The Watchlist rankings have had their weekly refresh and earned a new update today following last night’s events. You’ll find the current standings in the bottom of your right sidebar.
Double gameweek’s again have an influence, although many of the assets amongst the Everton and Birmingham squads all appear to come with caveats, suggesting that the allure of the double fixtures is nowhere near as strong this time around. Old favourites hold the top spots then, and there’s a real dilemma amongst the strikers on offer as injuries and rotation cut the options and may well force some risk-taking.
Ben Foster’s two forthcoming double fixtures earns him top ranking amongst the goalkeepers with Arsenal’s Wojciech Scezesny and Chelsea’s Petr Cech, his nearest rivals. Cech’s fixtures, capped by his own double in gameweek 33, enables him to take up his highest ranking for a good while.
Uncertainty in the Chelsea back four also boosts Cech’s appeal, although David Luiz has suddenly emerged as a real Fantasy prospect, compounded by his impressive showing against United last night. Yellow and even red cards may be a concern, but his energy and power looks certain to catch the eye of Bonus judges, while clean sheets could arrive given the opponents lined up for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Champions League ineligibility only bolsters the case for Luiz.
He’s a high climber in the defender rankings then, but hovers just outside the top five with Seamus Coleman and Roger Johnson’s doubles keeping them in the top echelons. Johnson is marked as an unconfirmed injury doubt right now and could be swapped out for Liam Ridgewell if his knee injury looks set to sideline him for the weekend clash with West Brom at St Andrews. Fulham’s Brede Hangeland and Tottenham’s Michael Dawson look handy differentials in the mid-price if you’re in the market for such a thing – again, fixtures play a major part in their attraction for the coming weeks and have them ahead of the likes of Robert Huth and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Samir Nasri and Ashley Young are undoubtedly the hot properties in midfield right now and the fixture list should bring them continued returns over the coming weeks. Nasri’s potential will likely be increased as a result of injuries to both Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie – the Frenchman should assume penalty and free-kick duties as a result. More on him to come.
Fulham’s Clint Dempsey is another high climber and makes the top five with two strong home fixtures on the horizon. The American is the big goal threat from Mark Hughes’ side and, although unlikely to be handed a strikers role, he continues to return goal attempts with regularity. A goal or two in the next 3-4 gameweeks looks very likely.
Wolves’ Jamie O’Hara is of course the budget option of choice. Ineligible against Spurs this weekend, the loanee still hast the fixtures in the coming weeks and indeed, until the end of the season, to flourish further in Fantasy terms. We’re expecting big Bonus returns from him given his level of influence within a fairly unspectacular Wolves lineup.
The rankings amongst the forwards are really hard to call. Carlos Tevez holds top spot despite faltering form; his fixtures look to offer enough assistance to turn this around and, it must be said, there’s a lack of consistent rivals to threaten him. Wayne Rooney is showing form and has decent fixtures and gets closest his City rival, while Daniel Sturridge, Louis Saha (with his double fixture) and Moussa Dembele, all have strong appeal as differentials. The absence of Robin Van Persie and the insecurity amongst the Chelsea frontline really does limit our current options however. The current level of uncertainty and the opportunity for differentials in this area appears to offer hope for those currently chasing a mini-league lead.
