Our Watchlist player rankings have been updated today – the first time in a fortnight following the enforced gameweek break. You can view these now in the lower section of your right-hand menu.
Much has changed in the past couple of weeks – not least the steady decline of Man City has a producer of Fantasy returns. Carlos Tevez personifies this with his run of just a single goal in 9 starts – the Argentine has failed to score in the league since his hat-trick against West Brom in gameweek 26.
City have also continued to show further frailties in defensive terms and, with fixtures against them in the forthcoming spell, their key assets have all dropped in our rankings for the next few gameweeks at least.
In contrast, Sunderland seem to be the team to watch – both in terms of cheap attacking assets, but also at the back where previously the likes of Phil Bardsley and Nedum Onuoha have offered outstanding value. As we revealed in Monday’s Frisking the Fixtures, their run-in is amongst the most favourable and that’s certainly reflected in today’s Watchlist update.
Man City’s slide from favour begins in the goalkeeper rankings where Joe Hart, so often at the top spot this season, is nowhere to be seen. Ben Foster is able to cement his top ranking position then with decent fixtures and a double to come, but Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet with a 3.9 price tag in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, is on his tail. The Black Cats keeper looks to have sealed the number one jersey at the Stadium of Light and is offering strong potential over forthcoming gameweeks. More on him to come.
In the defender rankings David Luiz is the clear hot property right now. Outstanding form for Chelsea is reinforced by a run of opponents that could bring continued returns at both ends of the field for the Brazilian. Luiz has enjoyed a couple of recent FPL price rises of late and that trend is set to continue – although the trip to the Britannia could present a temporary blip in form.
Trailing him we have familiar names with Villa’s Kyle Walker holding his top five position thanks to continued strong fixtures and the return from injury of team-mates Richard Dunne and James Collins; that should promote his chances of defensive returns. The Everton pairing of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman also hold their high ranking with forthcoming fixtures still presenting ample opportunities for further profit.
United’s Chris Smalling is perhaps the most interesting proposition amongst our top ranking players here – the former Fulham defender represents a gamble given United’s run of form at the back but, at just 4.5 in the FPL, Smalling looks to be strong value with Rio Ferdinand seemingly unlikely to make a return from injury anytime soon. Further down our list, Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley makes a return to our radars – an option for those who don’t fancy taking up the offer presented by Mignolet in goal.
The midfield rankings have the same familiar names although a shuffle has taken place. While Nani holds the top spot – remaining a near essential member of any Fantasy side – Frank Lampard has enjoyed consecutive climbs in recent weeks to push up to second spot. Gradually becoming more influential for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Lampard will surely benefit from Chelsea’s forthcoming run of opponents and looks to be the strongest option if you looking to invest in a midfield heavyweight.
Mid-price options around those two include the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart and Samir Nasri who could be both be subject to rotation in the weeks to come – injuries to both Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon has helped Van der Vaart in that respect however. Everton’s Tim Cahill is a big climber; he looks set to take up goalscoring responsibilities for Everton with Louis Saha amongst the many current casualties at Goodison.
Further down the rankings, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam, a slight doubt for the weekend clash with Fulham, enjoys a big climb following his brace at Ewood last time out. He faces two tricky fixtures the short term but also has a run of four consecutive home matches to come – a spell that will surely see him climb into our top five. Notable names below him include Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan who has a couple of favourable fixtures to come. The Magpies midfielder, along with Tottenham’s Luka Modric, look to be decent differentials for the next two gameweeks at least.
Up front, Robin Van Persie continues to dominate the pack – his reign barely threatened by Wayne Rooney who just about holds to second place in our rankings. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has pushed up to third – only tough fixtures against City and Arsenal prevent him from perhaps climbing higher.
Sunderland’s pairing of Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck are well fancied – the latter taking just nudging ahead given the outstanding value he offers with an FPL price tag of just 4.6. They should satisfy those looking for a differential in attack, although Andy Carroll and Jermaine Beckford also look worthy of attention should you wish or need to take a bigger gamble.
The decline of Carlos Tevez has him reach an all-time low in our rankings. The Argentine is expected to return from a groin injury against Sunderland this weekend; should he fail to break out of his drought there, he then faces a trip to Anfield followed by a gameweek 33 blank. Almost 50,000 FPL managers have transferred Tevez out in the gameweek.
