Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best and worst upcoming FPL fixtures?

We assess the Premier League clubs with the strongest and weakest runs of league matches over the coming weeks in our regular frisk of the fixture list.

Although our primary focus will be on a six-Gameweek lookahead in this article, we will scrutinise the longer-term prospects where relevant.

We’re still waiting for the top flight of English football to settle down to some extent, with only two of the traditional “big six” clubs currently to be found above 10th place.

Perhaps what we perceive to be normality won’t resume and upstarts like Everton, Leeds United and Aston Villa are here to stay at the top end of the table.

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that our Season Ticker, which is the primary source for this piece, has already had a tweak in terms of fixture difficulty rating: the table-topping Toffees, for example, have crossed over to the scarlet end of the colour spectrum.

There have been functionality improvements to the ticker on our home page, too, with ‘drag and drop’ returning and the ability to remove a Gameweek added.

THE STRONG

CRYSTAL PALACE

Next six: wol |LEE | bur | NEW | wba | TOT

Crystal Palace remain top of our Season Ticker over the next six Gameweeks, although their favourable run is bookended by tricky tests against a defensively solid Wolverhampton Wanderers and high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gameweek 8 visit of Leeds United is no straightforward prospect either, given the ease with which Marcelo Bielsa’s side brushed aside the previously unbeaten Aston Villa last Friday.

It’s the three fixtures that fall immediately after the international break that catch the eye most as Burnley, Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion all currently lie 14th or below in the embryonic Premier League table.

Wolves’ relative struggles in front of goal are also worth considering: four of the Eagles’ five Gameweek 7-11 opponents, including Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, are in the bottom half of the table for goals scored.

The Gameweek 5 and 6 fixtures were frustrating from a defensive perspective, with 90th-minute strikes, both from outside the box, depriving the Eagles of clean sheets.

Roy Hodgson’s troops were only a slice of luck away from shut-outs in both cases and, given their defence-first reputation, par for the next five Gameweeks would surely be at least two clean sheets.

EVERTON

Next six: new | MUN | ful | LEE | bur | CHE

As is the case with Palace, Everton’s schedule take a bit of a nosedive from Gameweek 12 onwards.

Not that our traditional view of what constitutes a tricky fixture seems to hold true at present, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) already delivering the goods against both Spurs and Liverpool.

If we are to consider games that are at least appealing on paper, then the Toffees’ next three away matches are among the best.

Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley have looked like three of the most anaemic attacks in the Premier League this season and rank in the bottom six for big chances created.

That trio of clubs only have two clean sheets between them, although the Clarets have begun to look more like their old mean selves since the international break and made life tough for Spurs on Monday.

ASTON VILLA

Next six: SOU | ars | BHA | whu | NEW | wol

Aston Villa’s 100% record came to a crashing end against Leeds United last Friday, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side delivering a reality check to the Villans.

Villa’s upcoming run of games, particularly at home, presents them with a decent opportunity to regain their momentum, however.

Dean Smith’s side sit top of our Season Ticker from now until Boxing Day, with Southampton, Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley and Crystal Palace up next for the Villans on their own turf and West Brom awaiting in Gameweek 15.

While some of those sides are performing well in the opening weeks of the campaign, that still constitutes a welcoming sequence of games in most people’s eyes.

Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves will be tough nuts to crack for Jack Grealish (£7.3m) and co on the road, however, with that trio of clubs among the more defensively secure sides in the division this season.

Villa’s fixtures rotate fairly well with those of both Newcastle and West Ham up until Christmas, should any FPL manager be considering a way to navigate those trickier tests for Smith’s troops.

WEST HAM UNITED

Next six: liv | FUL | shu| AVL | MUN | lee

Given that Frisking the Fixtures is a fortnightly series, West Ham United’s favourable run will have already commenced by the time we take a look over the schedule again during the international break.

The Hammers sit top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 8-20, with some particularly juicy games in east London to come against Fulham, Villa, Palace, Brighton, West Brom and Burnley over the next three months.

A trip to Anfield is the last obstacle before the November swing but the Reds are struggling for numbers at the back and this might be a decent time to face the reigning champions, who have conceded a joint-league-worst 14 goals this season.

Michail Antonio (£6.3m) has already bagged goals against Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester City in 2020/21, so the calibre of opposition seems to matter little to the in-form forward – although his hamstrings might have a say in his availability.

