Frisking The Fixtures – Gameweek Three

Clearly our Fantasy season has yet to hit top gear. In truth we only just got out of reverse this weekend. The form guide is still, err forming, and early Fantasy bandwagons are just beginning to gather speed thanks to a handful of stand-out performances.

We’re still in the “early doors” stage but the fixture list should remain integral to our thinking. Our weekly examination of the schedule will remain relentless as we continue to help you assess the patterns of opponents to line up alongside the form guides as the season gradually takes shape.

The Highs…

West Brom

West Brom got through their devilish start against Man United and Chelsea with some credit, despite having zero points to show for their efforts. Luckily for Roy Hodgson, the fixture list now provides them with a run of games which should see them climb the table – in Fantasy terms, they look a team ripe for low-to-mid price investment.

The visit to the Stadium of Light in Gameweek 7 looks to be perhaps their most difficult proposition in a run that hands the Baggies meetings with Stoke, Norwich, Swansea and Fulham before the trip to the North East – a home local derby with Wolves then follows in Gameweek 8.

Shane Long has settled into the Premier League with goals against last season’s top two and will surely demand interest, while Peter Odemwingie made a return from injury with an appearance of the bench this weekend but could play second fiddle in Fantasy terms to the new arrival. Chris Brunt, with his set-piece monopoly, is the stand-out of the midfield option, while investment in Ben Foster could well increase over the coming weeks.

QPR

Neil Warnock picked his side up off the floor following on from their demoralising Gameweek one defeat to Bolton and lead his men to victory at Goodison Park. That result may have restored some faith amongst Fantasy managers, just in time for a continued run of favourable opponents for the Londoners.

Home fixtures against Newcastle, Villa and Blackburn won’t be easy necessarily, but if Rangers are to preserve their top flight status, these are games which they will surely target as winnable. Around these Loftus Road fixtures, trips to Wigan, Wolves and neighbours Fulham could also provide a platform for points with Adel Taarabt perhaps handed the opportunity to show his potential for Fantasy returns.

Newcastle

The Magpies have made an encouraging start, having kept two consecutive clean sheets over a pair of decidedly testing fixtures. Looking ahead they will have confidence that they can maintain the run, with a set of five matches which hands them further opportunity to impress.

Alan Pardew will be optimistic going into the weekend home meeting with Fulham and, following on from that, trips to QPR and Villa should be approached with a similar degree of confidence. A St James’ Park meeting with Blackburn then follows, before a Gameweek 7 trip to Wolves.

The clean sheets have seen Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson stand-out as defensive options, while Yohann Cabaye looks a solid investment target in midfield areas. Confidence in the Newcastle attack however, remains limited as Pardew continues his quest for firepower.

Aston Villa

Villa passed the test of a first home match with relative ease and Alex McLeish already looks to have shrugged the monkey from his back when it comes to acceptance from the Villa faithful. His side continue to enjoy a favourable run of games with home fixtures in particular looking profitable sources.

While Wolves will provide a stern test this weekend, home comforts against Newcastle and Wigan follow on, while trips to Everton and QPR certainly won’t intimidate if McLeish can keep his troops unbeaten.

Darren Bent is an expensive option nowadays but does what you pay him to do – he scores goals. Charles N’Zogbia has yet to sparkle in any great shape but offers the cheaper midfield option while defensive figures from Shay Given to James Collins are all worthy of consideration. Gabriel Agbonlahor is perhaps the left-field option here. Handed a new role on the left-flank, right now he appears to be in bloom and, with a significant drop in price this term based on a disappointing 2010/11 season, he could hold some value.

Also Consider…

Wolves – a lofty league placing is compounded by a continued run of decent fixtures which includes three home games in four from Gameweek 4 onwards.

Chelsea – Home fixtures with Norwich and Swansea promise heavy attacking returns, despite concerns that Andre Villas-Boas is struggling with his attacking formula.

Fulham – Martin Jol’s side have made a shaky start but have the opportunity to revive themselves with home fixtures against Blackburn and QPR on the way.

The Lows…

Man United

Alex Ferguson’s side will get a tough home encounter with Spurs out of the way tonight but still face an unenviable run off matches which will test their ability to keep pace with neighbours City.

Now looks a good time to face a beleaguered Arsenal but this weekend’s clash is just the start of a run which has them travel to Bolton and Stoke – two of the most difficult away trips of the season outside of the “big five”. A potentially crucial meet with Chelsea in Gameweek 5 is sandwiched in between.

With these fixtures and defensive injuries, clean sheets look scarce, so any Fantasy investment will surely be targeted at attacking players. Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani will remain popular then, although they will have to prove their fixture-proof credentials if they are to repay the faith.

Bolton

The Trotters clearly have goals in them but keeping them out at the other end looks a major concern. The fixture list suggests that the first Bolton clean sheet could still be weeks away with the home clash with Norwich in Gameweek 5 their only real positive match-up to come.

The trip to Anfield this weekend looks a daunting one, the visit of United after the international break similarly testing. Then, following the Reebok meet with the Canaries, there’s a trip to Arsenal and a home meet with Chelsea.

The 39% of Gary Cahill owners will either need a lot of fortune or will likely be reconsidering their investment after hopping on that bandwagon following Gameweek one’s handsome return.

Blackburn

Rovers are in a bit of a pickle. Tipped by half of the Scout team to be the first manager for the chop, Steven Kean already looks vulnerable and isn’t about to get any help from the Rovers schedule.

Drop points against Everton this weekend and Blackburn will go to Fulham before facing Arsenal at Ewood – right now you’d expect Rovers to struggle in both those games, with their opponents looking to turn the tide after stalled starts. A trip to Newcastle then leads into a home clash with City, who appear to be intent on steamrolling opponents with goals. Kean’s side don’t appear to have too much to offer in resistance right now.

Be Wary of…

Spurs – Home games against City, Liverpool and Arsenal seems likely to limit defensive returns and test the ability of Rafael Van der Vaart and company to breach the most rigid away defences.

Norwich – Their away games look potentially crippling, putting huge pressure on the Carrow Road clashes with West Brom and Sunderland to come.

Everton – David Moyes’ side need to recover from the QPR defeat quickly. Good short term fixtures will soon give way to a testing run from Gameweek 6 onwards.