The home and away split evens out over the next six Gameweeks, with an international break to follow this weekend.
However, this still represents a crucial turning point in the season schedule, with a host of teams blessed with remarkably strong runs of fixtures, with at least three “top six contenders” among them.
A batch of mid-table sides also enjoy favourable spells, treating Fantasy managers with a variety of fixture-friendly talent, whatever the budget.
Tottenham Hotspur
(CRY ars WBA lei wat STK)
The Prospects – Goals
Mauricio Pochettino’s side now embark on a superb run of home fixtures on the back of their sensational 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
But the fact that they’ve only scored a combined two goals in home matches against Burnley, Swansea City and Bournemouth is a slight concern, with the need to net early imperative against teams who arrive at Wembley in a defensive stance.
That being said, Sunday’s opponents Crystal Palace have conceded more big chances (20) than any other side in away matches, while West Bromwich Albion have let in seven goals in their last four away trips.
Stoke City, meanwhile, are ranked bottom for goals conceded (10) and big chances allowed (11) over the last four Gameweeks.
Spurs boasted a 100% away record until Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
So our confidence hasn’t been dented too much ahead of testing trips to Arsenal and Manchester City.
The clash against Leicester City looks fairly promising, given that the Foxes conceded five goals in home defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool, while Watford have shipped more home goals (11) than any other team.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Those favourable home fixtures are perhaps even more appealing from a defensive perspective.
Palace are yet to score on their travels, while West Brom have only notched three goals away from home from five outings.
Stoke will perhaps pose the toughest match-up, having scored in each of their last four away trips.
The fixtures away from home will be more testing, with Arsenal excelling as an attacking force of late, scoring seven goals in their last two outings.
Leicester looked back to their best in the 2-0 home win over Everton, while although Watford have struggled at home, they remain a much improved attacking force under Marco Silva.
The Turning Point
Spurs have an enviable run of fixtures all the way up to Gameweek 25, with trips to Man City and Burnley posing the toughest tests in the meantime.
Verdict
After coming through unscathed against Real Madrid following his hamstring injury, Harry Kane should have the platform to post some big scores over the coming period.
The option to double-up with either Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli also looks tempting, while at the back, Jan Vertonghen appears the safest option given the risk of rotation at full-back.
Bournemouth
(new HUD swa BUR SOT cry)
The Prospects – Goals
The Cherries have failed to score in three of their last four, but are now handed a very kind six-match block.
Newcastle United have been pretty solid so far, although they do rank joint-fifth for shots conceded in the box over the last four Gameweeks with 33.
No team has conceded more goals than Huddersfield Town (10) over the same period, while Swansea City have only won one of their five home matches, conceding nine goals in the process.
Although Burnley have impressed defensively, they do sit joint-third for the most big chances conceded over the last four Gameweeks with nine.
But that home fixture, along with the visit of Southampton to the Vitality Stadium, may prove to be tricky encounters for Eddie Howe’s side.
The trip to Crystal Palace that follows does provide another favourable match-up from an attacking point of view, however.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Although Bournemouth have recorded just one clean sheet, they have only conceded three goals in their last four and should have now have the fixtures to earn shut-outs.
Newcastle have only scored four goals in their last five matches, while Huddersfield have failed to net in their last four away trips.
Swansea also carry a limited attacking threat, having only scored seven goals all season.
The home clashes against Burnley and Southampton both appear promising, given that only Bournemouth themselves have created fewer big chances (one) in away matches than the Clarets (two). Meanwhile, Southampton have only scored three goals away from home.
Palace are improving under Hodgson, though, scoring twice in each of their last two Selhurst Park encounters.
The Turning Point
This is strictly a short window of kind fixtures for the Cherries, with matches against Man United, Liverpool and Man City to follow from Gameweek 17.
Verdict
With a lack of goals and injury concerns among Bournemouth attackers, our interest looks to be limited to the defence.
Charlie Daniels is the obvious target, having already produced a goal and an assist this season. For those working on a tight budget, Simon Francis, who has started the last six, provides a viable alternative.
Crystal Palace
(tot EVE STK bha wba BOU)
The Prospects – Goals
The Eagles are another team whose home fixtures stand out.
Everton have shipped nine goals over the last four Gameweeks, which is one less than Palace’s next home opponents, Stoke.
The fact that Bournemouth have struggled to earn clean sheets means that this home fixture must also be seen as favourable.
Away from home, Sunday’s trip to Spurs is daunting, while Brighton & Hove Albion also have the capability to keep things tight at home; but it’s also a “local derby” which may prove unpredictable.
West Brom are another home team who – by reputation – surrender few opportunities, although they have given up nine big chances over the last four Gameweeks.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Roy Hodgson’s side are still seeking their first clean sheet of the campaign, but after the trip to Wembley, they look to have the platform to deliver defensive points.