David Moyes’ side have been excellent since a Gameweek 2 switch to a wing-back system but it remains to be seen how they fare against sides who are more content to let the Hammers play on the front foot, which might be the case in Gameweeks 8 and 9.

CHELSEA

Next six: bur |SHU | new | TOT | LEE | eve

Were we to focus solely on the next three Gameweeks, then Chelsea would top the pile on our Season Ticker.

Two winless clubs in the relegation zone and an unconvincing Newcastle side are to come before things turn sour, with Chelsea facing none of the current bottom five between Gameweeks 10-18.

The Clarets and the Blades are the two worst attacks in the Premier League so far this season, with each scoring just three goals apiece.

Steve Bruce’s side have also looked toothless going forward, with no side having had fewer shots on target.

Four clean sheets in the last five matches in all competitions has hinted at a bit of a sea change for Chelsea, with new recruits Thiago Silva (£5.5m), Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) and Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) having the desired effect on a previously troubled defence.

At the other end, the Blues are now finally at full strength after an injury-interrupted start to 2020/21 and we’ll surely see a return to a more attacking set-up at Turf Moor on Saturday after the safety-first approach at Old Trafford in Gameweek 6.

ALSO CONSIDER

West Bromwich Albion (ful | TOT | mun | SHU | CRY | new), like so many clubs featured in this piece, have a mixed bag of games, with the double-header against Spurs and Manchester United the obvious negative.

Their other four opponents in the next six Gameweeks are all in the bottom half for goals scored, however, with Fulham and Sheffield United the only two top-tier sides yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet this season.

The Baggies have looked a lot more solid (against admittedly limited attacks) in the last two Gameweeks and their fixtures rotate very well with West Ham’s up until Christmas, for those nostalgic managers finding the allure of a romantic Branislav Ivanovic (£4.5m) pick hard to resist.

Top-of-the-table Everton, an improving Southampton and a Chelsea side finally nearing full strength are next up for Newcastle United (EVE | sou | CHE | cry | avl | WBA), an awkward trio of matches that undermines their lofty position in our Season Ticker.

Look beyond that though and there are some more appealing fixtures for the Magpies’ backline, with Palace, West Brom and Fulham (who Steve Bruce’s side face in Gameweek 14) hardly setting the world alight with their attacking play so far in 2020/21.

Those three teams are, as it happens, also in the bottom three for expected goals conceded, too.

Looking ahead to our next piece over the November international break, expect to see Manchester City (shu | LIV | tot | BUR | FUL | mun) feature more prominently as we gear up for their mouth-watering fixture swing in Gameweek 10.

THE WEAK

Fulham 

Sharp rescues blunt Blades as Mitrovic suffers nightmare outing

Next six: WBA | whu | EVE | lei | mci | LIV

A Gameweek 7 clash with fellow Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion will likely represent the last hurrah for Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.8m) in many Fantasy teams, for those managers who didn’t sell him long ago.

Fulham’s schedule is appalling from next week onwards, with four clubs scoring at a rate of two+ goals per game to come in Gameweeks 8-12 – the one exception being Manchester City, who will surely be back to their destructive best sooner rather than later.

Frankly, little more needs to be written on the matter. Some clubs, like West Ham, have been able to ride out a tough fixture run but the Cottagers, bottom of the table, winless and without a clean sheet despite a relatively favourable opening run of games, have “avoid” written all over them in the medium term at the very least.

BURNLEY

Pieters at right-back as Burnley reveal Bardsley's self-isolation

Next six: CHE | bha | CRY | mci | EVE | ars

While Fulham won’t be giving their upcoming opponents any nightmares, a streetwise Burnley side may be a tougher prospect.

The Clarets’ forthcoming fixture run, which includes meetings with attack-minded sides such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton, is enough to deter fresh investment in the likes of Nick Pope (£5.5m), despite a decent-looking double-header either side of the international break.

Sean Dyche’s side could still have a big say in FPL matters, however, with their defence starting to look more like their old selves since the October international break.

We indeed saw a free-scoring Spurs side struggle to break down their opponents at Turf Moor in Gameweek 6 and, over the course of the season, no Premier League side has allowed fewer big chances than Pope and co.

ALSO CONSIDER

Is a sea of red on the Season Ticker enough to put managers off Leeds United (LEI | cry | ARS | eve | che | WHU)?

