There’s something so very soothing about the winter wildcard for Fantasy managers. Out with the old, in with the new and all that; it verges almost on cathartic. The chance to ship out the deadwood accumulated in our squads over these last few months will no doubt have been taken up by some of us already…

Others will take a more patient approach, analysing the upcoming schedules and bracing themselves for those unexpected last-minute signings that the likes of ‘Arry seems to thrive upon. Already, plans are being made, defensive rotations examined. Budgets are being juggled in anticipation of what’s to come.

With this in mind, we thought we’d extend our normal Watchlist coverage, looking at those players in each position, who have a strong run of fixtures ahead in order to give you a few pointers for planning. We begin, then, with the goalkeepers, looking at budget options priced at 5.0 and under, with rotation the key ingredient in our analysis.

Stoke and Fulham: (bla(A), WBA, WBA, SUN, STO, SWA, WOL)

The potential here is obvious from a Fulham-Stoke rotation; six home games and a trip to Blackburn from the next seven offers a strong chance of Fantasy returns. The downside, however, is a lack of clarity over the game time for each side’s respective keepers.

Fulham
At present, David Stockdale is the number one until Mark Schwarzer recovers from a spinal problem. The former, priced at 4.5, was recalled from a loan spell at Ipswich due to the Australian’s injury and has played the last five matches, averaging an impressive 4.2 points per game (ppg).

Schwarzer has this week, however, tweeted he expects to return to action within the next fortnight, making him the obvious option if his recovery runs to schedule. Priced at 4.8, is undoubtedly Martin Jol’s preferred choice and has returned 4.1 ppg. With (NEW, WBA, STK, WLV) all arriving at the Cottage between Gameweeks 21-27, Fulham will be optimistic of plenty points, particularly on the back of the recent win over Arsenal in front of their home support.

Stoke
To a degree, there are doubts over the Stoke keeper position, too. Thomas Sorensen seems to have regained the number one jersey and has now started the Potters’ last nine league matches, with Asmir Begovic – dropped after an error-strewn performance in the 5-0 defeat at Bolton back in Gameweek 11 – afforded game time only in cup competitions. While Sorensen certainly appears to offer security present, it would be no surprise if Begovic was reinstalled in the first XI; it’s far from a risk-free option.

Their prices are almost identical, 4.4 and 4.6, though Begovic has the slight edge for ppg, with 3.8 to 3.6. With Stoke facing a run of decent home matches (WBA, SUN, SWA, NOR) there’s plenty potential, given the Potters’ form at the Britannia. Fantasy managers will have reservations about the trips to Liverpool and Man United, though, making the need for rotation obvious.

Stoke and Aston Villa (EVE, WBA, QPR, SUN, ful(a), SWA, NOR)

Aston Villa
For those willing to take a punt on a Stoke keeper, it’s worth noticing that their fixtures also dovetail well with Villa’s. Due to a hamstring injury incurred by Shay Given, Brad Guzan is currently starring between the posts. The American, priced at 4.4, could easily be rotated with a Potters keeper over the next seven Gameweeks, though with a home clash against Man City in Gameweek 25 part of his schedule, Stoke’s trip to Fulham that same week is perhaps the safer option. This means he would need to be played just twice, in home clashes against (EVE, QPR) in Gameweek 21 and 23 respectively.

Again, his game time is questionable. Alex McLeish has refused to put a time on Given’s expected return to action, meaning Guzan may well be a safe option for those afore-mentioned couple of appearances. Guzan has averaged just 2.7 ppg, though, and returned a single clean sheet since stepping in for the Irishman. If Given returns sooner than anticipated, his reduced price of 4.7 also looks appealing, with his ppg superior to Guzan’s, standing at 3.1.

Newcastle and Sunderland (QPR, SWA, NOR, WOL, AVL, ARS, WOL, SUN)

Newcastle and Sunderland are another couple of sides whose fixtures seem to rotate rather nicely. Due to their geographical proximity, of course, the two clubs never play home games on the same Gameweek, and they have a run of seven home fixtures between them to consider, with only one of those against a top six side.

Newcastle
With Alan Pardew preferring a settled first-team line-up, Tim Krul has played every minute of the season so far. The Dutchman comes in at 5.0 and has averaged 4 ppg- of all our selected keepers here, he is also the most reliable option in terms of game time.

