As we approach the gameweek 2 deadline, we are all looking to make an inspired transfer decision. As always a good understanding of the upcoming fixture schedules will help. With that in mind, we provide you with our views on which clubs we feel have either a tough or an easy run of upcoming fixtures.
Favourable Fixtures
Swansea
Michael Laudrup got off to a dream start in his first Premier League game in charge of Swansea with a 5-0 drubbing of QPR. Last season Swansea were one of the Premier League’s surprise packages, but many questioned what impact the summer departure of manager Brendan Rodgers, and key players like Sigurdsson and Allen, would have on the Swans. If Gameweek 1 is anything to go by, then the answer is not a lot! Looking ahead, Michael Laudrup will be eyeing the upcoming fixture schedule with a fair degree of optimism. Of their next 7 league fixtures, Swansea have just one tricky fixture which is against Everton, with their remaining opponents being West Ham, Sunderland, Villa, Stoke, Reading and Wigan. The likes of Vorm, Williams, Michu and Graham will surely feature on the radar of fantasy managers over the next few weeks.
Spurs
The departure of Harry Redknapp during the summer break was a major loss in the eyes of many Spurs fans, and given their gameweek 1 performance under new manager Andre Villas Boas, those feelings are unlikely to have been alleviated just yet. That being said, now that Spurs have completed their tricky opening fixture away at Newcastle, the upcoming fixture list presents AVB with a great opportunity to get a number of decent results under his belt. Over the next 6 gameweeks, Spurs have just one really testing fixture which is against Man United in gameweek 6, with their remaining opponents being West Brom, Norwich, Reading, QPR and Villa. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Bale, Sigurdsson and Adebayor (transferred from Man City to Spurs on Tuesday) are all tempting options.
Everton
Everton are often labelled as slow starters, and based on recent seasons that has been a pretty fair tag for them to carry. However, not so this year! Everton kicked off the 2012/13 season with an impressive 1-0 victory over title contenders Man United. Whilst that in itself is enough to make fantasy manager’s sit up and take note, what significantly adds to the appeal of Everton players is their fantastic upcoming fixture schedule. With the exception of Newcastle in gameweek 4 and Liverpool in gameweek 9, Everton have a pretty decent run of fixtures all the way out to gameweek 13, with their remaining opponents being Villa, West Brom, Swansea, Southampton, Wigan, QPR, Fulham, Sunderland, Reading and Norwich. The likes of Baines, Fellaini, Pienaar and Jelavic are all ones to consider.
The Best of the Rest…
Looking across the rest of the league, although they have the odd tough game, we feel that both West Ham and Wigan have a good run of fixtures ahead of them over the course of the next 8 gameweeks. It should also be noted that Man United’s next 3 fixtures look pretty appealing, although life does get pretty tough for the Red Devils from gameweek 5 onwards.
Tough Fixtures
Liverpool
Liverpool are on the first rung of a rebuilding exercise under new manager Brendan Rodgers. The ex-Swansea manager brings with him a new style and culture of play, and undoubtedly that will take some time for Liverpool to adjust to. Liverpool’s heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of West Brom in gameweek 1 being a perfect example of this. Unfortunately for Rodgers, the upcoming fixture list suggests that life is not about to get any easier in the short term. Over the course of the next 4 gameweeks, Liverpool have 3 exceptionally challenging fixtures against Man City, Arsenal and Man United. Ouch!
QPR
After successfully keeping QPR in the Premier League last year, Mark Hughes has been a busy boy in the Summer transfer market with a number of impressive signings. Unfortunately for Hughes though, given the look of the Hoops upcoming fixture list, his new recruits are going to have a very tough settling in period. Over the next 8 gameweeks QPR have 5 really challenging fixtures being Man City, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton and Arsenal. On the back of a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea in gameweek 1, it would seem that Mark Hughes and his team are entering a very difficult period early on in the season. Whilst they have some exciting new players, it may be best to avoid too much QPR exposure over the coming weeks.
Stoke
When it comes to horrendous opening fixture lists, we would have to say that they don’t come much worse than the one facing the Potters. The easiest way of getting our point across here is simply to tell you who they face between now and gameweek 8, which is Arsenal, Wigan, Man City, Chelsea, Swansea, Liverpool and Man United. Given their upcoming opponents, we suspect Begovic may end up regretting the fact that he got the nod over Sorenson as first choice keeper! Tony Pulis has most definitely got his work cut out over the next few weeks.
Be Aware Of…
Looking across the rest of the Premier League, in addition to the above mentioned clubs, we feel that Arsenal, Villa, Norwich, Southampton and Newcastle also have some pretty testing fixtures over the next few gameweeks. It is also worth noting that both Chelsea and Reading have no fixture at all in gameweek 3, with the latter also suffering from a tough run of upcoming opponents.
Stay Ahead of the Chasing Pack!