All of the Whites’ next six opponents are currently ranked 12th or above, with Leicester, Arsenal and West Ham among the three best sides in the division from a defensive perspective.

But then that was also true of Aston Villa before Patrick Bamford (£5.9m) butchered Dean Smith’s side in the Midlands, with Marcelo Bielsa’s boys having previously gone toe to toe with last season’s top two and taken points off Manchester City.

Sheffield United (MCI | che | WHU | wba | LEI | sou) have neither form nor fixtures on their side over the next five Gameweeks (and possibly beyond), with the exception of the trip to West Brom in November.

So defensively solid in 2019/20, the Blades have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and face tough upcoming tests: Chelsea, West Ham and Leicester have all scored two goals per match or more, while Manchester City are long overdue a big win.

Finally, a cautionary word on two teams who will feature more prominently in this piece for all the wrong reasons when we revisit the fixture list over the international break.

The short-term outlook is positive for Wolverhampton Wanderers (CRY | lei | SOU | ars | liv | AVL) and Tottenham Hotspur (BHA | wba | MCI | che | ARS | cry), with the former enjoying a winnable next two matches at Molineux and the latter having perhaps the best pair of Gameweek 7/8 fixtures.

Beyond that, though, are more daunting schedules, with both sides facing six of last season’s top eight from Gameweeks 9-16 – that truly will be a test of form versus fixtures for the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Son Heung-min (£9.5m).


811 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rashford looks essential for GW9
    Could be a switch from Son given that's when his fixtures turn bad

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The E word.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son stays in my team till he's injured. Top scorer in the game right now

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fixtures don’t mean much right now. When rashford shows any signs of outscoring son, I’d consider choosing him (over son, may be an option over someone else).

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm planning to ditch Robbo for a good 4.5 and ditch either Barkley, Hames or Zaha for him.

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm buying Rash now I think. I have a direct swap open. It's too juicy to turn down.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I’d be tempted if I could do it for free without taking out salah or son, which I can’t.

        Looks a good option.

        United player price rise to incoming.

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Same. Plan has been slightly amended.

        I'm doing Alzate -> Rashford for free this week. Then getting Bruno in GW9 for the double up against WBA game, before Bruno -> KDB in GW10 for City's great fixtures.

        I love planning 😀

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Maybe Bruno -> KDB in GW11 instead actually... a bit of flexibility there.

        2. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'll be getting Rashford for double up and moving to KDB. Similar plans woohoo

        3. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I hate one week punts. Would just buy Sterling/KdB straight up or roll the FT in 9 so I can do a double switch for the City boys.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Bruno can stay for the Saints game too I guess. But I have no problem with one week punts when they're big hitters against whipping boys. I want to aggressively hunt for the 20pt hauls.

            Will be looking for City and Liverpool double ups in their WBA/FUL fixtures too.

    6. Kim Jong Kün
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What did I miss with Rashford? Seems everyone’s talking about him now.

  2. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martial taken Bruno’s penalties?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      lol

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Was genuinely asking lol. Was it to get his first goal of the season?

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yes sir. most likely the reason

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              No problem 🙂

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yep, Bruno gave it to Rash for his hat-trick who then gave it to Martial so he could get off the mark.

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Such love. I think I'm gonna cry :")

          2. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Love the team spirit within the main scorers

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bruno still on pens obviously. Martial needed his first goal of the season

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wish

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers all

    4. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's not like Bruno has been prolific from the spot lately.

  3. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Grealish - Sot (H) Ars (A)
    B) Pulisic - Bur (A) Shu (H)

    Who scores more over two GWs?

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        But then again I think it’s tight

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My reasoning would be Grealish will likely be involved in nearly all of Villa’s goals, whereas Chelsea’s I think will be spread

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ross Barkley says hi!

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B by some distance, but also for 1m more

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks guys just making sure.. it's the last piece of my Mid. Now to fix my defense

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would like to keep Bruno but the following for -4 is tempting....

