Our first trio of overlooked Fantasy options for 2016 has us turn to the defence for something different as Swansea’s bonus-bagging skipper into contention, along with a prime Fantasy asset who may just be ridding himself of personal demons to become worthy of consideration once again. We round things off with a Hammer’s battering ram scrapping for his starting role as the Upton Park treatment room begins to empty.
Ashley Williams
Swansea City failed to register a single clean sheet during Garry Monk’s final 10 matches at the helm, but they’ve only conceded in one fixture since Alan Curtis assumed the role of caretaker manager. The Swans have strung together three successive shut-outs, with Ashley Williams (4.8) scooping the maximum bonus points in each match-up. In fact, the Wales international has missed out on just one bonus point across Swansea’s five clean sheets this term and ranks third among all defenders for BPS score (412). Furthermore, Williams is ranked first for blocks (28), second for clearances (156) and third for Interceptions (52) amongst defenders this season, highlighting his key contribution for the Liberty outfit.
Delving deeper into Swansea’s underlying defensive stats over the past four Gameweeks suggests they’re a more disciplined outfit under Curtis. No team surrendered fewer big chances (two) across that stretch, while they ranked in the bottom seven for shots inside the box conceded (27) and bottom eight for shots outside the box conceded (16).
Next on the agenda for Swansea is a trip to Manchester United, followed by a home encounter against Sunderland. Their shut-out aspirations are bolstered by the fact that these two clubs ranked joint-bottom for goals (two) over the last four Gameweeks. Moreover, only three sides have recorded fewer shots on target (18) than the Red Devils since Gameweek 14, boosting Williams’ prospects of further points returns.
Branislav Ivanovic
While it would be folly to buy into the Guus Hiddink revolution just yet, there are signs that the Dutchman is already reviving fortunes and therefore their cast of Fantasy assets.
Ivanovic was once a crown jewel for Fantasy Football managers – a defender that combined the potential to claim clean sheets, alongside a set-piece goal threat and the propensity to raid forward and supply crosses. It was a heady combination.
Damaged by Chelsea’s alarming slide and an array of quite pitiful individual displays under Jose Mourinho, it will take time for us to come around to the idea of considering Ivanovic again. However, with under 8% ownership, early adopters may just be giving themselves the opportunity to bag a handy differential.
Since Hiddink’s arrival, Chelsea have conceded fewer goal attempts per match, while Ivanovic has upped his touches in the box and his rate of creating chances for others. The early indications are that the Serb could edge his way back into our affections.
Fixtures against a Crystal Palace (who have failed to score in their last two outings) and West Brom (who have scored just six goals in nine away from home) compound his short-term appeal.
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio (5.2) had to bide his time following a summer switch from Nottingham Forest, but – in the wake of West Ham United’s injury crisis – the English wide man has been afforded four consecutive league starts. Having been involved (one goal, two assists) in all three of West Ham’s goals across the last four Gameweeks, Antonio should retain his starting berth irrespective of Victor Moses’ potential return this weekend.
Offering a glimpse of the form that saw him bag 14 goals in the Championship last season, Antonio placed joint-seventh for attempts (10) and fourth for shots inside the box (seven) among all midfielders over the previous four Gameweeks. Furthermore, Gerard Deulofeu was the only midfielder that carded more penalty-box touches (20) than Antonino (19), emphasising his willingness to foray forward.
West Ham’s goals have dried up of late (three in five), but Manuel Lanzini returned from injury earlier in the week and Dimitri Payet could feature against Liverpool, furnishing the Irons with some much-needed creative spark at the Boelyn Ground. Although the Reds secured clean sheets in their previous two outings, Slaven Bilic’s charges will draw heart from their opponent’s recent road defeats at the hands of Watford (3-0) and Newcastle United (2-0).
