The countdown to gameweek 15 begins properly once the fixture list has suffered its weekly frisking. This week we restrict our view of the schedule to the next four gameweeks, assessing the Christmas programme right up until the Boxing Day encounters. Here’s our take on those sides lavished with gift-wrapped weeks ahead, and those left unwrapping the fixture equivalent of a multi-pack of socks.
The Strong
Man United
Four one-nil wins in the last five, interrupted by a blip against Newcastle at Old Trafford, has clearly demonstrated that Alex Ferguson has instilled a desire to grind out wins; to cut the frills and concentrate on defending a lead. It’s perhaps not surprising to find that this spell immediately followed the 6-1 humiliation in their own backyard by neighbours City.
Christmas promises to see the three points continuing to flow, with fixtures that should bring them every opportunity to record four straight wins. A trip to Craven Cottage in gameweek 17 will provide the sternest test but, around that, home clashes with Wolves and Wigan and a trip to QPR should bring further defensive returns and the possibility of a greater attacking output.
The trick will be to identify those players immune to festive rotation – prospects like Phil Jones, Nani and Wayne Rooney will appear on our Christmas lists, although the latter has largely been cast aside and overshadowed by attractions elsewhere. The recent injury to Javier Hernandez may just see Rooney return to a role spearheading the United attack – that could signal a return to scoring ways having failed to find the net in his last eight league appearances.
Newcastle
Newcastle will go into Christmas ravaged by injuries in defensive areas with Steven Taylor ruled out and Fabricio Collicini looking likely to join him on the sidelines with a thigh problem. That could well see a shift away from their defensive players – sources of Fantasy points which have proved so popular over what has been an outstanding season for Alan Pardew’s men. Attention may now turn to their attacking assets, who could now face greater responsibility as the Magpies are forced to notch two or more goals in the hunt for wins.
The fixture list suggests that the Magpies could yet go into the New Year in good spirits. Home clashes with Swansea and West Brom look great platforms for Demba Ba to boost his goal tally. Likewise, the trip to Bolton on Boxing Day appears to hand Ba and his team-mates every opportunity to hit the goal trail and cover the cracks created by an ailing back four.
Liverpool
The reversal at the Cottage last night did little to aid Liverpool’s stuttering form, but Kenny Dalglish will be optimistic that a change in fortune is just around the corner. The home clash with QPR this weekend looks an important stepping stone that could set Liverpool up for a run of positive results over the Christmas period. Trips to Villa and Wigan carry potential, while a Boxing Day clash with Blackburn looks to have goals in it, with Steve Kean’s defence continually struggling to plug the gaps at the back.
Fantasy managers will be wary however and, beyond the obvious talents of Jose Enrique in defence, may struggle to find a way to profit from a potentially positive run of results. Luis Suarez continues to falter in front of goal and seems destined to be embroiled in controversy that threatens to blight his season. While his stock falls, Craig Bellamy could be worthy of some attention in the mid-price bracket, particularly if Suarez earns himself a two-match ban for last night’s altercation with the Fulham throngs.
Blackburn
Rovers are yet to claw their way out of trouble but, of all the sides down in the basement, they appear to have the goal power to inspire a climb up the table. Yakubu’s four-goal haul revealed the Nigerian as a major target for Fantasy managers over Christmas and, with the fixture list falling kindly, it’s difficult to write his bandwagon off as a passing fad.
Steve Kean takes his side to Sunderland this weekend, providing the opponents for Martin O’Neill’s baptism in front of the Stadium of Light fans. O’Neill will approach with caution, with Blackburn confident of spoiling the party, having scored in every away game so far this season.
The goals should continue with Ewood Park encounters against West Brom and Bolton to come, before a testing trip to Anfield on Boxing Day. Kean, with a little help from Yakubu and co, may well have steered his ship out of choppy waters by then.
Also consider
Everton – The home defeat to Stoke burst the Everton bubble, while a trip to the Emirates this weekend seems unlikely to offer a change in fortune. Home encounters with Norwich and Swansea follow however – that pairing, together with a Boxing Day visit to Sunderland, offer David Moyes’ side an opportunity to go into 2012 with a more positive outlook.
Bolton – The Trotters are flailing right now – scrambling for goals and points to keep their head above water. Unfortunate to be reduced to 10-men at Spurs, they will have Gary Cahill available to them for the visit of Villa thanks to today’s successful red card appeal. Owen Coyle will hope that he can help inspire an improvement, with the fixture list at least providing some assistance going into the New Year.
Swansea – Brendan Rodgers’ side just aren’t able to build on their form at the Liberty Stadium, failing miserably to stem the tide of goals on their travels. Home encounters with Fulham and QPR in the next four gameweeks offer the chance for further clean sheets and points, while visits to an under strength Newcastle and inconsistent Everton, could also offer profits.
The Weak
Wigan
It’s difficult to imagine that the Latics will be fuelling any Fantasy lineups going into the Christmas period. A failed dalliance with Victor Moses aside, Wigan have been devoid of any temptations and are now about to embark on a run of opponents that looks set to cut them adrift at the foot of the table.
The pundits are writing them off and it’s hard to argue, particularly as Wigan are set to go into the New Year off the back of fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and United.
Fulham
The victory over Liverpool will give Martin Jol’s side a much-needed foothold in an inconsistent season. Before Jol and Fantasy managers can begin to get excited about the prospects down at the Cottage however, the fixture looks set to dampen the enthusiasm and lead them a precarious route through the Christmas programme.
Fulham will be the latest side to contend with Swansea’s possession football at the Liberty Stadium this weekend, that’s followed by a potentially profitable home clash with Bolton. After that, however, Jol’s men will take on United and Chelsea in a Christmas double header that will likely leave them with a hangover before the New Year’s festivities have even begun.
QPR
Joey Barton and the odd budget defender aside, it seems unlikely that too many Fantasy managers will go into December relying on any of Neil Warnock’s squad. Heidar Helugson has shown consistency of late and, at a budget price, has attracted recent investment. His new owners may well be set for disappointment however, as Rangers prepare to face three of the top defences in the league, in addition to a Sunderland side who could well be about to enjoy a renaissance under Martin O’Neill.
Goals look hard to come by then, while clean sheets could also be a struggle in a difficult month that could see the R’s hovering over the trapdoor.
Also be wary of…
Aston Villa – One goal in seven starts for Gabby Agbonlahor, two in the last five for Darren Bent – it’s clear that Villa are struggling in attack. Having kept just a single clean sheet in seven, there’s also genuine concern that Villa on the slide. With Liverpool and Arsenal at Villa Park next, the trip to the Reebok this weekend looks vital if Alex McLeish is going to enjoy any kind of Christmas comfort.
Man City – City have conceded a goal or more in their last seven league games but have scored a stunning 25 goals to compensate. Despite Roberto Mancini stressing the need for clean sheets, with Chelsea and Arsenal up next for City, it seems likely that the “score more than them” policy will have to continue, at least until the gameweek 17 clash with Stoke.