    Buur to Chilwell
    Davis to Bamford
    Bruno to Grealish

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks excellent

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The 3 players on the right will certainly score mor points than the 3 on the left. But assuming 2 of the 3 on the left aren’t actually in your starting 11?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Correct, Bruno, Lamptey (this week) and Soucek would be leaving the XI

  5. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Change from plan A to B

    McCarthy
    TAA, Chilwell, Dallas
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Pulisic, Trossard
    DCL, Watkins
    Brewster, Lamptey, Mitchell

    A) Trossard&Brewster to Bissouma&Bamford
    B) Sterling&Trossard to Rashford/Fernandes&Foden

  6. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    United scored 4 goals with Bruno on the pitch. Bruno captain next week

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He is the KDB of the team. Not as effective obviously but so important to United

  7. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    GUNNER1290 4 Years47 mins ago
    1.2 in the bank 1 transfer. Any pressing issues here or shall I roll the transfer? Any advice appreciated.

    McCarthy (button)
    Trent Robbo Chilwell Mitchell (Justin)
    Salah son(c) Bruno Pulisic saintmax
    DCL (Brewste Davis

  8. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1.2 in the bank 1 transfer. Any pressing issues here or shall I roll the transfer? Any advice appreciated.

    McCarthy (button)
    Trent Robbo Chilwell Mitchell (Justin)
    Salah son(c) Bruno Pulisic saintmax
    DCL (Brewste Davis )

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Downgrade TAA...get another striker at some point

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, but not yet, next week.

  9. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I didn't watch the game but I take it Rashford is now back into consideration?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yurp

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Passed the eye test in spades.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Next week, yes. Hardly yet for many.

    4. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes he will be the flavour of the week. Then he’ll blank at the weekend and someone else will be, it’s one of those seasons (more than others).

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The name 'van Nistelrooy' kept getting thrown around between Lineaker, Rio, Scholes, Hargreaves post-game.

      Says it all really. He was phenomenal.

  10. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz owners, keeping or selling? Surely hes due a rest

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Selling. Was anonymous in a 4-0 win. Rashford in!

      1. Glokollur nr.1
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        wasn't he MOTM though?

  11. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Imagine thinking Rashford is essential because he scored a few against a farmer team with tired legs that wouldn't even survive in the championship...

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rashford in for a hit, done!

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        In for a hit is interesting

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Imagine taking anything Brosstan says seriously.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That farmer team is R.B. Leipzig. The current Bundesliga leaders ahead of Bayern Munich.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Farmer team leading a farmer league shocker

        1. StayoutheSpiceZone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Don’t get involved with this joker. Farmer league who have the champions of Europe in!

        2. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You've got it mixed up, the farmers are across the border

    4. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Well I think you’ve had enough nibbles to call that a success

  12. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jimenez and Trossard for Bamford and Rashford a no brainer right?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Long term maybe, is it for free

      1. StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Probably would then

  13. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need a 5.5 or less mid on wc , currently on harrison is he any good?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      mcginn for me

  14. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do sterling + podence > rashford + grealish/zaha-4 ?

    1. Salah(c)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Asking for a friend

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, sterling could easily get more points than the other 2 put together.

      Wait a week

  15. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A United player showing form causes more excitement (and price rises) than any other player

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      There was a good Meet the Manager video from a stock broker that described this phenomenon as 'hype stocks'.

      Might be a good opportunity to raise your TV.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I can’t do it in a way that doesn’t have major risk to this week’s points.

        If I could do it for a free I would maybe go for it. But I’d be taking out grealish and jimenez who both have good fixtures.

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    advice needed please

    2ft
    0 itb
    Ryan (steele)
    digne chilwell saiss (taylor mitchell)
    salah kdb foden perreira (mccarthy)
    kane werner watkins

    am thinking something dull like losing ryan or taylor and save one transfer. or maybe digne to castagne. any other suggestions more than welcome 🙂

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Digne has to go...

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        cheers. think castagne a decent replacement ? what about cancelo ?

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          It’s only a 1 week ban and Everton’s fixtures are still good

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            it s a hard one isnt it 🙂 thanks for input

          2. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            But Everton defence isn't any good. And digne doesn't take any setpieces anymore. It's all rodriguez now.

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              sp is a big factor yep. poop in pants as you said below 🙂

              1. Zimo
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                😆

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner and Perreira to Bamford and rashford will be popular

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        am defo keeping perreira this week but thanks 🙂

      2. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Wouldn’t be getting rid of Werner

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          i wont 😉

        2. Kane Train
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Digne > someone and bank other transfer

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            will probably do that. not over excited by potential replacements though.. thanks for input 🙂

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      thanks all, will probably sell digne, just have to find for who 🙂

  17. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Alex Telles has tested positive to Covid-19

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Well poop in pants. The whole squad is gunna get feked now.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Woof. Definitely gonna wait until Friday afternoon before confirming transfers. Could be more COVID cases confirmed come then.

