With just three gameweeks until yet another international interval, it’s time to measure up the fixture list and assess the “strength of schedule”, as we analyse the likely sources of Fantasy profits for the month ahead.
The Strong
Tottenham
Handed a tough opening to the season, Harry Redknapp’s side are now five unbeaten and perhaps should have sealed a fifth straight win at Newcastle on Sunday. Their strong form should continue, though, with a forthcoming fixture list that deals them a run of kind opponents right up until a trip to Stoke in gameweek 15.
The next three White Hart Lane encounters see them facing QPR, Villa and Bolton – all opponents who present opportunities for goals and maybe even clean sheets. Trips to Blackburn, Fulham and West Brom, meanwhile, could also offer profits.
Fantasy managers will be looking to Rafael Van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor as the key attacking prospects, with Gareth Bale a midfield consideration and Kyle Walker in defence- all four will likely be on the radar for the next six gameweeks.
Bolton
The Trotters are another team who suffered early on with a spanking from the fixture list, but should now have the platform to lift their form and league placing. The win at Wigan last weekend will provide a timely boost after a miserable slide down the table and now, with Sunderland, Stoke and Everton at the Reebok in the next five gameweeks, we would expect to see some further positive results from Owen Coyle’s men.
Fantasy investment is tricky – Gary Cahill at the back was an immensely popular purchase after his gameweek one strike at Loftus Road but, with a testing fixture list, he was never going to deliver in the short-term. Now he could make a return to our radars and with a staggering 27% ownership in the FPL, some belated returns could be on the cards.
The main focus of our attention is likely to be Martin Petrov. Subject of our Watchlist article last week, the Bulgarian has flourished this term and his delivery from the left looks set to be crucial to Bolton’s fortunes over the next month.
Aston Villa
Alex McLeish has made a solid start to his tenure at Villa Park and, in the short-term, his side should be set to grow in stature. A local derby with West Brom awaits this weekend, followed by a trip to Sunderland and another home clash with Norwich.
Those three fixtures should promote further interest in the Villa squad, although trips to Spurs and Swansea in gameweeks 12 and 13 respectively look testing affairs. After those games, it’s a home clash with United.
We’re looking at the next three gameweeks here, then, but Gabby Agbonlahor, in attacking terms, and Stephen Warnock, at the back, will be attracting interest, whilst owners of Shay Given will be looking to save points and clean sheet returns to help justify the pre-season hype surrounding the Irish stopper.
Liverpool
Another side who look a strong proposition in the short–term. Liverpool have a run of three gameweeks which sees them face Norwich and Swansea at Anfield, with a trip to West Brom sandwiched in between. That spell screams goals, with a strong potential for clean sheets from the home matches.
Things stiffen immediately after, with a trip to Stamford Bridge and home clash with City, so exit strategies will be prepared for gameweek 12 onwards. Until then, however, Luis Suarez looks a very strong prospect up front, Stewart Downing and Steven Gerrard may get some attention in midfield, while Jose Enrique is likely to remain on top of our Watchlist rankings as a defensive proposition.
Also Consider
Arsenal– picked out in last week’s article, the visit to Chelsea spoils the short-term copybook, but with four home encounters with Stoke, West Brom, Fulham and Everton in the next seven gameweeks, they look irresistible from an attacking perspective.
Wigan – the form is simply dreadful and, while this weekend’s visit to Newcastle is likely to offer very little, the Latics then have a run which affords an opportunity to claw their way out of the relegation mire. Whether they can take that chance is another matter.
Sunderland – with shoots of encouragement at the Emirates on Sunday, Steve Bruce can have some confidence going into the next couple of months. The fixture list becomes far more friendly, with the gameweek 11 visit to Old Trafford the only daunting prospect ahead.
Stoke – the short-term brings a visit to Arsenal and a home clash with Newcastle but, following that, Tony Pulis’ side have a trip to Bolton followed by Britannia encounters with QPR and Blackburn that should offer Fantasy profits at both ends.
The Weak
QPR
Neil Warnock’s side have a foothold on their Premier League status but could now be set to experience an alarming slide in fortunes as the fixture list turns on them. In simple terms, the Rangers schedule, right up until gameweek 16, is pure evil.
The next four has them take on Chelsea and City at Loftus Road, with trips to Spurs and Stoke around that. Points and Fantasy returns during that run could be scarce. While a two game spell against Norwich and West Brom will offer some respite, a trip to Anfield and a home clash with United then follow.
The smart money suggests that QPR will be nearing the relegation spots by Christmas and their squad’s Fantasy potential may well have diminished badly by that point.
Newcastle
There’s little doubt that Alan Pardew’s side are in bloom – built on defensive stability, the goals from Demba Ba have given them a cutting edge and help preserve an unbeaten start to the season. With Wigan at St James’ Park this weekend, the prospects continue to look good but, in the mid-term, Fantasy mangers need to be wary of trouble ahead.
The Mapgies will face a trip to Stoke in gamweek 10, with City, United and Chelsea all set to follow in a hideous run from gameweeks 12-14. Goals and clean sheets look hard to come by during those three games, so those considering Newcastle prospects may need to prepare an exit strategy in the near future.
Be wary of…
West Brom – the 2-0 win over local rivals Wolves will help build confidence in the Baggies camp but Fantasy managers should be hesitant before taking another glance at Roy Hodgson’s squad in the coming weeks. This weekend’s trip to Villa serves up another unpredictable derby match and that’s followed by a home clash with Liverpool and a trip to Arsenal – both of which look unlikely to reap rewards.
Man City – Robert Mancini’s side are conquering all that is put before them. However, with rotation a growing concern, those Fantasy managers considering further investment may wish to consider that, in the next eight gameweeks, City will face United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, while in-form Newcastle are also on the menu. Owners of Vincent Kompany will be wondering just how many clean sheets he can deliver in that spell.
