The clocks have gone back as the cold dark evening’s draw in, but there’s still a host of teams shining brightly on the fixture calendar. Time to consult our “Tickers” and home in on the winter warmers for the coming weeks…
The Highs…
Man United
Manchester United have gone unbeaten in all 10 games of the Premier League so far, their best run of the last 19 years, and even though they are perhaps picking up too many draws, it remains a run of form worth backing. Throw in some decent opponents to come (WOL, mcy, avl, WIG, BLA) and you get a bigger picture as to why investment in the Old Trafford riches looks a good option. Luis Nani is becoming to be a bit of a “must have” nowadays, Vidic and Ferdinand are reaffirming their steely partnership at the back, while Berbatov and Hernandez (who could well retain his place throughout November) carry the goal threat. One attacking United player seems very wise – further coverage at the back also looks a decent strategy.
Everton
The Toffees face both Arsenal and Chelsea in the next six, but still sit on the most promising November fixtures. A trip to Bloomfield Road beckons this weekend and, while defenders Baines, Jagielka and co with have a task to keep the Blackpool waves at bay, Everton will surely have opportunities to boost their own goal tally. Yakubu finally broke his goalscoring duck on Saturday and with Louis Saha crawling back to fitness, it seems that David Moyes may have some goal power at last. Playmaker and Bonus darling Mikel Arteta may pick up some renewed interest, while Tim Cahill always offers a punt with his raids form midfield. The weekend is also a big game for “out of position” favourite Seamus Coleman, who returns to Blackpool following last season’s successful loan spell. He needs a big game to cement his starting role as Moyes begins to toy with a possible shift to 4-4-2.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s away form has stuttered but Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain a formidable force at Stamford Bridge. Fantasy Managers growing tired of meagre returns from the likes of Didier Drogba and particularly Florent Malouda, can take comfort from a fixture list that shows home encounters with Fulham and Sunderland to come in Gamweeks 12 and 13. Away trips to Birmingham and Newcastle then follow, so those holding onto Chelsea assets will likely need to see heavy returns from those two home games, otherwise we will likely see a growing trend of sales – particularly when it comes to Malouda.
West Ham
It’s getting hard to keep backing Avram Grant’s failing fortunes, but when it comes to fixtures, the Hammers remain one of the most promising outfits available, regardless of league placing. This week away at Birmingham admittedly provides a tricky start – Alex McLeish’s side have an incredible league home record – but after that a triple of home fixtures against West Brom, Blackpool and Wigan will invite the opportunity for West Ham to score goals. If you feel that Grant can turn the ship around, those goals will likely be sourced from Piquionne and Obinna up front, with penalty taker Mark Noble pushing from midfield along with Bonus Point darling, Scott Parker. Manuel Da Costa is your option at the back, along with Robert Green in goal of course.
Also to consider: Arsenal – a schedule that remains strong with trips to Everton and Villa providing the toughest tests in the next six, if you discount the North London derby at the Emirates. Tottenham – Bolton away, then three home games in four with an Emirates trip in between. Stoke – horribly out of form but with a very strong run of opponents to come following the tricky tip to Sunderland. Bolton – three promising home games and one quite favourable away fixture in their next five. West Brom – with their continued run of positive opponents.
The Lows…
Aston Villa
Gerrard Houllier’s side appear to have one bright spark on the upcoming fixture list – a home clash with Blackpool in Gameweek 12 next Wednesday – other than that, the fixture looks a tad testing. Away trips to two stern home defences (Fulham and Blackburn), as well as home fixtures against two serious title contenders (United and Arsenal) appear to offer little potential in terms of goal-getting. Houllier’s defensive approach may see rewards at the other end, but investment beyond the cheap Luke Young, looks a risky prospect.
Blackburn Rovers
An encouraging display against Chelsea doesn’t disguise the fact that Blackburn remain one of the sides worth watching from afar in Fantasy terms. A promising Ewood encounter with Wigan beckons this weekend, which allows owners of Chris Samba and Phil Jones to dust them down and bring them back into their lineups. After that, everything after gets far more sketchy as Rover face three tough away games (new, tot, mun) in two weeks, with the “light respite” of a war of attrition with Aston Villa at Ewood sandwiched in between. Hardly inspiring.
Sunderland
Sunderland have at least got a reasonable fixture in the forthcoming Gameweek, as Stoke arrive at the Stadium of Light. The three fixtures that follow that however, see them settle back into decline. Two quick trips to London in the space of five days, to face Spurs and Chelsea, followed by a home fixture against a resurgent Everton side, appear to offer little promise. As usual, Elmohammady is rewarded less caution thanks to his tantalising “out of position” proposition, while Darren Bent is a man who can score regardless of opponent. Steve Bruce’s side remain an otherwise no-go area and even owners of that pair could be pondering possible exit plans after Sunday’s drubbing.
Be wary of: Wolves – don’t get carried away with the three points against City, the fixtures remain evil for at least two Gameweeks. Fulham – they face trips to Chelsea and Arsenal in the next six, along with likely tight affairs against Villa and City. Birmingham – the Hammers at home offers potential, but they have three testing ties to follow that.