  18. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A)Barnes to Pulisic
    B) Do something about my weak defense? Taylor, Lamptey, Saiss, Mitchell, James
    C) Jiminez and Barnes > Mane and Bamford (-4)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      b 100%

      1. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, but who to get?

        Dont want liverpool atm
        Have James , and could play next given that he didtnt play CL today

        Taylor > ?

  19. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The only issue I have with rashford is that it feels like he needs a very specific game situation to really excel (wide open due to teams chasing).

    I can’t claim to be a

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      United expert, but I kinda of get that feeling from the games I’ve watched.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Im probably not gonna get him unless bruno magically stops taking pens. Then easy switch from Bruno to Rashford. And i don't want to lose my other 4 mids either.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I’m not ruling him out. Wide open games seems to be the trend this season to be fair

      2. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Like tonight?

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That was clearly a good will gesture

          1. Brimble82
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Hope so (Bruno owner)

        2. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Martial took it because he needed a goal badly like rashford last season with Bournemouth. He's still first choice pen taker

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I get that impression too.

      But as we saw with the Newcastle game, when a team goes down against United, in the last 10 minutes, they start to push up and chase the game, leaving them wide open for the counter. Happened against Leipzig too. United are lethal on the counter, and can use it to punish losing teams late in the game.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Just realised your brackets pretty much said what I did 😆

        The question is whether United can get their noses in front most games so Rashford can take advantage on the counter. And I think they have enough talent to break buses now with Bruno & Cavani, and a wealth of quality to bring off the bench. Donny, Pogba, Bruno, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Mata... the options are scary.

  20. GW6 Review
    BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The Review: GW 6

    Hi everyone, welcome to the latest edition of “The Review” where I analyze the Premier League football played at the weekend:

    (Data taken from FFScout with consent)

    1) Are Leeds United the real deal? What does this form hold in store for Patrick Bamford?

    I think it is fair that I start with Leeds this week. Coming on the back of a massive win against Aston Villa, Leeds are now top for shots inside the box (53) over the past four GWs. Bamford is in red hot form at the moment and the incredible upturn in his conversion rate can be witnessed here:

    Bamford 19/20: (45 games)
    Big chances = 44
    Big chances missed = 34
    Goals = 16

    Bamford 20/21: (6 games)
    Big chances = 4
    Big chances missed = 2
    Goals = 6

    I’m not sure this conversion rate will be sustainable but given the amount of big chances Leeds have started creating of late, I think Bamford will be good value at £5.9 million. Now let’s do a deep dive and compare how Leeds and Bamford have fared in the first couple of GWs compared to the last four:

    Leeds (First two GWs) vs Leeds (Last four GWs):
    Shots in the box per game: 6 v 13.25
    Mins per big chance: 180 v 32.7

    Bamford (First two GWs) vs Bamford (Last four GWs):
    Shots in the box per game: 1 v 4.5
    Mins per big chance: 180 v 72

    By looking at these, there's no doubt that Bamford appears to have found his feet inside the league, and may end up on the scoresheet frequently under an agile and potent looking Bielsa team.

    2) Should faith be shown in Raúl Jiménez, Romain Saïss and Max Kilman?

    After the 1-1 draw with Newcastle, Wolves are now second worst for big chances and xG (1.14) over the past two GWs. During this spell, Raúl Jiménez has had just the two shots inside the box and no big chances yet has scored twice. Fair to say he's worth keeping for Palace at home but over the long term given the lack of goal threat from Wolves you will find better options in terms of value out there.