The world of fantasy football is fast moving, and if you want to stay ahead of the pack you need access to key information in real time. If you want to receive important injury updates, team news and player developments when we hear about them, then like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter as we will be posting live updates on both social media networks from now right through to the end of the season.
I had a good start with my team at 85 points, but I have some problems picking out the team for next GW. Any suggestions what to do/ lineup? My team for next GW:
Fedrici (Krul)
Williams – Hangeland – Clyne (Kolarov/McCartney)
Hazard – Michu (C) – Yaya – Bale (Noble)
Graham – Torres – Tevez
Any thoughts of who to play: Hangeland or Kolarov? Used my transfer on Tevez for Aguero (Apologize for my bad English, I’m Norwegian)
Norway
all looks fine and dandy to me, what you worried about?
Thanks
Would you have started with Hangeland over Kolarov? Think ManU gonna get ugly against Fulham.
Ok stick Kolarov in, of the two defensive subs left who do you think has a better chance of either winning or only conceding one goal. Thants who you make your first sub jusy in case Kolarov does not play
The only concern i would have is having 3 Swansea players. But looks like a great team!
Swansea impressed me agianst QPR, and I think they are going to win agianst WH
hi guys new to the site..
would like some help with what to do with scott sinclair.. used my free this week to sell torres and buy tevez.. so should i sell him, hold or to him with the sale to city (probably) but i recon with limited game time?.
my team is Hart (ruddy)
williams,riise, harte (pearce) and (shawcross)
sinclair, michu, allen,bale (noble)
rooney, podolski tevez
have 1 m in the bank
I’m in the same boat and kicking myself that I swapped out Michu for Sinclair as I didn’t think Michu would be a guaranteed start.. oh well.
I really can’t see Sinclair getting any pitch time at City (unless the team gets struck by some food poisoning which wipes out everyone else…) If you’ve used your transfer then just stick him on the bench and wait till your next free transfer to get rid. Obviously the sooner rid the better as his price is only going to go down after the move…
If you’re feeling the Swansea groove maybe swap him for Dyer and then you have some extra cash to spend when the GW3 transfer window opens.
was thinking of taking a 4 point hit and buying yaya in for him.. dont know i might wait til gw3 and do it then.. any ideas..
I’d try and avoid the hit where possible – especially as I wouldn’t be too worried about bringing in Noble as Sinclairs replacement.
It’s easy to panic after GW1 but just remember that when you’re four points off the prize at the end of the season you’ll be kicking yourself!
yeah i wont be panicking just yet.. no guarantees on city going to Anfield will mean a big result for them..
You could swap him for dyer maybe for Larson (takes set pieces), Fellaini midfield but plays as striker, Michu, nolan, Lennon its your choice but look at the fixtures because Swansea have easy fixtures upto gw9
Just watched the replay of last night’s game and how impressive was Hazard?
I’ve had him from the start but was a bit worried about his ability to adapt to the physicallity of the PL after G1 despite his obvious ability. Well last night allayed those fears – his touch, vision and decision making are sublime but most pleasingly last night he displayed a high level of aerobic capacity and strength over the ball which suggests other teams will find it hard to mark him man to man.
How he didn’t score a BP is literally amazing.
Completely agree – Hazard, in my opinion, was the best player on the pitch… which makes it even more galling when EA’s PPI doesn’t recognise the fact and he gets 0 bonus points.
SZ – Yes you were right!
SZ?
Thought it was SZ who commented on EA’s PPI to me earlier in the week. Admittedly I’ve slept since then so memory is not that good.
and they gave torres 2!! i think his best years are definitely behind him.. i would like to find a spot for hazard at some stage.. i think he have a good year unless he gets injured.. he is a bit light looking and might get a bit battered..
Hi my midfield is mata silva dyer fellaini pls tell me wat needs to change I have 2.2 in the bankbcos I swapped tevez for injured
My attack is Rooney tevez graham wat can I change pls help bcos I am on 20 points
mata for Bale?
silva for nasri?
Thanks but wat about for bale then after gw 3 put hazard in
thats an option for sure,….
Hey guys.
Made my transfer this week Pienaar in Ramires out. Now really thinking about taking a 4 point hit, swapping Torres for Ba/Graham/Petric/Cisse. Cant see Torres getting any points against Newcastle.. Swapping Torres for cheaper forward would free up some cash and on GW3 I could swap Noble for Kagawa/Cazorla.
Any thoughts?
add Adebayor to your list just to make easier
its decision time, where’s my crystal ball
what is the situation with Adebayor is he stay at spurs? i’m confused…
Yes Spurs have him permanent now
nice…so get him now or GW3??
I’ve been trying to find out if he’s playing or what his fitness is like but nothing so far
Yeah I’m thinking about Adebayor but doubt hel start yet. I think Kagawa will produce points this season. I would have to go with a cheaper forward like Graham, Petric, Djibrill Cisse, Pog or Lukaku to get Kagawa in for Noble. Cant decide if I should wait and swap Torres out after next round or take the hit and do it now.. UGH…
who would you swap torres for?
is it a straight swap or do you have some spare money?
