Watchlist

The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 18

The postponement of Arsenal’s Boxing Day clash has a marked effect on our Christmas Watchlist rankings, with Arsene Wenger’s assets stalling in our thinking, despite a convincing win at Reading last time out. That paves the way for familiar heavy-hitters to return to the upper echelons in midfield, while at the back and up front, the status quo remains. Our updated rankings are now available in your right sidebar; read on for details behind the big movers…

Goalkeepers

The goalkeeper situation remains a minefield for Fantasy managers, with seemingly ever-decreasing options in the mid-price and budget areas who can promise returns. An effective rotation pairing looks hard to find, with a “one stop shop” solution looking a more favourable route right now, at least until injuries clear.

The likes of Joe Hart and Hugo Lloris can also be considered as single solutions to the keeper conundrum but, while they have form and fixtures with them, their price tags are major obstacles and, arguably, there are more attractive routes to covering the City and Spurs defence.

Despite missing the Boxing Day Gameweek, Wojciech Szczesny remains in our thinking by virtue of offering the most secure route into an Arsenal defence that faces an obliging run of opponents going into January. While there are other options in the Gunners defence, notably Kieran Gibbs, the Polish keeper is assured of his number one status and is reasonably priced to offer promise between the sticks.

Ben Foster is now edging a return to the West Brom lineup and so can take his place in our thinking for the Christmas period. He fares well in tandem with Asmir Begovic, who looks set to suffer a torrid time in terms of fixtures. Foster also works well with Villa’s Brad Guzan, while West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen is, at last, coming out of an evil run of fixtures to offer value once more in the New Year.

Defenders

Glen Johnson continues to impress with his forward forays and has the fixtures to maintain his form both in defensive and attacking terms. He remains on top of our rankings, holding off the charge of Jan Vertonghen, who delivered on his promise with the winning goal against Swansea at the weekend. With very strong fixtures over the next five, the Belgian is an expensive punt but, as we mentioned last week, a clear differential who could prove highly effective.

City’s Matija Nastasic climbs in our thinking, despite continued concerns on rotation in the City ranks. The Serbian is priced at 5.6 in the FPL and that’s a big factor which makes the prospect of being rested somewhat more bearable. City’s fixtures are strong enough to warrant the gamble and, with Vincent Kompany likely to be fit for a return, defensive solidity is set to be restored, having conceded at Newcastle.

Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs would have been ranked higher had it not been for today’s news on the Boxing Day postponement. Gibbs showed his attacking qualities in the win at Reading and sneaks in above the less expensive Bacary Sagna. The Frenchman may have lost his fruitful partnership with Theo Walcott on the right flank after the winger was moved inside at the Madejski and that also works in Gibbs’ favour. Neither Arsenal full-back is 100% secure but Gibbs is possibly the safest route, with Sagna threatened by Carl Jenkinson for his starts over the busy festive spell.

The Chelsea defence is edging back into the equation, marked by Branislav Ivanovic’s climb in our rankings. His ascent is not enough to overtake Leighton Baines and United’s Rafael, however.

In terms of mid-price and budget, West Brom’s Gareth McAuley remains a solid option, have returned a clean sheet against the Hammers and with strong fixtures to come. Villa’s Ciaran Clark and Norwich City’s Sebastian Bassong have goal threat to compensate for a testing fixture list, while Joey O’Brien now appears to carry the flag for the West Ham defence – the full-back seems to have cemented his start and offers some attacking intent.

Midfielders

Michu remains top, despite the fact he’s still just a single yellow card away from a one-match ban. His form is strong enough to maintain his ”most wanted” status, regardless of some testing festive fixtures.

The charge of Arsenal pairing Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott is considerable but is tempered by the postponement of their Gameweek 19 fixture. Both players sparkled in the win at Reading but their potential has been somewhat derailed by today’s announcement.

With Arsenal drawing that Boxing Day blank, City’s David Silva earns a top three ranking: the Spaniard remains the most secure and sound investment in Roberto Maninci’s side ahead of the visit of Reading this weekend. Both Gareth Bale and Juan Mata also jump above the Arsenal pairing, despite the Tottenham man being on the verge of a ban and not yet being assured of his start against Stoke, following a recent hamstring injury.

Adel Taarabt is your best placed mid-price asset off the back of his outstanding display in the win over Fulham – although he, too, is just a booking away from a ban, with African Cup of Nations commitments also beckoning in January. Yaya Toure is also vulnerable to the call of international duty but offers enough in the short-term to retain a decent Watchist ranking: Silva remains the weapon of choice, however.

Southampton’s Jason Puncheon is the highest rank budget option, just nudging out Raheem Sterling, who looks set to earn a rest of some degree over the next fortnight. West Ham’s Kevin Nolan has poor form but – once his Boxing Day blank is out of the way – has fixtures ahead of him that show promise; look for him to climb further as the weeks roll by.

United’s Ashley Young is now our preferred midfield option in Sir Alex Ferguson’s ranks – ousting Antonio Valencia on form. There’s little doubt that Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney are the prime targets in the league’s most potent side, although Young is a decent compromise in midfield. Rotation remains a concern, however.

Forwards

There’s no let up in the form of both Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney and it’s a brave Fantasy manager who goes forward from this point without one of them enrolled in their squads. Goals look forthcoming as United’s fixtures continue to please and the gap between these two and the rest of the chasing pack is pretty significant in terms of potential goal power.

Jermain Defoe is currently ranked third, with Luis Suarez suffering a blip of late. Dimitar Berbatov’s form is also a major concern, although his fixtures are so strong, he could well climb back into our top three following the trip to Anfield this weekend.

Villa’s Christian Benteke is undoubtedly your differential and man in form below these established names. He has enough in his favour to rank above the City pairing in our thinking – with fixtures falling nicely for the Belgian following the testing trip to Stamford Bridge.

