Share This Post

Fantasy Football Fixtures

Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 7

Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 7

Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 7

Welcome to Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 7. Last time, I wrote about how much I hate international breaks, especially now that friendlies are dressed up as competitive matches. This time I will backtrack. International friendlies are great. Rather than having to face red arrows week-in-week-out, international friendlies let you get on with your normal life. You aren’t in a mood because England lose to Spain, but you are when your team gets its third consecutive red arrow. I knew my good start would only come back to bite me at some point, but I didn’t expect it to last just three gameweeks! Anyway, that’s enough about how my team is falling off a cliff to keep Init amused for the week, so let’s look ahead to next weekend’s fixtures.

The fixtures are starting to pile up for the ‘big’ teams now. Not only is the next round of the Carabao Cup mid-week, the following week sees the second set of European fixtures. It might be prudent to have a bench player or two over the coming weeks.

*Looks at bench* Injured Mendy. Injured Peltier. Non-starting Kamara. Meh, looks okay to me.

The all important FPL FIXTURE TRACKER itself…

Favourable Fixtures
Spurs – Huddersfield (A), Cardiff (H), West Ham (A)
Fantasy Football TipsThe away games continue for Spurs as their rehousing appears to be being carried out by the local authority, although their next string of fixtures is particularly favourable. Huddersfield and Cardiff are joint-bottom of the league having both only managed to score three goals whilst shipping 14 in the process. And who are Tottenham’s next two opponents? Huddersfield and Cardiff. More embarrassingly for the two sides, their stats include a 0-0 draw against each other. Even more embarrassingly for Cardiff, their stats include a 0-0 draw against Newcastle, who occupy the final relegation spot (although in fairness to Newcastle, their fixtures have been rough)! Huddersfield have not scored at home yet and Cardiff have only managed one away from home (a headed goal which put them 1-0 up against Chelsea before going on to get pumped 4-1). Cardiff have lost their last three matches 5-0 to City, 4-1 to Chelsea and 3-2 to Arsenal. Harry Kane has probably already tied his boots in anticipation for this one, or, more likely, had to get someone else to do it for him.

The only caveat, and it is a fairly large one, is that Spurs face Barcelona on the Wednesday that lies in between these two matches. The game is at home, so that is a plus, but having lost to Inter in their opening group stage tie, I would not be surprised to see Pochettino exploit the relative kindness of their upcoming Premier League fixtures to try and progress to the Round of 16 by utilising his bench players more in the league. The same goes for the West Ham game with a must-win game away to PSV the following Tuesday followed by Manchester City the weekend after, although the fact it is a derby probably reduces the risk of rotation. As such, if you are looking for a midfielder from Spurs, I would only feel comfortable with Alli or Eriksen, who were ever-presents last season (bar the odd game explicable by injury or illness).

Anthony Knockaert’s late consolation goal scuppered Spurs’ chances of registering just their second clean sheet of the season, although with Huddersfield and Cardiff only managing a combined six goals for the season and West Ham so far only managing one goal at home, which was a penalty, Spurs should be disappointed with anything less than two clean sheets over the coming period. Who do you bring in though? The centre-backs feel too expensive for their relatively low attacking threat in comparison to the abundance of wingbacks-cum-strikers this season and accurately predicting which of Trippier and Aurier and Davies and Rose will start is about as easy as Theresa May is good at hiding the fact she has absolutely no idea what to do next (uh oh, let’s not start a political debate in the comments). Since coming back from injury, Trippier has started every Premier League game with Aurier starting against Inter. Whilst this suggests Trippier is Pochettino’s favourite, my concern is that this would mean starting him against Barcelona. I told you she has no idea what she is doing!

Arsenal – Watford (H), Fulham (A), Leicester (H)
Fantasy Football TipsAway from home Arsenal are still unpredictable. Yes, they have won two in three but conceding six in the process is worrying, as is the fact that two wins is already half the number they chalked up last season. Luckily, their next away tie is against Fulham, who have already shipped five to Palace (2), an in-Europe Burnley (2) and Watford (1) at home.

At home Arsenal seemingly remain superb, which bodes well with their kind home fixtures. Watford’s away form from last season, where they failed to win a game after November, would suggest that their victory against Burnley in GW2 was an anomaly and Leicester still haven’t remembered how to defend since lifting the title what seems like ages ago now. They conceded four to Bournemouth for crying out loud. Watford have scored four in their first two away games, although their dry spell last year is too fresh in the memory to deter me from considering Arsenal defenders. Leicester are always good for a goal though, so I wouldn’t expect a clean sheet there. That was possibly my most half-arsed sentence ever, although I did research it. I promise.

