Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 34 – The Strong

We turn our attentions to the upcoming fixture list now and assess those sides with some favourable schedules over the next four-to-five Gameweeks. The upcoming double plays a part in our thinking, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester offering reason to retain their chief assets for the run-in.

CHELSEA

Jose Mourinho’s tactical masterclass against United ensured that the Blues are now just two wins away from lifting the title – a feat they could potentially complete this Gameweek courtesy of their double-header. A crucial showdown with second-placed Arsenal is first up, followed by a trip to relegation battlers Leicester, and most managers are likely to be holding at least two of the Blues’ assets prior to Saturday’s deadline. Beyond that, the Londoners are offered three favourable fixtures in the run-in (CPL, wba, SUN) to deliver the points again.

With Mourinho clearly happy to shut up shop and grind out results, doubling up on Chelsea’s rearguard looks a worthwhile option. Branislav Ivanovic is assured for most courtesy of his threat going forward, whilst John Terry also looks likely to deliver the points and may partner the Serb in a number of side’s backlines. Thibaut Courtois is also worth considering here as a result of his more economical 5.9 price tag.

In the middle of the park, Eden Hazard’s storming form has shown no sign of abating, with the Belgian’s winner against United taking his recent tally to three goals and two assists in his previous four appearances. He, too, should be nailed on for most, though Cesc Fabregas is also in the frame for inclusion having registered returns in three of the last four Gameweeks. The 9.3-rated Spaniard’s prospects could also be aided by his past experience in the false nine role with his national side and Barcelona, as Mourinho may head into the Gunners clash without a recognised striker and be forced into a tactical reshuffle. Should one of Didier Drogba or Loic Remy prove their fitness in time, however, they will also throw their hats into the ring, with both appealing as differential forward options for the double, providing Diego Costa remains on the sidelines.

LIVERPOOL

Dumped out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers’ outfit now resume league duties as they continue their push for Champions League football next season. Fantasy managers are sure to be scrambling for their headline assets prior to Saturday’s deadline with a double Gameweek now on the cards that offers two promising away dates at West Brom and Hull, though the schedule beyond that suggests that those who choose to invest should consider retaining their picks for the remainder of the campaign, with home clashes against QPR and Crystal Palace coming up in the final four Gameweeks.

With the best defensive record of any Premier League side in 2015, having earned eight clean sheets this calendar year, it’s more than a little surprising that the most popular option in the Reds’ rearguard currently sits on an ownership of just 9.5%. We can expect to see a hike in interest around the likes of Martin Skrtel and Simon Mignolet going into this weekend, however; Skrtel has collected 22 bonus points, more than any defender this season, whilst his aerial threat from set pieces boosts a clear attraction. The 5.3-rated Alberto Moreno is the alternative here, with the Spaniard’s 18 attempts on goal this term bettering any of his backline team-mates.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho each offer their own merits. Henderson’s recent surge in output has seen him deliver returns in five of the last six Gameweeks and offer excellent value at 6.7, whilst Sterling has a goal and assist in the last two league outings and was moved up front against Villa in a 3-4-2-1 for the weekend cup defeat. Sterling could retain that role if Daniel Sturridge is ruled out again, though Rodgers fielded Philippe Coutinho in a false nine role against Newcastle last time out and could utilised the Brazilian – who has scored in two of his last three in all competitions – centrally again if he moves back to 4-3-3.
 

LEICESTER

An unlikely source of Fantasy attention for the majority of the campaign, the Foxes recent performances, coupled with their impending double, has seen a swing in interest towards their assets over the past few weeks. The Midlanders head to a goal-shy Burnley side on Saturday for what should be a relegation dogfight, followed by a home meeting with Chelsea next Wednesday evening. With three attractive home fixtures (NEW, SOU, QPR) and trip to Sunderland left to play, there’s enough reason to believe that Nigel Pearson’s men can escape the drop, and plenty of reason to consider retaining our double Gameweek picks for the remainder of the campaign.

Ten goals in the last four outings is indicative of the offensive approach Pearson has recently instilled. Leading the way for Fantasy interest has been 4.6-priced striker Jamie Vardy, whose two goals and pair of assists have been integral to his side’s recent surge. With the equally in-form David Nugent a major doubt for the trip to Turf Moor due to a calf complaint, Vardy is likely to garner even more suitors. Esteban Cambiasso, who has earned returns in each of his last three appearances, is basically unrivalled for investment by any of his midfield team-mates and  is also on a number of managers’ radars, though Marc Albrighton, at 4.2, has started the last two on the right and has decent underlying stats.

