This is clearly a difficult time to assess schedules ahead of a ridiculously hectic period.
Rotation in squads appears almost inevitable over the next four Gameweeks in particular, so with that in mind, we should be wary when using the fixture list to guide our investments.
Even so, the top three teams identified in our strong selection have a prolonged spell of favourable matches that extend well into the New Year, booking them in as valuable sources of Fantasy talent long after the rotation risks fade away.
Manchester City’s appeal is already accepted, but the other two teams in our selection look to be valuable sources of cut-price options to help free-up crucial funds.
Huddersfield Town
(sot STK BUR lei WHU stk)
The Prospects – Goals
The Terriers look to build momentum on the back of last weekend’s 4-1 win at Watford.
Saturday’s trip to Southampton certainly looks promising, given that the Saints have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine encounters.
Back-to-back home fixtures against Stoke City and Burnley follow in Gameweeks 20 and 21, with the Potters clash certainly very favourable.
Mark Hughes’ side have conceded more goals (10) and given up more big chances (13) than any other team over the last four Gameweeks.
But Burnley will provide an altogether tougher challenge, having recorded three consecutive shut-outs.
The Gameweek 22 trip to Leicester City also appears a reasonable match-up, as only three clubs have conceded more penalty-area shots than the Foxes (70) in home matches.
The visit of West Ham United that follows could be testing as the Hammers have tightened up considerably under David Moyes, though the Terriers then face Stoke again in another favourable fixture in Gameweek 24.
Any team playing Stoke City twice in the next six Gameweeks has to be considered.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
With only three goals from their last four matches, Southampton represent a decent match-up on Saturday, although Charlie Austin will need to be shackled at St Mary’s.
The home meetings with Stoke and Burnley in Gameweeks 20 and 21 both appear promising in terms of clean sheet potential.
The Potters have failed to score in their last two encounters, while Sean Dyche’s side have blanked on their last two road trips.
Leicester will be difficult to stop in Gameweek 22, however, given that they’ve netted eight times in their last four matches.
West Ham’s performance in the 3-0 win at Stoke indicates they’ll pose a threat in Gameweek 23, before the Terriers themselves travel to the bet365 Stadium for another decent fixture in Gameweek 24.
The Turning Point
The schedule turns from Gameweek 25 onwards, with fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur over a five-match spell.
But in general, Huddersfield have a strong run all the way to Gameweek 34, particularly in terms of home matches.
Verdict
While we have to be wary of rotation at this time due to the Terriers’ thin squad, regular starters Jonas Lossl, Christopher Schindler and Aaron Mooy could all prosper as cut-price options in the short-term, and certainly as squad players over the second half of the season. In-form frontman Laurent Depoitre remains a little more susceptible to rotation, though could be worth a punt.
West Ham United
(NEW bou Blank WBA/tot hud BOU)
The Prospects – Goals
The Hammers are on the rise again under David Moyes and have the fixtures to flourish as an attacking force.
Newcastle United arrive at the London Stadium on Saturday having conceded 10 goals in their last four away matches and with one clean sheet in 14, and offer a very promising match-up.
The trip to Bournemouth that follows in Gameweek 20 also looks strong for the potential of the West Ham attack – the Cherries have conceded more penalty-area shots (52) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks.
The blank in Gameweek 21 is then followed by the double Gameweek against West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Baggies have only conceded three goals in their last four, but should present a decent match-up at home, but the trip to Wembley is unlikely to be profitable for the Hammers attack.
Huddersfield’s home form makes the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium in Gameweek 23 a tricky one, with a favourable home clash against Bournemouth concluding the six-match run.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Three consecutive shut-outs suggests that it’s the Hammers’ backline that tempts our investment.
Saturday’s opponents Newcastle have created fewer big chances (two) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks.
Moyes’ men then travel to Bournemouth, and that also looks a reasonable fixture given the Cherries have failed to score in their last two encounters and are set to be without striker Jermain Defoe.
After the Gameweek 21 blank, the West Brom clash also looks very inviting – the Baggies have only scored one goal in four matches since Alan Pardew took charge.
Defensive returns aren’t expected in the second match of the double against Spurs, but this six-match stretch ends with two more favourable fixtures.
The Gameweek 23 trip to Huddersfield will be testing but, in West Ham’s current form, shouldn’t be feared, while the home meeting with Bournemouth can also offer defensive returns.
The Turning Point
The Hammers benefit from a sustained kind run all the way up to Gameweek 27, with their home fixtures, in particular, outstanding during that stretch.
It’s only during the latter part of the season, particularly from Gameweek 31 onwards, where we’re likely to turn our back on West Ham assets.
Verdict
Based on the recent upturn in form and the favourable schedule all the way up to Gameweek 30, West Ham look destined to be a big source of value over the second half of the season.
