With yesterday’s digest wrapping up gameweek 22, we turn our attentions to next midweek and beyond. While we wait for the upcoming FA Cup action to pass, we once again bring the fixture list under review, assessing the weak and the strong from the forthcoming schedule…
The Strong…
Man City
Roberto Mancini’s side were fortunate to pick up a win in their Sunday lunch time date with Spurs, but there’s denying their potential to go on harvesting points in the coming weeks. Of the title challengers, or indeed, of all the top six sides, it’s City that are crossing the calmest waters in the month ahead.
It begins with a visit to shot-shy Everton and peaks with a run of three home games in four that has them face Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton. While Europa League action dissects that group of games, it seems unlikely that Mancini will rotate his big guns, making it almost essential that Fantasy managers approach February with two, if not three of his players in their squad.
QPR
Mark Hughes earned his first three points at home to Wigan on Saturday and will now be looking to replicate the kind of revival in fortunes that Martin O’Neill has orchestrated up at the Stadium of Light. Certainly Fantasy managers need to stay on alert – the situation at Loftus Road demands monitoring, not least because Rangers face a run of opponents that will give them every chance of pulling themselves out of the relegation dogfight. Wolves, Fulham and Everton are all due to visit Shepherds Bush in the next five Gameweeks, whilst visits to Villa and Blackburn also offer potential.
As we mentioned in last week’s Frisking, we perhaps need to wait until the revolving door comes to a halt and all of Hughes’ new recruits are in place before we can assess what’s on offer. Joey Barton, Heidar Helguson, Akos Buzsaky and Anton Ferdinand are already available for those looking to dip their toes now.
Fulham
Clint Dempsey’s ship may not have sailed. In fact, Martin Jol may even have several other vessels in the harbour worthy of attention. Saturday’s hat-trick from the American will have been missed by some but, on the eve of a second price rise in the Gameweek, we’re here again to tell you that his prospects remain strong for a good while yet.
A Craven Cottage clash with West Brom is the first of four very favourable home games in the next seven Gameweeks, which will surely produce several wins and some handsome attacking returns. Dempsey will likely lead the charge, but Bobby Zamora’s 17-point haul from the win over Newcastle shouldn’t be ignored, while the back four and midfield – with bargains and differentials throughout – could also come out of the next seven Gameweeks with profit.
Wigan
Bear with. No really, stick with us. The Latics may have lost four of the last five, scoring just four goals and conceding 15 but, in terms of forthcoming fixtures, their prospects look fairly decent.
Like Fulham, Wigan enjoy four home games in the next seven, with Everton, Villa, Swansea and West Brom paying visit in a spell which threatens to make or break their season. It seems unlikely that Roberto Martinez will lift his side from the basement to survival, but if they are to escape, the next seven Gameweeks look to be their opportunity to defy the odds.
Fantasy options remain typically limited, although Victor Moses may be retained by some as a budget midfield option, while wantaway striker Hugo Rodallega presents an intriguing alternative up top.
Also Consider…
West Brom – the win at the Britannia was typical of a Baggies side who seem unable to achieve any consistency this season. With decent fixtures in the next four, however, Fantasy managers may be tempted by their budget assests, with James Morrison the man in form.
Newcastle – the Magpies stuttered badly at Craven Cottage but have a run of four games which should help them recover and make it through to the return of Cheik Tiote and Demba Ba.
Stoke – a bitterly disappointing showing against West Brom will surely be addressed by Tony Pulis and with Sunderland, Swansea and Norwich at the Britannia in the next five, the prospects within the Potters’ squad still look strong.
The Weak
Everton
Those holding to Leighton Baines in the slim hope that David Moyes can find a cutting edge to convert his supply from left-back will surely now be planning an exit. Baines and his Toffees team-mates face City at Goodison next, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal all hovering in the next seven Gameweeks.
Clean sheets look unlikely, goals remain hard to come by. By the end of March, we could well see Everton firmly embroiled in a relegation dogfight, unless a goal threat can be found or much-needed new blood introduced.
Liverpool
The defeat at the Reebok was the latest setback, with Kenny Dalglish’s side now mustering just a single win in their last six league matches. The unlikely loss sets them up for a potentially perilous trip to Wolves. They will visit Molineux with a back four that has kept just one clean sheet in five and an attack that seems reliant on Craig Bellamy to score the goals – something that Dalglish appears to be resistant to when it comes to naming his starting lineup.
Three home games in five appear to offer hope, but Spurs, Everton and Arsenal are the visitors. With a trip to United amongst that batch, it’s hard to see defensive returns, whilst the Liverpool attack will need to spark if they are to earn results against that calibre of opposition.
Tottenham
An unfortunate defeat at the Etihad leaves the title dream hanging by a thread –within the next month, it could be severed altogether.
A White Hart Lane meet with Wigan should restore confidence but, following that, Harry Redknapp will take his side to Liverpool and Arsenal, with Newcastle and United due in North London. An evil run of four matches that will surely decide if Spurs are to rival the Manchester clubs to the end, or scrap for fourth with neighbours Arsenal.
In Fantasy terms, we’re likely to see limited returns from a back four that has been profitable of late. In attack, Gareth Bale will likely remain untouchable as an asset, although confidence and investment in those around him will surely decline.
Also be wary of…
Man United – wins against Bolton and Arsenal have resumed normal service but tests lie ahead. Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs all line up in the next five, which could hand City the chance to open the gap at the top. Wayne Rooney and Nani have disappointed of late, while Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck have stepped up – that pairing might be pushed to maintain their recent output, however.
Norwich – Steve Morison remains a popular target up front, but investors should be wary of a fixture list that has him face resurgent Sunderland and the tough Swansea and United defences in the next four. The home clash with Bolton may need to be profitable if Morison is to reward his new Fantasy owners.
