We’re now seeing a split in the fixture breakdown, with six teams enjoying four home matches over the next six Gameweeks, while another half dozen are facing four away trips.
That switch obviously has an impact on our latest assessment of the sides with both strong and testing schedules to come.
In many ways, this season’s fixture list is a gift to Fantasy managers over this period. Extending right into the New Year, there are at least three or four mid-table teams boasting favourable spells which could open up new avenues to aid our quest for value.
Here’s our analysis of those with the platform to drive Fantasy investment, together with a summary of where the points could come and when the tide turns.
Liverpool
(HUD whu SOT CHE stk bha)
The Prospects – Goals
A run through to Gameweek 18 revives interest in the Reds attack, starting with Saturday’s home encounter with Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers have conceded seven goals in their last three matches, while the trip to West Ham United that follows also looks promising – the Hammers have shipped six goals in their previous three home encounters.
Southampton travel to Anfield after losing 2-1 to Stoke City on their last away trip, but the clash against Chelsea is a slight negative, with their defence expected to improve markedly once N’Golo Kante returns from a hamstring injury.
The visit to Stoke looks another appealing match-up, given that the Potters have conceded 16 goals in their last four encounters, while despite playing just four home fixtures, Brighton & Hove Albion sit joint-fourth for the most big chances (nine) allowed in home matches.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Liverpool have kept three clean sheets at home and conceded just once in four at Anfield, which promotes members of their backline ahead of the upcoming stretch.
Four of the next five visitors to Anfield – Huddersfield, Southampton, Everton and West Bromwich Albion – all carry a limited attacking threat.
Additionally, West Ham, Stoke and Brighton have all struggled for goals at home, so while the Reds’ wretched away form remains a major concern, they should have the platform to turn that around.
The Turning Point
The fixtures become slightly mixed from Gameweek 19 onwards, with tests against Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs set to see our interest in Liverpool assets deteriorate somewhat.
Verdict
At a time when most of the top four challengers don’t really have the fixtures to promote increased investment, Jurgen Klopp’s side are perhaps the exception.
Mohamed Salah is the obvious target from the Reds’ attack, with Philippe Coutinho not far behind.
In defence, it may pay to take a chance on either Joe Gomez or Alberto Moreno due to their budget-friendly price tags. The pair have both started Liverpool’s last four league matches and Moreno offers a viable attacking threat.
Bournemouth
(CHE new HUD swa BUR SOT)
The Prospects – Goals
With renewed confidence following the 2-1 win at Stoke City and the 3-1 triumph over Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup, the outlook for the Cherries’ attack is looking up.
They are one of the six clubs that play four of their next six at home, with Chelsea looking slightly vulnerable this weekend – they have conceded four goals over the last two Gameweeks.
Huddersfield, Burnley and Southampton then visit the Vitality Stadium, providing three promising match-ups, although the Clarets have been impressive on their travels this season against stronger opposition.
In terms of the away trips, Newcastle United will be tough to break down, given they’ve only conceded two goals in their last four at St James’ Park, but Swansea present another favourable opponent – the Welshmen have conceded more big chances (14) at home than any other side.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Eddie Howe’s men kept a first clean sheet of the campaign in their last fixture at the Vitality, offering hope ahead of the upcoming slate of home matches.
Huddersfield and Southampton should provide good opportunities for further shut-outs, but Burnley and certainly Chelsea will be more testing opposition.
The trips to Swansea and, to a lesser extent, Newcastle are also reasonable and add to the appeal of Cherries defenders once this weekend has passed.
The Turning Point
Their kind run stretches to Gameweek 16, although the brutal three-match sequence against Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City that follows means we should not get too carried away with the level of investment.
Verdict
With a goal and assist already this season, the obliging fixture list should make Charlie Daniels a sound defensive option during this spell.
Attacking targets are harder to pin down, with Junior Stanislas perhaps one to monitor after registering a goal and an assist in Gameweek 9.
Everton
(lei WAT cry sot WHU HUD)
The Prospects – Goals
Goals have been in short supply for the Toffees, managing just seven, but the upcoming schedule suggests they should be able to make progress, particularly with caretaker manager David Unsworth ushering in a more positive outlook.
Looking at the home fixtures, Watford travel to Goodison Park after shipping four against at Stamford Bridge, while West Ham have let in 11 goals in five away trips.
Huddersfield also provide a favourable match-up at Goodison Park.
There is also nothing to be feared on the road.
Leicester City have only kept one clean sheet in four home matches, while Crystal Palace have conceded more big chances (16) than any side over the last four Gameweeks.
