As we edge towards the conundrum that is Gameweek 34, our Watchlist rankings have enjoyed their weekly refresh and are available in the sidebar to your right. Both Sunderland and Swansea are prominent risers, with the Wearsiders, in particular, moving up – Simon Mignolet, Michael Turner, Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner are all afforded a leap in our estimations as we take stock of the upcoming set of fixtures…

Goalkeepers

While back-to-back defeats have seen Michel Vorm return blanks, the Dutchman remains on top of our keeper rankings by virtue of an enviable set of fixtures which will surely see fortunes turn. Coverage of the Swansea defence looks essential for the coming weeks, with Vorm and Steven Caulker both standout candidates.

Sunderland’s Simon Migonolet is the high climber, pushing Vorm for the top spot thanks to his own obliging fixtures, which hint at improved returns. The Belgian may not boast a double Gameweek but his schedule is strong and he rotates well with other assets – notably Stoke’s Asmir Begovic, who has two home fixtures in Gameweek 36, and Villa’s Shay Given, who offers a double the Gameweek before.

Both Given and Begovic feature highly in our thinking, as does Bolton’s Adam Bogdan. A regular in the Watchlist rankings in recent weeks, at just 4.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, he comes into his own now with two double Gameweeks to follow – clean sheets may be at a premium but, with save points, Bogdan should still offer strong value when those four fixtures combine.

Defenders

The aforementioned Steven Caulker climbs to second spot in our defender rankings but even he is unable to dislodge Jonny Evans, who continues to look essential for United’s run-in. Only complacency setting in as a result of an early title win would seem likely to dent his potential.

The expensive attacking potential of Everton’s Leighton Baines and Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen remain in our top five. Despite a blank in Gameweek 34 and a trip to Old Trafford to follow, Baines’ double fixture in Gameweek 36 and outstanding form – 24 FPL points in his last two Gameweeks – balance this out.

Below this pairing, there are several intriguing budget options – namely Sunderland’s Michael Turner and Bolton’s David Wheater. While there are keepers available to cover their respective defences, the budget centre-back pairing look strong contenders in their own right. Wheater takes his set-piece goal threat into back-to-back double Gameweeks, while Turner has strong fixtures, including cover in Gameweek 34.

Vincent Kompany makes a return to the rankings but, with a trip to the Emirates up next and City’s confidence seemingly sapping as their title hopes dwindle, his prospects remain under review.

Midfielders

Gareth Bale continues to hold despite a goal drought that stretched to seven games with Sunday’s win over Swansea. Bale returned his third assist in five matches to keep things ticking over and is surely on the verge of registering a big score again, given his recent level of performance.

Antonio Valencia and Gylfi Sigurdsson are pushing him close, however. Both have outstanding form and fixtures and will surely be widely coveted as a result. They remain second and third, with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott also maintaining form to stay in our top five.

Stephane Sessegnon climbs to fifth place, edging out Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who suffers a slight drop with his blank in Gameeek 34 looming. Dempsey has a trip to Bolton and a home clash with Chelsea before that, with a double in Gameweek 36 to come. Sunderland’s Sessegnon has strong form, however, and fixtures that offer good coverage over Gameweek 34 and beyond. Team-mate James McClean also enjoys a rise this week, heading a pack consisting of Hatem Ben Arfa and Bolton pairing Martin Petrov and Ryo Miyaichi, both of whom will surely benefit from at least three of the Trotters’ four fixtures over Gameweeks 35 and 36.

Forwards

Both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie hold their top spots but find themselves under renewed pressure from Papiss Cisse. We anticipated continued returns from the Senegal striker by installing him in third last week and, having put Liverpool to the sword, he continues to rank highly. However, Emmanuel Adebayor climbs to third by virtue of his return to form in addition to strong fixtures, which rank slightly higher than the Newcastle man. Both are standout contenders for the third striker spot in our squads.

The pack that follows certainly represent gambles – possible differentials that could reap rewards. Sunderland’s Nicklas Bendtner epitomises this but, having returned four goals in five games, he carries strong form into a favourable run of fixtures. Swansea’s Danny Graham is your budget option – blessed with an obliging schedule but perhaps hampered by form that has failed to see him notch in his last six league outings.

Fernando Torres is the wildcard and perhaps the ultimate differential up front – still not certain of starts with European commitments and Didier Drogba an option, the Spaniard is showing glimpses of form, picking up his first bonus and double figure return of the season last weekend.