Fantasy Football Fixtures Game-week 16
Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a famished polar bear with a torch. Sometimes the cute co-worker you’ve scored a date with is a recluse with an unhealthy penchant for cannibalism. Sometimes hope is a dangerous thing.
Take Liverpool and Chelsea. Demonstrating all the rash prematurity of a teenage boy fapping himself blind, the mainstream media had tipped Klopp’s Kop for a tilt at the top. No sooner had the ink dried on their eulogistic proclamations than Newcastle, a team at their season’s nadir, had sports editors everywhere firing staff. Mourinho’s woes have been well documented; however, recent displays had shown a solidity, if not yet flair, that promised to be the foundation for a steady recovery. Yet predictably, Chelsea were unpredictable. Bournemouth defied the odds and plunged a dagger into blue hearts, so hitherto replenished with renewed optimism.
But whether you’re a bib-thowing man-baby at Chelsea; the manager of Liverpool; the physio at Arsenal or an FPL manager still looking to scrape into the top million, you can’t lose hope, for it can make even the most despairing situations flicker into signs of reparation. A gentle shove in the right direction, and suddenly defeats become hard fought draws; draws become victories; a relegation fight becomes mid-table tranquility; a quest for Europa League qualification become… literally anything else; and red arrows turn green.
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible”, as original Superman actor Christopher Reeve sagely proposed (a few years before tragically succumbing to a heart attack caused by an adverse reaction to an antibiotic).
Now adorn those *rose-tinted glasses and behold these wondrous fixtures:
(*glasses not included)
The Tracker…
We have rated each teams fixtures on a sliding scale. Remember that this is just our opinion and you may feel differently but if nothing else it gives you a nice easy visual aid as to each teams upcoming games…
We do have a comprehensive library of other useful trackers including the all singing, all dancing interactive one from Calvin Clyne and you can find them all here – Fixture Trackers
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FAVOURABLE FIXTURES
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – Newcastle (h), Southampton (a), Norwich (h)
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[/three_fourth]Spurs finally seem to have a squad capable of coping with European distractions. The midweek visit of Monaco should allow some of Pochettino’s main men to rest, while still giving their French opponents a stern test. Unbeaten in all competitions over the past 8 matches, the Londoners have acquired a steely knack for grinding out results when inspiration deserts them (Chelsea, 0-0), and putting teams to the sword when it doesn’t (West Ham, 4-1). All of which has seen them rise to 5th in the league ahead of a run of favourable fixtures. First up is Newcastle. Yes, they impressively dispatched of Liverpool last week, but a solitary away victory at Bournemouth suggests the Magpies may be relying heavily on the Toon Army to get them over the line this season. After a bright start, Southampton have since completely lost their mojo and much of last season’s defensive compactness has given way to baffling permeability. That Koeman was relatively relieved to have saved a point at home to Villa, reveals much. Next up is Norwich whose return to the top league looks more temporary by the week. A wretched run of 5 points in the last 9 games has seen them hurtle towards the bottom 5. Harry Kane and friends will be licking their lips at a festive feast.
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MANCHESTER UNITED – Bournemouth (a), Norwich (h), Stoke (a)
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[/three_fourth]With more lateral movement than a horse at an equestrian event, Man Utd fans may be forgiven for suggesting their players turn 90 degrees in the hope of actually making progress towards the goal. However unappealing the Red Devils may be to watch, they are undeniably hard to beat. Their upcoming games suggest investing in a defender or two would be a shrewd FPL move, with Mike Smalling and David De Gea the obvious candidates. Eddie Howe’s men will be buoyant after one of the greatest results in the club’s history, but have only scored 8 goals at home all season, and 3 of those were a fortnight ago against Everton. The Cherries also have the joint worst goal difference. Norwich will be a game LvG’s critics have probably already started sharpening their knives for. Should Old Trafford fail to witness anything less than a convincing attacking display against the Canaries, who’ve shipped 18 goals on their travels and without an away clean sheet to their name, the catcalls will become cacophonous. United’s next game is at Stoke. Windy, rainy, snowy, sunny… who cares what the weather is like at the Britannia anymore, those boys can play. It’s sure to be nostalgic for the Manchester United fans to see Mark Hughes. Not least because Stoke now play like United used to.
