With plenty of factors to consider, we’ve taken the unusual measure of splitting our weekly regular into two individual pieces. Having analysed The Strong yesterday, we take a look at those clubs with less than favourable schedules over the last five Gameweeks of the current campaign:
Everton
After last night’s Emirates encounter with Arsenal, David Moyes’ men are on their travels three more times before the season is out. Unluckily for the Toffees, their trio of hosts have everything to play for – Sunderland are scrapping for survival, Liverpool have the small matter of a Merseyside derby in front of their own fans, while Chelsea could, potentially, be celebrating the Europa League by the time the Toffees roll up to the Bridge on the final day of the season and will be desperate to end the campaign with a victory.
Home clashes against Fulham and West Ham certainly look promising, considering Everton have dropped just two points in their last six at Goodison. Those who invested in Marouane Fellaini for the double may be tempted to keep until after the Gameweek 37 Hammers clash, then, while Victor Anichebe’s cut-price appeal may persuade his owners to hold. Three back-to-back clean sheets in front of their own fans offers Leighton Baines the chance to maintain his position at the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defender standings.
Aston Villa
Paul Lambert’s side face a testing time if they are to maintain the form which has harvested 10 points from their last five matches. Villa travel to Old Trafford this weekend and also make their way to Norwich and Wigan before the season is out, with home clashes against Sunderland and Chelsea also on their agenda.
Given that the midlanders have now conceded in each of their last 17 league matches, faith in their defensive assets will understandably be non-existent, though Christian Benteke’s owners will remain optimistic, given he has produced attacking points against three of his remaining five opponents already. Andreas Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor have also been key to their side’s survival bid and with their frontmen flourishing, the situation perhaps isn’t quite so bad. Three of their fixtures are against fellow strugglers, and if Chelsea get the better of FC Basel in the Europa League, their trip to Villa would take place four days prior to the final, suggesting Rafa Benitez may decide to rest and rotate his key players to boost his chances of silverware.
Newcastle
The Magpies will still be licking their wounds after a weekend Tyne-Wear derby humiliation but the schedule is hardly straightforward for Alan Pardew’s troops. Newcastle hit the road three times in the next four matches (wba, whm, qpr) and bearing in mind they have won just once away from St James’ Park all season and picked up eight points on their travels, it’s fair to say they have a task on their hands.
With their last two home fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal, they’ll need to pick themselves up from Sunday’s hammering in order to stave off the threat of relegation but with Tim Krul out for the season and Davide Santon and Fabricio Coloccini still sidelined, injuries at the back could prove problematic. Papiss Cisse‘s home exploits will be more crucial than ever – strikes in three of his last four at St James’ Park offers hope – while a return to form for Moussa Sissoko looks essential to the Magpies cause, with the Frenchman now producing blanks in five of his last six.
Also Be Wary Of..
Man United – while a home game with Villa is hugely enticing, it could, potentially,see United clinch the title and thus increase the chances of rotation. Providing they triumph at West Ham tonight and follow it up with a victory over Villa, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side would need a single point from their final four matches to clinch the league crown. Indeed, if City beat Wigan and only draw with Spurs on Sunday, United could take the title by defeating Villa the following evening – such a scenario is likely to play a part in Sir Alex Ferguson’s thinking, bearing in mind his side then face Arsenal, Chelsea, Swansea and a trip to West Brom in the last four. Ferguson has already shown his willingness to utilise the depth of his squad in recent weeks and once the title is over, there’d be no surprise to see some fringe players handed more game time.
Liverpool – Brendan Rodgers’ side will be desperate to return to winning ways after back-to-back goalless draws but have just one real stand-out fixture over the final five. The next four sees the Reds welcome Chelsea and Everton to Anfield in addition to trips to Newcastle and Fulham – defensive returns are perhaps questionable here, while Luis Suarez will be hoping he can hit the goal trail again after four successive blanks. A Gameweek 38 home clash with QPR looks set to hand the Merseysiders the perfect platform to finish the season in style, though.
Fulham – Martin Jol’s side have arguably just one favourable fixture in the final five Gameweeks. While a Gameweek 36 home clash with Reading looks potentially prosperous, the Cottagers other four matches afford little reason for optimism – Arsenal and Liverpool both pay visit before Jol’s side make their way to Everton and Swansea. A single clean sheet in five sums up Fulham’s current defensive displays – Sascha Riether may have to rely on attacking points from right-back to boost his appeal, while Dimitar Berbatov’s owners may be a little concerned. While the Reading match offers the greatest potential, it also falls in a Gameweek where other forward alternatives have doubles, lessening the Bulgarian’s appeal further.