Everton have managed just two goals on their travels, while although Stoke are a more dangerous outfit, the Potters still represent a strong prospect for returns.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion (44) and West Brom (48) are the two clubs who have registered the fewest number of shots in home matches, while as already mentioned, Bournemouth continue to struggle for a cutting-edge amid persistent changes up front.
The Turning Point
Home fixtures against Arsenal and Man City in Gameweeks 20 and 21 stem the run of favourable fixtures, but Palace players undoubtedly have the stage to perform well for the rest of 2017.
Verdict
With two goals in three matches since returning from injury, and playing out of position as a striker, Wilfried Zaha is undoubtedly a compelling mid-price option.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek produced his first attacking returns of the season with an assist last weekend and can deliver strong value for his 4.5 price tag. Arguably, there is merit in considering both, given their attacking roles.
Investment at the back carries a greater degree of risk, though Scott Dann is the leading target due to his set-piece threat. Having started the last three matches, Julian Speroni, at just 4.0 in FPL, is also now a viable second or even first-choice keeper option for this forthcoming period.
Burnley
(sot SWA ARS bou lei WAT)
The Prospects – Goals
With just nine goals so far, it’s perhaps unlikely we’ll be turning to Clarets attackers, even though the upcoming schedule offers them the opportunity to boost that tally.
Weekend opponents Southampton can be a resolute defensive unit and although Swansea concede a lot of shots on their travels, they have shipped just three goals.
Arsenal are the only top six side Burnley face up to Gameweek 18 but, promisingly, the Gunners have conceded nine goals on the road, keeping just a single clean sheet.
Trips to Bournemouth and Leicester both appear reasonable in an attacking sense, but Watford have proved solid on the road, barring the 4-2 defeat to Chelsea.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Burnley have kept three of their four clean sheets at home, but the upcoming fixtures suggest that returns could also arrive in away matches.
Southampton and Bournemouth both offer a limited attacking threat, although a shut-out is probably less likely at a revived Leicester City.
At Turf Moor, the Swansea clash is the stand-out fixture. The Welshmen have scored just three goals on the road.
But Watford have fired ten goals in away matches, while Arsenal’s 5-2 win at Everton suggests that they have rekindled their attacking threat away from home.
The Turning Point
Gameweek 19 marks the start of a really tough run for the Clarets, when they face five testing fixtures over an eight-Gameweek period, making it crucial to maintain their current momentum.
Verdict
Our interest is still surely limited to the defence, with Nick Pope and Stephen Ward established as the leading targets. Ben Mee provides the alternative as he continues to promise a goal threat from set-plays.
When he returns from his hamstring injury, forward Chris Wood could be a viable differential, although there are perhaps more convincing prospects in the budget striker bracket.
Also consider…
Liverpool
With the upcoming away fixtures (whu stk bha) all looking winnable, it may be time to start seriously considering Reds defenders, given that they’ve also conceded just one goal at Anfield.
Alberto Moreno and Joe Gomez can both provide value, while at the other end of the pitch, Mohamed Salah remains almost untouchable as our weapon of choice.
Chelsea provide the only stern test over the next eight Gameweeks, so Jurgen Klopp’s side could be able to return to their blistering goal scoring form witnessed at the start of the season.
However, injuries may well stall their progress- Philippe Coutinho’s return, in particular, looks vital to their ability to exploit the schedule.
Chelsea
Encounters against Man United and Liverpool in the next three blot the copybook in the short-term.
But Chelsea have an outstanding run between Gameweeks 14 and 21, so we should arguably prepare to invest in their attack if we’re not already on board.
Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata are undoubtedly the go-to candidates, with the latter perhaps the more likely target given the variety of strong and cheaper midfield targets available. But Hazard’s form is promising, with Sunday’s display against Manchester United pivotal to his stock over the international break.
Investment in the defence is on hold. However, N’Golo Kante is expected to be back shielding the backline against United, and that could yet spark renewed interest in Antonio Conte’s rearguard options.
Swansea City
With four of their next five home matches (BHA BOU WBA CRY) providing kind opponents, Swansea’s budget options look ideal rotation options.
The potential for Tammy Abraham to profit looks strong, while Lukasz Fabianski should excel over these matches with his ability to produce both save points and the occasional clean sheet.
Alfie Mawson could even be worth a punt as a differential with his goal threat from set-plays.
Everton
The Toffees remain a permanent feature in this article, although they continue to suggest potential via the fixture list without convincing on the pitch.
Nonetheless, David Unsworth’s selections may yet bring Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Calvert-Lewin into our thinking as budget options.
Everton avoid all of the top six over the next five Gameweeks (WAT cry sot WHU HUD), and whoever is appointed as the next permanent manager should have the platform to spark a revival.
