We’ve got a bumper schedule this week, with a full programme of floodlit fixtures taking place over Tuesday and Wednesday evening to supplement our usual weekend helping. Things are shifting fast then, and Fantasy Managers need to keep one eye on their “Tickers” to seek direction for the coming Gameweeks.
Fourteen teams – Bolton, Chelsea, Fulham, United, City and Wigan excluded – have a heavy four and two game split over the next six Gameweeks. Depending on whether those figures lean home or away, this looks set to be key when it comes to predicting Fantasy prospects over the coming period…
The Highs…
Stoke
If ever there was a time to invest in the Stoke unit, then it’s right about now. The Potters will be spending a lot of time at the Britannia Stadium in the next month, with four home fixtures (BIR, LIV, MCY, BLP) in the next six Gameweeks that promise to reap rewards up and down the pitch, not to mention two away trips (wba, wig) where goals could also be on the agenda. The disappointing clean sheet count is a cause for caution but key defenders like Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross will surely pose a suitable threat from set-pieces. Investment in Kenwyne Jones and providers Matt Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, also looks a strong option during this spell.
West Ham
We’ve been mentioning West Ham again and again in these columns for the last few weeks, and they have been improving too – certainly on the attacking front at least. Now it’s time to take the training wheels off and see what our boys can do. Like Stoke, the Hammers also have four home fixtures in their next six, with three of them offering very strong potential. These start with West Brom on Wednesday, with Blackpool to follow at Upton Park on Saturday; two of the more obliging defences around. Frederic Piquionne has been getting in amongst the goals and bonus points recently, Carlton Cole is starting to get time on the pitch and impressed at the weekend, while Victor Obinna has done just about everything but score – his time must surely come soon.
Wolves
The Wanderers have been weighing down our “Lows” section for quite a long time recently, but the light at the end of the tunnel is fast approaching we can now actually begin to consider Wolves players for investment. A home tie with Arsenal on Wednesday isn’t the greatest start, we’ll have to imagine they’ll at least concede but could nab a goal (or two) themselves. After that things look much rosier. Again we have a club with four home games in six, and alongside Arsenal they’ll be playing host to Bolton, Sunderland and Birmingham (each fairly favourable ties) as well as trips to Blackpool and Blackburn. Budget defence investors might finally see returns from the £4m Kevin Foley, while a gamut of midfield and forward options open up with each of Milijas (£5m), Hunt (£5.3m), Jarvis (£5.3m) and Doyle (£5.1m) all well worth putting on your watchlists at the very least.
Also to consider: Chelsea – with two very winnable home games against Fulham and Sunderland in their next two Gameweeks, armband options will likely be required. Newcastle – the Toon Army also have a healthy interest in their next two fixtures at home to Blackburn and Fulham to kick-start them well into November. West Brom – for their continued run of decent opponents in the coming weeks. Spurs – Harry Redknapp’s outfit have two very promising home fixtures this week, but be wary that their schedule turns very sour thereafter.
The Lows…
Sunderland
It’s the teams with four away games in the next six Gameweeks that invariably need approaching with caution. Steve Bruce’s men face a trip down to London to face Spurs and Chelsea by the end of the week, as well as Wolves and Fulham to follow. Given that they are already regarded as a travel sick outfit, you have to question the merits of their squad. Again, owners of Elmohammady will undoubtedly be keeping their faith in one of the few “out of position” players available, hoping that he can sneak the odd assist or clean sheet. However, with Darren Bent facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the onus will be on Asamoah Gyan to continue to build on his Premier League reputation that he established with a decisive brace at the weekend. He will have his work cut out and it looks an uphill struggle for the Sunderland in the month ahead.
Blackburn Rovers
Sam Allardyce’s men also face some daunting journeys in the weeks to come. They’ll be traveling across the north to face Newcastle, United and Bolton, with a break in London at Spurs this weekend. Strong at Ewood Park, Blackburn aren’t the best travellers and those Fantasy Managers who have been tempted by the Blackburn rearguard of late, will need to be prepared to find a place on the bench for Phil Jones or Chris Samba a fair few times over the next few Gameweeks.
Birmingham
Another side destined to spend plenty of hours on the team bus. Much like Blackburn, they are generally considered as a cheap defensive investment rather than a source of attacking points, although they do have a few of “differentials” in Jerome, Zigic and Gardner who may have picked up interest. Their upcoming slate (stk, mcy, CHE, ful, TOT, wol) looks set to make life difficult for the likes of Dann, Johnson and Ridgewell to return clean sheets, which means that attacking points at set-plays will be key to any points gathered. Ben Foster, a popular and flourishing pick in goal, may also need to produce Save Points to keep his current standing in the Goalkeeper rankings.
Be wary of: Fulham – trips to Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal as well as a home encounter with City reduces the appeal of Dempsey, Dembele and the back four. Arsenal – Arsene Wenger’s men also have three tough journey’s on their plate at Goodison, Villa Park and Old Trafford; not a run of games to allow Fabregas to ease himself back into form Blackpool – despite being decent travellers to date so far, Blackpool have four less than easy away games and host Man United in their next six; it’s a bumpy ride for the Seasiders.