Both Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero have to remain in our thoughts given their quality and the fixtures ahead of them, but there is real uncertainty over just how many minutes we’ll get from this pairing over the next two weeks. Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli remain factors in Roberto Mancini’s squad and this dents the appeal of the Argentine pairing, making Silva all that more enticing as an acquisition in midfield.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,462 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rafabio
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    YC for Lamps 🙂

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  2. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Super tackle from super Frankie Lampard!

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  3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    "Michael Brown and David Luiz are squaring up after the former hacks away at the latter" 🙄 please stay away from mata

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  4. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Definatley a red card in this one but for who????

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Brown.... Spoiling for a fight..

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  5. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Id love Leeds to score first 😎

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  6. Rafabio
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Chech saves Ivan's blushes. Weak back pass...

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  7. b3- bish bash bosh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on routledge

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  8. Holy See
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Brown whinges after being taken down. Roight. I dislike the man intensely.

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      +1 so may... complete scrote

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      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Eh?

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  9. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma has mutually terminated his contract with Turkish side Besiktas, remember him?

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    1. Licky
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't reach his potential.

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      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I remember comparisons with Ronaldo, he used to play for Barca, Inter and Chelsea, now hes a nobody :/

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  10. Sammy
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    In order for me to get in bale, I need to either do..

    1) cueller to baker
    2) rafa to nasty

    Please pick one..

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    1. ccc
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      1

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  11. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Mata red card!

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Are you telling porkies again Ron?

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      1. Kostja
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        not bs, could have been one from the angle that I saw it at.

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      2. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Deserved it!!

        Retrospective ban on his way.

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    2. RONH
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      True story

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        It's true that it's a story 😛

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        1. RONH
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Cool story bro

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  12. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Brown that was weak !

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  13. dul
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How is Torres doing?:o

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    1. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Usual brilliance.

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  14. Kostja
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone see a better angle of that Mata charge on Brown, possible retrospective action?

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    1. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Oh behave.

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Doubt it. It's not like Warnock is going to dig it up post-match if Leeds lose this. Oh wait...;-)

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  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    cattermole aspires to brown

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  16. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Frank Worthington... Legend 🙂

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Can't argue with that. Probably the best player burmingham have ever had

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  17. Kostja
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    moses with a shaite dive

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  18. floydy_floyd
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Would love a retro ban for mata

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Me too, but he never touched Browns head, may have given him one in the ribs

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  19. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    So happy I bought Tevez over Torres he just isn't busy enough off the ball. However I hope he proves me wrong? Not likely !

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    1. Licky
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He was never that willing to work off the ball, unless he was nicking the ball off of a defender or making a break but he was never that type of player, shame he lost his burst of pace.

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  20. The butts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think of the following???? Good for christmas?

    Schwarzer
    Vertonghen Demel Shorey
    Santi Cazorla Mata Silva Bale Michu
    Berbatov Van Persie

    (Bunn) (Pogrebnyak) (Clyne) (Stam)

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    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      v nice mid

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  21. bring on Real Madrid !
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    bale michu punch sterling
    rvp ba tevez
    10.1m in teh bank 1 mid reqd ??

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    1. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Walcott or Santi then swap for Mata once Arsenals fixtures go bad

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      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Santi/Walcott have blank GW next

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    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Silva

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      1. bring on Real Madrid !
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        some1 justify plzz from
        silva
        mata
        sani
        theo

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        1. rdpx
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          silva then bring in santi after boxing day for bale who will be suspended after last YC

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    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Caz, then swap out for Arsenal's blank gameweek

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      1. bring on Real Madrid !
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        caz just seems to quiet up after 1 big haul
        arsenal usually follow a big win with a 0-0 or 1-0 rzlt

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  22. Spoiler
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    is baker for villa decent at 3.9?

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    1. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      think vlaar will take his place when back

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  23. FPL_Liger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I think Torres could score tonight

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      But will he get any goals

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  24. the axolotl
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    whats this jimmy saville song the leeds fans are singing/

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Blimey, do we really want to know?

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      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        haha, yeah i was going to out a condition on that question. i'm sure it's a little inappropriate

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        1. the axolotl
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          *put a condition

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    2. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea fans are singing it. He is on the bench tonight. Fact.

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      1. Pasqualinho
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I bet he's really loving his parents' choice of name right now.

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      2. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        ah so he is. how unfortunate! probably thought he had a really funny name up until recently

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        1. si
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          The league cup is always a good opportunity to test out the kids.

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          1. floydy_floyd
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Boom

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  25. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Mrs Fellaini sat hehind McAllistair? 🙂

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  26. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Serious question:

    Do you think women use soap opera blogs in real time too?

    E.g. "OMG, Pat called Julie a fat cow"

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Worth starting one if not, could be huge.....

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, forums for sure. Mainly twitter though I reckon... hashtag catslater

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      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Bugger, it's katslater..what a soap noob.

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  27. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    WTH is torres trying to do!,.,.,/

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    1. dul
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      look like a million dollar baby!

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        boring game.(~,~)

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  28. Live4pool
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    just saw the CHE - AVL game is on sunday...no need to panic then for mata owners

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Not until Brown clatters him back.

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      1. floydy_floyd
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Lol hopefully he does

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  29. b3- bish bash bosh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Team linked
    Any adjustments needed

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  30. SupaX
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Sup, this is my first season playing fantasy. Wanted to know what you guys think.

    Jaaskelanin
    Shawcross, Reid, O'brien, Mertsacker,
    Michu, Mata, hazard,
    Ba, tevez, Suarez,

    Rudd, Rafael, marveaux, Fellaini
    0 in the bank
    1 free transfer
    I wanna get rid of fellaini.

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