    Despite doing so poorly in attack, there is some hope as far as the Wolves defence is concerned. Looking at the figures, no team has conceded fewer big chances than Wolves over the past two GW’s. They seem like the ideal team to back for low scoring affairs. I will further analyze their defence by running this comparison down below to highlight the improvement they have made after starting the season poorly in terms of underlying defensive numbers:

    Wolves (GW 1-3) vs Wolves (GW 4-6):
    Big chances conceded: 7 v 2
    Shots in the box conceded: 29 v 21

    The improvement is evident and another clean sheet against Palace might be on the cards – Wolves, after Man City, are the most likely team to keep a clean sheet this week according to the bookie odds. Coming to their individual defenders, Kilman delivered yet another solid performance over the weekend and looks set to keep his place – at £4.2 million he is tremendous value. There are growing murmors amongst the Wolves fans to recall Marcal into the starting 11. Growing through their forums, I found that the vast majority of them think that Saïss might get dropped this week despite his stellar performances, because they don’t consider him to be a natural wing back and think that Marcal might be better suited to that position. What happens though remains to be seen.

    3) Is Wilfried Zaha finally a reliable FPL player this season?

    Crystal Palace created the second highest number of big chances this week, with Zaha being involved in every single one of them. I’m not sure whether to put this down to Palace’s potency or Fulham’s habitual generosity. I’d suspect it was the latter because before this GW, Palace were second worst for non-penalty xG and shots inside the box since the season had started which highlighted their negligible goal threat.

    Zaha’s numbers individually this season are far better than last season, which suggests that he might finally start being a reliable FPL asset rather than showing glimpses and blowing hot and cold:

    Zaha (This season) vs Zaha (Last season):

    Mins per shot in the box: 41.5 v 68.3
    Mins per big chance: 90 v 656
    Mins per big chance created: 270 v 820

    Zaha has been the most advanced player for Palace and has been involved in eight of Palace’s 11 big chances this season. This ∼72% involvement rate is exceptional and suggests that whenever Palace are to score, Zaha is highly likely to be at the end of their goals – particularly given that he’s on penalties now. It’s just whether Palace will score enough goals. The upcoming fixtures (wol LEE bur NEW wba) are decent but given Wolves’ defensive form, you can hold off on investing this week.

    4) Is Jack Grealish worth the extra million over Ross Barkley and is it worth keeping Aston Villa’s assets following the loss to Leeds?

    Here I run a comparison over Grealish vs Barkley over the past two GWs, which is pertinent to highlight the impact of the slight deeper role Barkley has adopted since Villa have switched to a 4-3-3:

    Grealish vs Barkley (last two GWs):

    Shots in the box: 2 v 1
    Big chances: 2 v 0
    Big chances created: 1 v 1
    Penalty area touches: 18 v 5

    As you can see Grealish is equaling or bettering Barkley in every stat, and looking at the previous two fixtures Grealish has been far more advanced than Barkley ever since Hourihane has been dropped. Both are sharing set piece duties so Barkley still has some assist potential but with better underlying numbers for goal threat and greater penalty area involvement I think Grealish is the choice to go for out of the two.

    Looking at Villa's previous fixture against Leeds, I think Leeds may have been lucky to walk away with a clean sheet. With a xG of 1.45, Villa were the team with the highest xG and most amount of big chances not to have scored this week. Watkins had a big chance right at the end while Grealish had two himself with one being heroically cleared off the line. Furthermore, Villa are amongst the top three for big chances and in the top five for xG from open play over the span of the past four GWs. For me they are still worth keeping – even though Southampton may present yet another stern test at the weekend having conceded the least amount of big chances of any team over the past four GWs.

    5) Would Everton still look as menacing as they did at the start of the season after the loss of crucial players?

    Everton failed to register a big chance in a league game for the first time this GW v Southampton so the impact of the absence of star players Richarlison and Digne was there for all to see. When only Richarlison got injured against Brighton, Everton created four big chances during the course of the game despite losing him and Calvert-Lewin was on the scoresheet. Given the lack of a reasonable sample size, it's pretty hard to predict how they fare without their two star players this week v Newcastle but I’d expect a reaction. Calvert-Lewin at £7.7 million is still a hold for me as he’s joint top for big chances (8) in the league and with favorable fixtures to follow (new MUN ful LEE bur), he can continue to do well. It’s also worth noting that Digne and Richarlison will both be back for the Fulham fixture, so Everton will soon be at full strength.

    6) Who is the best captain choice this week?

    I still think that despite a blank vs Sheffield United, Mohammed Salah is the best captaincy shout this week. No team registered more big chances than Liverpool this GW and no player recorded more big chances than Salah, so Salah was unlucky to register. Salah had a goal disallowed and even had two other big chances apart from that. No team has recorded more big chances than Liverpool this season, while no player has had more shots in the box than Salah during this spell. Salah also has the best odds of scoring a goal and Liverpool are most likely to score 2.5+ goals according to the bookies this GW. With Salah being eligible for extra points per clean sheet and goal over a forward, I think this makes him the best choice for the armband this GW.

