With two Gameweeks until the next bout of double fixtures and Fantasy Premier League wildcards still fluttering, it’s time to take stock and give our Season Tickers another thorough examination. The fixture list spreads for another “Frisking” then, as we help you find the teams offered shortcuts to Fantasy returns and those facing major diversions.
The Highs
West Brom
The Baggies are in miserable slump – 6 defeats in the last 7 league outings tells the tale and has seen Roberto Di Matteo’s outfit slide at pace, down the league table. The next few Gameweeks look critical then – a possible make or break period for West Brom’s Premier League survival chances. Three home games in the next four Gameweeks give them every opportunity to stop the rot and start earning some reward for the refreshing brand of football that Di Matteo instils in his players. Hawthorns encounters with Wigan, West Ham and Wolves will surely be huge games and offer Fantasy Managers another chance to find value in the likes of Peter Odemwingie, and perhaps the more tempting prospect that is Chris Brunt.
West Ham
Featured in last week’s Frisking, the Hammers remain a decent source of low-to-mid price Fantasy talent given their run of opponents to come. Admittedly, in defence it’s hard to find prospects. Robert Green could be worth a punt if you’re looking to reap Save Points but with 1 clean sheet in the last 11 that’s perhaps the most you can ask for. Then there’s “out of position” prospect Jonathan Spector, so impressive in the 2-2 at Goodison. While the defence looks a major risk, in attacking terms however, West Ham offer potential and, as they demonstrated at Goodison, they do possess an attacking threat. Freddie Piquionne will be eligible to start at Blackpool, despite his ridiculous red card at Everton, while Scott Parker offers the prospect of attacking points and Bonus from midfield. Blackpool, Birmingham and West Brom come next over the next three for the Hammers – on current form they are amongst the worst defences in the league.
The caveat here of course is the Carling Cup Final – should West Ham make it past Birmingham in tomorrow night’s semi-final, they would possibly miss Gameweek 28 and their Upton Park fixture with Liverpool. It’s not yet known how the Premier League will reschedule the league fixtures for those teams competing the final – it’s possible that these will shift from the weekend of February 26, to midweek and remain in Gameweek 28. This seems likely given that Chelsea and United are already playing their second fixture of the Gameweek on Tuesday March 1.
Man City
Roberto Mancini’s side will end a run of 3 away games in 4 with the trip to Birmingham next week. Although the away form has been strong, the defeat at Villa demonstrated that City still struggle to break the shackles and take their opportunities away from home. At Eastlands however, City have scored 9 goals in their last 3 matches and with a run of 3 home games in 4 to come against very beatable opponents (WBA mun FUL WIG), it’s clear that we need to take another look at the assets on show. Carlos Tevez will need consideration once again – something to bear in mind as the scramble for Dimitar Berbatov, Robin Van Persie and Fernando Torres accelerates. Yaya Toure offers value at 5.7 in midfield, and then there’s Edin Dzeko – he looks odds on for a first City goal over his forthcoming run of opponents.
Also consider : Arsenal – you don’t need us to point out again just how nicely their form and fixtures are shaping up, although Gameweek 28 is a possible casualty should Wenger’s men make the Carling Cup Final. Everton – David Moyes is struggling for a settled lineup but, once the trip to Arsenal is out of the way, the Everton boss has three kind Goodison encounters to help find his best eleven. Blackburn – Steve Kean took Rovers to seventh with the 2-0 win over West Brom on Sunday and the fixtures continue to assist their progress in the coming weeks.
The Lows
Fulham
Clint Dempsey’s brace will have boosted his ownership as Fulham come out of their double Gameweek, but he and his team-mates face a rough time of it in weeks to come. The Craven Cottage clash with Newcastle in Gameweek 25 offers some potential but if Fulham falter here, they follow that with a tricky trip to face Villa before a local derby with Chelsea and a daunting visit to City. Defensively we shouldn’t expect too much from Brede Hangeland and co over the next few Gameweeks then, while Dempsey may struggle to repay the current level of investment coming his way.
Sunderland
Steve Bruce’s side welcomed the post-Darren Bent era with a 2-1 win at Blackpool, with Kieran Richardson’s brace rousing them from the hangover. Spirits will be lifted then, but Fantasy Managers will need to be wary of a fixture list that hands them at testing home clash with a rejuvenated Chelsea next, followed by trips to Stoke and Everton, with Spurs arriving at the Stadium of Light in between. The Black Cats’ defence will need to be at their best then, while in attack, Richardson and Asamoah Gyan will need to keep firing.
Tottenham
Harry Redknapp’s side have made great strides defensively in recent weeks with 3 clean sheets in 5; it’s no coincidence that this has coincided with the return to fitness of Michael Dawson. The Spurs rearguard faces a severe examination in the coming Gameweeks however, with trips to Blackburn, Sunderland and Blackpool all set to test their mettle; the North London derby with Arsenal also looms in Gameweek 28 if Arsenal fail to make the Carling Cup Final; should the Gunners do see off Ipswich tonight then Spurs could possibly miss the Gameweek.
Also be wary of: Wigan – the next two Gameweeks look favourable enough, but a trio of games against Liverpool, United and City hit them hard to follow that. Man United – form is strong and Berbatov looks unstoppable at times, but from Gameweek 27 Alex Ferguson’s side has a run of opponents that will demand the very best from them and may slow returns.