The loss of Steven Taylor has hurt Newcastle, though; they conceded 15 goals in the fourteen games Taylor was available for but since the centre-half’s injury, they have shipped 10 in their last six games- a significant decrease in their ability to nullify their opponents’ threat. On the other hand, Newcastle have picked up 3 clean sheets in the six games since Taylor has been sidelined, meaning Krul –with Wednesday’s assist against Man United also factored in- has averaged 4 ppg both with and without Taylor in the side.

With four home games in the next seven (QPR, AVL, WOL, SUN) Krul looks an assured prospect over the next few Gameweeks, though the loss of midfield enforcer Cheik Tiote due to African Cup of Nations duties may well effect Newcastle’s defensive resolve.

Sunderland
Simon Mignolet’s return from a facial injury saw the Belgian replace Kieren Westwood for the game against Man City, with the latter unavailable through illness. With Craig Gordon also returning after a long-term knee problem this week to play for the reserves, Martin O’Neill now has three keepers to choose from and at the moment, there’s no way of ascertaining just who he’ll plump for as his first-choice number one.

Certainly, Mignolet’s stats are the most impressive and at present he holds the keeper’s jersey. The Belgian picked up 3 clean sheets in his ten appearances under Steve Bruce and has conceded just a single goal in his two appearances for O’Neill so far, averaging 3.9 ppg for the season. Westwood has played nine games this term, five for Bruce and four for O’Neill and has returned just a single clean sheet, with an average of 2.7 ppg. With Sunderland hosting (SWA, NOR, ARS) in the next seven and with a significant defensive improvement under the new regime, including a home clean sheet against Man City, trips to the likes of West Brom and Stoke will hold no fear.

The Vorm Factor

The Fantasy sensation of the season, Michel Vorm is the fourth most-owned player in the FPL game. Swansea’s keeper has already chalked up nine clean sheets this season, with his performances at the Liberty Stadium particularly impressive. The Dutchman has returned six clean sheets in front of his own fans, conceding just four goals, despite the Welsh club winning only four of their ten home matches.

Given his outstanding form, the vast majority of Fantasy managers who have Vorm will stick with him despite a tricky upcoming pair of home clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea on the horizon. For those who are looking to possibly bench Vorm when Swansea play away from home, there are a few options for rotation.

Swansea and Stoke (ARS, WBA, CHE, SUN, NOR, SWA, NOR)

Basically, Stoke are at home when Swansea play each of their four away games in the next seven. With Vorm facing (ARS, CHE, NOR), the Potters host (WBA, SWA, SUN, NOR) on alternate weeks. This is certainly the most promising of match ups for the Swansea keeper between Gameweeks 21-27.

Swansea and QPR (ARS, WIG, CHE, WOL, NOR, FUL, EVE)

Neil Warnock’s outfit are the only other side who play home/away on alternate weeks to Vorm over the next seven Gameweeks, with home clashes against (WIG, WOL, FUL, EVE). With this in mind, we also take a look at their number one:

Paddy Kenny
The QPR keeper is perhaps not the most obvious choice but with four home games in his next seven, may prove to be a nice differential. Kenny has chalked up four clean sheets so far this term and with the likes of Anton Ferdinand returning to bolster Neil Warnock’s back-line, could be in line for an upturn in fortunes after a disappointing last few Gameweeks.

Wigan, Wolves, Fulham and Everton make their way to Loftus Road and none are particularly prolific on the road. The first three are in the bottom four in terms of away goals scored, offering hope to Warnock’s side as they look to climb the table. Kenny comes in at just 4.4 and, in terms of points returned, is second only to Luke Young for QPR defensive cover, with 47, an average of 3.1 per game.

Swansea and Newcastle (ARS, ful(a), CHE, AVL, NOR, WOL, SUN)

The above schedule is taking into consideration that Vorm owners will play him for every home game, regardless of opponent. Newcastle have a home game with QPR in Gameweek 21, which is perhaps a better option. Newcastle play at home on three of Swansea’s four away trips, with an away clash at Fulham in Gameweek 22 the only time they are both on the road. Swansea play at Sunderland in the same week.