The Watchlist rankings, listing our current top ten player recommendations for the next three-to-four gameweeks, have now been updated and are available in your sidebars.
Movement over the four positions has been fairly minimal, although, as we discussed in last night’s “Frisking the Fixtures”, a favourable run of matches for promoted Swansea provides Fantasy managers with an array of blossoming budget prospects in the coming weeks. If you’ve so far ignored the value offered by the Swans’ defence and their cheap midfield options, this may be the time to take another look and start freeing funds for acquisitions elsewhere.
Michel Vorm, a firm favourite this season, climbs to the top our Watchlist keeper rankings with fixtures that give him further opportunities to establish himself in our squads. He knocks Tim Krul off the top, although the Newcastle stopper stays firmly in our thinking. Stoke’s Asmir Begovic and Villa’s Shay Given offer alternatives lower down the rankings – both have forthcoming home fixtures that promise Fantasy profits. Similarly, Ali Al Habsi, a keeper who has so far returned on his meagre price tag, appears to have fixtures that warrant further inspection.
The defender rankings have remained pretty stable. Vincent Kompany and Jose Bosingwa maintain their top positions, despite those below having arguably stronger fixtures. John Arne Riise’s clean sheet and bonus at the Hawthorns last weekend underlined his potential; we’re backing him to sustain some form in the coming weeks as Fulham’s fixtures remain buoyant.
Newcastle’s Steven Taylor remains in our top five, with Swansea’s Angel Rangel offering a budget option for those without Vorm, or those willing to double up on the Swans defence. Ashley Williams and the cheaper Neil Taylor are viable alternatives here but we’re backing Rangel to contribute assists in the coming weeks.
The Stoke defence remains an interesting option – spanked at Sunderland recently, Tony Pulis’ side are nonetheless renowned for defensive resolve and a set-piece goal threat and we’ve recognised this with Ryan Shawcross’ inclusion just outside our top five. Robert Huth was dropped to the bench for the United game at the weekend, leaving Shawcross seemingly the more secure route to Stoke defensive gains. With decent home fixtures to come, he could yet climb further in our rankings in the weeks to come.
The top three in the midfield rankings remain the same with Nani jumping above Chelsea’s Juan Mata off the back of his consistent form. In truth, there’s little to choose between this pair and City’s David Silva – Nani’s fixtures and the slight risk of rest and rotation perhaps stack against him but his form is undeniable and, having been benched in last night’s Champions League tie, he looks odds on to be unleashed against Norwich at the weekend.
Scott Sinclair and Clint Dempsey edge up into our top five midfielders – we will break both down in full Watchlist articles later this week but, suffice to say, strong fixtures and a proven goal threat play their part in our thinking here. Nathan Dyer and even the emerging Mark Gower offer cheaper options in Swansea’s midfield but, for us, Sinclair’s set-piece threat and spot-kicks have make him worthy of the extra outlay.
Below those two you’ll find two very worthwhile differential picks – Rafael Van der Vaart is yet to attract major Fantasy interest but is fit and available to play his part in a Tottenham side bristling with goals following the arrival of Emmanuel Adeabyor as a spearhead in attack. As for Victor Moses, he’s suffered an FPL price fall this week following weeks of Fantasy failure but, with very strong fixtures to come, he remains a decent prospect for those shopping in the sub 5.0 price bracket.
Up front, Wayne Rooney’s hamstring injury and Robin Van Persie’s brace of goals at the weekend proves the catalyst for a change at the summit. The Arsenal man claims the top position, with City’s Sergio Aguero and Rooney remaining most wanted as our top three strikers. Luis Suarez and Adebayor complete the top five, with Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge and Newcastle’s Leon Best hovering just outside. Demba Ba is of course an alternative to the latter – fitness is a concern for both of Newcastle’s strikers, but Best’s budget price just gives him the nod over the more explosive Ba.
