With the Premier League now back in full flow following the international break, we’re rolling out the first of this week’s three Watchlist articles, which offer player recommendations for the next four-to-six Gameweeks. Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic moves up our ladder on the back of a clean sheet against Aston Villa, while Seamus Coleman appears in our rankings for the first time this season as Everton’s fixtures take a turn for the better.
GOALKEEPERS
With back-to-back clean sheets, Stoke’s Jack Butland retains his place at the summit this week. The 4.5-priced England international has also made more saves (39) than any other keeper in the top flight, and, although the upcoming fixtures for the Potters (WAT, new, CHE, sot, sun, MCI) are mixed, ultimately represents very good value for Fantasy managers.
Another in-form stopper is Arsenal’s Petr Cech, who racked up his fifth shut-out of the campaign in the 3-0 victory against Watford. The prospects of the Czech Republic international, who sets us back 5.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), are further boosted by the very favourable schedule (EVE, swa, TOT, wba, nor, SUN) ahead for Arsene Wenger’s side, with the former Chelsea keeper expected to keep delivering for his significant 31% ownership.
The big riser among the goalkeepers in our latest update is Asmir Begovic, with confidence in the Blues’ backline starting to be restored following successive shut-outs in all competitions. His 5.0 price tag is also hugely attractive as the cheapest route in the Chelsea rearguard, and with the fixture list (whm, LIV, sto, NOR, tot, BOU) relatively kind for the champions for the next month or so, the Bosnian could deliver terrific value for FPL bosses.
David de Gea is also moving in an upward direction after Man United’s convincing 3-0 win at Everton. The 5.5-valued Spaniard only has an ownership of 10% in FPL, but with the fixtures for Louis van Gaal’s men (MCI, cpl, WBA, wat, lei, WHM) turning favourably after this weekend’s Manchester derby, that figure looks set to rise over the coming weeks.
Man City’s Joe Hart remains in our thoughts, particularly with some rotation in the backline at the Etihad inevitable once Gael Clichy returns to full fitness. The 5.7-rated stopper is the most secure route into the City rearguard, and once skipper Vincent Kompany is back in the starting XI, a return to the form of the start of the season could be on the cards given the nature of the fixture list (mun, NOR, avl, LIV, SOT, sto) on the horizon.
Back on our radar this week is Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris, who has quietly been enjoying a strong season, notching 38 points in FPL from just eight appearances. Spurs face two very favourable match-ups (bou, AVL) over the next two Gameweeks, although the schedule thereafter (ars, WHM, CHE, wba) looks pretty difficult for the 5.0-rated France international.
Newcastle’s Rob Elliot looks set for a prolonged run in the starting XI, with Tim Krul ruled out for the rest of the season. Steve McClaren’s men have only managed one shut-out so far this season, but with the fixtures (sun, STO, bou, LEI, cpl, LIV) and a bargain price tag of 4.0 in FPL both very favourable, the Republic of Ireland international holds plenty of appeal, particularly for any Fantasy managers looking to play their wildcards over the next few weeks.
After Arsenal put Watford to the sword in the second-half at Vicarage Road, our faith in Heurelho Gomes (4.6) has been slightly dented. Two of the Hornets three home matches (WHM, MUN, NOR) over the upcoming period also appear unlikely to yield a clean sheet, while Quique Sanchez Flores’ side are still searching for their first shut-out on the road, which doesn’t offer huge optimism for the three away trips (sto, lei, avl) coming up.
With West Brom now bottom of our Season Ticker, based on the next six Gameweeks (nor, LEI, mun, ARS, whm, TOT), Boaz Myhill sees his stock fall this time around. The 4.7-priced Wales international has enjoyed an outstanding season so far, and is the highest scoring keeper in FPL with 49 points. After Albion’s next two matches, though, it may be time for his 10% ownership to start looking elsewhere as the schedule turns nasty for the Baggies.
Another new face in our latest refresh is Everton’s Tim Howard, with the Toffees tough start to the campaign now finally coming to an end. After the trip to the Emirates on Saturday, the schedule (SUN, whm, AVL, bou, CPL) is far more appetising, so we’re expecting the 5.1-valued stopper to become a viable option between the sticks for Fantasy managers.
DEFENDERS
Following a 10-point haul against Watford, and with the aforementioned favourable schedule on the horizon for Arsenal, it will come as no surprise to see Hector Bellerin maintaining his place on top of our rankings. The young Spaniard further enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a superb assist for Mesut Ozil’s goal against Bayern Munich last night, and has already attracted over 95,000 new owners this week, seeing his price rise to 5.8 in FPL.