Southampton, meanwhile, have started to look vulnerable – recent visitors West Ham, Watford and Newcastle have all scored twice at St Mary’s.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Given that Everton have failed to register a shut-out since Gameweek 1, there isn’t too much confidence that the clean sheets are about to flow.
Watford are currently ranked third for away goals (10) and will provide tricky opposition, but West Ham and Huddersfield have only managed three goals apiece on their travels and should provide kinder match-ups.
The Leicester fixture this weekend doesn’t look a great opportunity for defensive returns, based on the Foxes’ improved showing at Swansea, but neither Palace nor Southampton have been prolific at home.
The Turning Point
The Merseyside derby looms in Gameweek 16 and the schedule becomes mixed for the Toffees over the festive period and into 2018.
Verdict
Considering their lack of form, and with changes in system and personnel very possible under the new boss, it’s difficult to advise investment until we see how Unsworth sets his side up.
Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are perhaps players to monitor due to their budget-friendly price tags.
Stoke City
(wat LEI bha cry LIV SWA)
The Prospects – Goals
There’s plenty to be optimistic about in regards to the Potters’ next six fixtures from an attacking perspective.
Looking at the home schedule, Leicester travel to the bet365 Stadium having conceded at both Huddersfield and Swansea, who are generally struggling for goals. Liverpool lead the way for away goals conceded (15) and Swansea are ranked third for the most shots allowed in away matches, with 80.
The away fixtures also appear reasonable.
Watford are level with Everton for the most goals conceded at home (10), while Brighton and Palace are matches in which the Potters should have a decent chance to notch goals.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
With eight goals from their last four matches, it looks a tough ask for Stoke to keep out Watford on Saturday.
But Brighton have only created one big chance at the Amex Stadium, while Palace have failed to score in three of their four home encounters, potentially providing some hope that Potters defenders can deliver some defensive points on their travels.
The 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth is a concern when Leicester and Liverpool are the next two visitors to the bet365, but Swansea have failed to score in three of their four away matches to suggest that Mark Hughes’ rearguard could keep them out.
The Turning Point
The appeal of Stoke assets is long-term, with their run all the way up to Gameweek 20 arguably the best on show – Liverpool and Spurs provide the only real tests during that window.
Verdict
Back playing as a central striker, Mame Biram Diouf could emerge as a viable cheap third forward option if he retains his start in attack.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is the safer bet from midfield, while having started the last three matches, be it in midfield, defence or as a wing-back, Geoff Cameron has overtaken Kevin Wimmer as the stand-out budget option.
Also consider…
Crystal Palace
A trip to Spurs prior to the international break will provide a major test, but that’s one of the few dips in what is a crucial period for Palace.
Their encouraging run extends all the way through to Gameweek 19, with the next five home ties (WHU EVE STK BOU WAT) all winnable.
Wilfried Zaha and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – providing the latter can reclaim a place in the starting XI – look capable of delivering strong value through this spell.
Now down to 4.7 in Fantasy Premier League, Scott Dann could also be worth a look given his added set-piece threat.
Burnley
The Clarets have an even split of three home and three away fixtures, with Arsenal’s visit in Gameweek 13 the only slight negative.
Things improve further when assessing the schedule all the way to Gameweek 18, firmly endorsing investment in the defence, with Nick Pope and Stephen Ward the leading targets.
Indeed, a defensive double-up could be a consideration during this period given the value on offer.
Further forward, we may even embrace attacking candidates, with Chris Wood the stand-out option providing he recovers from the hamstring problem that forced him off during the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur
Move the season ticker ahead by a single Gameweek and Spurs leap up in the reckoning.
They will undoubtedly find their place among “The Strong” ahead of Gameweek 11, with their run of home matches from Gameweek 11 onwards (CRY WBA STK BHA SOT WHU) quite extraordinary.
For now, we should prepare investment plans, with Kane almost essential, although concerns remain when teams come to Wembley intent on stifling the Spurs attack. Investment in Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen could also pay off.
In defence, Jan Vertonghen is now the preferred route, with rotation a nagging concern in both wing-back positions.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Four of the next six come at the Amex Stadium and arrive on the back of an emphatic 3-0 win at West Ham in Gameweek 9.
The weekend contest with Southampton provides a platform for back-to-back victories, with the Stoke clash and a “derby” with Crystal Palace then providing further decent match-ups.
However, a trip to Man United and a home meeting Liverpool provide major obstacles.
Indeed, from Gameweek 13 onwards, we will likely be re-assessing any Brighton assets in our 15-man squads, given that they collide with three of last season’s top six over the ensuing five Gameweeks.
Defenders should still provide good value in the short-term, while the consistency of Pascal Gross means he remains a strong budget midfield option.
