Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 15 – The Strong

With the first midweek round of festive fixtures just around the corner, we’ve taken time out to dissect the teams who face the most favourable schedules over the next four-to-six Gameweeks.

Premium options from Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool could all deliver plenty of points over the coming period, while value could be found in south Wales as Swansea City avoid all of the big guns over the next month.

Chelsea

(WBA, sun, cpl, BOU, STO, tot)

Antonio Conte’s men look to have the perfect blend of form and fixtures over the next five Gameweeks, as they avoid all of the current top six.

Goals certainly look on the agenda, given that the Blues face a Crystal Palace side that have shipped 10 goals in their last four matches, while Bournemouth have fared little better, conceding eight over the same period.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have allowed more shots from inside the box (51) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks, while home fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City should also provide plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

The temptation to own both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa through the coming stretch could provide dividends, then, and looks a far more likely scenario following Sergio Aguero’s four-match suspension.

It appears important to keep one Chelsea slot open to own a member of the backline, though, given that Conte’s men should be able to muster muliple clean sheets over their next five matches.

Having scored just twice in their last three away matches, the Stoke match-up perhaps looks the most favourable.

Although West Brom, Sunderland, Palace and Bournemouth have been in reasonable form of late, you have to fancy a Chelsea defence that has conceded just two goals in their last eight matches.

Marcos Alonso looks the standout option due to the added attacking threat which has seen him register a goal and two assists in his last six appearances.

Manchester United

(TOT, cpl, wba, SUN, MID, whm)

Once Sunday’s testing clash against Tottenham Hotspur is out of the way, the fixture list really opens up for Jose Mourinho’s side through the rest of December and into January.

United have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four matches, but clean sheets could be around the corner given that both West Ham United and Middlesbrough rank in the bottom four for shots inside the box over the last four Gameweeks.

The Palace, West Brom and Sunderland clashes are also fairly favourable, although, as already mentioned, those three teams have been in decent form in front of goal recently.

But United defenders should certainly be on our radars, with Phil Jones now appearing a viable option at just 4.7 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), having started the last four league matches.

The upcoming fixtures should also enhance the chances of United getting amongst the goals, with Palace and West Ham having conceded 10 goals apiece over the last four Gameweeks.

The Sunderland match-up is likely to provide United with plenty of chances, while although West Brom and Middlesbrough are slightly stronger at the back, you still have to fancy Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in particular, to continue his recent upturn in form.

Swansea City

(SUN, wba, mid, WHM, BOU, cpl)

According to our Season Ticker, the Welsh side face the most favourable fixtures over the next six Gameweeks.

Bob Bradley’s men avoid all of the current top six, while they take on two of the bottom four in front of their own fans.

It’s in attack where backing the Swans looks most likely to pay off West Ham and Palace have been pretty porous, while, as already mentioned, Sunderland are giving up a lot of chances.

Bournemouth have also let in 11 goals in their last five away matches, and although the West Brom and ‘Boro match-ups are slightly trickier, Gylfi Sigurdsson will be backed to produce attacking points over the next month or so.

While defensive returns may be harder to come by, there may still be a couple of opportunities to garner a clean sheet or two.

‘Boro have only scored three goals in four at the Riverside, while Sunderland have failed to score in three of their previous four on the road.

West Ham and Bournemouth have also struggled for goals on their travels, so those who own Jordi Amat may be able to get some defensive points from the Spaniard over the coming period.

Liverpool

(WHM, mid, eve, STO, MCI, sun)

Considering that Man City remain a fairly suspect team defensively, while Everton have conceded eight goals in their last four matches, the Liverpool attack should continue to flourish.

As already touched upon, clashes against West Ham and Sunderland look likely to yield plenty of goals, whilst Jurgen Klopp’s side will be heavily backed against ‘Boro and Stoke, despite the absence of Philippe Coutinho.

Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane, who is expected to recover from a knock he picked up against Bournemouth, should remain strong options for our five-man midfields, then.

Up top, Divock Origi has three goals in as many matches and should retain his starting role, though his appeal is likely limited to those seeking a short-term punt.

With Joel Matip in line to return against West Ham on Sunday, the second-half collapse against the Cherries may prove to be something of an anomaly.

It’s the next four fixtures where defensive returns appear the most likely. West Ham’s form remains poor, while Everton and ‘Boro have managed just two and four goals respectively over the last four Gameweeks.

The Stoke match-up is also fairly favourable given the Potters rank in the bottom half for both shots inside the box and big chances created over the last four Gameweeks, although a trip to Sunderland looks a trickier proposition, given the Black Cats’ recent resurgence in attack.

It’s Dejan Lovren who should continue to provide excellent value at the back, then, with Nathaniel Clyne an option for those whose budget can stretch that far.

Also Consider

Southampton
Claude Puel’s side only look to have one unfavourable fixture – the Gameweek 18 clash against Tottenham Hotspur – in the next six (MID, sto, bou, TOT, WBA, eve).

But given ‘Boro and Stoke have been pretty resolute at the back in recent weeks, there isn’t really a plum home fixture in there, particularly from an attacking perspective. Although Charlie Austin looks a good option, he may struggle to register double-figure hauls.

By the same token, ‘Boro and Stoke don’t offer the greatest attacking threat, while the other three matches on the current slate could also yield defensive returns.

Given that he also offers some assist and bonus potential, Cedric Soares should continue to attract investment as a mid-price option then, with Virgil van Dijk a possible target in the premium category.

West Ham United
Once Sunday’s trip to Anfield brings to an end what has been a really difficult run of fixtures for the Hammers, Slaven Bilic’s side face three very enticing match-ups (BUR, HUL, swa).

No team has conceded more goals (13) than the Welsh outfit over the last four Gameweeks, while Hull City have conceded 16 goals in their last five away matches.

Burnley are equally vulnerable on their travels, shipping six goals in their last two away fixtures, so Dimitri Payet and perhaps even the fit-again Andy Carroll could be worth a short-term gamble.

The home matches against Burnley and Hull also look positive in terms of being able to register clean sheets, but given their recent defensive struggles, and with encounters against Leicester and Man United to follow, investment in the West Ham rearguard remains unlikely.

Burnley
It’s in the short to medium-term where the Clarets’ budget assets could provide strong value, as they face three kind looking home match-ups (BOU, MID, SUN) and a trip to West Ham in the next five.

Tom Heaton’s 14% ownership in FPL will be desperate for the goalkeeper to return from a calf injury this weekend, then, while Michael Keane could offer a viable alternative in defence.

With Sean Dyche having shuffled his pack against Stoke last weekend, it’s slightly trickier to know who to back from the Burnley attack.

Goals certainly appear on the cards in those four matches, so should Sam Vokes return to the starting XI, he could be able to add to the four goals he’s managed so far this season.

Nonetheless, with the likes of Origi, Austin and Kelechi Iheanacho offering options in the sub-7.0 bracket, it’s difficult to justify backing a Burnley attacker.