With the gameweek wrapped up by yesterday’s digest, it’s time for us to plan ahead for next weekend and beyond. As usual, we do so with a review of the fixture list and, accompanied by the newly-updated ticker ratings, assess the weak and the strong from the forthcoming schedule…
The Strong
Blackburn
A defeat at Stoke, with the terraces continuing to demonstrate dissent as Rovers sank back to the bottom of the table, is hardly a sign of promising form. Steve Kean’s side, however, remain an unlikely source of budget Fantasy talent for the month ahead. Rovers are scoring goals and attempting to play attacking football, with Yakubu, Junior Hoilett and Morten Gamst Pedersen all capable of offering returns on their day. While injuries ravage a suspect back four, Paul Robinson in goal also provides a shot-stopping talent of some pedigree.
Three Ewood Park encounters in the next four gameweeks pave the way for an upturn in fortunes, with a travel-sick Swansea the first to arrive this weekend. Following that, West Brom and Bolton are due to visit, with a trip to ailing Sunderland sandwiched between those games. Rovers appear to have some budget goals in their locker going into the Christmas programme.
Everton
The two-nil victory at the Reebok gave David Moyes’ side back-to-back wins and lifted them to a comfortable mid-table placing. While Tim Cahill and Louis Saha continue to struggle for goals, the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman pose a threat from midfield, while Leighton Baines’ supply from the left is a constantly effective weapon that offers Fantasy managers profit.
Stoke arrive at Goodison this weekend, having failed to sustain any semblance of form on the road. After that, Norwich and Swansea pay a visit – both presenting fixtures that Moyes will surely target as potential for three points. The gameweek 15 trip to Arsenal arrives before those encounters but, with the Gunners defence continuing to show fragility, Everton will fancy causing an upset if they can go to the Emirates off the back of their third straight win.
Newcastle
Having suffered a double header in Manchester over the past two gameweeks, Alan Pardew’s side now face up to three home matches in the next four, presenting them with every opportunity to cement their unlikely top four status.
Chelsea are the first to visit St James’ Park this coming weekend, a fixture that won’t intimidate the Magpies, particularly with the Blues defensive record offering plenty of encouragement to the likes of Demba Ba. A clean sheet might be a tall order, although Ryan Taylor’s goal threat from left-back remains a consistent factor in Newcastle’s season and one that continues to tempt Fantasy investment.
Taylor is certainly worth of renewed consideration following the Chelsea clash, with a trip to Norwich and home meetings with Swansea and West Brom to come – two sides who offer the Magpies a chance to add to their clean sheet count.
Also consider…
Liverpool – a determined showing in the 1-1 draw with City followed an impressive 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, suggesting that Kenny Dalglish’s side carry some form into December. Three away trips in four gameweeks will provide a test, but Fantasy managers should consider holding their assets, with some defensive returns looking likely.
Man United – three away games in the next four, but United’s fixtures are now entering a run of favourable opponents which should see them pile pressure on City’s title charge. Trips to Villa, QPR and Fulham will provide tests, but Fantasy managers need to be mindful of United’s Christmas programme which promises heavy profit if Alex Ferguson can ignite his side’s attack.
Wolves – Mick McCarthy is on the verge of possibly his most critical spell of fixtures so far, as Wolves prepare for three home games in four that could shape their season. Sunderland, Stoke and Norwich all visit Molineux prior to Christmas. Jamie O’Hara could well emerge as a key Fantasy target should Wolves earn positive results – he looks a leading candidate for a December differential.
Tottenham – Form is buoyant, while the fixture list continues to offer the platform for further prosperity. You should have at least one or two of Harry Redkanpp’s attacking players in your squad right now, and with Bolton and Sunderland next at the Lane, they look set for continued profits.
The Weak
Aston Villa
Alex McLeish’s side stumble through the season – failing to convince in defence, firing blanks in attack. Gabby Agbonlahor is the one shining light and his form has continued to attract attention from Fantasy investors. With three home matches in the next four to come, Agbonlahor’s owners may look to hold and hope for returns – although the upcoming opponents are likely to test his emerging credentials to the full.
United, Liverpool and Arsenal all visit Villa Park in the next month, presenting little opportunity for clean sheets. The Villa attack will certainly have to step up if positive results are to be gained from this run – that could bring the best from Agbonlahor but his owners will be nervy nonetheless, having seen Villa struggle for a cutting edge of late.
Fulham
Martin Jol’s defence produced a defiant display at the Emirates at the weekend and the Cottagers were arguably unlucky not to snatch the three points. Confidence will be building in the Fulham camp then, and Jol’s back four may well come under consideration from Fantasy managers looking for mid-price assets. However, the fixture list suggests that the likes of John Arne Riise face a real challenge if they are to return defensive profits in the coming weeks.
Liverpool are at the Cottage this weekend, with United and Chelsea also lined up in the next five gameweeks. The trip to Swansea in gameweek 15 will also provide a stern test, leaving the home fixture with Bolton in gameweek 16 by far Jol’s best opportunity for three points in the foreseeable future.
Wigan
The win at Sunderland looks even more vital when you glance at Wigan’s schedule in the next month. Although the Latics face home comforts in three of the next four gameweeks, the sides visiting the DW Stadium are Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. That run of home matches is then followed by a trip to Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
It seems unfathomable that Wigan will be able to keep clean sheets in those matches, which could actually ensure that Roberto Martinez’s side go on the attack in front of their own fans. Having gained his first Fantasy returns of the season at Sunderland, Victor Moses is set to have a pivotal role in Wigan’s fortunes going into Christmas. He’ll need to produce form and returns in the next five gameweeks if Wigan are to get anything from what is, quite simply, an evil run of opponents.
Chelsea
Andre Villas-Boas’ side found a cutting edge in the 3-0 disposal of Wolves at the weekend and they will need to maintain goalscoring form over the next month. Defensively, returns look likely to be scarce, with collisions against the Newcastle, City and Tottenham attacks in the next four gameweeks. Those still clinging to Jose Bosingwa, in hope of a recall, will surely need to plan a belated exit route.
On the flipside, conceding goals may just draw the sting from the likes of Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge, who both showed superb form in the win over Wolves. Investment in that pair is set to continue, despite the testing schedule ahead of them.
Also be wary of…
QPR – Neil Warnock’s side will need to get what they can from home matches against both West Brom and Sunderland, with Liverpool, United and Swansea also looming in the next five gameweeks – in attacking terms, Rangers will need to work hard for returns over the next month.
Norwich – The Canaries defence is yet to keep a clean sheet this season and, while Russell Martin continues to tempt budget investment with his goalscoring exploits from the back, there appears to be little chance of a Norwich shutout in the coming weeks. Home clashes with Newcastle and Tottenham will be tough, away trips to City and Everton look equally testing.
