We’ve had a frenzied seven days. Three Gameweeks have passed so quickly that a team’s run of good fixtures may now have transformed into a nightmare schedule, and vice versa of course.

Take a breath then, crack out your “Season Ticker”, and let’s stroll through the hot and cold spells ahead as we build up to the hectic Christmas programme…

The Highs…

Bolton
Members can click on “sort by difficulty” on the next six ticker and get an immediate indication on why Bolton are looking like a good investment right now. Their next six Gameweeks look outstanding (NEW, BLP, mcy, BLA, sun, WBA) with Reebok encounters against all three promoted clubs for starters. This schedule also arrives on top of an incredible run of form, a run that has seen them climb to fifth place in the league table.

In defence, Gary Cahill, at 5.4 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, has picked up 11 bonus points in his last six fixtures and points could continue flowing as he looks to add clean sheets and maybe a first goal of the season. Chung-Yong Lee (5.2) has started notching assists and impressed at the weekend, while strikers Kevin Davies (6.4) and Johan Elmander (6.0) continue to offer good budget striking options. A Bolton representative looks a very wise move for the coming weeks.

Wolves
The Wanderers remain the only team this season without a clean sheet but their forthcoming fixtures promise the potential for improvement, with more goals to follow at the other end of the pitch. Mick McCarthy’s side face trips to Blackpool, Blackburn and West Brom and have home games against Sunderland, Birmingham and Wigan. A very decent run of opponents which could see investment in the likes of Matt Jarvis (5.3), Stephen Hunt (5.3) and Kevin Doyle (5.1), reap healthy dividends for Fantasy Managers looking for some low-to-mid price fodder.

Man United
Manchester United will face Arsenal and Chelsea in the next six but, in the short-term, they have three strong fixtures to come (WIG, BLA, blp). Despite an almighty scare at Villa Park this weekend, United remain the only unbeaten side in the league. With form at Old Trafford always strong and two plum home ties to come, continued or added investment looks to be a good call. Wayne Rooney returned from his week’s boot camp in USA and if he’s ready, following a price drop to £11.3m, he may prove a handy little investment for those in the hat for a gamble. Nani has returned from a short spell on the sidelines and his price (9.0) rising once more, while Nemanja Vidic (7.5), comes at a price but is solidifying a partnership with Rio Ferdinand (6.5) and is just one short of his best Premier League season goal tally with three to his name so far.

Fulham
A dark horse. Trips to Arsenal and Liverpool skew their Season Ticker rating somewhat, but four Craven Cottage encounters (MCY BIR ars SUN liv WHM) in the next six appears to offer some true potential for results and Fantasy returns. While Clint Dempsey’s stock may have declined as a result of his shift back to a midfield role, Mousa Dembele could well be worth another look, while the defensive talents of Brede Hangeland, complete with his knack for late goals, should enter our thoughts once again.

Also to consider: Liverpool – Roy Hodgson’s men have the fixtures on their side, starting with an Anfield meet with West Ham this weekend. West Brom – form is faltering but their run of decent opponents continues, with a Hawthorns clash against Stoke up next. Stoke – the Potters also have reasonable fixtures in their coming schedule and, unlike the Baggies, are on a run of form. Man City – despite having four away games in their next six, the list of opponents may give them opportunity to earn results. Everton – besides trips to Chelsea and Man City the Toffees have some good games on the horizon, with some kind looking Goodison encounters in the next six.

The Lows…

Chelsea
Chelsea’s Fantasy output has faltered badly and the fixture list is not about to grant them any favours to help improve matters. Didier Drogba is battling to regain full strength after malaria, Frank Lampard’s prolonged absence through injury continues, Florent Malouda has scored just one goal in his last eight games and Michael Essien is suspended for two more matches. In a nutshell, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are depleted and troubled. The real kicker is that their upcoming schedule gets very rough, very soon. Two away games at Birmingham and Newcastle “ease” them in somewhat, but they follow that with trips to Spurs and Arsenal, with a home clash with United sandwiched in between. An immediate improvement this Gameweek is surely required otherwise the Chelsea sales will start to ramp up rapidly.

Wigan
Wigan are only reliable at one thing it seems – being unreliable. Their upcoming slate of games (mun, whm, STK, eve, AVL, wol) appears to make it harder than normal to invest in their assets. Paraguayan international Antolin Alcaraz has proved to be one of the few solid £4.5m defenders out there, but choosing if/when the next clean sheet may arrive looks very tricky. Charles N’Zogbia could remain a shrewd pick as he snaffles up Bonus Points, but that often relies on the Latics earning a positive result. With four from six on the road, Roberto Martinez’ side will have to recapture their away form if they are to offer returns. They remain a gamblers choice.

Tottenham
Gareth Bale has just picked up his first big haul in months – a mammoth 18 FPL points. Rafael Van Der Vaart has oozed class and been highly consistent, while a Jermain Defoe return appears to be on the cards sooner rather than later. Positive stuff then, although the fixture list is about to turn against them. Of their upcoming six games (ars, LIV, bir, CHE, blp, avl) the away game at Blackpool looks the most promising, and even then a clean sheet would seem unlikely. It’s not to say their players should be avoided; if anything, options like Bale seem to be “big game” players. Investment definitely needs to be considered carefully however, particularly if you’re tempted by the Van der Vaart/Bale midfield double act.

Be wary of: West Ham – Apart from a home fixture with Wigan in Gameweek 15, the bottom of the table club don’t appear to have many promising opponents on the horizon. Arsenal – the Gunners will need to maintain form – they don’t have an easy schedule, with Fulham at home in Gameweek 16 the closest they come to a comfortable ride. Birmingham – a strong result at City, but the tests keep coming in the weeks ahead.