Keeping his place behind the Arsenal right-back is Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat, who managed to register an assist in the Magpies 6-2 victory against Norwich. The 4.9-priced Dutch international leads all defenders for goal attempts over the last six Gameweeks with nine, while he’s also created six chances over the same period. While defensive returns could be in short supply, there’s little doubt Janmaat is capable of producing attacking points for his 2% ownership.
Our big new entry this week is Everton’s Seamus Coleman, who is now available at 5.9 in FPL ahead of the already mentioned favourable run of fixtures. The Republic of Ireland international returned to the starting XI in the 3-0 defeat to Man United after recovering from a hamstring injury, and has the ability to register points at both ends of the pitch.
Another riser on our ladder is Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, who scored his second goal in just five appearances for the Saints in the 2-2 draw against Leicester. The 5.5-valued centre-back has registered five goal attempts so far, and certainly has a dual attacking threat from both set-pieces and direct free-kicks. Ronald Koeman’s side face four favourable clashes (BOU, sun, STO, AVL) in the next six, combined with trips to Liverpool and City.
While the clean sheet against Tottenham was probably something of a surprise for Alberto Moreno’s owners, it’s the left-back’s attacking threat that sees him move further up our ladder. The former Sevilla man, who is available at a bargain 4.7 in FPL, leads all defenders for chances created over the last six Gameweeks with 16, seven clear of his nearest challenger, Bellerin. Although the fixture list (SOT, che, CPL, mci, SWA, new) isn’t favourable for the Reds, particularly in the short-term, it’s hard to argue against the value Moreno offers.
Having played every minute of Tottenham’s campaign so far, and with a reasonable goal threat (four shots from inside the box in his last six outings) Toby Alderweireld has emerged as our favoured member of the Spurs backline. The now 5.2-rated Belgian is part of a defensive unit that has kept four clean sheets this season, and has a pretty reasonable run of fixtures (bou, AVL, ars, WHM, CHE, wba) on the horizon.
Cesar Azpilicueta remains around halfway up our rankings, with our faith in the Chelsea backline slowly being restored. The Spanish full-back, who sets us back 6.0 in FPL, looks the most “nailed on” member of the Blues’ defence, and given the fixtures (whm, LIV, sto, NOR, tot, BOU) ahead of Jose Mourinho’s side, could start to fully live up to his premium price tag
After missing the 5-1 victory over Bournemouth because of a hamstring injury, and with Gael Clichy potentially returning to first-team action next week, Aleksandar Kolarov continues to slide down our rankings. The Serbian has returned to training, though, and is expected to be available for the Manchester derby on Sunday. With a regular starting place perhaps not totally guaranteed as the schedule picks up pace, it isn’t a huge surprise to see the now 6.1-priced left-back leading the transfers out this week, with over 99,000 FPL bosses shedding the former Lazio defender.
As with Myhill, Craig Dawson sees his prospects dented by the unfavourable turn in West Brom’s schedule (nor, LEI, mun, ARS, whm, TOT) over the coming weeks. The 5.1-valued England U21 international does have some strong attacking statistics over the last six Gameweeks, though, with five goal attempts and six chances created, so perhaps with Tony Pulis’ team always capable of pulling off a surprise clean sheet, he’s worth retaining.
Only two defenders (Kolarov and Bacary Sagna) have gained more bonus points than Man United’s Chris Smalling so far this season, and with the Red Devils fixtures about to turn favourably, the England international returns to our thoughts in our latest update. The former Fulham man is fairly expensive on the budget at 6.3, but has established himself in the back four at Old Trafford, and has a reasonable threat from set-plays, as illustrated by his four goals last term.
With Sam Allardyce now in charge at the Stadium of Light, we’re happy to push John O’Shea forward as one of the better budget options available to Fantasy managers. The former Man United defender sets you back 4.3 in FPL, and while the upcoming schedule (NEW, eve, SOT, cpl, STO, ars) is mixed for Sunderland, the home clashes against Newcastle and Stoke could deliver that elusive first shut-out of the season.
While Crystal Palace suffered a 3-1 home defeat to West Ham, the combination of his threat from set-pieces, ability to pick up bonus points and plum home fixtures against Sunderland and Newcastle in Gameweeks 13 and 14 mean Scott Dann (5.1) clings on to the final place on our ladder. The other four fixtures for the Eagles (lei, MUN, liv, eve) are less than favourable, so while the former Blackburn defender may not be worth transferring in right now, he should perhaps be retained by his current 8.0% ownership.
