The FA Cup weekend affords an opportunity to revise the approach to one of our staple articles.
Our new version of Frisking the Fixtures has us focus on two distinct windows when appraising the schedule.
In this first assessment, we identify those teams presented with favourable fixtures, both in the short-term and over a longer span of Gameweeks.
We reveal where the schedules turn and the potential player targets likely to be considered, before we move to examine those facing a more testing timetable in part two on Monday.
The Short-term
Stoke (WAT bou BHA)
The current chatter surrounding the appeal of Xherdan Shaqiri, fuelled by his performance in a first win under Paul Lambert, is certainly backed by the fixture list.
The Potters next three match-ups are potentially as strong as they come, with winnable home ties against Watford and Brighton sandwiching a trip to Bournemouth.
There are notable caveats. Firstly, these are perhaps “six-pointers”, making them difficult to predict. Also, it is hasty to bank on Stoke’s revival after just one victory under Lambert.
Nonetheless, if there is a potential window to consider the likes of Shaqiri and even Joe Allen, this is it. However, things turn very sour from Gameweek 28 onwards, so exit plans should be at the ready.
Lambert’s defence is unlikely to tempt investment, but Jack Butland should at least offer strong save point returns over the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the forward-thinking Moritz Bauer is a possible option if you can find a rotation partner. Ben Chilwell at Leicester looks a possible candidates.
Brighton (sto WHU stk SWA)
The Seagulls’ favourable short-term fixtures span the next four Gameweeks, providing a make-or-break period for Chris Hughton’s men.
Certainly, the Amex Stadium clashes with West Ham and Swansea City appear pivotal to survival hopes, particularly as, from Gameweek 28, the schedule bites back.
Brighton face five of last season’s top six over their final ten matches, potentially making them a no-go area for the run-in.
New signing Jurgen Locadia is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury which is set to keep him out of next three or four matches, limiting our attacking interest to Glenn Murray up front and Pascal Gross in midfield.
But it’s Hughton’s backline that tempts investment, with Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy the key targets. We still lean towards the latter as our preferred Watchlist option.
Chelsea (BOU wat WBA)
The erratic form offered up by Eden Hazard and, in particular, Alvaro Morata, shouldn’t detract from the fact that the Blues are still blessed with appealing fixtures.
The Stamford Bridge meetings with Bournemouth and West Brom should deliver victories, with the Gameweek 26 visit to Vicarage Road also promising as Watford are very much in the recovery position following Marco Silva’s departure.
Hazard and the emerging Willian – when fit – are the clear attacking targets for these matches, while Antonio Conte’s defence boasts six clean sheets in seven and really should add to that tally against this trio.
Rotation ahead of their Champions League tie with Barcelona is also not a concern for the Gameweek 27 meeting with West Brom, with eight days and a potential FA Cup fifth round tie separating those matches.
But the tide turns from Gameweek 28, with back-to-back Manchester trips to face United and City. That is not a time to hold a pair of Chelsea defenders, though Hazard and Marcos Alonso could be retained for those matches should they remain productive to that point.
West Ham (CRY bha WAT)
The Hammers’ kind run of opponents continues for the next three, but their potential to exploit those matches is in question given their troubled form and ridiculous list of absentees.
With both Manuel Lanzini and perhaps Marko Arnautovic ruled out of the next three Gameweeks – at the very least – our options in David Moyes’ attack are limited.
Instead, we may be willing to hold defensive assets, even if new investment in Moyes’ backline will surely be tempered by a run of six successive matches without a clean sheet.
That could improve over this next three, though from Gameweek 28, the schedule looks far less appealing as ties with Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea loom before Gameweek 33.
The Long-term
Leicester City (eve SWA mci STK BOU wba)
The Foxes enjoy one of the most favourable season run-ins of any side, making them assured long-term investments.
More significantly, their three home matches over the next five Gameweeks (SWA STK BOU) are simply outstanding – both as a source of goals and clean sheets.
With returns in nine of his last 11 Gameweeks, Riyad Mahrez has to remain the crown jewel on offer, while Jamie Vardy’s three goals in his last five starts makes him a viable second striker. The only caveat would be the lingering doubts surrounding Mahrez’s future at the King Power Stadium, although that will pass with Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Meanwhile, with three successive clean sheets, this is a period to re-assess Harry Maguire, with the fit-again Danny Simpson and Ben Chilwell the budget backline routes on offer.
Burnley (new MCI swa SOT EVE whu CHE)
Like Leicester, the Clarets benefit from a very kind run-in, having endured a testing array of opponents of late.
Once they host Manchester City in Gameweek 26, Burnley face just two of the season’s top six over their remaining matches. The run between Gameweeks 27 to 30 (swa SOT EVE whu) offers an early window for investment and interest in Sean Dyche’s back four looks set to be renewed.
With Tom Heaton’s return in goal now providing a threat to Nick Pope, our focus could turn back to Ben Mee (4.9) in particular as Stephen Ward (4.7) is yet to return from injury. Any investment in their attack is likely to be limited to Johann Berg Gudmundsson (5.0) as a fifth midfielder option.
Southampton (BHA wba LIV bur STK new)
The Gameweek 27 meeting with Liverpool aside, the Saints are now treated to a sustained run of obliging fixtures up to Gameweek 32 which could reverse an alarming slump.
Whether that can be transferred to Fantasy interest is another matter, though new signing Guido Carrillo does at least have a platform to impress.
It’s the defence that could warrant interest, with Maya Yoshida (4.8) – once back in the starting line-up – offering a goal threat to accompany the prospects of a run of shut-outs. However, with one clean sheet since Gameweek 9, we should still exercise caution.
Liverpool (hud TOT sot WHU NEW mun WAT)
Two away trips and an Anfield visit from Spurs will test our confidence in Jurgen Klopp’s defence, particularly as they remain vulnerable at set-plays. After that, three home ties in four Gameweeks look very favourable and that could increase interest in Virgil van Dijk in particular.
It is the Liverpool attack that remains our focus, however, with this forthcoming spell promoting the quest to seek out a partner for Mohamed Salah in our squads. Roberto Firmino has the platform to cement his status, while Sadio Mane could even mount a challenge to our midfield thinking.
But a recent lack of creativity in defeats to Swansea City and West Brom wave warning flags. We will need to see a convincing performance from Wednesday’s trip to Huddersfield to restore some confidence.
Everton (LEI ars CRY wat bur BHA stk)
Across Merseyside, there should also be renewed interest in the Toffees, who are handed a kind run from Gameweeks 27-31 in particular.
Unlike Liverpool, however, our initial focus is likely to centre on defensive options, with Sam Allardyce making it clear he is keen for his side to rediscover the resilience shown on his arrival at the club.
With Seamus Coleman’s return imminent and rotation possible in the other back four positions, Jordan Pickford’s stock as the route to cover Everton’s clean sheet potential appears boosted.
In attack, we should monitor Theo Walcott’s progress. The five matches that follow the clash with his former club Arsenal could well be the window that allows him to break out as a key midfield target.