Despite blanking against Manchester City on the opening day, Arsenal have gone on to put three past West Ham and two past Everton at home so far. They scored 2+ in an impressive 16/19 home games last season; three against Watford and four against Leicester. What is more, they play Brentford in the Carabao Cup this week. I am now looking at my Arsenal-less side with considerably more angst than my-ignorant-self was about two hours ago.

Does the fact they have to make the long journey to Qarabag on the Thursday before Fulham ease my concern? Does it for you? Didn’t think so.

Wolves – Southampton (H), Crystal Palace (A), Watford (H)
With just one loss so far and draws against both the Manchester clubs, Wolves are doing exactly what we thought they would do; thriving. Their next three fixtures give them the opportunity to push on now, although they do have a fairly tough Carabao Cup tie against Leicester to negotiate first (or don’t because, you know, even fewer people care about that cup now than they did when it was just called the League Cup). ‘Define: Carabao’; ‘a swamp-type domestic water buffalo native to the Philippines’. ‘Define: swamp’; ‘uncultivated ground where water collects; a bog’. Apt name for it then.

First up is a visit from relegation-dodgers Southampton. After Liverpool taking the p*ss out of them for many years in the transfer window, the signing of Danny Ings was an excellent piece of business for all involved; Southampton got a clinical finisher and Liverpool ensured that they hadn’t pissed off their most reliable wholesaler. Whilst also somehow ensuring it wouldn’t come back to bite them on the arse.

Southampton only scored 2+ goals away from home on four occasions last season, blanking seven times. Wolves, who have conceded just two goals in their last four matches despite matches against both Manchester clubs, have a really good opportunity to get their third clean sheet of the season against Southampton. As for attacking prospects, Wolves, and Diogo Jota in particular, have hardly set the league on fire. Six in six is fair if not spectacular, although Southampton’s defence has already conceded five in their first three away games (three against Liverpool and two against Everton) and Watford conceding in both their away games is reminiscent of their failings away from home last season.

As for the trip to Crystal Palace, the Eagles haven’t scored at home yet and with Mamadou Sakho missing an open net Christian Benteke would have been embarrassed by at the weekend, Wolves could be good for another clean sheet (at least until Hodgson realises that Zaha should play up front).

Unfavourable Fixtures
Liverpool – Chelsea (A), Manchester City (H), Huddersfield (A)
Fantasy Football TipsNo, I don’t think ‘David Wagner’s magic’ again all of a sudden. Before the respite in the form of Huddersfield, Liverpool must face the only other two sides in the league to remain unbeaten. You have to go back to 2011 to find a Premier League game where Liverpool managed to stop Chelsea from scoring at Stamford Bridge, and with just one clean sheet on the road so far they might struggle to keep out a free-flowing Chelsea side that has managed nine goals in their first three home games. As if it wasn’t bad enough playing Chelsea away from home next weekend, they also play the Blues in the Carabao Cup this coming Wednesday. Liverpool have managed to score two in each away game so far though, so don’t expect your Liverpool attacking assets to come home empty-handed (unless you have Salah – he’ll probably blaze three one-on-ones over the bar or wide!).

Next up it is Manchester City; the clash of the Titans. The sides boast the best defensive records in the league as well as topping the scoring charts. The last four encounters have gone Liverpool’s way with the Mersey club scoring an impressive 11 goals in those matches. Last year in the league, City beat Liverpool 5-0 at home before Liverpool got revenge in an entertaining 4-3 victory at Anfield. We should probably expect goals, but beyond that I would not like to predict the score. Of perhaps key significance is that in the next fortnight Liverpool will play Chelsea twice and Napoli away before facing Manchester City whereas City will play Oxford United away, Brighton at home and Hoffenheim away. Sure, there are similar road miles, but Liverpool won’t get much chance to rest their key players.

Huddersfield – Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H)
The Terriers’ next three games are against three of last year’s top seven. With just three goals to their name so far (two by centre-halves, one by a holding midfielder), Huddersfield are doing exactly what most people thought they would do; failing. I was shocked to see that they didn’t try to buy an experienced striker this summer and it seems to be costing them. Perhaps the new transfer window confused Wagner. Spurs and Liverpool are averaging two goals a game away from home and Burnley’s four-nil stuffing of Bournemouth this weekend was probably the last thing Wagner wanted to see with a trip to Turf Moor sandwiched in between the two home games which are unlikely to do anything other than a test the resilience of the Town fans. Without Europa League fixtures to worry about now, Burnley’s threadbare side can concentrate on the league again, unfortunately for Huddersfield.

West Ham – Manchester United (H), Brighton (A), Tottenham (H)
Fantasy Football TipsLast season, West Ham conceded the joint-most goals in the league (68) and their summer defensive signings do not appear to have done much to change that, at least until they (read: ‘Fabianski’) managed to keep Chelsea out at the weekend.

