Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek Thirty Two

With eight sides out of the running for Gameweek 34, this week’s rankings are clearly affected by those blank grey slabs on the season ticker to your right. Those who have strong fixtures in both Gameweek 34 and 36 see a rise in our estimations, as Fantasy managers contemplate a variety of routes into the upcoming double Gameweek.

The Strong

Man United

Ten wins in the last eleven sums up the champions’ form as they surge clear of City in the race for the title. United now have three home games in the next four, with (QPR, AVL, EVE) rolling up to Old Trafford and, with a trip to Wigan also on the agenda, the opportunity for points and further returns at both ends of the pitch looks more than favourable.

You all know the candidates by now. Antonio Valencia’s opener and assist at Blackburn last night will continue to see his price on the rise, while Ashley Young will also appeal, with the former Villa man notching again in Nani’s absence. As always, Wayne Rooney continues to look a strong armband favourite, despite returning a single goal in his last three, while Jonny Evans’ 5.2 price tag still looks a bargain, given his four clean sheets, in addition to a goal and assist, in his last four. Fantasy managers looking for a differential may also be considering Rafael; the Brazilian has started the last three at right-back and, having picked up 29 points in the process, is looking a tempting alternative to the likes of Evans at the back.

Swansea

A recent three-game winning run hinted at an upturn in form and, despite subsequent back-to-back defeats, Brendan Rodgers’ side look likely to receive plenty of Fantasy investment with a strong run of fixtures ahead. Swansea face four of the bottom five in their next five Gameweeks, with a home game against Blackburn affording a potentially prosperous route into the conundrum that is Gameweek 34.

Michel Vorm already has 35% ownership and investment won’t perhaps be quite so substantial, but the likes of 4.1 priced Steven Caulker looks a likely candidate, given his recent ability to pick up bonus. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s average of 6.5 points per game will attract many suitors, while Scott Sinclair’s spot-kick duties and strong showings at the Liberty Stadium may also tempt others. Danny Graham offers a cut-price forward option at 5.1, though a run of six games without a goal is a worry.

Sunderland

Stephane Sessegnon’s recent return from suspension has handed the Black Cats a newfound confidence up front, with three goals in each of the last two games. While a home clash with Tottenham and trip to Everton may cause Fantasy managers to think twice, it’s Sunderland’s fixtures over Gameweek 34 and 36 that are likely to appeal. Respective home games against Wolves and Bolton are set to afford Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner further chance of goals, while James McClean’s price of 5.0 and 4.7 points per game are sure to boost his 6% ownership and see him get the nod ahead of Seb Larsson.

At the back, there are budget options also worth weighing up amongst Martin O’Neill’s first XI. Simon Mignolet, at 4.4, and 4.2 priced Michael Turner – he’s started the last nine – offer a route into a backline that has four clean sheets in the last six at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s side will be keen to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at QPR – a run of three home fixtures in the next four looks promising. Granted, an Easter Sunday game against City isn’t the most straightforward but with Roberto Mancini’s side woeful away from home, Arsenal will hold little fear, given the fact they have dropped just seven points in the last fourteen at the Emirates.

The Gunners then face the bottom two, travelling to Wolves and hosting Wigan before Chelsea pay visit – memories of Robin Van Persie’s hat-trick at the Bridge still linger for many. A couple of clean sheets over that run looks viable, then, with Thomas Vermaelen catching the eye, while Theo Walcott’s outstanding Fantasy form will see further investment come his way. Despite a season-high three-game blank, faith in Van Persie is unlikely to waver, with his capabilities underlined by ten double figure returns already this term.

Also consider

Bolton – back-to-back double Gameweeks 35 and 36 more than balance out Bolton’s blank Gameweek 34. Owen Coyle’s side approach the upcoming run in their best form this season, with three successive victories indicative of their current resilience. A home game with Fulham looks promising, though a tricky trip to Newcastle precedes the blank before (SWA, avl), (sun, TOT). At the back, Adam Bogdan is likely to offer plenty save points if Bolton concede, while David Wheater’s brace against Blackburn will have caught the eye of many. Martin Petrov’s spot-kick duties and 5.1 price offer a strong alternative to 4.9 Ryo Miyaichi – the Bulgarian has started the last three and is looking an assured member of Coyle’s first-team right now.

