Having analysed the teams with Strong fixtures on the horizon, our second instalment concentrates on those with harder runs to come. The top two face a tricky task to maintain their lofty perches, while Southampton continue to fight with their backs to the wall as the schedule proves unrelenting for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Liverpool
While the Blue half of Merseyside looks set to go from strength to strength with a friendly festive fixture list, the Reds face a daunting test. With trips to Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea in the next four, and just the visit of Cardiff to help catch their breath, Brendan Rodgers’ team are about to be stretched to the limit.
Injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard and, potentially, Jordan Henderson couldn’t have come at a worse time, and the loss of creativity could even cast doubt over the prospects of Anfield’s prolific Uruguayan. Luis Suarez has, of course, been a phenomenon this season but these fixtures and the loss of certain team-mates are set to provide his stiffest test since returning from suspension. The defence presents less of a puzzle. With just one clean sheet since Gameweek 3, despite a bevy of toothless opponents, many managers will take these fixtures as the final signal to drop under-performing assets such as Glen Johnson and Simon Mignolet.
Arsenal
In a similar vein, Arsenal will need to step up to the plate to defend their spot at the summit. With three away games in the next four, including a trip to the Etihad, and their only home match in that period being a showdown with Chelsea, the Gunners’ hitherto profitable Fantasy assets could suffer a blip in productivity.
With just the first two of those fixtures being truly testing, it is unlikely that any managers holding players such as Mesut Özil, Aaron Ramsey or Per Mertesacker will drop them now. But these fixtures ought to serve as a warning to any would-be investors to postpone any acquisition until at least Gameweek 18. Indeed, suitors of Theo Walcott may view these tricky games as a small blessing, giving him time to return to full match fitness before bringing him in as a possible, potent differential.
Crystal Palace
Few would argue that Tony Pulis’ instalment at Selhurst Park hasn’t had an immediate impact on the Eagles. Having conceded just one goal in the last five games – an incredible achievement considering their early season form – the Crystal Palace defence has been the subject of an unlikely mini-bandwagon. Latecomers to the party might want to think twice before jumping on board, though, as the fixtures take a turn for the worse. With trips to Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham in the next six, only home games against Newcastle and Norwich appeal in that period.
There’s no doubting the budget appeal of Joel Ward and Danny Gabbidon, but suitors may wish to wait a week or more for the worst of those fixtures to pass, unless they have a solid rotation plan in place. Similarly, anyone scouting for a budget midfielder could do worse in principle than Barry Bannan, who has both recent returns and the numbers to back it up, but now is probably not the time to take advantage. Gameweek 20 appears to be a better time to invest.
BE WARY OF
Southampton
The Saints are still right in the middle of their trickiest patch of fixtures all season, a spell which has unhappily coincided with a spate of injuries to key defensive personnel. Mauricio Pochettino has his work cut out to arrest their descent down the table in the face of tough adversaries. Trips to Newcastle and Everton and home games against Tottenham and Chelsea in the next five look unprofitable for The Saints. Anyone still holding the likes of Dejan Lovren, Jose Fonte or Nathaniel Clyne may be tempted to part ways, while Adam Lallana’s output has slowed to a crawl, with attacking returns in just one of the last seven Gameweeks.
Swansea
As predicted by many, Europa League duties appear to have taken a heavy toll as the fatigue-hit Swans have failed to make the most of a recent stretch of kind fixtures. Not good news for Michael Laudrup, as the schedule starts to turn against his team. Games against Everton, Chelsea, Man City and Man United in the next six look distinctly unappealing for holders of Michel Vorm, Chico Flores and Ashley Williams. These fixtures, combined with the return to fitness of Michu and Wilfried Bony may also put the kibosh on the appeal of Jonjo Shelvey, whilst Pablo Hernandez has been somewhat out of sorts anyway since returning from his own early season injury. Gameweek 23 looks like a good time to revisit the Welsh outfit.
Fulham
And then there was one: Rene Meulensteen. The departure of Martin Jol has so far looked like a positive for the Cottagers – their numbers are up across the board and even the ever-languid Dimitar Berbatov has shown signs of life. The bad news is that the next two fixtures could put their renaissance on hiatus – a trip to Everton, followed by a home game against Man City, are daunting. After that, though, the fixtures take a decided upswing and the likes of Sascha Riether, Patjim Kasami or even Berbatov himself could come into contention if Meulensteen can continue to improve his new team’s attitude and performances.