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MANCHESTER CITY – Swansea (h), Arsenal (a), Sunderland (h)
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[/three_fourth]In stark contrast to their Mancunian neighbours, Man City rarely look like keeping a clean sheet. That their last 18 games in all competitions has brought 2 shutouts is all the more surprising considering it took 456 minutes of league football for Joe Hart’s goal to be breached at the start of the season. Throw in an insipid defeat at Stoke, an injury to Aguero, and one may wonder whether it’s worth banking on the Citizens at all right now. That being said, the Argentinian may well return for the visit of a beleaguered Swansea, which heralds the first of two very comfortable looking games at the Etihad. Recent defeats against Arsenal, Norwich, Liverpool, and now Leicester have turned a poor campaign into an awful one for the Welsh outfit. Bafetimbi Gomis’ decline has been even sharper, not scoring since GW4. Next up is a ding-dong Christmas cracker at the Emirates. Let’s not pretend any of us know what to expect for this one and so cherry pick the third fixture, a plum home game against an admittedly improving Sunderland. But it’s still Sunderland, and one need only look back to late September when City thumped them 4-1 in the Capital One Cup.
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CHELSEA – Leicester (a), Sunderland (h), Watford (h)
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[/three_fourth]Given the innumerable trenches Mourinho has dug for himself this season, it’s hard to feel any genuine sympathy for him. However, the under-fire Portuguese must be wondering how long this Eva Carneiro karma is going to last for. 15 games gone and 2 points above the relegation zone in 14th place, this is no longer anomalous ‘just a bad start to the season’ territory; this is ‘nearly halfway through and staring at mediocrity’ territory. The last chance saloon is well and truly open for business, but for how long only Mr. Abramovich knows. If Jose can last beyond Porto and Leicester, he faces much kinder opposition in Sunderland and Watford. The Hornets are no mugs, buzzing as they are up in 9th, but have yet to do the business against some of the more illustrious opponents, losing to Man City, Arsenal, Leicester, and Man Utd. Whether Chelsea deserve to be still in this category is looking increasingly dubious. We’ll know a lot more by the final whistle on Boxing Day.
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BE WARY OF…
NORWICH CITY (EVERTON, man utd, spurs)
The canaries schedule shows little sympathy for their current descent back towards the Championship. Alex Neil’s men will do well to get anything from an improving Toffees, a stubborn Man United, and a confident Tottenham.
SUNDERLAND (WAT, chelsea, man city)
Big Sam deserves credit for turning a hopeless Sunderland side into a below-average one. He’ll want to make the most of Watford’s visit however, before trips to Stamford Bridge and the Etihad.
LEICESTER CITY (CHELSEA, everton, liverpool)
There are no words that can do justice to the Foxes’ season, and yet West Ham remain their most notable scalp thus far. The next three games should see them face some stern tests. If they’re still top of the Premier League come the New Year after seeing off Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool, then they’ll have to be taken seriously as Champions League contenders.
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One Week Wonders
Let’s chase goals! This is our weekly ‘punt’ where we attempt to pinpoint any games or teams where we feel there may be a high chance of goals and therefore fantasy points on offer…
1) Man City vs Swansea
Whether Kun is about or not, this should be a stroll in the park for City – Swansea haven’t kept a clean sheet since GW6, got thumped by Leicester at home last week and have lost all four of their previous Premier League matches at the Etihad, conceding ten goals in the process. With the Swans’ confidence at an all time low and City having to recover from Saturday’s loss at Stoke, expect the likes of Silva and KdB to create chances aplenty. An early goal will likely open the floodgates and see the confidence return to Pellegrini’s men, who average almost three goals at game at home this season.
2)Spurs vs Newcastle
It’s a brave FPL manager who goes without Harry Kane this week as Newcastle come to the capital fresh off their win over Liverpool on Sunday. However, we doubt many have been fooled by that result and if the linesman had done his job properly we could easily have seen a different result. A quick glance at the Toon’s away form this season makes for ugly reading as they conceded five at Palace last time in the capital and have also allowed City to score six – even Sunderland scored three vs them! Spurs will be keen to get back to winning ways having drawn their last two following their derby dispatching of West Ham and the Sunday visit of Newcastle is likely to provide them with the opportunity to not only grab the three points but get that scoring streak back.
