Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 13 – The Strong

Hurtling towards the hectic Christmas schedule, we look at the upcoming fixture landscape, starting with the teams that have the kindest-looking schedules over the next four-to-six Gameweeks. Two of the top four are given every opportunity to retain their lofty league positions, while a selection of mid-table teams represent budget-friendly options with promising fixtures.

Chelsea

A change of formation to 4-3-3 worked wonders for Jose Mourinho as Chelsea eased past West Ham, just in time for Fantasy managers to take advantage of some excellent fixtures. The next six weeks feature home games against Southampton, Crystal Palace and Swansea and trips to Sunderland and Stoke – a visit to the Emirates represents the only caveat.

Just when the debate over Chelsea’s midfielders had seemingly been settled in Eden Hazard’s favour, Oscar popped up with a goal and assist to stake his claim for a place in our Fantasy sides – although a case could be made for owning both, given the upcoming schedule, Mourinho’s admission that he intends to rotate his squad over December will have many thinking twice over investing heavily. Having finally delivered a clean sheet against the Hammers, faith may now be restored in their defence – John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have played every minute of the season so far and look to be the soundest targets.

Liverpool

Following a mesmerising, goal-packed derby, Liverpool have an enticing fixture list on the horizon. With a trip to Hull next up and home games against Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff in the following four, investment in more than just a certain Uruguayan could pay dividends. However, visits to Tottenham and Man City in the next six may call for caution.

The scintillating talents of Luis Suarez need no further explanation, but the question for Fantasy managers is whether or not to double up on the Liverpool attack. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho both represent options, whilst Steven Gerrard, with a goal or assist in all but one of the last seven games, continues to fly under the radar. With just one clean sheet since Gameweek 3, many will have lost faith in Brendan Rodgers’ defence, but budget-friendly Jon Flanagan has earned public praise from both his manager and captain recently and could well be set to deputise for Jose Enrique, who could be out of action until February.

West Ham

Defeat at the hands of Chelsea wasn’t wholly unexpected for Sam Allardyce’s struggling team, but they have a set of kind fixtures in the next four to help them lift themselves clear of the relegation zone. Home games against Fulham and Sunderland and a trip to Crystal Palace look promising, though looking slightly longer term they face Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United in the next six.

The absence of Winston Reid has clearly had an effect on the Hammers’ defensive resilience, with three goals conceded in each of the last two matches in the Kiwi international’s absence. Nonetheless, Sam Allardyce’s team will be confident of picking up more clean sheets for those fixtures against the bottom three – at 4.3 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), James Collins is the budget pick of choice. Razvan Rat’s injury opened the door for Joey O’Brien, but this may only be short term. For those looking to invest in the Hammers further up the field, Ravel Morrison still looks excellent value at 4.9 in the FPL.

West Brom

Protagonists in this week’s other derby goalfest, Steve Clarke’s side are given the opportunity to build on their good form with some kind fixtures. A trip to Newcastle, followed by a home game against travel-sick Man City, are difficult fixtures to gauge given the inconsistency of their opponents, but three consecutive fixtures (NOR, car, HUL) follow with plenty appeal for the Baggies.

Shane Long announced himself to Fantasy managers with a well-taken brace against Villa but it will require more than that to turn heads away from the big hitters. In midfield, Stephane Sessegnon reminded us of the talents that brought success at Sunderland with a goal against Chelsea in Gameweek 11, whilst Morgan Amalfitano was unlucky not to be rewarded with an assist or two in the Midlands derby and represents good value. In defence, Liam Ridgewell’s owners will be hoping for a rapid return from a calf complaint, while Gareth McAuley’s goal threat makes him the pick of the defensive bunch. Between the sticks, Boaz Myhill could be ousted by Ben Foster’s imminent return from injury.

ALSO CONSIDER

Norwich
Not exactly a stable of Fantasy thoroughbreds so far this season, there may be life in Norwich yet. Reserving their best performances for Carrow Road, the Canaries have some kind-looking home games on the horizon. With Crystal Palace, Swansea and Fulham all paying visit, rotating a Canary with a Pulis-powered Palace asset could be a viable tactic. Michael Turner appears to be the safest option, though Martin Olsson (4.2 in FPL) has started all of the last seven and may even be shifted into midfield in light of Anthony Pilkington’s injury absence. Leroy Fer has a goal in each of his last two and may appeal to those who were considering Robert Snodgrass – he’s now out for a number of weeks with a knee injury.

Swansea
Michael Laudrup’s side have not quite made the best of their fixtures so far. The good times aren’t yet over, however, and once the daunting challenge of an Etihad showdown is behind them, they have three home games in four (NEW, HUL, EVE) and a trip to Norwich to deliver the goods. Faith in their defence may not be high, but Ashley Williams and Ben Davies could yet deliver the points in these fixtures. Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony had more shots in the box than any other striker at the weekend and may prove a worthy differential.

Aston Villa
Recovering from two goals down to rescue a point against West Brom, it was the late installation of forwards Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann that made the difference. With his strike force back to full strength, Paul Lambert will be hopeful the Villains can capitalise on a kind set of fixtures. Home games against Sunderland and Crystal Palace, allied with trips to Fulham and Stoke in the next six should give Fantasy managers faith. Christian Benteke has drawn five successive blanks since returning from injury, but with a revitalised supply line, that could be set to change. In defence, Ron Vlaar is the pick of choice, though Nathan Baker, at 3.9, is one of the cheapest options around -it remains to be seen if he’ll keep the central role ahead of Ciaran Clark when Antonio Luna returns at left-back.

Crystal Palace
Back-to-back clean sheets and the installation of Tony Pulis brings the Eagles into consideration this week. Three favourable Selhurst Park showdowns (WHM, CAR, NEW) are supplemented by trips to Norwich and Villa – whilst our faith in the midfield and attack are firmly on hold, Pulis’ tactics could bring the Palace backline onto the radar; Joel Ward, Dean Moxey and Danny Gabbidon are all just 4.0 in FPL.