Sergio Aguero’s injury has the inevitable impact on our Watchlist rankings as Yaya Toure blinks brighter than ever on our radars, while in attack, it’s a case of weighing up the risks of sticking with a three-man forward line. You’ll find our current standings in your right-hand menu. Read on for the reasoning behind the ranks…
The Defence
Costel Pantilimon comes from nowhere to top our keeper rankings. Having usurped Vito Manonne between the sticks for the Black Cats, he’s also replaced him as our new budget darling. The giant Romanian has three clean sheets in the last four league outings and has the potential to extend that run of form over a strong short-term schedule (WHM, new, HUL, avl).
Given the lack of goal threat in the Sunderland back four, Pantilimon has a strong claim to find his way into our squads for the festive spell and beyond. Indeed, Man City in Gameweek 20 are the only stern tests on the horizon, along with a trip to Spurs (GW22) and United (GW27). Partner Pantilimon with Newcastle’s Tim Krul with the January wildcard once he returns from injury and you’ll have a keeper pairing that will cover you into the latter stages of the season.
Joe Hart looks the strongest option should you be searching for a more expensive one-stop shop. Although skipper Vincent Kompany is still struggling for fitness, City’s schedule looks smooth enough to promise defensive returns. With Sergio Aguero sidelined, we may also see Manuel Pellegrini temper his attacking tendencies, perhaps erecting a strong midfield shield around his back four as they sick to grind out wins over the busy Christmas spell.
The likes of Villa’s Brad Guzan and Hull’s Allan McGregor offer alternatives in the low-to-mid price bracket, with strong form and home fixtures to come. Guzan’s rotation with West Brom’s Ben Foster remains a decent option and alternative to the Krul/Pantilimon combination. McGregor can be paired with Swansea’s Lukas Fabianski but is less appealing given the latter’s suspension and the funds involved (10.0).
David De Gea’s outstanding form and the promise of further Chelsea clean sheets for Thibaut Courtois provide further alternatives for those who would rather go without a rotation pairing.
In defence, we’ve somewhat controversially kept faith with Branislav Ivanovic despite the claims for the inclusion of Cesar Azpilicueta. While the Spaniard’s returns have been stronger of late and his price remains more attractive, Ivanovic’s propensity to get into the box and on the end of set-plays continues to give him the edge – for now.
While the Chelsea man clings to top spot, Leighton Baines suffers a drop as the clamour to cover Villa’s recent upturn increases – Alan Hutton is the beneficiary, with his 4.3 price tag offering obvious value.
City’s aforementioned fixtures has Pablo Zabaleta ranked in the upper echelons – Gael Clichy is also a consideration here given his price, although he is arguably more under threat for starts over Christmas now that Aleks Kolarov is an option at left-back for Pellegrini.
Below this, an array of mid-price talent consisting of Neil Taylor, Aaron Creswell and Sunderland’s Santiago Vergini all figure, with fixtures and form adding weight to their claims.
The Midfield
Eden Hazard’s ascent up the Watchlist rankings is now complete as he sits at the summit ahead of the Christmas programme. While his away form continues to disappoint, only the woodwork denied him a goal at Newcastle last time out and, at Stamford Bridge, he’s proved irresistible. He’s scored in the last four home outings and goes into the Hull clash this weekend strongly backed for further returns.
Yaya Toure is another heavy-hitter who has slowly climbed our rankings. Boosted by Sergio Aguero’s absence, with spot-kicks in his armoury, the Ivorian looks set to provide the catalyst for a move away from the favoured 3-4-3 Fantasy Premier League formation, to a five-man midfield. With the fixtures so strong, it’s almost unthinkable to go into Christmas without City cover and Toure is arguably the most reliable source remaining in current form. Teetering on the suspension tightrope and set to depart for the African Cup of Nations in January, there are caveats to consider before investment, however.
Alexis Sanchez is sandwiched between that pair, with talk of fatigue providing a worrying backdrop for the frenzied festive spell. Having been rested for the midweek Champions League tie, we’d hope that Sanchez will be assured a continued run of league starts, although with Aaron Ramsey returning to goal scoring form, Arsene Wenger may feel more relaxed opting to rest Sanchez and his goal power in the weeks to come.
Ramsey crashes back in on the Watchlist amongst an array of mid-price targets that include Gylfi Sigurdsson and Stewart Downing – both have the short-term fixtures to flourish. Yannick Bolasie and Leroy Fer are your low-to-mid-price differentials should you wish to take a punt at a time when the emphasis is shifting back to points in midfield.
The Forwards
Aguero’s injury changes the landscape considerably and, suddenly, a three-man frontline appears to come with some risk attached.
Diego Costa’s form has wavered but he has to be backed to rediscover the goal touch – particularly with Hull City in his backyard this weekend. The gap between Costa and the Hazard midfield option has narrowed somewhat, however – arguably the Belgian offers greater explosivity, while Costa will be counted on to provide consistency over Christmas
Wilfried Bony is certainly consistent. Seven goals in his last nine outings has seen him thrust into our top three and he looks the obvious “safe” option as the Aguero replacement before his departure for the African Cup of Nations in January.
Diafra Sakho and Charlie Austin are the clear standouts in the budget bracket, backed by Tottenham’s Harry Kane. It’s a close call between the Hammers and QPR men – with Sakho likely to climb higher once we can be assured of his starts. Sam Allardyce faces a selection headache given Andy Carroll’s form and Sakho, whilst a bargain at 5.7, could face rotation over Christmas and has the African Cup of Nations in January.
Wayne Rooney remains our weapon of choice in the United ranks, although the lure of the pricey Robin van Persie is intensifying following his recent returns at St Mary’s. Despite that win, United’s form remains a concern and, right now, both would represent a gamble.
That’s also the case with both Christian Benteke and Edin Dzeko – for very different reasons. Benteke has shown enough to suggest that he’s returning to his potent best but Villa’s attacking threat remains questionable. For Dzeko, it’s all about fitness – should he come through tonight’s Champions League tie in Rome unscathed and showing form, he’ll enjoy a big rise up our rankings given the City schedule.
