Both our free and Members’ Season Tickers have been updated this morning, with new ratings available for overall fixture difficulty, plus new ratings for clean sheets and goals for our Members.
To accompany the update, we’ve carried out our regular rinse through the forthcoming fixtures over the next month or so, indentifying those sides treated to favourable runs and those who will have to work that little bit harder to fetch the points and Fantasy returns.
The Highs
Newcastle
Alan Pardew’s side have surprised us all with a solid start to the season, founded on a back four that has conceded just a couple of goals to this point. We’d expect that kind of defensive form to continue over the forthcoming run, with perhaps an increased attacking threat thrown into the mix as Pardew looks to go for three points in home matches with Blackburn, Tottenham and Wigan in the next four. Sandwiched within that cluster of St James’ Park encounters, Newcastle go to Molineux and, with Wolves having slipped to back-to-back home defeats, that will surely be a game that the Magpies can approach with confidence.
All in all then, things look peachy for Newcastle and Fantasy managers will now be pondering whether to bolster defensive acquisitions with some attacking assets – Johan Cabaye and Leon Best stand out, although all eyes will be on Hatem Ben Arfa when he returns to action in the Carling Cup tonight.
Chelsea
Despite defeat, Andre Villas-Boas’ side gave a decent account of themselves at Old Trafford on Sunday and will be expected to return to winning ways over their forthcoming matches . A favourable home clash with Swansea begins a run of opponents (SWA bol EVE qpr) that should bring goals and clean sheets – promoting their assets in the minds of Fantasy managers.
Having seen expensive options – Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres – fall from favour, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge have stepped in to present the key prospects over the coming Gameweeks and significant investment in them, with Jose Bosingwa continuing to attract interest at the back, looks likely.
Arsenal
While Chelsea have a semblance of form to provide a springboard, Arsenal approach a run of favourable fixtures with their confidence and chins on the floor. Nevertheless, an obliging run of opponents, right up until the clash with City in Gameweek 16, should give Arsene Wenger every opportunity to turn things around.
Fantasy managers will be hesitant when it comes to the defensive options on show, but in attacking terms we’re treated to an array of proven talent that will surely flourish in the coming months. We’re still waiting for Robin Van Persie to explode and, with both Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero accelerating away in the goal stakes, the Dutchman has been well and truly overshadowed. The goal threat is still there, though, and Van Persie now has a run of games that could see him begin to claw back the gap between himself and the Manchester duo.
Mikel Arteta’s goal at Ewood Park will also have cemented his place on our radars, particularly while Wenger chooses to rotate Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott on the flanks. The return of Jack Wilshere meanwhile, will presumably dent Aaron Ramsey potential as a budget offering.
Liverpool
An awful showing at White Hart Lane on Sunday will have severely dented confidence in Kenny Dalglish’s squad. One glance at our Season Tickers however, reveals that, a home clash with United aside, they now have a run of opponents which should see a hike in Fantasy returns.
Indeed, four Anfield matches in the next six holds the key. While United are one of those, the other three – Wolves, Norwich and Swansea, will surely offer opportunity for goals and clean sheets. Those currently contemplating firing Luis Suarez into the Fantasy ether should consider their options carefully; Steven Gerrard’s return could just provide the catalyst for an upturn in form and fortunes, with Suarez the most likely benefactor.
Also consider…
Wigan – the home clash with a Tottenham side bristling with goal threat will be a tester but, following that, the Latics have a very favourable run of matches, right up until Gameweek 13.
Tottenham – With Emmanuel Adeabayor firing and hoovering up Fantasy owners, Harry Redknapp’s side look in bloom and, if they can find their feet on their travels, could maintain both form and Fantasy profits for weeks to come.
Fulham – Sunday’s comeback from 2-0 down demonstrated the fighting spirit Martin Jol has instilled and, with confidence flowing from that result, the Cottagers could kick-on. Favourable fixtures over the next six Gameweeks should help them continue the revival.
The Lows
Everton
Quite simply, the fixture list is a horror show. The next three has David Moyes’ side facing up to City, Liverpool and Chelsea and, even following that, trips to Fulham and Newcastle sandwich a home clash with United.
Clean sheets look highly improbable – a major cause for concern for those still holding Leighton Baines. The left-back is unquestionably the most creative defensive option available and, with free-kicks and spot-kicks in his locker, also carries a worthy goal threat. However, Baines will surely need to find attacking returns to compensate for a lack of cleanies over the next six. The question will be – just how many goals can Everton muster against such stiff opposition?
Blackburn Rovers
Yakubu’s potential as a cheap forward option revealed itself with his brace in the 4-3 win over Arsenal on Saturday, but caution is required before we begin to consider any options on offer at Ewood Park. Rovers will face three of the sternest defences in the next six with a trip to Newcastle this weekend, followed by home ties with City and Chelsea. Spurs are also at Ewood in this spell, making visits to QPR and Norwich particularly vital if Kean’s side are to continue a climb up the table.
Stoke
Tony Pulis’ outfit seemed perpetually cursed by the fixture list. They are still not clear of tough opponents and, with United, Arsenal and a testing trip to Swansea lined up in the next four, it seems unlikely that Fantasy interest will pick up any time soon.
Asmir Begovic will likely have plenty of opportunity to boost his save point count further then, and, following the 4-0 drubbing at Sunderland, there will surely be few takers for the Stoke back four just yet, regardless of their goal threat from set-plays.
Be wary of…
QPR – While optimism and confidence will be flowing through the Rangers camp, a stiff batch of fixtures is looming to test the new found survival credentials. Fantasy managers will need to consider a tough run of matches from Gameweek 9-12 and hope for rich returns from the next few Gameweeks in the meantime.
Bolton – While Martin Petrov has been attracting Fantasy investment with his recent displays, his output could be in line to dip over the next five Gameweeks as the Trotters run of testing fixtures continues.
