Our Watchlist rankings, highlighting our mid-term player recommendations over the upcoming run of fixtures, have now been updated. As usual, you’ll find our current rankings in your sidebar – click on the tabs to view each position in turn and read on for the round-up of the movers and shakers…
Goalkeepers
Tim Krul maintains his standing on top of the rankings, with fixtures still falling kindly and the Newcastle back four in decent form. While Thomas Sorensen fails to rotate conveniently with the Magpies’ stopper, he does offer a strong option in his own right and is ranked second in our thinking. Wolves’ Wayne Hennessey is a decent rotation option with either of this pairing, as is Simon Mignolet of Sunderland. They also fit snugly with Fantasy favourite Michel Vorm over the coming weeks, although our confidence in the Swansea keeper is dented by a run of fixtures that has him face just two home games in six.
Defenders
Micah Richards might be nursing a slight hamstring that kept him out of the win at Wigan, but there’s little doubt that with Vincent Kompany due to miss the Spurs game, he looks the best option for those looking to recruit from the solid City defence this week. We’d expect Kompany to return to the top of rankings next time around.
Elsewhere, we’re backing the Fulham defence over the coming weeks and, with the goalkeeper position in doubt, given the likely the return of Mark Schwarzer to dislodge David Stockdale, we see merit in investment in the back four. John Arne Riise is the jewel in the crown for us, with attacking returns long overdue. Philipe Senderos, at just 4.3, is your value option.
Robert Huth is another defender who is overdue a goal – he continues to pose a major threat at set-plays and, with four home games in six, offers decent potential at either end of the field. There’s a decent supply of value options elsewhere, with punts on Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley and Wolves’ Roger Johnson worth consideration, while Newcastle are represented by two solid budget options – Danny Simpson and Mike Williamson, with Ryan Taylor offering assists and goal threat for those who can afford the outlay and are willing to gamble on the security of his starts. Taylor has started on the right side of midfield for Alan Pardew’s outfit in his last two outings, and looks set to maintain that role at Fulham at the weekend. It’s uncertain whether Taylor can cement that position but, in the short-term, he remains a strong option with his supply of crosses and dead-ball prowess.
Gary Cahill is perhaps the most intriguing climber in the rankings. He’s enjoying plentiful investment this week following his move to Stamford Bridge. Although we’d expect him to slot alongside John Terry and oust David Luiz, fixtures are against Andre Villas-Boas’ side, with three away games in four and a home clash with United to come.
Midfielders
Clint Dempsey’s climb to second in our rankings reflects our confidence in the American to return profits over Fulham’s run of obliging home fixtures – as outlined in yesterday’s Frisking the Fixtures – Newcastle, West Brom, Stoke and Wolves all pay visit to the Cottage in the next six. Stephane Sessegnon and Jon Walters are the other major climbers into the top five to join mainstays Gareth Bale and David Silva.
Below that pack, there is value to be found amongst the likes of James McClean, Victor Moses and Stephen Ireland, whilst Joey Barton returns from his ban to find a kind run of fixtures in front of him, handing every opportunity for the R’s skipper to impress his new boss. Landon Donovan and Steven Gerrard are below those names, offering risky but potentially profitable differentials.
Forwards
Robin Van Persie holds the top spot but confidence in Sergio Aguero could grow if he can exploit City’s kind run of fixtures in the weeks to come. That pairing, with Steven Fletcher as a third budget option, looks a powerful trio for the month ahead. The Wolves striker is in outstanding form, which coincides nicely with fixtures that have Wolves face three home games in the next four.
Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney hover outside the top three, holding off the charge of Steve Morison and Bobby Zamora. That latter is clearly a gamble but has the fixtures to deliver his most profitable spell of the season. Morison meanwhile has strong form and a record which demonstrates that he can score against almost all opposition – his tough fixtures in the coming weeks may not be a concern, then. Lower down, Darren Bent is your differential. Clearly he has the proven pedigree to find goals in the coming months and, with fixtures falling nicely, he could yet deliver profit for those willing to risk investment.
