The Watchlist rankings, offering our top 10 player recommendations for the coming weeks, have today been updated to reflect recent form and forthcoming fixtures. You can soak them up now in the right-hand sidebar.
With both Manchester clubs still shredding through defences and budget back fours keeping sheets clean with regularity, we’re seeing template Fantasy squads created across the board. That trend might yet be disturbed by improved fixtures for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool however, and their Fantasy assets remain key factors in our Watchlist rankings.
Newcastle’s fine defensive form is hard to ignore and is reflected in the Watchlist immediately; Tim Krul making a small climb to the top of our keeper rankings. Available for 4.6 in the Fantasy Premier League game, the Dutch stopper rotates well with the prosperous Michel Vorm for the next few Gameweeks, offering a strong solution between the sticks.
West Brom’s Ben Foster and Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer are another partnership that appears to gel nicely, they also boast strong fixtures over the next month. Wigan’s Ali Al-Habsi also remains a viable budget option, with City’s Joe Hart the obvious route should you wish to invest heavily in a keeper. Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczęsny is arguably the most sensible selection for those taking a gamble on the Arsenal back four over their spell of favourable fixtures.
City’s Vincent Kompany and Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa remain our top selections amongst the defenders – fixtures fall in their favour and both seem to remain immune to the rotation going on around them. Newcastle’s back four is represented by Steven Taylor in our Watchlist, although Ryan Taylor arguably offers stronger short-term potential while Davide Santon remains troubled by injury. Danny Simpson is your cheap alternative, although he tends to offer little goal threat.
Fulham’s John Arne Riise and Liverpool’s Jose Enrique complete our Watchlist back five – both can be found in the mid-price bracket and have yet to deliver on their promise. Fixtures do fall more favourably for the pair however, and both possess attacking instincts from left-back which should see profits soon enough.
David Silva continues to look bomb-proof at the top of the midfielder rankings – seemingly untouchable within Roberto Mancini’s squad, the Spanish trickster has maintained returns and is just about to embark on a run of matches which should increase his output further.
Chelsea’s Juan Mata is perhaps Silva’s biggest pretender – like City, Andre Villa-Boas’ side have a favourable run of opponents to come and Mata, as the midfield creator, is lined up for some decent numbers. Right now, that earns him a higher ranking than Nani – our current preferred option in the Nani vs Ashley Young debate within the United ranks.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – the subject of today’s ICT Analysis article for Members – soars into our top five, with Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye also well-fancied over the coming weeks, having so far been denied Fantasy returns, despite some impressive displays. We’ve more on him and Juan Mata, to come in future articles.
The Forward rankings remain largely untouched. It’s impossible to topple Wayne Rooney from top spot right now – despite a run of opponents that will surely test his form and United’s goal-getting talents.
Sergio Aguero is sticking close to the United man, with Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie in third with the fixture list offering him a platform that will surely see him begin to up his Fantasy returns. Luis Suarez holds in our top five, despite three consecutive blanks. We’re keeping the faith with Uruguayan ahead of a run of favourable Anfield clashes to come in the next six gameweeks.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Daniel Sturridge and Leon Best are the big climbers and present worthy differentials going into the coming weeks. Adebayor has been a hugely popular transfer target of late and, of the three, has the proven pedigree. Daniel Sturridge, at just 6.5 in the FPL and with a strong schedule in front of him, is perhaps the most intriguing. We should see heightened interest in him if he can draw blood when Swansea visit the Bridge this weekend, although tonight’s start in the Carling Cup against Fulham will immediately put a question mark over his starting role for the weekend.