Newcastle – Alan Pardew’s side have two strong home fixtures on either side of the Gameweek 34 blank. Bolton and Stoke both roll up to the Sports Direct Arena, offering a chance of points at both ends of the pitch for the Magpies. With clean sheets in their last two at home, Tim Krul and Danny Simpson offer security at the back, with the return of Cheick Tiote also a key factor in their defensive solidity. The recent attacking exploits of Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa, in addition to their relatively low prices, look set to attract further Fantasy attention.

West Brom – The Baggies have three favourable home fixtures ahead (BLA, QPR, AVL) and, with the Hawthorns clash against Mark Hughes’ side in Gameweek 34, are under consideration for some. The problem here is that their form has been dire, with a single point accrued in the last four. Peter Odemwingie is the obvious candidate, with 4.2 Gareth McAuley perhaps appealing to those Fantasy managers willing to take a punt on the West Brom back-line.

The Weak

Wigan

An appalling set of upcoming fixtures is threatening to derail the Latics’ four-game unbeaten run. Roberto Martinez’s men face (che, MUN, ars, ful, NEW) over the next five Gameweeks and will need to show the resilience that has harvested back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Stoke if they are to stand any chance of top-flight survival.

Clean sheets look most unlikely, while Victor Moses’ recent upturn in Fantasy fortunes will be firmly put to the test, with Fantasy managers perhaps searching elsewhere for budget midfielders in light of those next five matches.

Wolves

The sacking of Mick McCarthy has not had the desired effect. A 2-2 draw at Newcastle in Terry Connor’s first game in charge proved a false dawn and with the Midlands outfit losing the following five fixtures, they find themselves six points adrift at the bottom of the table.

The recent efforts of both Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly are going to waste – the wide men are providing plenty creativity on the flanks but with Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle failing to score a single goal between them since Connor’s installation, Wolves look doomed. A back-line that has leaked 19 goals in six matches under the new regime now face trips to Stoke and Sunderland in the next four and with home clashes against Arsenal and City also on the horizon, the Molineux outfit look a strict no-go area for Fantasy managers.

Norwich

While Paul Lambert’s men avoid a blank in Gameweek 34, their run-in is far from enticing. The Canaries face three of the top four in the next six Gameweeks, with a home clash against City in Gameweek 34, in addition to trips to Spurs and Arsenal. With in-form Everton up next on the agenda, a visit to Blackburn and a Carrow Road showdown with out-of-sorts Liverpool afford Lambert’s side the only likely respite in what is an evil upcoming schedule.

The rotation minefield that is the Norwich midfield continues to frustrate, while the back-line have yet to record a clean sheet on the road – that record looks unlikely to change anytime soon. Fantasy owners of Grant Holt may be shopping for budget replacements up front, then, with attacking returns hardly prosperous from here on in.

Be wary of…

Fulham – the Cottagers’ trip to Bolton this weekend looks far from easy. With the Trotters in flourishing form and Martin Jol’s side notoriously poor on the road, points are by no means guaranteed. A London derby with Chelsea precedes a blank Gameweek, though the home game with Wigan is likely to persuade many to hold onto Clint Dempsey and Pavel Pogrebnyak. The double Gameweek is also far from appetising, with trips to Everton and Liverpool maybe sparking a Dempsey exodus, with the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea offering far more favourable schedules.

Chelsea – Roberto Di Matteo’s revitalised side will need to capitalise on a home clash with Wigan this weekend before trips to Fulham and Arsenal on either side of a blank Gameweek. The double Gameweek 36 hands them a pair of Stamford Bridge showdowns with QPR and Newcastle – the likes of Juan Mata and Gary Cahill looks promising though, with Chelsea still fighting on three fronts, Di Matteo’s rotation policy could frustrate our Fantasy plans.