Another weekend gone and the fixture list takes a further shunt to Gameweek Seven. It’s time to consult our “Next Five Tickers” and attempt to identify those teams who get a helping hand from the schedule and those who quite simply, will need to overcome the odds to offer us Fantasy potential…

The Highs…

Man City
After Roberto Mancini got the better of his old Milan rival Carlo Ancelotti last weekend, the Citizens now enter a period of fixtures that will see Fantasy investment in their squad increase. After his decisive goal and full bonus haul against Chelsea, Carlos Tevez’ beacon is shining bright and a double header against two of the newly promoted sides over consecutive weeks should see returns continue. Defensively, City have drawn level with Chelsea for clean sheets; a home fixture with Newcastle and trips to Blackpool, Wolves and West Brom will provide further opportunities for Mancini’s “cautious” approach to reap clean sheet rewards.

Man United
Just a hop, skip and jump across town and Alex Ferguson’s United side are about to enjoy an equally decent run of opponents. Their next five fixtures (sun, WBA, stk, TOT, WOL) has them take in three rather attractive Old Trafford encounters and two away trips that should promise attacking returns. Key assets – Luis Nani and Dimitar Berbatov – will inevitably shine bright throughout this period although defensive investment looks more unlikely. The likes of Spurs, Sunderland and Stoke will test Ferguson’s rearguard and as Sunday demonstrated, he still has plenty of work to do in that area.

West Brom
If you ignore one of their next five fixtures – the away trip at Old Trafford following the international break – then the Baggies have a “Ticker” that looks rather appealing right now. Given the confidence that will be flowing following the Emirates result and the value that their squad presents, it’s clear the Di Matteo’s squad have to be considered for weeks to come. A home fixture against Bolton beckons, giving players like Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie the chance to stake further claims for Fantasy investment. Fixtures against Fulham and Blackpool won’t cause any trepidation in the Baggies camp whilst in Gameweek 11, Di Matteo’s side have the opportunity to prove themselves against City at the Hawthorns.

Bolton
A tumultuous start that has seen red cards and an array of misfortune, but Bolton appear to be reaching calmer waters when it comes to opponents from this point on. Following their impressive draw at home against Man United last weekend, the Trotters will be looking to build and power ahead with the coming spate of games, starting with the trip to the aforementioned West Brom. The doubts will remain at the back, despite Gary Cahill’s return from suspension, but attacking buys like Martin Petrov (who is finally coming into his own after a slow start) and Johan Elmander (who is finally coming into his own after two previously lacklustre seasons) will be well worth keeping an eye on. Kevin Davies, possibly Fantasy Football’s most unfashionable signing, is also a steady supplier of points course.

Also to consider: Fulham and West Ham

The Lows…

Aston Villa
The Villans have got a new manager and have just recorded two wins on the trot in two different competitions since his arrival, so everything should be looking up for the future right? Maybe, although it’s clear that Gerard Houllier is not about to be given an easy ride. The vigilant fixture chasers who press their “sort by difficulty” on their Members Ticker will see that Villa rank bottom of all the Premier League clubs over the next five Gameweeks. A trip to White Hart Lane followed by a tough home tie against Chelsea next, then come tricky trips to Fulham and Sunderland. Houllier’s Villa will have to do it the hard way if their mini-revival is to continue.

Wolves
Wolves are in poor form right now. They’ve just lost 3 games on the bounce and are one of only two remaining Premier League sides yet to keep a clean sheet this season – Stoke City being the other. Throw a fixture schedule that dampens dramatically in the near future and investment in Mick McCarthy’s squad looks a gamble. The next two Gameweeks offer promise (wig, WHM) but if they falter over those two games then trouble lies ahead from Gameweeks 9-11 (che, MCY, mun).

Tottenham
Last week we told you it might be time to consider your options when it comes to investing in the variety bunch that is Tottenham Hotspur, and they duly obliged by starting off with a loss to West Ham, what could easily be considered their most favourable fixture of the next couple of months. A tough home game against Aston Villa this weekend – following on from a big Champions League with FC Twente this evening – will stretch their resource and resolve; the prospects don’t improve too much as we head towards November either. Gareth Bale owners, frustrated by his recent drought from left-back, will be gettting twitchy now. The “Bale Out” decision cannot be taken lightly however. Given his ownership – and obvious talents – the potential damage done by a knee jerk would be substantial if he can possibly come through the coming Gameweeks with credit. That might just depend on whether Benoit Assou-Ekotto makes the teamsheet.

Also to avoid: Chelsea and Sunderland