While our players stretch sinews on international pitches, us Fanatsy managers have little option but to hope for the best and continue to make plans for the gameweek ahead. Business as usual, then – here’s our weekly examination of the fixture schedules with analysis of the strong and the weak…
The Strong
Everton
Four Goodison encounters in the next six gameweeks against highly beatable opposition gives Everton their most favourable run of the season. Wolves, Stoke, Norwich and Swansea all arrive on Merseyside, handing David Moyes every chance of orchestrating an ascent up the table.
In Fantasy terms, interest in Royston Drenthe and Leighton Baines is surely set to increase, particularly if they can produce the goods in the gameweek 12 clash with Wolves. Jack Rodwell, subject of a Talent article later this week, has also begun to deliver on his promise and presents an additional differential which could offer strong returns going into the Christmas programme.
Sunderland
Steve Bruce’s side have been typically inconsistent this season, struggling for goals without delivering clean sheets at the other end. The Black Cats’ defence stood up well at Old Trafford last time out however and, with John O’Shea likely to return to add further solidity, Bruce’s rearguard is worthy of attention.
Three home fixtures in four offers every chance of returns, with Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn all due at the Stadium of Light. A trip to Ewood Park in gameweek 14 could also offer profits. Nicklas Bendtner remains the headline act in attacking terms, with Seb Larsson (suspended this week) and Stephane Sessegnon presenting steady mid-price midfield options. Wes Brown, with a strong EA SPORTS PPI return so far, looks the best proposition in the back four, with keeper Kieren Westwood, also set to earn interest from those shedding Villa’s Shay Given.
Arsenal
It’s difficult to see a let-up in Robin Van Persie’s relentless rise to essential status, with home games with Fulham and Everton, coupled with trips to Norwich and Wigan to come in the next four gameweeks. Goals look guaranteed, while Arsene Wenger’s defence, with Thomas Vermaelen now reinstalled, has shown shoots of improvement that suggest that they could yet be worth consideration.
Things stiffen by the gameweek 16 trip to Man City but that’s followed by another batch of kind opponents, with QPR and Wolves due at the Emirates.
West Brom
Like Sunderland, the Baggies have suffered from an inconsistency that has, to this point, slowed Fantasy investment. Injuries to Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie has also reduced the appeal, while Chris Brunt has shown glimpses of form, but has been unable to sustain regular returns to compete with other midfielders in his price bracket. Surprisingly, it’s been West Brom’s defensive assets that have attracted recent interest, with Gareth McAuley, at 4.0 in the Fantasy Premier League game, providing a interesting budget option.
Things could change going into December however, with Odemwingie and Long recovering from injuries, while Brunt should be central to fortunes over a run that has them face Bolton, Spurs and Wigan at the Hawthorns in the next four. Trips to QPR and Blackburn are also on the horizon, presenting Roy Hodgson’s side with a decent run of opponents that could bring returns at both ends.
Also Consider…
Stoke – The comforts of the Britannia in front of their own bellowing support should offer Tony Pulis’ side the opportunity to recover from the 5-0 Reebok drubbing. Europa League fatigue will be a concern, but the back four and Jon Walters remain popular Fantasy targets with three of the next four at home.
Tottenham – Villa on Monday night is the first of three home matches in five gameweeks, with Bolton and Sunderland also due at the Lane. Away trips to West Brom and Stoke will provide stern tests, however.
Blackburn – Steve Kean’s men may not quite be ready for Fantasy investment – some would say that day will never come – however, from gameweek 14 things improve markedly. In the meantime, early adopters may take the plunge for away trips to Wigan and Stoke in the next two gameweeks.
The Weak
Aston Villa
A Monday night trip to the Lane under lights is just the start of a hideous run of games for Alex McLeish’s outfit. They follow this with a testing trip across the Welsh border to take on Swansea, with United, Liverpool and Arsenal then the next three opponents due at Villa Park.
While attacking assets such as Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor may well be held during this testing spell, Shay Given and his defence will surely suffer significant Fantasy sales.
Newcastle
Alan Pardew’s men stumbled past Everton in unconvincing fashion to cement an unlikely league standing, but now embark on a run that will truly test their credentials. A gameweek 12 trip to City is followed by an Old Trafford visit and a home clash with Chelsea. Defensive returns over those three gameweeks perhaps seem dubious, with Ryan Taylor and Steven Taylor likely to require attacking points to reward their ownership.
In attacking terms, Demba Ba remains a popular target but will surely struggle to maintain his recent scoring rate – at least for the next couple of gameweeks.
Fulham
Consistency remains an issue for Martin Jol’s side and, with an unfavourable run of opponents to come through till December, it’s uncertain whether they’ll be able to rectify this.
A trip to Sunderland seems unlikely to offer profit, while an Emirates visit, a home clash with Liverpool and the task of breaking down Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, then lie in wait. It’s difficult to see Bobby Zamora and his team-mates getting too much joy from those encounters and, with United at the Cottage in gameweek 17, Martin Jol looks set to face a difficult Christmas.
Be wary of…
Chelsea – three home clashes in four gameweeks appear to offer potential but Liverpool and City will both surely provide significant obstacles. With a trip to St James’ Park in gameweek 14, the home clash with Wolves appears to be by far the best opportunity for profits in a difficult month.
QPR – Fantasy managers clinging to QPR’s dubious Fantasy assets will have to suffer a trip to the Britannia in gameweek 12, with Liverpool and United also looming in gameweeks 15 and 16.
Man City – are Roberto Mancini’s side really fixture proof? The next month should tell us more. While most will expect City to end Newcastle’s unbeaten run this weekend, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal to come in the four gamweeks that follow, returns from City players may well slow going into December.
