnson benefit from their forthcoming run of fixtures and Ashley Cole’s drop down the table. Chelsea’s run of clean sheets will surely come under threat over the next three matches which finds the likes of Scott Dann of Birmingham, Jose Enrique of Newcastle and Micah Ricahrds of Man City, all running him close with value and fixtures. Cole’s attacking potential helps to keep him third spot, that might change following the City game. We’ve taken a punt on Fulham’s new signing Carlos Salcido. He enters high in our rankings with strong fixtures and an eye-catching display at Blackburn last time out. We have a full Watchlist article on the Mexican coming your way very soon.
The midfield rankings see little movement at the top other than a slight slip for Gareth Bale as his fixtures stiffen up. That has Fulham’s Clint Dempsey climbing in our reckoning with his fixtures and the potential he offers leading the attack for Mark Hughes’ men. Behind him the likes of Man City’s James Milner, Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan are all climbers with fixtures and form falling nicely. The Magpies new signing Hatin Ben Arfa is our highest new entry – again we will bring you a full article on his prospects later this week. A word here also on the Arsenal trio of Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere. All three started at Sunderland and all could be in line to benefit from Cesc Fabregas’ injury that will see him out for a fortnight.
The Forward’s rankings remain untouched as far as the top three go. Didier Drogba’s form and his ability to score regardless of the opposition keeps him at the top – ahead of Dimitar Berbatov who holds second spot after his hat-trick on Sunday. Andy Carroll just about holds off Fernando Torres in third – both have three attractive home fixtures in the next five. Fulham’s Mousa Dembele and Birmingham’s Cameron Jerome are the climbers offering further low-to-mid price options. Both have form (particularly Dembele) and the fixtures to offer decent returns over the next five.
As always there will be minor tweaks made to these rankings throughout the week but we will keep you informed on any major movement. As I say, we also have an array of articles lined up for you discussing some of these Watchlist targets in more detail.