The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 27 – The Midfield

Having looked at the options in defence yesterday, today we delve into the latest Watchlist rankings for midfielders. Eden Hazard is ousted from the summit due to his impending blank, while weekend goals from Raheem Sterling and Scott Sinclair see their stock rise. Remember, the selections are made with the next four to six Gameweeks in mind.

Despite failing to register attacking returns in his last three appearances, Alexis Sanchez moves to the top of our midfield rankings largely by virtue of Hazard’s blank. The Chilean does have some favourable fixtures (EVE, qpr, WHM, new) coming up, and with all of his six double-figure point hauls coming against sides outside the top seven, he offers that explosive option that few others can.

After scoring seven goals in the last ten Gameweeks, David Silva finds himself moving up the rankings. The 9.5-priced midfielder is currently the most transferred-in player this week, with 50,000+ new owners. While there were some concerns over Silva’s role following the return of Yaya Toure and the effect of new signing Wilfried Bony, Saturday’s 17-point haul has allayed those fears, and with matches against Leicester, Burnley and West Brom in the next four, he looks primed to continue his strong form.

While Eden Hazard remains the highest scoring player in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game this season with 160 points, he suffers an inevitable drop this week because of the blank forced by Chelsea’s involvement in the Capital One Cup final on Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s side then face clashes against West Ham and Southampton, two fixtures that are deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘very difficult’ on the Season Ticker. That may well be the case, but few would want to go into those encounters without the Belgian.

Mesut Ozil falls a little this week following his blank at Selhurst Park. The German international showcased his ability as a viable alternative to Sanchez in the three previous Gameweeks, where he picked up 32 points. As previously mentioned, Arsenal’s upcoming schedule is very favourable, and with an ownership of 5.4%, Ozil offers a differential in midfield that is worth consideration for those needing to make up lost ground.

Although Liverpool’s forthcoming fixtures don’t look particularly kind on paper, Raheem Sterling is doing his best to convince managers of his potential. The diminutive midfielder has been a key part of the Reds recent resurgence, scoring three goals and grabbing two assists in his last seven outings. Valued at 8.4, he offers good value for a side gaining in confidence by the week. While Sterling may not spearhead the attack against City, with Daniel Sturridge likely to return to the starting XI, he looks to be the safest route into Liverpool’s attack right now.

Jon Walters is another riser this week, with Stoke playing three of their next four matches (HUL, EVE, CRY) in front of their own fans. Walters has scored six of his seven goals this season at the Britannia, so despite Victor Moses taking penalty duties against Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland international still holds the edge for now.

With Robin van Persie an injury doubt and both Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao showing little, if any, form, Angel Di Maria remains the only Man United attacking option worthy of consideration right now. The Argentine may not have netted since Gameweek 7 but four assists in as many appearances represent a decent return. With more explosive options such as Silva and Ozil in the same price bracket, allied to a mixed upcoming schedule (SUN, new, TOT, liv), the 9.6-priced midfielder needs to find his scoring boots again soon if he is to attract further investment.

Like Hazard, Christian Eriksen suffers a slight drop given his blank this weekend. The Tottenham midfielder was also left out of the starting XI at home to West Ham, with Mauricio Pochettino initially deciding to rest the Danish international, although he did come on as a half-time substitute with the hosts clearly struggling without him. With the double Gameweek (SWA, qpr) as well as a plum home encounter against Leicester in Gameweek 30 on the agenda, many Fantasy managers will be keeping a keen eye on how many minutes Pochettino affords his star man in Florence and at Wembley as the cup schedules pick up pace.

Sadio Mane was left out of Ronald Koeman’s first XI against Liverpool after turning up late to St. Mary’s, but with the Saints failing to find the net for a third time in four matches, the Senegal international should come back into the reckoning this weekend. With clashes against West Brom, Palace and Burnley in their next four, Mane, who has an ownership of just 1.7% and has four goals and an assist in his last five starts, could prove a handy differential if Southampton can return to their early-season form.

One name that has been off our radars for a long time is Scott Sinclair. After netting two goals in his last two matches in all competitions, though, the former Swansea winger looks to be enjoying a new lease of life at Villa Park since Paul Lambert departed. Valued at just 5.2, Sinclair looks ripe for investment with the second most favourable schedule (new, WBA, sun, SWA) over the next four Gameweeks.

Two of the most popular mid-price midfield picks from the start of the season, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Stewart Downing, both suffer a fall. The Swansea man returned from suspension against United at the weekend, but with just two strikes and an assist in his previous 11 appearances, faith in the Icelander is waning. As for Downing, (one goal and a single assist in his last nine) it is a similar story. Tough London derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal on the horizon don’t help his prospects either.

A new name to our Watchlist rankings is Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe. The 19-year-old has been thrust into the limelight by Brendan Rodgers, starting the last three Premier League matches. Although he has yet to register any attacking points, the 4.4-priced midfielder could be seen as an enabler for those wishing to free-up funds for the rest of their 15-man squads. Granted, Lazar Markovic’s Europa League ban does place some question marks over Ibe’s security of domestic pitch time, though the youngster does seem to have leapt ahead in the pecking order for the Reds’ right wing-back berth.

Our final new entry this week is QPR’s Matt Phillips. R’s Head Coach Chris Ramsey recently heaped praise on the former Blackpool wide man, who has provided three assists in his last two outings. While the 4.6-rated midfielder doesn’t have a fixture this week, with the double Gameweek and favourable matches against Palace and Everton around the corner, those looking for an alternative to George Boyd or the suspended Jack Colback should give Phillips some consideration.