As we patiently sit out the Premier League hiatus, we take a look at what’s in store from the fixture list over the next four to six Gameweeks. As always, our first instalment highlights the teams with the best looking fixtures to come. We see that Everton and Arsenal are about to embark on an easy ride, while the schedule continues to smile kindly on Southampton and Liverpool.
Everton
The Toffees’ tough opening schedule has left them hovering above the relegation zone, an ignominious sequel to the heady heights of last season. But with the fixtures finally turning in their favour, Roberto Martinez will be hopeful of getting more points on the board and Fantasy managers will be looking for a ride on their coat-tails. Three easy-looking home encounters (AVL, SWA, WHM) plus trips to Burnley and Sunderland in the next six look ripe for the picking.
With just one clean sheet from their opening seven, and poor underlying defensive stats to back up that lack of resilience, the likes of Phil Jagielka and Tim Howard may need to earn back faith in many quarters, especially with John Stones potentially set for a spell on the sidelines. Leighton Baines, however, has stepped up his attacking returns to dispense with the need for clean sheets and the Kirkby spot-kick specialist has a mini-bandwagon amongst our community after scoring or assisting in four of the last five.
In midfield, injury to Kevin Mirallas robs us of the most likely contender for our affections, but could put the spotlight on Aiden McGeady – with a goal and assist so far he could present a bargain if he can inject some consistency into his game. Up top, Fantasy managers have two ends of the spectrum to choose from. Steven Naismith is still available for a pittance and has four goals already, while Romelu Lukaku will be hoping to use these fixtures to cement his patchy form and return to his role as a full-strength Fantasy force.
Arsenal
Bested once again by his nemesis Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger will be keen to put last weekend behind him and focus instead on the delights of a run of fixtures that look positively mouth-watering for Fantasy managers. In the next six Gameweeks, home matches against Hull and Burnley combine with trips to Sunderland, Swansea and West Brom to create a landscape ripe for investment.
In defence, Calum Chambers presents a conundrum. Seemingly nailed-on for almost a full 1.0 less than any other option, his propensity for picking up yellow cards sees him sit out the first of those fixtures, with further suspensions likely if he doesn’t calm down. With that said, it may be that the relative consistency of Wojciech Szczesny is more to some managers’ tastes as a route into Arsenal’s backline.
In midfield, we’ve yet to see a real alternative to the injured Aaron Ramsey emerge; Alexis Sanchez has been quite impressive but a couple of rests so far cast some doubt over his pitch time, while Theo Walcott is likely to be eased back into the squad as he was last season. There’s no such dilemma in attack, though – Danny Welbeck’s Champions League hat-trick and assured minutes make him a difficult proposition to resist at 7.3 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.
Southampton
Defeat at Tottenham was a blot on an otherwise hugely impressive debut copybook for Ronald Koeman. Sitting third in the league, the Saints have five Gameweeks of great fixtures left in the tank before the heavyweights come knocking. Three home clashes in the next four against Sunderland, Stoke and Leicester plus trips to Hull and Aston Villa all look ripe for Fantasy points.
The Southampton defence has been fantastic value so far, with a double-up even proving to be a viable tactic. Fraser Forster between the sticks is only slightly overshadowed by the similarly priced pair of full-backs – Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand are both offering goals, assists and bonus points in addition to clean sheets. In midfield, Dusan Tadic has been threatening to open his account for some time now, while Sadio Mane showed a lot of promise against Spurs. Up top, though, it’s all about Graziano Pellè – the Italian has notched four goals and an assist so far and ought to prosper further with these fixtures.
Liverpool
Despite edging past bogey team West Brom, Liverpool look a shadow of last year’s side and Brendan Rodgers has work to do to help his new signings gel. Certainly, the Reds’ boss has the fixtures to help his cause – trips to QPR, Newcastle and Crystal Palace combine with home matches against Hull and Stoke, with only the arrival of Chelsea spoiling the view over the next six Gameweeks.
Still with just one clean sheet to show for a bevy of decent fixtures, the Liverpool defence is widely considered a busted flush for Fantasy purposes. Alberto Moreno has failed to deliver on his attacking forays since his goal at White Hart Lane and his owners are losing patience but these fixtures could well punish the hasty. Raheem Sterling is the key man in midfield, with three goals and two assists and looks likely to add to that tally against this opposition. However, with a goal and three assists, Jordan Henderson is quietly rivaling his team-mate, and at nearly 3.0 cheaper in the FPL game, is a valid alternative. Steven Gerrard’s set-piece duties ensure a steady stream of points but it’s also worth noting that he leads the midfielders’ table for bonus points, with nine accrued. Up top, Mario Balotelli is yet to get off the ground and hasn’t really justified his high price tag, but the imminent return of strike partner Daniel Sturridge could help his cause if Rodgers reverts to a front two.
Also Consider
West Brom
After a shaky start, Alan Irvine’s side are finally showing signs of potential. The next four Gameweeks could help him propel the Baggies to respectability in the league table; after Man United roll up to The Hawthorns, they have home clashes against Crystal Palace and Newcastle plus a trip to Leicester. Such fixtures could be profitable for a defence that has shown increasing resilience, though budget friendly Andre Wisdom appears to be under threat from Cristian Gamboa, making Craig Dawson the best option, with his added goal threat. No one really stands out in midfield but, up front, Saido Berahino has scored five goals and now appears to have penalty duties to make a mockery of his lowly price tag.
Aston Villa
A Gameweek 8 trip to Everton concludes a horrific stretch of fixtures for the Villains. After that’s out the road, the fixture ticker looks altogether bluer for Paul Lambert’s side, with trips to QPR, West Ham and Burnley as well as home showdowns with Tottenham and Southampton. Those matches may well bring the Villa defence back to the table as an option; so impressive in the opening weeks, Alan Hutton looks poised to be good value once again, while Brad Guzan offers a worthy exit plan for any managers displeased with their current shot-stopper.
Villa’s midfielders have yet to really come to the party but the return to fitness of Belgian striker Christian Benteke is a huge boost to their prospects. Without a goal in the last three, though, Lambert’s outfit are best monitored for now, with the likes of Andreas Weimann looking to replicate his run of two strikes and an assist in the opening three before the points dried up.
Leicester
Held to a draw by fellow promoted club Burnley, Nigel Pearson’s side have had some highs and lows during their return to the top flight. The Foxes have been steadily picking up Fantasy interest and the forthcoming fixtures could be profitable – home matches against West Brom and Sunderland combine with trips to Newcastle, Swansea, Southampton and QPR.
Such a schedule may even bring points for a defence with just a single shut-out so far: Liam Moore is the standout option for 4.0, while Jeffrey Schlupp presents an intriguing out-of-position prospect – originally a striker, he returned to the left of midfield last weekend and has picked up a goal and assist so far, though his pitch time needs monitoring. In midfield, Esteban Cambiasso turned out for the reserves earlier today after recovering from the knock that forced him out of action last weekend, whilst up front, Leonardo Ulloa has struck five times to present incredible value at 5.5 and Jamie Vardy picked up his fifth assist against Burnley.