Given the recent defensive returns, it’s at the back where Fantasy managers are likely to focus their attention, with goalkeeper Adrian and budget defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku set to offer excellent value.
Further forward, the rejuvenated Marko Arnautovic appeals as a mid-price differential, while Manuel Lanzini is also a factor from Gameweek 20, once his suspension has been served.
Manchester City
(BOU new cry WAT liv NEW)
The Prospects – Goals
With a staggering 56 goals this season, Pep Guardiola’s side look set to continue plundering attacking points.
Saturday’s home meeting with Bournemouth looks a plum fixture – the Citizens have scored 17 goals in their five Premier League matches against the Cherries.
The Gameweek 20 trip to Newcastle is also very favourable before the league leaders head to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 21.
That could be a tougher test, however, as the Eagles have kept clean sheets in three of their last five encounters.
Another kind home fixture follows in Gameweek 22, with Watford heading to the Etihad.
Marco Silva’s side are without a win in five and suffered a 6-0 defeat in the reverse tie back in September.
The Gameweek 23 trip to Liverpool is the only real test during this run, with the Reds very strong defensively at Anfield, conceding just three goals.
But another plum home follows against Newcastle in Gameweek 24, making it an outstanding six-match stretch for City attackers.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Bournemouth have failed to score in away defeats to Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United, so the prospects for a shut-out this weekend look strong.
The Gameweek 20 trip to Newcastle also appears favourable, given that the Magpies have failed to score in three of their last four at home.
The trip to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 21 could be tricky from a defensive standpoint, though, considering that only two teams have created more big chances than the Eagles (11) over the last four Gameweeks.
Watford have been a potent attacking force on their travels but the Gameweek 22 clash still looks kind enough, although a clean sheet at Anfield in Gameweek 23 may prove beyond Guardiola’s men.
But the visit of Newcastle to the Etihad in Gameweek 24 should provide further opportunity for another defensive return.
The Turning Point
The trips to Liverpool, Burnley and Arsenal between Gameweeks 23 and 28 will provide tests for City, although you would arguably back them to prosper in any fixture right now.
Verdict
Their form is relentless and with the schedule so favourable, the only concern is perhaps the possibility of complacency and a switch of priorities to the UEFA Champions League once that kicks in in early February.
Rotation is the other factor to consider, particularly in the easier home ties – the fixtures we will covet most.
Nicolas Otamendi and Raheem Sterling remain the stand-out targets, with the option of investing in a second City midfielder likely to be a popular approach among Fantasy managers due to the rotation issues up top, and with funds generally moving into our midfields.
Also consider…
Manchester United
With the matches against Burnley and the trips to Leicester and Everton, the upcoming schedule is far from easy.
But with Spurs away their only top-six test up to Gameweek 27, we have to seriously consider backing Jose Mourinho’s men.
United’s defence and, in particular, Phil Jones, will tempt investment, as will goalkeeper David De Gea.
Surprisingly, they have conceded more shots on target (33) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks, which, while good news for De Gea’s save point rate, is a worry for their clean sheet potential.
It’s the next four fixtures at Old Trafford (BUR SOT STK HUD) that really appeal, though, and promote re-investment in Paul Pogba and perhaps Romelu Lukaku.
Jesse Lingard’s minutes and form also warrant interest in light of the schedule.
Longer term, the Champions League will become a factor by Gameweek 27 and perhaps become a priority if the title race and top four chase is more settled.
Chelsea
The Gameweek 19 visit to Everton and Gameweek 22 trip to Arsenal look to be the toughest challenges ahead right up to Gameweek 28, keeping them out of our “strong” candidates.
But their home matches, in particular, look very kind, and should play into the hands of further defensive returns, while Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata (once this weekend’s ban has passed) should also profit in attack.
Again, though, rotation could be a big factor, though Morata’s day off at Goodison Park in Gameweek 19 perhaps reduces his vulnerability for the following home matches against Brighton and Stoke, prior to a trip to Arsenal in Gameweek 22.
Tottenham Hotspur
Like West Ham, Spurs have a blank in Gameweek 21, but around that, the programme is very favourable and includes a double Gameweek 22 (swa/WHU).
Spurs’ current form is a concern, however, and Mauricio Pochettino also has the squad to rotate at this time, though Harry Kane seems likely to remain untouchable, at least until the Champions League becomes a factor.
Investment beyond Kane looks questionable, though Son Heung-min could remain a consideration given his recent form ahead of the double.
Arsenal
Indifferent form and a lack of clear options perhaps discount Arsenal from our plans, but the schedule is turning their way once tomorrow night’s home meeting with Liverpool is done and dusted.
Much depends on their away form, with potentially favourable trips to Palace, West Brom and Bournemouth to come. Alexandre Lacazette’s pitch time could benefit from an injury to Olivier Giroud and promote his appeal in our three-man frontlines.
The kind run is extended to Gameweek 26 before the north London derby and a home meeting with Man City.
