Frisking The Fixtures – Gameweek 2 – The Strong

Gameweek 1 sprang more than a few surprises on us, but the show moves on, and with it the opportunity to seek out the teams with the best schedules ahead.

Before each deadline, we’ll focus on the next four-to-six Gameweeks in an attempt to identify those sides that should be entering or exiting our mid-term plans based on the run of fixtures to come. For the key teams identified, we’ll assess their prospects in terms of goals and clean sheets and also pinpoint the stage at which their schedule turns.

This week’s analysis kicks off with those treated with the strongest run of opponents from Gameweek 2 onwards.

Newcastle United

(hud WHU swa STO bha LIV)
The Prospects – Goals
The upcoming schedule could hardly be more favourable for the Magpies’ attack. West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool shipped nine goals between them on the opening weekend, while Swansea City allowed the most shots from inside the box (16).

The matches against Huddersfield Town and Stoke City could also yield goals.

While Rafa Benitez’s side didn’t score against Spurs, they did manage a reasonable six shots from inside the box, given that they were reduced to 10 men shortly after half-time.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
West Ham, Swansea, Stoke and Brighton all failed to score in Gameweek 1, with the final three sides producing the fewest close-range efforts among all 20 teams.

Huddersfield may find it difficult to maintain their 66.7% shot conversion rate, leaving the Gameweek 7 meeting with Liverpool as the only difficult fixture over the next six.

The Magpies limited Spurs to 10 shots from inside the penalty area despite the sending off, but will be hurt by the loss of Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune to injury.

The Turning Point
Newcastle face a trickier run from Gameweek 7 onwards, although they still have reasonable home matches against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth during that spell.

Verdict
Matt Ritchie should have a monopoly on set-pieces with Jonjo Shelvey suspended, which boosts his appeal. Christian Atsu (5.0) looked lively against Spurs, though, and could offer better value. The injuries to Dummett and Lejeune damage the prospects of the Newcastle defence, despite the hugely promising fixtures. That could also see Rob Elliot benched in favour of a 4.5 option in many squads.

Southampton

(WHM hud WAT cpl MUN sto)
The Prospects – Goals
Watford, and in particular Crystal Palace, endured difficult opening matches, shipping three goals apiece.

The West Ham, Huddersfield and Stoke clashes are also promising, although the Manchester United fixture is a stern test.

Despite producing more shots (29) than any other side in Gameweek 1, Saints toiled to a sixth blank in their last seven home matches.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
It’s in defence where we have far more confidence in backing Mauricio Pellegrino’s men.

After recording 14 clean sheets last term, they delivered once again in the goalless draw with Swansea.

The home encounters against West Ham and Watford look positive in terms of garnering further defensive returns, while Stoke failed to create a big chance in their 1-0 defeat to Everton.

The Turning Point

Gameweek 12 marks the tipping point for Saints, with matches against Liverpool and Everton beginning a brutal run which is likely to see Southampton players exit our 15-man squads.

Verdict
Ryan Bertrand snared two bonus points against the Swans and looks the pick of the defenders if your budget can stretch. Maya Yoshida, Cedric Soares and Jack Stephens all offer solid value, though. In attack, belief in Manolo Gabbiadini is waning once more, with Charlie Austin waiting in the wings for his opportunity.

Manchester United

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The Prospects – Goals
Following the 4-0 demolition of West Ham, confidence in the United attack is soaring.

They produced 21 shots against the Hammers, with Jose Mourinho’s selection of Juan Mata ahead of Ander Herrera showing a willingness to be more attacking when weaker sides visit Old Trafford.

Avoiding all of last season’s top six during this period makes doubling up on the United attack look a viable strategy.

The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Mourinho’s men were fairly solid at the back in Gameweek 1, allowing just nine shots in total.

Four of their next six opponents failed to score on the opening weekend, while a match-up with Southampton also holds some appeal.

With Nemanja Matic imperious in front of the back four, members of United’s backline should continue to prosper.

The Turning Point
United’s kind run continues for quite some time, with the Gameweek 8 trip to Liverpool marking the start of a tricky four-match run which includes fixtures against Spurs and Chelsea.

Verdict
While Romelu Lukaku is found in over half of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads, the option to double-up with either Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Paul Pogba looks tempting based on the West Ham performance. At the back, Phil Jones looks the value pick, with Victor Lindelof set to be eased in by Mourinho. Otherwise, it’s David de Gea who stands out as a combination of security and value. Having said that, we should monitor the influence of Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind – if the latter retains his start in away matches, his role on set-pieces promotes his appeal as a 5.5 option.

Huddersfield Town

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The Prospects – Goals
Our view of the Terriers’ attack has changed drastically following an emphatic 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

With four of their next six at home, investing in a budget Huddersfield option looks far more appealing.

Sunday’s home match-up with Newcastle certainly offers plenty of promise, given the Magpies’ injury and suspension woes.
The Prospects – Clean Sheets
Much the same can be said about the Huddersfield defence, although they did concede 14 shots at Selhurst Park.

There’s perhaps less belief in their defensive assets, then, with the Leicester and Spurs fixtures likely to stretch their resolve.

David Wagner’s approach at home will be of interest and, if they look capable of adding to the opening day shutout over the coming weeks, there is no doubting there is value on offer.

The Turning Point
The Spurs meeting in Gameweek 7 signals the start of a tough run for the newly promoted side. Clashes against Man United and Liverpool follow soon after, making it unlikely we’ll carry Huddersfield assets beyond that point.

Verdict
Steve Mounie looks a viable third forward option during this run of fixtures, while Aaron Mooy may provide value in midfield. In defence, Chris Lowe looks the pick of the bunch, although goalkeeper Jonas Lossl’s save and bonus point potential could make him an attractive proposition.

Also consider…

West Bromwich Albion
The 1-0 victory over Bournemouth may have highlighted the limitations of the Baggies’ attack, but their set-piece threat remains very strong.

Only Huddersfield (10) conceded more chances from set-plays than Saturday’s opponents Burnley (seven), which could potentially be good news for the likes of Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi.

Home fixtures against Stoke, West Ham and Watford look promising from a defensive standpoint, further enhancing the claims of West Brom defenders.

A road trip to Brighton, who struggled for a cutting edge against Man City, should also hold no fears.

Brighton & Hove Albion
The fact that it took Man City 70 minutes to break the deadlock on Saturday bodes well for the prospects of the Seagulls’ defence.

Pep Guardiola’s side only managed six shots inside the box, so ahead of reasonable match-ups against Watford, West Brom, Bournemouth and Newcastle, backing the organised Brighton defence could pay off.

Markus Suttner is the preferred option with his attacking and dead-ball potential, while Mat Ryan is another candidate in goal.

Chris Hughton’s side mustered a mere six shots in Gameweek 1, but with Anthony Knockaert in line to return to the starting XI this weekend, more is expected from the Seagulls’ attack.

West Ham United
The Hammers move from ‘The Weak’ to ‘The Strong’ in the space of one Gameweek, with their difficult trip to Man United out of the way.

They still play three of their next four on the road, taking in visits to Southampton, Newcastle and West Brom, but with a home meeting against Huddersfield also on the horizon, things gradually begin to pick up.

The summer signings should start to settle in over the next few weeks, with Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez set to be viable options by the time they meet the Terriers in Gameweek 4.