Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 10 – The Strong

Our first foray into the upcoming fixture schedule over the next four to six Gameweeks sees the league leaders handed the chance to strengthen their title tilt. The prospects also look good for both Merseyside rivals, whilst Sam Allardyce has much to smile about as West Ham braces themselves for a kind run of matches as well.

CHELSEA

Despite their late setback against Man United at the weekend, Jose Mourinho’s side are still riding high at the summit. What’s more, the Blues welcome relegation candidates QPR to Stamford Bridge next weekend, with trips to the stuttering defences of Liverpool and Sunderland also in the next four. Home clashes with Tottenham and West Brom are also unlikely to hold too much fear, with Chelsea’s unbeaten status testament to the dominant manner in which they have begun this season.

At the back, Cesar Azpilicueta will sit out the QPR encounter before returning from suspension away to Liverpool in Gameweek 11. Filipe Luis, then, has just one more chance in the league to justify his claim for a regular starting spot at left-back – a situation which would, of course, work favourably for Fantasy managers, with the Spaniard available for just 5.4 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. With such uncertainty surrounding the left back berth, Branislav Ivanovic’s guaranteed pitch time and attacking threat ensure that he continues to look the best option in the Blues’ rearguard, despite being the most expensive defender in FPL at 7.3 – the Serbian serves his one-match ban in tonight’s Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury.

Further up the field, the consistency of Cesc Fabregas, who has now returned points in all but two rounds of fixtures this season, means he currently holds the edge over Eden Hazard for a spot in our midfields, though the latter still looks the more explosive option, and with an ownership of just 14.6%, is also a significant differential. Up top, Diego Costa has failed to feature in each of Chelsea’s last three in all competitions, and has resultantly seen a decline in ownership – the forward has been shifted on by almost 34,000 owners since the weekend. However, a return to fitness across the Blues’ upcoming fixtures could see him hit form again and come back to haunt those who have already lost faith in the Premier League’s joint top scorer.

WEST HAM

Having shocked Man City at the weekend, the Hammers now embark on a superb run of fixtures which could well see them cement their surprise place in the top four. An away trip to Everton in Gameweek 12 could prove testing, but that match aside, it won’t be until the Gameweek 18 clash with Chelsea that Sam Allardyce’s side will be considered the underdogs. A home encounter with Aston Villa, who lost out to QPR last night, follows this weekend’s meeting with Stoke, as the east Londoners look to continue the form that has seen them win each of their last their three in the league.

Diafra Sakho now has seven goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, and at 5.7, the forward continues to look one of the best budget attacking options around. We will, however, have to await further news on his shoulder injury. Available for the same price is Stewart Downing, who has been reinvigorated under Allardyce and has proved a pivotal figure in the Hammers’ midfield this season – his total of three assists thus far is better than any team-mate.

At the back, meanwhile, Adrian could prove a great pick between the sticks, whilst Aaron Cresswell has notched back-to-back assists as his marauding runs from left-back are starting to bear fruit. The Hammers may have only tallied one clean sheet so far but they have only conceded two goals in their last three, and as last Saturday demonstrated, they have the potential to stand up to even the most creative of attacks.

EVERTON

After an uncertain start to the campaign, the Toffees are beginning to hit their stride, having picked up two consecutive league wins and notched six goals across those encounters. Their return to form couldn’t be better timed, with three home fixtures in the next five sure to offer them the chance to accumulate the points, whilst away days against out-of-sorts Sunderland and Spurs could also prove profitable.

Leighton Baines now leads the way for defenders in FPL, and with six assists to his name, has already bettered his tally from last season. However, for those unable to stump up the 7.2 needed for his services, Phil Jagielka comes in at a much more budget friendly 5.5, and has scored twice in his last four league outings. Further up the park, we are yet to see a stand-out option in the Toffees’ midfield, though they do offer us forward options at a range of prices. Romelu Lukaku is available for 9.1 and is beginning to show some consistency with four goals in his last six, whilst Samuel Eto’o (5.6) underlined his potential with a brace against Burnley on Sunday. Steven Naismith is even cheaper at 5.1, though has only notched once in his last six in the league.

LIVERPOOL

Brendan Rodgers’ boys may not be setting the world alight right now, but their upcoming schedule, combined with the imminent comeback of Daniel Sturridge, could see their fortunes turn around quickly. The home clash with Chelsea in Gameweek 11 will certainly test their title ambitions but the surrounding fixtures all hold the potential for returns, with the following two home fixtures against Stoke and Leicester looking particularly appealing.

A clean sheet against Hull on Saturday is unlikely to tempt too many to invest in their defence, though for those predicting an upturn in defensive form, it’s worth noting that the attacking left-back Alberto Moreno has earned two bonus points in both matches his side have managed a clean sheet. In midfield, Raheem Sterling’s owners may be persuaded to hold as the 8.9-valued England starlet looks to find his first goal since Gameweek 5, whilst further up the pitch, Liverpool fans and Fantasy managers alike will be eagerly awaiting the return of Sturridge from his calf injury. The forward, though a huge gamble at 11.2, could prove an outstanding differential across their kind schedule.

Also Consider:

Arsenal
The Gunners found their first win in four against Sunderland at the weekend, and with a home clash with Burnley and trip to Swansea up next, Arsene Wenger’s side will be confident of building on that victory. Alexis Sanchez has accumulated 29 points over his last two displays and finally looks to be justifying his 10.4 valuation, though managers are also advised to monitor Theo Walcott who could emerge as a differential alternative to the Chilean once fit. Danny Welbeck is still the cheapest regularly starting attacker and continues to look a threat for his 7.4 price tag – the forward will be relishing the chance to face former side Man United in Gameweek 12 and also squares up to Swansea and West Brom in the next four. At 4.6, Calum Chambers offers an excellent-value route into the back-four.

Burnley
They may still be without a win since their promotion to the top flight, but Sean Dyche’s side have finally found their goalscoring boots in recent weeks and now have the platform to finally pick up their first three points. Home clashes with Hull, Aston Villa and Newcastle await them in the next five, and with star striker Danny Ings (5.7) back in the side and amongst the goals at the weekend, a victory doesn’t seem too far off now for the Clarets. Scott Arfield and George Boyd offer budget options in midfield, whilst Kieran Trippier’s raids down the right may yet prove key to his side’s attacking intentions.

Aston Villa
Having emerged from a horrendous run of fixtures with just three points to show for their toils, Villa failed to impress against QPR last night. Nonetheless, their forthcoming schedule offers plenty of opportunity to get back on the right track, with trips to West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace now imminent. With at least two goals conceded in each of their last five in the league, investment in Villa’s defence still looks unlikely for now, and their fortunes may well rest in the hands of their attackers, with Christian Benteke searching for his first goal since his return from injury and Gabby Agbonlahor looking to notch for the first time since back-to-back strikes in Gameweeks 3 and 4.