Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 11 – The Strong

We turn our attentions to the upcoming schedule now and assess those sides with strong fixtures to follow over the next four-to-six Gameweeks. Three of the current top five could well be set to maintain their lofty positions, whilst Everton’s prospects of climbing the table are boosted by a kind run of opponents.

WEST HAM

Attack is certainly proving the best form of defence for the Hammers right now, who have reached the dizzying heights of fifth spot in the league despite having managed one clean sheet this season. The next three home fixtures (AVL, NEW, SWA) should allow them to display more attacking flair, whilst trips to West Brom and Sunderland in the upcoming six also won’t hold much fear for the in-form London outfit.

Whilst the Hammers’ backline continues to struggle for defensive returns, Aaron Cresswell has served up a pair of assists in the last three and looks the man most likely to justify investment in defence. Further up the field it’s a different story entirely – Stewart Downing’s rejuvenation at Upton Park has seen him climb to joint-third spot in the FPL midfield standings, with a goal and an assist against Stoke last weekend indicative of his current influence in the Hammers’ side. At just 5.8, and still with an ownership under 10%, the former Liverpool man is riding high in our Watchlist right now.

Up top, Diafra Sakho has been passed fit to return from a shoulder problem against Villa, and goes in search of an eighth goal in as many appearances, whilst the 6.9-priced Enner Valencia’s 11 point haul against Stoke underlined his potential as a differential to his strike partner.

MAN CITY

After bringing a three-match losing streak to an end with a win against rivals United on Sunday, the champions sit six points behind league leaders Chelsea. The upcoming fixtures should offer Manuel Pellegrini’s men the chance to keep pace with the front-runners, and perhaps even close the gap, if they can return to their domineering best and take advantage of a schedule that shines kindly right up until Christmas. Looking at the immediate fixture list, City face two of the current bottom three in their next six, whilst a home clash with Swansea and trip to Sunderland should also prove profitable.

Sergio Aguero now sits at the summit of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) forward rankings, with his current form making him an ‘essential’ pick for many right now – the Argentine has averaged 8.8 point per appearance over his last five. The fixture situation only serves to heighten his appeal, and with David Silva sidelined with a knee injury and Yaya Toure still yet to rekindle his form from last season, Aguero looks the only guaranteed starter worth considering in City’s attacking ranks right now. James Milner, at 5.3, had looked a great budget route into the Blues’ midfield until he was dropped in Gameweek 9 – with Silva out, however, the England man, owned by just 1.4% of managers, should put together a string of starts once again and offer managers a cheaper option once again.

The win over United earned City only their second clean sheet in the last nine league displays, as their heavyweight price tags continue to deter investment. However, for those willing to take the punt on them showing greater solidity from here on in, Vincent Kompany is the only defender to start every league game this season, though if you’re looking for a short-term punt, Gael Clichy could be worth considering. With Aleksandar Kolarov ruled out for “at least a month” by his manager earlier today, the Frenchman looks assured of starts at left-back – coming in at 5.3, he has earned maximum bonus on the two occasions City have registered a clean sheet with him in the starting XI.

EVERTON

Saturday’s stalemate with 10-man Swansea came as a shock for many, with the Toffees having scored six goals across their previous two features to put their early-season blues behind them. The Merseysiders have the opportunity to return to winning ways when they travel to Sunderland next weekend, and with three plum home clashes also in their next six (WHM, HUL, QPR), their climb up the table should continue.

Roberto Martinez disappointed Romelu Lukaku’s owners by dropping the striker to the bench against the Swans but, having watched his side subsequently fail to score for the first time this term, the big Belgian is likely to make an immediate return as he looks to recapture the form that saw him notch in four of his previous six league outings before last weekend.

Nonetheless, it’s at the back that the Toffees key assets continue to reside. Leighton Baines leads the way for defenders in FPL, having grabbed four assists, two clean sheets and six bonus points in his last four. For those without the necessary budget (7.2) for Baines’ services spare, however, Phil Jagielka has averaged 7.3 points per game over his previous five, and at 5.6, offers managers a far more budget friendly route into Everton’s in-form rearguard.

CHELSEA

Still sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, Jose Mourinho’s men are continuing to justify investment across the field. A trip to out-of-sorts Liverpool – who have only won two of their last seven in the league – awaits the Blues this weekend, whilst their next two away days see them travel to the north west to face Sunderland and Newcastle. Home meetings with West Brom and Hull also arrive in the next six, with their chances of holding onto top spot looking good.

Diego Costa is now down to 10.9 after his recent rests, and though he blanked against QPR last Saturday, the Spain international will be optimistic of rediscovering his scoring form soon enough, starting with a showdown against Liverpool’s leaky backline this Saturday afternoon.

In midfield, the options are increasing. Cesc Fabregas has only failed to register attacking returns twice this season and now sits on 61 points, though Eden Hazard is hot on his tail in the midfield rankings, and Oscar’s differential appeal has seen a huge boost in recent weeks with the Brazilian having notched three goals and an assist in his last five.

At the back, the Blues have failed to collect a clean sheet in their previous three, though only conceded once in each of those fixtures, and the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta – now back from suspension – could prove reliable backline options across the forthcoming schedule.

Also Consider…

Man United
After picking up just one point from their clashes with Chelsea and City, Louis Van Gaal’s side will be looking to take advantage of some very kind home fixtures. Whilst Gameweek 12’s trip to Arsenal will put their credentials to the test once again, United have a trio of Old Trafford encounters (CPL, HUL, STO) in the next four which would well bring home the points.

With a makeshift defence currently in place, the offensive displays of Angel Di Maria look all the more vital for his side. The Argentine has dropped in ownership these last few weeks, but now has the platform to shine once again, having collected a sum of 27 points in his previous two home displays before the Chelsea match. Wayne Rooney’s withdrawn role may deter many, whilst Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj will be hoping to maintain their midfield roles and offer us mid-price alternatives in the centre of the park.

Newcastle
Alan Pardew looks to have gone from zero to hero for the Magpies’ fans in recent weeks, with his side now on a four-match winning streak in all competitions. Newcastle’s next four should see them carry on that form, with trips to West Brom, West Ham and lowly Burnley allied with a home encounter against QPR. Their success has mainly resulted from a turnaround in defensive fortunes, as one goal conceded in their last three in the league indicates, with Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini, at 4.5 apiece, currently delivering great value. The 4.8-valued Ayoze Perez has now scored in each of his last two appearances, and will pushing for more starts if Papiss Cisse remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Burnley
Sure, they’re not top of anyone’s Watchlists right now, but the Clarets do at least have the fixtures in their favour to finally locate that elusive first win of the season. Having begun the campaign defensively solid but lacking in attack, their situation has turned full circle in recent weeks, as the goals have started to come but their backline has caved, letting in 15 goals across the last five. Three home clashes in the next five now await them (HUL, AVL, NEW), whilst a trip to QPR could prove an early relegation scrap. Danny Ings will be the man looked upon as their possible savour in attack – the 5.0 priced striker having opened his account for the season in Gameweek 9 – whilst budget favourite George Boyd may yet prove more than a bench-warming, cheap fifth midfielder.