    Harry Kane and Sadio Mané are also viable alternatives this week. I speak more about them in the sections below.

    7) In this section, I discuss Heung Min Son and Harry Kane and look at their performances in detail.

    Since the start of the season no duo in Europe's top five have combined for a goal more than Son and Kane (9). Due to his immaculate form, Son sits top of the goal scoring charts in the Premier League. Kane, meanwhile, tops the chart for having the most goal involvements after five games throughout the history of the Premier League with the likes of Thierry Henry to follow while Son stands fourth in that list showing the attacking potential this duo possesses. Also, another point to note is that a third of Harry Kane's all time PL assists have come in his last five games. No wonder that he sits top of all players in the league for big chances created this season.

    Here I also run the scanner over their performances home and away this year:

    Son (Home) vs Son (Away):

    Mins per shots in the box: 71.7 v 31.5
    Mins per big chance: 215 v 36
    Mins per big chances created: 107.5 v 252
    xG: 0.78 v 1.91
    FPL points per game: 5.3 v 17.7

    Kane (Home) vs Kane (Away):
    Mins per shots in the box: 24.5 v 33
    Mins per big chance: 90 v 88
    Mins per big chances created: 90 v 53
    xG: 2.45 v 1.95

    The stats significantly show how potent Son is when plays an away fixture, so this suggests that Kane might be a more reliable captaincy shout at home while Son being the one to captain away.

    8) How does City attack compare this season to last? Is it worth keeping their attacking assets?

    Let us look at some numbers to see how City have fared in the opening GWs compared to last season:

    Man City first 5 games 19/20 v Man City first 5 games 20/21
    Shots in the box: 74 v 44
    Big chances: 22 v 9
    Goals: 16 v 8

    Man City 19/20 v Man City 20/21
    Average shot distance (m): 16.88 v 19.27
    xG per shot average: 0.142 (League rank: 2nd) v 0.099 (League rank: 18th)

    Huge drop in attacking underlying statistics suggests that so far Man City have been a shadow of the team they were last season.

    And now with Guardiola taking Agüero off at half time on the weekend and stating it as a muscular injury which means a minimum unavailability for at least a fortnight, it is expected that Sterling will be entrusted with the striker position one more time with Jesus not returning this week. Sterling managed to have the only big chance during the previous league fixture v West Ham and was through on goal twice but fluffed his lines. There were also a couple of moments where Cancelo was in behind the West Ham line and Sterling was perfectly positioned for the opportunity but unluckily a goal never resulted.

    Now that De Bruyne is back, he will be on penalty duties and even though mixed fixtures are to follow (shu LIV tot BUR FUL) expect the City duo to feature whenever Man City do get on the scoresheet. Furthermore, it would make little sense to get rid of them right now only to get them back for a favorable run of fixtures post GW 10, since transfers are precious at this point of the season. Phil Foden, meanwhile scored off the bench, and is expected to keep his place. He will continue to offer great value at £6.6 million.

    9) How do Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané compare this season?

    Mané and Salah one week or the other have both featured heavily on the scoresheet for Liverpool. And when playing together, in their last four matches Mané has outscored Salah in FPL points by a margin of 20 points, 4G 2A vs 1G 1A, respectively. Lets take a further look how they have fared this season:

    Mané v Salah:
    Total Big Chances: 8 v 6
    Shots in the Box: 14 v 22
    xG Open Play: 4.03 v 2.08

    It’s important to note that Mané missed a fixture though, so let’s work some averages for a more relevant understanding:

    Mané v Salah:
    Mins per shots in the box: 31.4 v 24.5
    Mins per big chance: 55 v 90
    Mins per big chance created: 220 v 135

    Now that we have all the data, it’s fair to say that Mané in isolation has the better numbers when you look at goal threat – particularly from open play. He’s an excellent differential to captain for those who don’t own Salah. Salah, meanwhile, has the safety blanket of penalties but despite his higher volume of shots inside the box, the quality of chances hasn’t been as great as Mané’s.

    10) Lucas Digne – hold or sell? If yes, then for whom?

