Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 13 – The Strong

There’s reason for optimism at the Liberty Stadium as we assess the strength of schedule over the next four to six Gameweeks this evening. The fixture list also smiles kindly on Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, whilst Sam Allardyce will be confident of bouncing back from Saturday’s loss at Goodison.

Swansea

Out the other side of three testing encounters against Everton, Arsenal and Man City, Garry Monk’s side now set off on a run of fixtures that is sure to tempt many managers into investing in their assets across the park. Having lost just once in front of their own fans this season, the Swans now have consecutive home meetings with Crystal Palace and QPR up next, with an inconsistent Spurs and Villa also visiting the Liberty in the next six.

Despite earning more clean sheets (five) than any other side bar Southampton this campaign, the Swans’ defensive assets are still flying relatively under the radar. Former Arsenal shot-stopper Lukas Fabianski is up to second in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeeper standings, and is nailed on between the sticks, though his allure is slightly diminished by full-back Neil Taylor’s availability. The Welshman is on offer for 4.7 to Fabianski’s 5.1, and also offers attacking potential down the flank – those eyeing up the Swans defence need to be aware that Taylor, along with Ashley Williams, is just one booking away from a ban, though.

Further forward, the 6.7-priced Gylfi Sigurdsson remains the most obvious route into the attack, though a couple of other differential options also offer appeal. Jefferson Montero’s recent displays have earned the winger a starting berth since Gameweek 9, and with two assists notched in that time, the Ecuadorian looks an intriguing alternative to Sigurdsson with an ownership of just 0.3%. After a sluggish start to the campaign, Wilfried Bony has fired in five goals in his last six appearances, and carrying that form into the Welsh outfit’s upcoming fixtures, the forward looks set to prosper further.

Chelsea

After an explosive start to the season, Jose Mourinho’s side have only scored more than twice in one of the last eight Gameweeks but a remarkable level of consistency has ensured that they sit atop the Premier League. The Blues currently boast a number of the most popular assets in FPL, and with the schedule remaining very kind, it’s hard to argue against investing heavily – Chelsea face three bottom-half sides in their next six (sun, HUL, sto) and also welcome fellow Londoners Spurs and West Ham to Stamford Bridge across that schedule.

In defence, Branislav Ivanovic remains the stand-out pick thanks to his attacking potential, though Cesar Azpilicueta, at 1.2 cheaper than the Serb, offers managers a cut-price alternative. In midfield, it’s a case of take your pick from the trio of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar, though the former’s current upsurge in goal threat sees him lead in our Watchlist right now – he’s now produced three sets of double-figures in his last six. In attack, Diego Costa’s ownership is back on the up after scoring in each of their last two, and could reaffirm his ‘essential’ status should he take advantage of the upcoming fixture list – a failure to earn bonus in three of the last four matches he has found the net is denting his captaincy credentials, though.

West Ham

A wave of injuries may have cost the Hammers against Everton but Sam Allardyce will be confident that his side can regain momentum once his star players return. West Ham entertain Swansea and Leicester at Upton Park in the next five, and with promising trips to West Brom and Sunderland sandwiched in between, a return to winning ways looks likely.

Much depends on the injury situation, though. Five key players – Alex Song, Cheick Kouyate, Enner Valencia, Stewart Downing and Diafra Sakho – all missed out at Goodison and their potential return to fitness will determine our confidence.

Downing and Sakho, at 6.0 and 5.9 apiece, have been the jewels in the Hammers’ Fantasy crown thus far and the duo will leap back onto our radars if they can recover for the weekend, though Allardyce clearly now has the strength in depth to avoid taking chances with their availability. At the back, a clean sheet in Gameweek 11 brought the Hammers’ defensive assets to our attention and the 5.4-valued Aaron Cresswell looks the leading candidate for investment, having also earned two assists in his last five displays.