3)Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Despite not playing well at the weekend, the Gunners still put three past a stubborn Sunderland side – they now go to bottom of the table Villa on Sunday knowing that a win would put them back on top – at least until Leicester play Chelsea on Monday. Goals have hardly been an issue for Wenger’s men, for they have only failed to score once on the road this season, while Villa have only kept one clean sheet at home all season. With Walcott back and Ramsey scoring last weekend, maybe the loss of Alexis won’t be so badly felt – for this week at least. Villa haven’t beaten Arsenal at home since 1998 and have lost the last three meetings, conceding 12 goals in the process.
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Fixture Fun
This week is a busy week of European action with Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd all playing their final group matches, while on Thursday Liverpool and Spurs compete in the Europa Cup. Be sure to keep an eye and ear out for any news after those have finished.
GW15 DEADLINE
We have an early game on Saturday in the shape of Norwich vs Everton at 12.45pm and so we are back to our normal deadline of 11.45am, UK time.
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Hey folks, any UCL managers out there? Just got back from a trip and haven’t done any research for today/tomorrow’s CL games. Any injury news, rumours (of who might/might not be starting) and/or tips? I’ll try and search around a bit for titbits as well. Cheers!
Hey FC do you need any help , you are top , I thk my only concern was Douglas Costa & maybe a few players might be rested.
Hey Sanchez, not looked either yet but I think what Silver said there about players getting rested is probably most pertinent this week. Fortunately they all KO at the same time this week so we will at least get to see 16 line-ups prior to deadline. That’ll be my approach this week, wait for those and make transfers accordingly.
Hi Sanchez,
Adding to this, I’ve read that Bale and Modric have been left out the Real Madrid squad. Ronaldo is in. I didn’t research anymore through fear! Teams are through already and even if they are in the matchday squad, there’s no telling who will start of the big guns. It’s a worry.
I made one midfield change. Konoplyanka to de Rossi, captained by best bet for tonight (Mata) and logged out.
Thanks for the heads up on that, lads. Yeah, a peak at the line-ups should help big time! Will prolly load up on Tuesday players who we can see are sure to start (and teams who look to win) then: Real Madrid (vs Malmo); PSG (vs Shaktar); Juve (away at Sevilla); Atletico (away at Benfica); Man City (vs a resurgent but relegated Borussia Monc side); and PSV (vs CSKA Moscow). Can’t tell about the Man United game (too close to call). Benzema, Ibrahimovic + Di Maria, Griezmann, Mandzukic/Morata, Fabian Johnson all seem pretty hot right now if they get the start!
No kiddin init; I had just got back home from xmas shopping (it’s a holiday here) to learn Ronaldo was on the starting XI 2 minutes from time! Enough to transfer him in for suarez and capo him! pheww
You missed out on Ronaldo points last ECL GW though. 😉
In deed raz; I actualy posted here that I had transferred him out which only insane or non portuguese people do. I felt he’d blank at donetsk, after that 0-4 to barça. I did get suarez that day, which gave me 13 pts easing up that bad call.
Afternoon all,
Right highaction, your first RMT request – what would you do with this rabble please?
Also comments (helpful ones) from anyone else also appreciated! Thanks in advance
Shouldn’t we start him on an easy one, Cookie
:winktongue:
Absolutely not – straight in at the deep end – after this everything else will be a walk in the park for him!!
….. but seriously mate, and you may not like it, I would go Hazard – Silva.
Interesting GP, hadn’t even thought of that – I was expecting a move in the defence. Cheers.
Cookie, what about Clark to Wollscheid, can´t see Aston Villa keeping to much CS. Or Bertrand to Darmian? I think Darmian is nailed on now, due to the lots of injured defenders.
Cheers Magpies, one of my big concerns was not having any United cover at the back and Bertie to Darmian was a thought I have already had, cheers.
Hi Cookie
I agree with GP to ditch Hazard for Silva or Ramsey and that will give you funds to upgrade Clark or Morgan .Evans of West Brom or Moreno are both coming into good fixtures but you could go higher to Zouma if you want to keep the Chelski cover going.
Kruz, Moreno is defo on the watchlist – cheap as chips at 4.9mln with decent fixtures and his attacking prowess, many thanks.
