We turn our attentions to Gameweek 21 this morning, with league action set to commence in just seven days’ time. Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew are handed some kind opening fixtures at the helm of West Brom and Crystal Palace respectively, whilst Man United and Sunderland are also afforded a degree of optimism thanks to the upcoming schedule.

SUNDERLAND

With just one win in their last ten league outings, Gus Poyet’s side are in need of a dose of rescue remedy at the start of the New Year. Fortunately for the Black Cats, the impending fixture list looks promising, with four home encounters on their imminent agenda; Liverpool travel to the Stadium of Light next weekend, with Burnley, QPR and West Brom also heading to the north west in the next six.

Although last Thursday’s fight-back at Man City ultimately proved unfruitful, Sunderland will be nonetheless buoyed by their spirited display ahead of that kind run of matches. The Wearsiders’ lack of results certainly hasn’t been down to their rearguard who have registered five shut-outs in their last nine displays, and their budget defensive options could now receive plenty of attention. The 4.5-valued Costel Pantilimon’s authoritative performances between the sticks have played a big role in their defensive fortunes, though with Patrick van Aanholt and Anthony Reveillere expected back in mid-January, there’s plenty of uncertainty at full-back, with the likes of Santiago Vergini and Billy Jones also in contention. Vergini’s versatility could see him switch to centre-half, though.

Further forward, strikers Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher have managed a single goal between them since Gameweek 10, though the form of Adam Johnson offers hope. The 6.0-priced midfielder has earned returns in five of his previous six appearances, courtesy of three goals and an assist, and looks an in-form differential option for our five-man midfields for the remainder of the winter.

WEST BROM

Hardly the most appealing of Fantasy prospects in recent months, the Baggies have registered a single win in their last ten and picked up five points in the process. The instalment of Tony Pulis, however, could bring West Brom’s defence back onto our radars if the former Palace boss can instill the same sort of resilience that harvested 10 clean sheets in his 26 matches in charge at Palace last term.

With an enticing schedule now lying in wait, interest in the Baggies’ assets could be set to pick up. The Midlands outfit welcome Hull, Spurs and Swansea in the next six, and with trips to Everton, Burnley and Sunderland also coming up, Pulis has one of the kindest schedules around.

Despite their lowly league position, West Brom have registered as many clean sheets as third-placed Man United this season, and Andre Wisdom (4.4) and Ben Foster (4.6) may be set to offer considerable value across that forthcoming schedule. Further forward, Stephane Sessegnon has impressed of late, grabbing four assists in his last five starts, and the Benin international’s creativity could prove central to Pulis’ renaissance plans. Saido Berahino, meanwhile, scored for the first time since Gameweek 9 on New Year’s Day, and delivered maximum bonus points – after falling down the pecking order, he’ll be hoping to cement a starting berth once again and offer Fantasy managers another budget forward to consider.

MAN UNITED

A 1-1 draw at Stoke extended the Red Devils’ unbeaten run to ten league encounters, and the forthcoming fixture list will provide Louis van Gaal’s men with every chance of prolonging that streak. United entertain Southampton at Old Trafford next weekend in what could prove to be a decisive match in the hunt for Champions League qualification and they then face QPR, Leicester and Burnley in three of their following four. With clashes against Newcastle and Sunderland also further down the line, United have the opportunity to build up a real head of steam before the road gets rough from Gameweek 29 onwards.

David De Gea’s status as the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game’s most popular goalkeeper shouldn’t change, then, and with United’s rearguard having conceded just three times in the last five outings, their other backline assets could now warrant interest; the 5.2-priced pair Phil Jones and Jonny Evans look nailed on, though Rafael will be hoping to cement the right wing-back berth should Ashley Young be ruled out for an extended period of time with the hamstring injury suffered at the Britannia.

With Angel Di Maria still struggling with pelvic problems, Juan Mata continues to earn starts in the United midfield, and has recorded 28 points in his last three home appearances. Up top, managers have the pleasure and pain of a trio of options to choose from. Wayne Rooney’s (10.8) minutes are secured, though his recent withdrawal to a deeper midfield role is a deterrent, whilst up top, Radamel Falcao (10.5) is starting to suggest he could offer us a viable alternative to Robin Van Persie (12.5) – the Colombian has notched returns in three of his last four, and his cheaper price tag and 2.6% ownership could persuade some to place their faith in his abilities.