The Foxes complimented their upturn in attacking output with a clean sheet against Swansea at the weekend, and with Saturday’s opponents Burnley having managed just a single goal in their last seven outings, further returns are due. Jeffrey Schlupp’s out of position prospects make him the most likely route for managers to take, though Kasper Schmeichel in net has the potential for save points, whilst both Robert Huth and Wes Morgan have offered strong goal threat of late.

WEST HAM

A lack of motivation has seen the Hammers’ season stall over the course of the past two months, though their remaining fixture list should afford Sam Allardyce optimism. Away days at QPR, Aston Villa and Newcastle, married with the visit of Burnley, look very encouraging for Fantasy returns.

Whether that potential will translate into invest is another matter entirely, however. The Hammers have scored more than a single goal just once in their last 11 outings and faith in their attacking assets is understandably low. Their recent injury difficulties up top certainly haven’t helped matters, with Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole now their only two fit strikers. Stewart Downing, meanwhile, will be keen to reward those 21% of managers that have remained faithful to him with some long-awaited returns. The most likely source of investment is left back Aaron Cresswell, whose set-piece duties produced a goal against Stoke in Gameweek 32,and with the two weakest attacks of the past six Gameweeks on the agenda in the final run-in (BUR, new) defensive points can also be expected, making Adrian an option between the sticks.

Also Consider…

Man City
Manuel Pellegrini’s men steadied the ship with a solid 2-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday after recent losses to Burnley, Palace and United had thrown their top four credentials into jeopardy. The Citizens are presented with a strong schedule to round the season off, with three home fixtures (AVL, QPR, SOU) in their final five as well as a trip to Swansea to boost their Fantasy potential.

David Silva has returned to training and has been given the all-clear after being stretchered off with a possible cheekbone injury at the weekend and, although City will continue to monitor him, he could be back in contention against Villa. Sergio Aguero remains unchallenged for our affections in attack, with the 12.5-valued forward notching three strikes in the last two Gameweek – a lack of premium alternatives up front this week also works in his favour. At the back, meanwhile, City now have four successive home clean sheets and with Vincent Kompany currently sidelined, Martin Demichelis looks the most reliable starter for those keen to invest. Aleksandar Kolarov could also come into contention if Gael Clichy remains out through injury, though.

Arsenal
With Gameweek 33’s blank now gone, Fantasy managers’ love-affair with the Gunners’ main men can resume. The double Gameweek 37 is sure to be a factor when planning our transfers over the coming weeks, though acquiring our chosen assets sooner rather than later looks a wise strategy, with promising clashes against Hull and Swansea on the horizon beyond this weekend’s showdown with Chelsea. The Gunners’ rearguard will be keen to pick up where they left off with shutouts in three of their previous six outings, and David Ospina and Laurent Koscielny are likely to find their way into a host of sides in the coming weeks. Going forward, Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez – whose brace booked the north Londoners a place in the FA Cup final last weekend – are primed to reap the rewards of the kind schedule, whilst Aaron Ramsey’s pair of goals and assists in his last four league appearances suggest that the Welshman is also worth considering. With Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla also in the mix, finding the right balance to fit at least two of those three in before Gameweek 37 will be a principal concern for many.

Newcastle
Having lost six on the trot, it’s understandable that there’s little interest in the Magpies’ assets right now. That run of form has ensured that John Carver’s outfit are not yet assured of safety, though trips to Leicester and QPR could go a long way to deciding the relegation race, as will a trio of promising home fixtures (SWA, WBA, WHM). Daryl Janmaat bagged his eighth assist of the season in last Sunday’s loss to Tottenham and the marauding right-back still looks a tempting prospect despite his side’s miserable form. Further forward, 4.7-valued Jack Colback scored his fourth of the season against Spurs, and could appeal as a budget pick for those needing to free up cash for the big-hitting double Gameweek stars.

Southampton
Despite tasting defeat twice in the last three Gameweeks, the Saints are still in the race for Champions League football. A decent schedule sees Ronald Koeman’s men face a trio of strugglers in their next four (sun, lei, AVL), that could bring in points at both ends of the pitch. Owners of Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand are likely to hold on even in face of the impending doubles for other sides, whilst Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle will remain on our radars as differential prospects.