Our weekly refresh of the Watchlist rankings finds changes in the defensive positions, while double Gameweek assets enjoy a final surge and the fixtures list bites for the likes of Leighton Baines and Marouane Felllaini. Updated rankings can be found in the right sidebar as always; read on for the factors at play behind our new thinking…

Goalkeepers

With Simon Mignolet facing home encounters against both Arsenal and United in the next six, the Black Cats’ stopper takes a slight tumble to clear the way for Stoke’s Asmir Begovic to regain top spot in our rankings. The Bosnian has suffered from a lack of defensive returns of late but showed strong form in the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates and now enters a hugely favourable spell of fixtures with Reading, West Ham and West Brom all visiting the Britannia in the next five Gameweeks.

Begovic looks strong, then, with QPR’s Julio Cesar also running him close. The Brazilian is in inspired form for Harry Redknapp’s side and has been a key factor in the recent run of defensive form that has gathered four clean sheets in the last five outings. Priced at 5.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Cesar offers a route into Harry’s backline for those overlooking the likes of Clint Hill and Chris Samba.

Norwich City’s Mark Bunn looks to be the best budget option on offer between the sticks in the current window. With John Ruddy still some way from a return to first team contention, Bunn comes off a penalty save at Loftus Road last time out, into a run of three home fixtures in four. Save points look assured and with two clean sheets in his last four, we may even seen some further shut-outs from the Canaries stand-in.

There’s a cast of heavy-hitters to consider as always, with David De Gea, Pepe Reina and Joe Hart offering the potential of one-stop-shop solutions. Further down the rankings, Tim Krul is edging into consideration as Newcastle’s form and confidence shows signs of turning the corner. Michel Vorm is currently out of the reckoning until we’re certain on his availability following a recent knee injury.

Defenders

With Leighton Baines facing up to a tough schedule over the next month, the Everton left-back plummets in our reckoning to clear the way for Liverpool’s Glen Johnson to snatch top spot. While the double Gameweek is a major consideration, Johnson’s fixtures look favourable beyond that and, even when clean sheets look under threat, his strong attacking intent is at play. Regardless of the blank and three away trips in four to follow, Johnson looks a solid asset for those shopping in the top bracket for their defender slots.

The suggestion that Johnson may have tweaked his groin in last night’s friendly with Brazil are yet to be confirmed but it seems wise to wait on news from the Liverpool camp tomorrow before considering Johnson at this point. Interestingly, the retiring Jamie Carragher, with a 5.0 FPL price tag, has recently emerged as an alternative in Brendan Rodgers’ defence for those willing to forego attacking potential.

Pablo Zabaleta is another heavy-hitter who demands our attention – an ever-present in the City back four over the last 13 league matches, the Argentine also has some potential going forward to supplement defensive returns. City’s fixtures are strong enough to promise profit and, with the title race nearing a climax, we may start to see them grind out results with defence becoming more of a priority in the coming weeks.

Patrice Evra is the obvious heavy-hitter route to explore. The Frenchman has enjoyed a superb season in attacking areas, firing four goals and earning a sixth assist of the season in the recent win over Southampton. Evra has looked immune to rotation to this point, although a Champions League tie with Real Madrid may test that theory this weekend – with Alex Buttner available, we may yet see Evra earn a rest in the coming weeks to dent his appeal somewhat.

Swansea’s Ben Davies remains the prime budget candidate, with Reading’s Ian Harte and Tottenham’s Michael Dawson currently his main rivals in that particular bracket. The Spurs man has regained a starting role of late and, while his forthcoming fixtures could be stronger, he’s offering more assured starts in a back four that has vastly improved in recent Gameweeks. News today of a return to training for Younes Kaboul may have muddied the waters at the Lane somewhat, however.

Remaining in the budget bracket, it must be stressed that Stoke’s Marc Wilson, at just 4.0 in the FPL, will, inevitably shake things up on his return to fitness – his arrival in the budget bracket will surely make him a hot property and offer coverage of the Stoke rearguard. Wilson returned to reserve team action earlier this week and will be expected to be back in the frame for first team duties for Gameweek 27.

