Gameweek 11 Fixture Shift Options

A number of teams see a dramatic shift in fixtures this coming week, with Manchester United, Everton and Southampton embarking on a fine run of fixtures. Defenders from these sides seem set for clean sheets in the coming months and with the Sergio Aguero millions sitting in the bank, perhaps it is time to invest heavily in defence again amongst this trio. This analysis also takes a look at their key midfield and striker options.

Manchester United

The Red Devils face (cpl, WBA, wat, lei, WHM, bou, NOR, sto) in the coming months and with Louis van Gaal’s focus on defence first, United could easily pick up five or six clean sheets from the above eight, with Leicester, West Ham and possibly Crystal Palace looking the only likely candidates to breach Manchester United’s back-line.

Key to their impenetrability is centre-back Chris Smalling. Despite costing a whopping 6.4 for a defender, Smalling is the only nailed-on defender for his side with Matteo Darmian (5.8) being replaced by Antonio Valencia (5.2) twice at half time in the previous six and only making a 10-minute cameo appearance against Manchester City. The other remaining centre-back spot has not been claimed by anyone yet, with Phil Jones (5.2), Marcos Rojo (5.4) and Daley Blind (5.5) all competing for it along with the left-back position in Luke Shaw’s absence. Jones has only completed two games this season due to injury but is expected to make the remaining centre-back position his own, making him a good option, especially with his low price tag. That is until the injury curse that has blighted his career strikes again.

In midfield, no option really stands out but Juan Mata (8.9) is likely to retain his position on the wing, opposite Anthony Martial, leaving only the number 10 position open. Ander Herrera (6.6) has been deployed there in the previous two but with Ashley Young (5.6) expected back as soon as next week, Wayne Rooney (10.2) will likely reclaim his role in the hole, shifting Martial back into the lone striker position, leaving Herrera to drop to the bench again.

Everton

The Toffees face (SUN, whm, AVL, bou, CPL, nor, LEI, new) in the next eight. That is five relegation battlers as well as Leicester, West Ham and Crystal Palace. Historically a good defensive side, with nine or 10 clean sheets in the previous five seasons, Everton would have been set for a few shut-outs but Phil Jagielka was injured in the Arsenal game and without their captain, Everton may suffer massively. Perhaps it’s best to stay away from Everton’s back line until we assess how they fare without their Jagielka. In addition, Leighton Baines is still out through injury and Seamus Coleman is not playing at his best.

Further up the field, Ross Barkley (6.8) and Romelu Lukaku (8.4) look like good prospects with three goals and three assists, and five goals two assists respectively. Not likely to break the bank and with a good fixture list, these two will be on many a wish-list in the coming weeks.

Southampton

The Saints face (BOU, sun, STO, mci, AVL, cpl). This is four of the bottom seven teams in the next six. With the Saints starting to pick up form against some top teams in the past month, they could be set for a few clean sheets, particularly at home.

Among the defenders, Virgil van Dijk (5.5) looks the stand-out option for his goal threat alone, with Cedric Soares (5.0) another good option with his knock-down price and ability to pull bonus points.

In midfield, Sadio Mane (7.9) is looking strong with three goals in his last four and he will be nicely rested for the game against fellow south coasters, Bournemouth, due to his suspension, which prevents him from playing in their midweek cup fixture.

Despite blanking in his previous two, Graziano Pelle (8.4) at 31.7% ownership, is likely to make nearly a third of all managers happy in the coming matches. With a penchant for scoring most of his points at home, the Saints’ next three fixtures at St Mary’s look great for the Italian.