Tuesday’s pass over the Watchlist player rankings (in your frontpage sidebar) reflect our findings from our recent “Frisking” of the fixtures. Chelsea’s improved run of opponents have their key assets holding on to their lofty positions, while Nani remains unshakable in the Midfield rankings.
For potential differentials, we’re looking to improved returns at both ends from West Ham and Spurs, the set-piece threat of Bolton’s Gary Cahill and a change in fortune for Stoke’s usual suspects.
The Keepers table shows some significant movement this week. Robert Green’s heroics at the Emirates, coupled with a kind run of opponents for Avram Grant’s side, have the much-maligned West Ham stopper climbing up our rankings. He and Tottenham’s Heurelho Gomes appear to present two new viable mid-price options for those Fantasy Managers looking to freshen up their goalkeeping spots. Save points and the potential of clean sheets look on the cards for the pair, providing a viable alternative to Chelsea’s Petr Cech who holds at top spot thanks to a couple of Stamford Bridge encounters to come in Gameweeks 12 and 13.
The Defender rankings show little change. Nemanja Vidic replaces team-mate Patrice Evra in our top five off the back of his goal and Bonus Points in Saturday’s win over Spurs. Bolton’s Gary Cahill and West Ham’s Manuel Da Costa are the big climbers. The pair enjoy decent opponents in the coming weeks and, as the dominant defenders in their respective back fours, they’re also in the hat for Bonus Points; Cahill adds significant goal threat from set-plays of course.
Further down, Alex replaces team-mate Jose Bosingwa who pays the price for the threat of Branislav Ivanovic for his starting role. Tottenham’s run of three home games in four, from Gameweek 12-15, is reflected in the presence of full-back Alan Hutton as a new entry in our rankings. Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross is also worth monitoring and is a significant climber further down the rankings. Tony Pulis’ side are lacking form and clean sheets, but the fixture list smiles on them going into December; sooner or later Shawcross is going to make his presence felt at set-pieces. Expect a further climb for Shawcross once the trip to Sunderland is out of the way this weekend.
The Midfield rankings enjoy some movement but the names remain familiar. Nani continues to justify his top placing following another big haul against Spurs last weekend. Below him, Florent Malouda is beginning to look fragile and badly needs to find form if he is to hold off the challenge of Rafael van der Vaart, Kevin Nolan and Gareth Bale. All three have decent fixtures to come over the next six, plus stronger form on their side.
Blackpool’s Charlie Adam and West Brom’s Chris Brunt hold firm, with Mikel Arteta climbing just behind them following another maximum Bonus Point haul in the win over Stoke. Lower down, Clint Dempsey enjoys an ascent following his brace against Wigan, although his fixtures hold him back from a more prominent placing.
Stoke’s Matt Etherington ranks above him – like Shawcross, you can expect a continued rise for Gameweek 12 when the Potters begin a run of three home games in four. A word also for Wolves’ Matt Jarvis whose form has him entering our rankings this week, despite difficult opponents in the next two. Expect a climb from him from Gameweek 13 onwards when the opposition softens.
The top three in the Forwards rankings remain unchanged with both Didier Drogba and Andy Carroll earning assists at the weekend to keep their totals ticking. Dimitar Berbatov has gone quiet, but with Carlos Tevez out of the frame through injury, these three hold firm with decent fixtures to come.
Javier Hernandez enjoys a big climb as the talk of a prolonged absence for Wayne Rooney continues. Below him both Fernando Torres and Darren Bent enjoy an upturn in fortunes as we back their class against some testing opponents in the coming weeks. Kenwyne Jones is perhaps the most interesting prospect further down our rankings. Stoke’s run of kind opposition is once again the catalyst here, and Jones looks well positioned to boost his goal tally in the month ahead.
Lower down the likes of Shola Ameobi, Victor Obinna and Yakubu provide strong differentials. Ameobi should enjoy another climb ahead of Gameweek 12 once the trip to the Emirates has passed, while Obinna, along with team-mate Frederique Piquionne, offer good potential given West Ham’s run of fixtures. Yakubu looks more of a gamble given the threat from a fit-again Louis Saha but a first goal of the season against Stoke will surely have boosted his confidence ahead of a continued run of decent opponents.
