Three teams in outstanding form – Liverpool, Arsenal and Watford – all top the bill this week as we take a look at those sides facing the most favourable fixtures over the next month and beyond.
Liverpool
(HUL, swa, MUN, WBA, cpl, WAT)
Jurgen Klopp’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the season given they faced four away matches in the first five Gameweeks and now embark on a run of four home fixtures in their next six, with only the Gameweek 8 clash against Man United standing out as a testing match-up.
The Reds have scored an impressive 11 goals so far, and will take on two sides (HUL, swa) who rank second and third for the most “big chances” conceded this season, while the Watford encounter also looks favourable in attacking terms given that the Hornets have yet to register a clean sheet.
West Brom and Crystal Palace have both conceded a modest five goals apiece thus far, but those remain reasonably kind fixtures for Liverpool, while Watford demonstrated that the Manchester United defence does have clear vulnerabilities.
Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are set to jostle for our attentions as the best options from the Reds attack, with Adam Lallana potentially a cheaper option for those whose budgets won’t stretch to the premium midfielders.
While Liverpool have yet to register a shut-out, the matches against Hull, Swansea and, to a lesser extent, Watford, appear promising in terms of clean sheet potential, with all three featuring in the bottom half of the table for big chances created and total attempts.
West Brom and Palace have also struggled for goals until last weekend’s matches, so those match-ups also appear reasonable, meaning Dejan Lovren looks worthy of consideration at 4.9 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Arsenal
(CHE, bur, SWA, MID, sun, TOT)
The Gunners upcoming schedule is bookended by testing home fixtures against Chelsea and Tottenham, but in between, they face four particularly appetising clashes, and in total play four of the next six in front of their own fans.
Those match-ups look particularly promising from a defensive standpoint, with all four sides ranked among the bottom eight clubs for shots from inside the box. Middlesbrough are the highest scorers among the quartet with five goals, but the Arsenal rearguard has to be backed to at least garner a couple of clean sheets from those fixtures.
Hector Bellerin could be worth a look for those happy to spend big in defence, with Laurent Koscielny a slightly more budget friendly option.
Further forward, the Gunners attack should certainly be considered over the next month or so, with the clashes against Swansea and Burnley, in particular, standing out, given both sides feature in the top five for shots conceded in the box over the opening five Gameweeks.
Sunderland and Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have conceded nine and seven goals respectively so far this term, and also appear unlikely to stop the Arsenal from scoring.
Chelsea and Tottenham are among the strongest defensive teams on show, but with four such favourable matches, Alexis Sanchez should be able to live up to his 11.0 price tag, while Santi Cazorla will remain a viable option should he reclaim penalty duties.
Watford
(bur, BOU, mid, swa, HUL, liv)
The Hornets are full of confidence following victories against West Ham and Man United. According to our Season Ticker, they have the most favourable fixture list over the next six Gameweeks, despite only playing two home matches across that period.
It’s in attack where Walter Mazzarri’s men have thrived of late, and they’ll face off against the three teams (BOU, swa, HUL) that have allowed the most big chances this season.
The Burnley and Middlesbrough match-ups could also yield goals for Watford, so Etienne Capoue looks a very viable starter in our XIs over the coming period, while Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney provide third forward options.
As already mentioned, Watford have failed to keep a clean sheet so far, but taking on the three newly promoted sides, along with Swansea and Bournemouth, they should be able to fare better at the back over the coming weeks.
None of those teams have been in great goalscoring form, with Burnley and Swansea having already failed to score in home matches this season, while Bournemouth have only netted once in their three encounters on the road.
Investment in left wing-back Jose Holebas could prove to be a shrewd move, then, given his added attacking threat and the fact he also has some set-piece duties.
Also Consider
Bournemouth
The Cherries are another side who face four home fixtures over the next six Gameweeks (EVE, wat, HUL, TOT, mid, SUN), so their mid-priced and budget options could be worth consideration.
The clashes against Watford, Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland look pretty positive from an attacking perspective, so Callum Wilson and Josh King may provide worthwhile differential options.
Eddie Howe’s men managed to keep a clean sheet at home to West Brom in Gameweek 4, and the visits from Hull and Sunderland in particular standout as potentially profitable match-ups for the Bournemouth defence.
Adam Smith’s attacking raids from right-back make him the obvious option to consider, with the defender having already registered a goal and an assist this season.
Stoke City
Mark Hughes side face three very kind looking home fixtures (WBA, SUN, SWA) in the next six, while they also have reasonable away trips to Hull and West Ham.
Those are fixtures which should offer the Potters goals, and, while we’re unlikely to find spots for Wilfried Bony and Marko Arnautovic in our 15-man squads right now, the pair should be able to flourish against lesser opposition.
Defensively, those three home matches see Stoke come up against some of the weakest attacking units in the league, with the Potters defence appearing to have ideal match-ups in which to get their season up and running.
While we can’t be too sure that Stoke will immediately address their defensive issues, having conceded more goals (14) than any other side, the fixtures suggest the likes of Glen Johnson – now down to 4.8 – could be worth considering.
West Ham
The Hammers also benefit from having four home matches over the coming period (SOT, MID, cpl, SUN, eve, STO), hosting a quartet of teams that are currently stationed in the bottom half of the table.
A match-up against Stoke is currently the most favourable fixture you could have at the moment, given their defensive toils, while clashes against Sunderland and, to a lesser extent, Middlesbrough, are also pretty reasonable.
Michail Antonio looks to have the fixtures to continue his impressive form, then, with Dimitri Payet still unlikely to attract major investment given the difference in price between the pair.
As was the case with Stoke, based purely on form it’s difficult to push the claims of any member of West Ham’s backline with too much confidence.
But the coming matches see Slaven Bilic’s men avoid all of the big guns, so clean sheets could be on the cards for those willing to keep the faith.
