Our weekly analysis of the fixture list over the next four-to-six Gameweeks saw us assess The Strong yesterday evening. The second installment looks at teams with less fortunate schedules – a pair of over-performing defenses find themselves facing their sternest tests yet, while both North East representatives batten down the hatches:

Tottenham

Andre Villas-Boas’ star-studded squad have been frustratingly slow to gel. Having emerged from an early kind run of fixtures in a good position that belies their toils in front of goal, Spurs now face a much sterner test of character. The next four games see them take trips to Everton and Man City as well as hosting Man United, though a home game against Newcastle offers brief respite.

The Spurs defence has proven resilient in the extreme and, while some owners of Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker may be willing to hold, those considering a punt on new signing Vlad Chiriches may decide to steer clear for now. Similarly, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado’s owners may be persuaded to keep for now, given their potential and security of starts, though anyone still hanging onto Christian Eriksen – dropped to the bench for the last two games – will regard these fixtures as the final straw.

Southampton

Sitting fifth in the table with one defeat in nine, Southampton fans have much to celebrate – but the upcoming fixtures are cause for concern. Whilst their next two games – Stoke and Hull – could be lucrative for a defence that has reaped six clean sheets thus far, the prospects nosedive thereafter. With trips to Arsenal and Chelsea and a home game against Man City in the following four games, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will need to outdo themselves to keep hold of their lofty league position.

Top scoring goalkeeper Artur Boruc may be more reliant on save points to bolster his short-term tally, while those holding any of the Saints backline may consider rotating them to the bench once the next two are out the way. Club captain Adam Lallana has been busy climbing midfield Watchlists lately with attacking returns in four of his last five games but faces a tough task to improve upon that tally.

Fulham

Widely predicted to be next across the finish line in the sack race, Martin Jol’s task is made all the more difficult by a daunting schedule. A home game against Man United this weekend is followed by a trip to Liverpool; with Tottenham also to come in the next six, Fulham’s prospects look bleak.

The Cottagers’ Fantasy potential so far can be summarised simply by noting that their joint top scoring player is Steve Sidwell, with two goals to his name. Last season’s cult hero Dimitar Berbatov is proving just a little too languid right now, with only one goal and one assist all season, while a defence that has kept just two clean sheets hasn’t attracted much investment so far, a fact that is unlikely to change in light of these fixtures.

BE WARY OF

Sunderland
Gus Poyet was always going to have his work cut out. From inheriting a dysfunctional squad to trying to match Paolo Di Canio for pure entertainment value, his most difficult obstacle is the short term fixture list as he tries to arrest the Wearsiders’ decline. Traditionally a side to back primarily for their home games, the next three at the Stadium of Light are against Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Trips to Hull, Stoke and Villa don’t really offer enough succour against the backdrop of those home ties. Another team who haven’t really tempted Fantasy managers yet, Sunderland’s tricky fixture period gives us an opportunity to monitor some of their potential assets. Emmanuelle Giaccherini had been their leading light in midfield but was dropped to the bench last time out, while Steven Fletcher – providing he can steer clear of injury – could be worth consideration when the schedule smiles a little kinder.

Newcastle
Defeat at the hands of their bitter local rivals last time out will sting Alan Pardew’s side. The next six fixtures are a mixed bag – home to Chelsea and then away to Tottenham are terrifying prospects but those are followed by back-to-back home games against Norwich and West Brom before the Magpies roll up to Swansea and United. Whilst Loic Remy has been in fine goal-scoring form, Hatem Ben Arfa has struggled to impress despite a move to the central forward role, while a defence that has conceded eleven goals in five games and has injury concerns over Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor is worth steering clear of.

Everton
Roberto Martinez is the toast of the blue half of Merseyside right now, having guided the Toffees to within four points of the summit. He’ll need to be on top of his tactical game to keep them there, though, as Everton prepare to face Spurs, Liverpool, United and Arsenal in the next six Gameweeks, with a trip to Palace and home clash against Stoke somewhat softening the blow. Owners of Romelu Lukaku may be hoping he can repeat his hat-trick against United but the signs are looking a little ominous for the game time of child prodigy Ross Barkley as Martinez has indicated in both words and action that he intends to protect the young midfielder from burn-out. With just a single clean sheet since Gameweek 4, investors in Everton’s defence may decide that this fixture list is a bridge too far and opt out at this point – Leighton Baines owners will be more reliant than ever on attacking returns.