Wilson’s team-mate, Ryan Shawcross, currently offers a favourable mid-price option in defence, while QPR’s Chris Samba also has merits in this bracket with clean sheets and set-piece threat on offer over the coming weeks. Norwich City’s Seb Bassong also fits into this category, although with Bunn available in goal, there is a cheaper short-term option of coverage when considering Chris Hughton’s side – Bassong will need to maintain the attacking form which has already harvested three goals if he is to justify the outlay, then. Russell Martin, at just 4.2 in the FPL, is another consideration here.

Midfielders

It remains difficult for new names to break the monopoly of the top five or six spots in our rankings and, with both Juan Mata and Theo Walcott delivering incredible consistency, there can be little argument over the top two spots.

Gareth Bale is pushing them hard, however, after a pair of impressive goals over his last couple of outings. A new role in recent matches has seen him shifted to central areas to exert greater attacking threat and, should that be maintained, we could yet see Bale deliver consistency to rival our top two.

City’s David Silva continues to threaten to flick the safety catch and start delivering returns to match both Mata and Walcott. A two-goal blast against Fulham hinted at the potential, although Silva is still failing to offer consistency, or threaten the explosive returns that Bale is capable of delivering. Even so, with City coverage remaining important for the title run-in, Silva remains a tempting option with Sergio Aguero seemingly the only other assured starter amongst Roberto Mancini’s attacking ranks.

Michu’s lack of form, with no goal in his last six, has him struggle to maintain his status but the double Gameweek ensures he remains on the up. Like the Liverpool assets on offer, the Spaniard enjoys a comfortable couple of fixtures to follow the Gameweek 27 blank that carry some promise.

Marouane Fellaini suffers a drop in our reckoning, despite a return to form with his two goals against Villa last time out. Fixtures are against the Everton man and with strong options elsewhere, it’s difficult to reserve a spot in our five man midfields for the Belgian. Existing owners will doubtless retain his services but those shopping in this position will likely look elsewhere, as Everton prepare for encounters with United, Arsenal and City. Fellaini will have to display his fixture proof qualities to keep pace.

In the mid-price, Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko is now a clear consideration – he’s blinking brightly on the radar after a brace against Chelsea earned him heavy investment this week. Newcastle’s fixtures are strong enough to see the Frenchman continue to offer profit, with Stoke’s Jon Walters and Norwich City’s Robert Snodgrass also looking well placed in the coming month in the same price bracket.

Reading’s Jimmy Kebe is now the budget option of choice, with Brian McDermott’s side showing defiant form and the Mali international is an assured protagonist in their efforts to retain top-flight status. He edges above Southampton’s Jason Puncheon, with the Saints winger just beginning to look vulnerable in terms of pitch-time under the new regime of Mauricio Pochettino.

Forwards

Perhaps controversially, Robin Van Persie holds the top spot, despite two consecutive blanks that have seen Wayne Rooney come to the fore. We’re still backing the Dutchman above all others, however, with the switch to Rooney a clear option to be explored by those looking to eke out a precious differential. Given his consistency to this point, however, Van Persie surely warrants a degree of patience.

Below the Dutchman, both Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez grapple for superiority and it’s a close call between the pair. Sturridge is the new arrival and has the price point to offer exceptional value if he can maintain output that has seen him fetch returns in all four of his Liverpool starts. Suarez has the pedigree, however, and has shown a consistency that demands we keep the faith, despite doubts that by shifting to the Liverpool left to make way for Sturridge, his level of returns could suffer a decline. The jury is still out, although the double Gameweek returns look vital to deciding the pecking order between this new pairing.

Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher and Southampton’s Rickie Lambert are vying for a spot in our squads from the low-to-mid price bracket, with the Black Cats’ striker slightly favoured given Lambert’s testing short-term schedule.

City’s Sergio Aguero, as mentioned earlier, remains the one striker in Roberto Mancini’s side that looks assured of his start but, with a hefty price tag, Edin Dzeko still presents an attractive alternative given that he looks assured to play some part in each outing and has proved effective from the bench.

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke and Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse look to be your prime differential options, with the Belgian continuing to thrive despite Villa’s plight and Cisse showing glimpses of form to suggest he could get eventually get close to the heights of last season. Cisse will surely benefit from Newcastle’s improved confidence and, with strong fixtures to come, he looks a punt worthy of consideration for those seeking a profitable differential.