Our Watchlist rankings, listing our current player recommendations for the next three to four gameweeks, have been updated and are available for your perusal. Read on for a breakdown of this week’s moves and logic behind them…
The goalkeeper rankings are our most volatile right now, as the likes of Chelsea, United and even City, struggle to maintain a run of clean sheets, the trend of acquiring budget of mid-price stoppers remains sound. Our current rankings reflect that, with Liverpool’s Pepe Reina the only “expensive” goalkeeper option listed.
Villa’s Shay Given climbs to the top having so far failed to live up to the pre-season hype as the clear and obvious goalkeeping selection in our squads. Given has thus far kept 3 clean sheets in 8 starts, earning 5 points from saves along the way. That ranks him ninth in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rankings right now, although we feel he now has fixtures in the short-term to boost his points tally and make up ground.
Stoke’s Asmir Begovic is the top scoring keeper in the FPL and, once his trip to the Emirates is disposed of, it’s hard to argue against his appeal of three home games in four from gameweek 10 onwards. He could well topple Given next time around – although arguably the Stoke defence is best covered via the likes of Ryan Shawcross who offers additional goal threat.
Indeed, Shawcross, subject of our Watchlist article last week, is again a climber, a move that almost breaks him into our top five rankings. Strong gameweek 9 fixtures keep both Newcastle’s Steven Taylor and Fulham’s John Arne Riise ensconced in fourth and fifth, while above them, the trio of City’s Vincent Kompany, Chelsea’s Jose Boswinga and Liverpool’s Jose Enrique remain settled. The latter has fully justified his number one ranking in recent weeks and, with three very strong consecutive fixtures, looks a clear front-runner for any defensive funds.
It must be said that both Kompany and Bosingwa look less secure. Villa-Boas’ side have kept just a single clean sheet, whilst City embark on a run of opponents that will test their resolve, starting with the trip to Old Trafford this weekend. Both could be set for drops in our Watchlist rankings in the near future, with the likes of Shawcross looking certain to be promoted in our thinking.
The top two spots in our midfielder rankings remain untouched, despite both David Silva and Nani being benched in gameweek 8. Below them, Tottenham’s Rafael Van der Vaart is pushing hard and is beginning to look a real prospect as Spurs embark on a run of opponents that will surely grant them handsome attacking returns. Certainly, with Emmanuel Adebayor competing with a host of established attacking talent in our Fantasy forward lines, Van der Vaart looks a more viable option when it comes to covering Tottenham’s potential.
Bolton’s Martin Petrov came under the Watchlist microscope last week and with good reason – he enjoys a significant climb into our top five placings on the back of decent form and a favourable run of fixtures. At 5.8 in the FPL, it’s difficult to find a better value proposition for the month ahead, unless you’re prepared to take a risk on team-mate Chris Eagles at 5.3.
Fulham’s Clint Dempsey is another prospect enjoying a climb this week – we’ve been studying his numbers carefully and, despite Fulham’s stuttering form, Dempsey’s goal threat remains substantial and indicates that returns could be very much on the agenda in weeks to come.
Established heavy-hitters Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard hover outside out top five – blasts from the pasts, both are enjoying a Fantasy renaissance having regained starting roles. Hugely expensive, the obstacle to investment in clear, although both could provide very strong differentials for those brave enough to invest. Juan Mata and Dirk Kuyt offer more budget friendly coverage of the Chelsea and Liverpool midfield – although both are arguably less explosive. Certainly Mata has yet to deliver the kind of returns we’ve seen from Lampard, while Kuyt’s potential is dented by the loss of spot-kick duties to Gerrard and the Dutchman always under threat of rotation with Andy Carroll kept on the leash.
Amongst the forwards, there really is little movement. Our endorsement of Robin Van Persie over both Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero paid off in gameweek eight, and we’re confident enough in the Arsenal’s skipper’s form and fixtures to leave him in the number one spot. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is also promoted above the Manchester pairing with fixtures over the next three gameweeks that should afford him the potential for significant returns.
Lower down, Gabby Agbonlahor enjoys a slight jump above Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge with stronger fixtures in his favour. They both trail Tottenham’s Adebayor however – he could be a real threat to the established top four if he can stay fit and begin to deliver over his run of favourable opponents.