Man United

A well fought, if slightly fortunate, win over Arsenal on Sunday has rocketed Louis Van Gaal’s men into the top four, and the upcoming schedule could well see them cement their place in the Champions League spots. Back-to-back Old Trafford encounters against Hull and Stoke now await the Red Devils, with a further two home fixtures (LIV, NEW) also featuring in their next six. The trip to Southampton will undoubtedly prove tricky, though the later visit of Aston Villa should hold little fear, and we could now be about to see United pick up some real momentum heading into the New Year.

Still plagued by injuries and rotation, United’s defence offers no real guaranteed starters right now, though David De Gea’s performances between the sticks are proving a source of points, and at 5.4, the Spaniard looks the best route into their backline for the moment. In midfield, with Juan Mata still out in the cold, Angel Di Maria looks the only viable option. Available for 10.0, the former Real Madrid talisman may be struggling to live up to his price tag right now, but his three sets of double-figure hauls between Gameweeks 4-7 should not be forgotten, and fielded further forward against the Gunners last weekend, he certainly has the platform to shine once again. Wayne Rooney has re-entered our Watchlist this week thanks to his winning goal at the Emirates and recent international displays, and looks to be amidst a streak of form that could harbour plenty of returns for those looking for an alternative heavy-hitter to Costa or Sergio Aguero.

Also Consider…

Aston Villa
A battling draw against Southampton last night, in which Paul Lambert’s side registered just their sixth goal of the season, finally marks the end of a horrendous run of fixtures for the Midlanders. Aside from a Gameweek 17 clash with United, it’s now pretty much clear sailing for Villa right through until February, with particularly appealing encounters against Burnley, Crystal Palace and QPR in the next three. With a number of injuries currently afflicting their rearguard, cut-price defender Alan Hutton is the stand-out choice and now has the chance to deliver some real value, whilst, further forward, Gabby Agbonlahor will be looking to kick on after notching his third goal of the season against the Saints, though the similarly priced Andreas Weimann (at 5.3 to 5.2) also presents himself to managers as a differential forward asset. Christian Benteke returns from suspension in Gameweek 14 and may yet to have a say in our Fantasy seasons.

QPR
Still wedged at the basement, Harry Redknapp’s outfit will be eyeing up Loftus Road clashes with Leicester, Burnley and West Brom as must-win matches if they to avoid falling too far behind before Christmas arrives. Two clean sheets for the season is hardly an enticing total, though both of those shut-outs did come against bottom-half sides at home, and the 3.9-priced Yun Suk-Young offers managers a risk-free option for our backlines. However, there’s no doubt that forward Charlie Austin is the star asset for the R’s right now, with four goals in his last four outings cementing a lofty spot in our Watchlist – at 5.9, and with ownership of still just 5.3%, Austin is sure to be at the centre of the Hoops’ attacking play throughout their impending schedule.

Liverpool
With criticism raining down from all sides, and talisman Daniel Sturridge still weeks away from another injury comeback attempt, the Reds certainly have their work cut out in convincing managers to invest right now. Nonetheless, the next three (STO, lei, SUN) will offer Brendan Rodgers hope aplenty that he can put an end to their three-match losing streak soon enough. Raheem Sterling’s ownership is currently in free-fall, but the England international still looks to have the most potential within Liverpool’s attack, though the 6.9-valued Rickie Lambert may have finally cemented a starting berth after his weekend goal – it looks like now or never for the forward to rediscover the form that brought him 13 goals and 11 assists for Southampton last season.

Burnley
After ten matches without a victory, it’s now two wins in two for the Clarets, who host back-to-back home fixtures against Aston Villa and Newcastle before travelling to QPR for a potential relegation scrap. Kieran Trippier delivered his first attacking returns of the season in Gameweek 11, and with four clean sheets also accrued so far this campaign, the full-back is offering decent value for a 4.8 price tag. George Boyd’s guaranteed minutes continue to validate investment as a fifth midfielder, whilst the 5.7-valued Danny Ings’ brace against Stoke last time around has seen the striker enter our Watchlist – clearly, his finishing looks key for Sean Dyche’s side if they are to maintain their recent form.