Crystal Palace

With Alan Pardew taking up the Selhurst Park reigns, hope for survival has been renewed, despite the Eagles’ run of just one win in their last 14 league matches. A tricky meeting with Spurs is first up for the new boss, though encounters with Burnley, Everton and Leicester in their subsequent three offer the platform for the new boss to be an instant hit with the Palace fans.

Back-to-back clean sheets have offered promise for the Eagles’ backline assets, with the 4.9-valued Scott Dann the stand-out pick after also scoring in Gameweek 18. Indeed, it’s their capabilities at the other end of the pitch that has been the main problem for the Londoners, who have scored just twice in their last seven, and with Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie off to compete in the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, the onus now lies with the likes of Jason Puncheon and Man United loanee Wilfried Zaha to deliver.

Also Consider…

Burnley
The Clarets are offered a plum next four to help them find their first win since Gameweek 16; vital home meetings with fellow relegation battlers QPR and Crystal Palace are first up, before a trip to Sunderland and then another Turf Moor fixture against West Brom. Back-to-back goals have raised George Boyd’s Fantasy status from bench warmer to first XI material, and his band of owners will now face the dilemma of how to fit him into their plans over the next four. Strike duo Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes will also be prime candidates for investment, and having proved their mettle against some of the league’s top clubs, they could cause havoc against their lowly opponents.

Leicester
Nigel Pearson’s battlers also have the upcoming schedule in their favour. Just like the Clarets, the Foxes also boast three home fixtures in that period, with Aston Villa, Stoke and Crystal Palace all rolling up to the King Power Stadium. The Africa Cup of Nations looks set to hit Nigel Pearson’s side particularly hard, with the in-form duo of Jeffrey Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez both set to head off to the competition – in their absence, the likes of Leonardo Ulloa and David Nugent, who has earned a goal and an assist in his last two outings, will need to step up to the plate.

Arsenal
The Gunners boast three enticing home fixtures in their next five, as Stoke, Aston Villa and Leicester travel to the Emirates. Arsene Wenger will be hopeful of overturning the dire defensive form that has seen his side concede in their last seven league displays, with 5.2-priced right back Mathieu Debuchy most likely to attract investment if they can tighten up. Further forward, Alexis Sanchez (11.4) and Santi Cazorla (8.2) could be primed to profit – the former has delivered over nine points per appearance over his last three at the Emirates and could punish those who chose to look elsewhere after his blanks in the previous two Gameweeks. Olivier Giroud is available again up front, and having scored three times in the two matches prior to suspension, could appeal to those Wilfried Bony owners looking for a similarly priced replacement.

Liverpool
Thursday’s collapse against Leicester came as something of a surprise after Brendan Rodgers’ outfit had seemingly found their form with an authoritative 4-1 victory over Swansea only three days beforehand. With a top-four finish still within reach, however, the Merseysiders will now be looking to rediscover their resilience and string together some form over the coming weeks, in which they are blessed with a selection of promising fixtures; trips to Sunderland and Aston Villa are up next, followed by a home meeting with West Ham and a visit to struggling rivals Everton.

At the back, Martin Skrtel sat out the Foxes clash due to suspension, though averaged a notable 5.6 points per appearance across his previous five, and, at 5.8, remains the best candidate within the Reds’ rearguard. However, it will be in midfield that Liverpool will receive the most attention, with a recent tactical switch raising the potential of a number of their assets. Raheem Sterling (8.4), Philippe Coutinho (7.6) and Adam Lallana (8.3) have been fielded as the front three over the last five Gameweeks, and whilst the latter’s thigh injury will be a concern, the former two underlined their appeal with an assist apiece against the Foxes. Coutinho is finally beginning to show his class this season, having now delivered points in each of his last four outings, and with an ownership still at just 3.3%, he looks a great differential right now.