    Digne’s ban has been reduced to just a one game suspension which makes this a slightly tricky decision. I’d probably take this as an opportunity to sell, because I don’t think Digne justifies the lofty £6.2m price tag. Everton’s defensive numbers are decent but given that Digne has lost the majority of set pieces to James Rodríguez and Pickford doesn’t look assured in goal would make me lean towards selling.

    I think Ben Chilwell could be a good shout if you’re looking for a replacement. Since Chilwell’s first appearance for Chelsea, he ranks second only to Robertson for touches in the final third (99 v 117). He also ranks top for creating chances (9) amongst defenders over this period. Chelsea are also best for big chances conceded over the past three GW’s and with the return to fitness of Edouard Mendy in goal (who has now kept four clean sheets in his previous four Chelsea appearances), Chelsea’s defence looks more assured of all a sudden. The Blues have a favorable run of fixtures (bur SHU new) over the short term and given Chilwell’s potential to deliver points at both end of the field, chances are that he will do well. It’s worth noting that he has been on corner-kick duties since his return and continued to be on corner kicks in the Champions League v Krasnodar despite the presence of Ziyech.

    If you are looking to follow more of my content, follow me at:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigmanbakar

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/bigmanbakar

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtIPFexB6PLKNNl0XH3SKKw

    Thank you so much for supporting my work!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You should be studying!

      (Thanks, much appreciated. I'll give this a read in the morning)

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks as always for sharing all your hard work Bakar. GL this GW mate.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great stuff again big man

    4. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Logged in just to thank you.

    5. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Appreciate your posts as always. Thanks for the data

    6. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hulk this! Top work as ever, thanks Big Man.

    7. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      +1

    8. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Best article of the week, thanks

    9. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fantastic stuff as ever. Cheers Bigman!

    10. Pointless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Best read of the week! Thanks Bakar.

    11. Hits Magnet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice read, very well presented. Thanks 🙂

  21. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan. 4m
    Lamptey, TAA, Justin, Mitchell, Dunne
    Salah, Son, Podence, Mahrez, Anguissa
    DCL, Kane, Jiminez

    No FT. IBT: .6m

    Any short-term or long-term suggestions?

    Cheers!

  22. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Meslier
    TAA Coady Lamptey
    Salah Fernandes Jorginho Mahrez
    DCL Maupay Kane

    Forster Konsa Stephens Douglas

    2 FT FT, 0.0 itb

    What to do here ?

    Maupay >> Bamford ? Anything else ?

    Thanks

  23. Glokollur nr.1
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On a WC
    Ings - grealish
    or
    Watkins - rashford
    ?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t like Watkins as a pick at all, so it’s 2 good players or 1.

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings Grealish all day for me.

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Me 2

  24. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling > Rashford for free, yes or no?

    Sterling may rest this gw and then he has two tricky fixtures. Will wildcard gw 10.

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd hold Sterling personally but it could work out, go with your gut, if you like it make the move.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure I'd want Rashford against the Arsenal bus ; if the Chelsea game is anything to by it'll be bus vs bus again.

  25. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which duo do you prefer?
    1: Robertson and Pulisic
    2: Chilwell and Rashford

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1 ; Chelsea have the fixtures.

      1. Glokollur nr.1
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        2 for me.
        Liv backline in doubt

  26. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A or B?
    A) Jimi -> Kane or
    B) Podence to Grealish/Zaha

  27. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Trossard vs aurier
    Ayling vs justin
    Zaha vs semedo
    Even laca should go
    Brewster is bad
    Should i wildcard my team
    Despite getting really good points this season so far

  28. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Meslier
    TAA Coady Lamptey
    Salah Fernandes Jorginho Mahrez
    DCL Maupay Kane

    Forster Konsa Stephens Douglas

    2 FT FT, 0.0 itb

    What to do here ?

    Maupay >> Bamford ? Anything else ?

    Thanks all

  29. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    which option is best guys ?

    A) Grealish > Rashford
    B) Brewster > Bamford
    C) Brewster > Adams

    Martinez (steer)
    Saiss, Robbo, Chilwell (lamptey, Mitchell)
    Podence, Foden, Son, Salah, Grealish
    DCL, Kane (Brewster).

  30. DameCorp
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What's the latest on Antonio? Rather him than Bamford given their fixtures after this weekend.

    Seems like the masses are flocking to Bamford though.