Back after a one-week hiatus due to the international break, we renew our acquaintance with the Premier League fixture list and attempt to slice out the juicy fruit from the bruised flesh. In other words, here’s our weekly rundown of those with favourable fixtures and ripe for investment.
The Highs
Arsenal
An upcoming run of promising-looking showdowns could not have come at a better time. Arsene Wenger has made some significant moves in the transfer market and, with Gervinho and Alex Song returning from suspension after this weekend, there is a potential new start looming for the Gunners following their Old Trafford drubbing.
On paper, no other side can compete with the attacking potential on offer over the next six Gameweeks – a run that has Arsenal facing Swansea, Bolton, Sunderland and Stoke all at home, will surely provide handsome returns if they can find a semblance of form. Even trips to Blackburn and local rivals Spurs offer the opportunity for goals.
The Arsenal defence will enjoy a facelift over the coming weeks with the arrival of Andre Santos and, in particular, Per Mertesacker. They could be in line for immediate starts with Arsenal facing up against opposition which appear to give them the perfect platform to start building a clean sheet tally.
West Brom
The Baggies face three away trips in the next four but they are all against teams which should give Roy Hodgson’s side opportunities for goals and results. Trips to Norwich, Swansea and Sunderland should bear some fruit, while a home clash with Fulham in Gameweek six will also be approached with confidence. The fitness of both Shane Lone and Peter Odemwingie is crucial, however – both are currently going into this weekend as injury doubts.
Defensively the Baggies are never a team to tempt investment but, over the next set of Gameweeks, their opportunity for returns at the back looks very strong – easily the healthiest within the low-to-mid price bracket, making Jonas Olsson a potential transfer target.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy’s side have confidence flowing through the camp and a short-term fixture list to keep the engine running. Three Molineux matches in the next four offer the opportunity for the likes of Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher to continue their form, while Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt will be looking to come out of their shell with some first returns of the season.
With encouraging defensive displays already in the back and with McCarthy demonstrating a desire to keep clean sheets with his tactical switch at Villa Park, there appears to be continued potential from the likes of Roger Johnson in the coming weeks.
Also consider…
Newcastle – rock solid in defence so far, the fixture list continues to deliver opponents that could keep the returns coming for the likes of Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson.
Chelsea – three away trips in four, including a stint at Old Trafford, is perhaps a challenging task but Andre Villas-Boas’ side are facing defences which should offer them opportunities with a strong goal return on the cards if Juan Mata can settle.
Fulham – like their West London neighbours, Fulham have fixtures which should give them plenty of scope for boosting the “goals for” column. Home clashes with Blackburn this weekend, together with Craven Cottage meetings with QPR and Everton look particularly favourable.
The Lows
Man United
Don’t get us wrong, United are flying and, in attacking terms, remaining a massive Fantasy force. The main concern is undoubtedly in defensive quarters. While Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are performing superbly, the fixture list continues to deliver them opponents with a significant goal threat. The Old Trafford clash with Norwich in Gameweek 8 may well be the only United cleanie in the coming weeks.
That will, of course, mean Alex Ferguson’s side will be forced to kill games off with their considerable firepower – Wayne Rooney and company won’t have it all their own way against Chelsea, Liverpool and City over the next six but it will be brave Fantasy manager to turn their back on the on-fire striker.
Everton
Two attractive home fixtures in the next two Gameweeks will ease Everton into the post-Arteta era but, following that, things become decidedly sticky for the Toffees. Games against City, Liverpool, Chelsea and United all lie in wait from Gameweeks 6-10, posing potential problems at both ends of the field. If Leighton Baines’ hamstring keeps him out of the next two, it’s doubtful that he’ll find his way into many Fantasy lineups until that particular storm has passed.
Blackburn
Defensively, Blackburn are in for a torrid time with the new partnership of Scott Dann and Chris Samba set for a series of challenges early on. Certainly, over the next four Gameweeks, it’s difficult to see Steve Kean’s side keeping a shut-out and that will mean that the attacking players will have to come to the fore if Rovers are to earn results. Given the performances so far, that seems doubtful.
Be wary of…
Stoke – Liverpool, United and Arsenal are all on the radar in the next six Gameweeks, handing new boys Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome a challenging start to their new life in the Potteries. Clean sheets look hard to come by, too.
Wigan – a journey to City this weekend is just the start of three away trips in four, split by a home clash with Spurs in Gameweek six. While Franco Di Santo has form and Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses have shown intent, the Latics may struggle to make an impression in the coming weeks.