Hello Cookie
i would save the FT for this week
do Morgan to a West Brom defender next week
and watch Hazard. if he fails to impress again, use the 2nd FT on him
for this week i think its all good
Hi Nishant, save the transfer?? What a whacky thought for an indisciplined loser like me!! Many thanks.
The reason to save the FT is coz you are well set with a 3-4-3 formation this week
if still you had to alter the playing 11, then i would do Berti to Darmian
Haz will fire up this weekend
3-1 Chelsea win i say
Note: I am not a chelsea fan
Cheers Nishant – so you’d play Dier, Coleman and Bertrand? You trust Southampton at Palace?
Why are you so bullish on Chelsea? I was bullish last weekend and look how that turned out!!
Great scoring last week by the way mate.
yes last two weeks have been magical for me
jumped from 900k to 200k currently
about Chelsea, i always consider Mou to be a Party spoiler
Leicester are the biggest celebration(that describes them for me) in the Premier league this season
i am sure Mou will beat them up bad
and Haz will lead
also on another note, i wouldnt let go off Clark. i see few clean sheets coming in the near future :/
Nishant, I was beginning to take you seriously before your Clark comment 😉
That’s a brilliant jump in the rankings mate, gives me hope! Well done.
NEW, WHU, NOR, SUN, CRY
perfect time for Villa resurgence
cleanies will come
You have more faith than me!!
Well this faith has helped me the past few weeks
bought Barkley 3 weeks back when not him but Deulofeu grabbed attention
capped Mahrez this week and got a 42 point party
lol
this game
its really funny
It’s a lovely game when these things work out Nishant, nice one
Please don’t cap Kane, Cookie. You freaking JINX! :p
Hi Cookie..
Sorry for the late reply.. Getting on the net is a chore down here in the Caribbean.. at least for now..
I agree with Nishant.. Hold your transfer and use the second to leverage a better move next week… I’m all for patience and thought than for haste.. That said.. I’d take Silva over Hazard any day…
Thanks highaction, my heart bleeds for you mate – must be tough sitting there sipping your cocktails on the beach, unable to get online 😉
Appreciate yout thoughts – would you not think getting Moreno for Bertrand is a good idea with Liverpool facing WBA this weekend?
Haha, yeah… but there are indeed some sacrifices to be made if you want to live a life in the sun…. like trying to keep the wild horses out of your trash, or the incessant plagues of mosquitoes, daily power outages, etc…
Anyway.. I like Moreno… he marauds forward… Liverpool have some decent matchups in the next few weeks.. I’d like him on my squad. But I don’t think I’d grab him right now just because he plays an Albion side that are usually much tighter than Newcastle in defense..
If you have further reasons to get him in… then go for it… I still like holding a transfer when possible…
Fellow aguero owners
What’s your plan get rid? Or wait til Friday ?
Heard reports its worse then he is letting on.
Henderson had same heel problem
shanec I’m @ a complete loss as what to do with him I’ve heard he wont play in CL game and he will miss this GW but not heard anything else. 😉
Hey silvers me too. But u know what will happen if u sell him. He will score a Hatty or something. Just frustrating not really knowing
Please RMT
Begovic Rudd
Kolarov Moreno Janmaat (2 clean sheets and an assist in last 4 or 5 games) Francis Oxford
KDB Mata Ozil Mahrez Barkley
Lukaku Vardy Igloo
1 FT and 5.7mn in the bank
what to do guys?
Nishant, the only thing I’d consider is outing Begovic – DDG, Lloris, Butland depending on how much you want to spend.
yes those are the three to consider
no fund issues, DDG it is
might get Wollscheid in future to have stoke cover
makes sense that Nishant, not urgent for this week but beefs up your squad nicely.
will need him soon i guess
with City leaking at the back, Kolarov will start causing rotation headaches now
Yes that’s a big danger – be interesting to see if Clichy or Kolarov play tonight.
Hearing that Sturridge has been injured again?
Huge round of applause for BigPopz who criticized people for bringing in Hazard, but himself brought in Sturridge to replace Aguero and even captained him.
Done his hamsting at Newcastle?!!! Incredible!!
Ha ha love this
Isn’t that Kun with the blue outfit hiding in the background?
68 points with this lot this week, what would people suggest for the upcoming week
de gea mccarthy
bellerin kolarov van dijk rojo targett
KDB mahrez firminio bolasie ozil
giroud vardy lukaku
cheers for the help