Tevez is an important part of man city with aguero injured maybe ba And have mony in bank to improve midfield attack or deffence or to get him again b4 gw4
Off now catch you all later
Cheers OS, hope alls well in Hameln mate
How you eddy, long time mate! hope all has been well!!!
Don, my favourite crime lord, lol how are you mate? See you had a great gw1 score, nice one.
Doing well mate!! yeah lucked out with Ivan as Cptn…lol now the real work starts though…;-)
I have money in the bank Fellaini out kagawa in if not kagawa who or should Fellaini stay and dyer go
should I keep silva if not who should I replace him with who is a first team guaranteed starter
like to say yes, on what he did for me last year, and as I have him myself. going to wait till game week 4 to decide between keeping him or hazard
Hi Guys,
Some help needed, slightly concerned I’ve loaded myself too heavy with GW1′s double fixtures!!
Thinking I’ll have to take a 4 point hit after GW2 but would appreciate your thoughts!
Obviously this week Agueros being transferred but not sure who with!
De Gea (Ruddy)
Terry, Clichy, Shawcross (Mariappa, Ferdinand)
Silva, Michu, Lampard, Noble (Robsin-Kanu)
Aguero, Pog, Torres
How about this for a laugh… WildCard
1) Shawcross -> jenkinson
2) Allen -> Bale / Hazard
3) Yay -> Nasri
4) Britton -> Kacaniklic
5) Torres -> Ba
6) Ivanovic -> Mertesacker
What do you all reckon?? Team after transfers would be
DDG / Federici
Williams, Hangeland, Cuellar, Mertesacker, Jenkinson
Pienaar, Nasri, Hazard / Bale, Michu, Kacaniklic
RVP, Tevez, Ba
Hmmmm….tempting…..
Don
DO NOT use your wildcard, far tooooo early for that, needs to be kept for later in season when teams get to latter stages of FA Cup/Champions League some Premier League games will possibly be need to re-scheduled, that’s when you want to use it, when a few teams are playing twice in a gameweek.
thanks for the advice AL
Don, are you not entering any of FFCs leagues mate? Codes are above, do it now otherwise you’ll miss out.
eddy, I can’t take the chance of my work league discovering the advice on here if they haven’t already, or even worse, discovering my identity and second guessing my ID and working out my strategy for each GW.
What do you think?
where are the codes again mate?
found them! Thanks ed
Hi NevDex
Remember that in game week 3 Chelsea/Reading do not play & you have 6 players from those sides. When making up numbers with cheap players make sure they are a definite starter, Mariappa did not play at all so no point in having him in your squad of fifteen, it’s just incase you have someone in your first eleven who does not play & with the automatic transfers from your bench you do hopefully get some points if ALL players on bench play.
That’s what I’m worried about, any suggestions for GW3 transfer? Will be looking to transfer two and take the 4 point hit I think!
I would get rid of Mariapa, which Ferdinand do you have?? Unsure about Terry (esp with his high price), Chelsea don’t look to clever at the back, I know they kept a clean sheet v Wigan but that was down to playing square balls along the back four & playing one twos with Cech, add to that Wigan aint very good, Lampard may also be questionable apart from scoring two penalties he ‘s done very little, I watched both Chelsea games he looks a yard slow & his passing was not up to his usual standard. If Chelsea are buying Moses from Wigan is it Lampard’s place he will take???
QPR Ferdinand.
Well I would probably gert rid of him letting in 5 v Swansea at home doesn’t say much & Hughes has been trying to get Dawson & Carvalho, so Ferdy might be a bench warmer in not to distant future.
Don, no worries
Buzz, I’m the same as you so I just set up another login Id with an identical team as my ffc one but only joined the work league with it! Sneaky!
hey guys, federici or jasskelainin for this week?
or is there a keeper worth taking a 4 point hit for,cause i swapped torres for graham.
Noooooo, jussi is ok. And if you put Cerny in, we’ll shoot you!
haha no sir, will not do that.
thanks
okay larson at reading home or noble at swansea away?
i would go for larsson who is playing against reading…
‘sir’, you’ve just gone to the top of the list in my lists
jussy is the keeper. no doubt in that.. why should you take a 4 point hit if you have a keeper who is capable of getting some points…
larsson it is,just trying to see if my selections are rational.thanks.im out,later
putting hazard out have been a hazardous decision for me,,so if i have to buy him back,,plz suggest me i do it now or wait for GW3 to end to get him,,coz he’s price might increase too high if i wait that long?
if you have some amount with you then you can wait till the end of GW 3. otherwise if you think you can’t make it till gw 3, then you can buy now.
Hi. Need to upgrade back line. I have Pearce, Harte, Terry, Ferdinand, Figueroa and .5 to work with. Any suggestions?