West Ham’s fixtures have been cruel so far this season, but the storm is not letting up any time soon. First up is a visit from Manchester United, who had the second tightest defence last season. Although United have only managed to keep a solitary clean sheet so far (against Burnley), West Ham could well be added to that list having only managed to score one (penalty) at the Olympic Stadium so far this season and registering just one shot on target against Chelsea at the weekend, albeit without the injured Marko Arnautovic. Things don’t really get any better for the home fans as their next visitors are Spurs. Pochettino’s outfit have had a similarly modest start to the season to Manchester United, in comparison to the trio leading the way so far, although Spurs did have the third-best defence in the league last season and I would expect Hugo Lloris, who managed to keep Spurs’ only clean sheet so far (against Manchester United), to be back in between the sticks by the time they face West Ham.

Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 7. This article was written by AT



Vote on our Captain Poll Now

captain-poll-article1







Welcome to our Fantasy Football leagues section.

The League Codes for FF247 for the 2018/19 season are as follows –

The main public FF247 League is sponsored by Starting 11, which anyone is welcome to join, can be accessed using the following code 1581-751 (auto-link below).

The prize pool for this is £250.

Join Our League – Quick Link
League Code: 1581-751
View league standings
Our Regulars League* for 2018/19 is now open and has a cash prize pool of £300 paid directly to the winners from the FF247 management team. The first 5 places are paid out in a tiered system.

To enter this one you need to be an active and recognised site member and you need to e-mail us for the league code – elleffcee@gmail.com

*terms and conditions apply and are available upon request. Management reserve the right to review membership of this league on an ongoing basis. If you enter and win a prize you have to have commented on the site at least 5 times for 8 consecutive months between August 2018 and March 2019 or you will not be considered for a prize. That’s basically 1 comment a week all season, we think that’s a reasonable ask to be considered a ‘regular’.

In your e-mail could you please supply:-

Your name.
Your site user name.
Your team name from last season and your new team name if it has changed,

Thanks to our friends and please give them a follow.

Share This Post

211 Comments

  1. 13
    bees323 says:

    Want to swap Robertson for the defender most likely to keep a CS. Who would that be? Someone please take a peek into your crystal ball for me?
    Am just a few points off from top of my league…
    Team below with .3mib
    Thanks!

    • 13.1
      Jamie Mc says:

      Looked into my crystal ball and can see City, Spurs & Arsenal not conceding in game week 7.

    • 13.2
      Kralin says:

      Why don’t you just keep him? Could easily grab a couple of assists in the next two GW, then it’s Huddersfield. Liverpool do have tough fixtures but are not exactly lacking form.

      Otherwise swap for a City defender, preferably Mendy if he’s back.

    • 13.3
      Red Robbo says:

      Man City have the best bookies odds for a clean sheet next week, though no idea why you would want to swap Robertson even with his tricky fixtures – he’s a set and forget for me given his assist potential

      • secretzorro says:

        Yeah, When fit, Mendy, Robertson & Obi-wan is a set & forget defence.

        • Red Robbo says:

          Unless yo are doing it to save money, I wouldn’t put Obi-Wan as a set and forget yet – the Palace clean sheets have all been against poor attacking teams, who he can play higher up the pitch against and so get the good BP’s with him. I’m not sure Palace will keep may CS against the attacking teams though. Bournemouth will be a good test of that next week.

  2. 14
    Kralin says:

    Just realised I was replying to questions from a new article.

    Which I’ve just read. Nice work AT.

    Maybe there will be some movement from Hazard to Spurs’ mids if things go well for the latter in GW7.

  3. 15
    Red Robbo says:

    Many thanks for the article AT. Nice GW for me with 82 (-4) meaning lots of green arrows.

    Not doing any transfers early but out of interest anything to do here, with 1FT and £2.4m to play with?

    • 15.1
      RedKev says:

      Nice score Robbo! Few options there with that cash itb! Some Spurs cover ‘could/should’ be good with hud/CAR/whm next 3 if wanna swap Pedro. Or Duffy to Trippier/Walker ….or Kamara to Mitro!?

  4. 16
    specialK says:

    Great analysis AT, thanks as always!

  5. 17
    RedKev says:

    Hi all hope plenty of green arrows!
    Got a late dilemma need some help with if anyone still about!
    Mendy looks likely to drop tonight ….any news on him? Could sell now for £6.2 but would need him to drop to that to buy him back…or stick him on bench till he’s back?
    0.1 short of Walker so could get Laporte or Trippier – both CS potential but would mean a hit (my first…trying to avoid) and also rotation risks!?
    Or just bench Mendy and play 3 from Shaw(whm), Alonso(LIV), Robertson(che) & W-B(bou)?
    Cheers

    • 17.1
      secretzorro says:

      Keep him mate, you have cover and now Joshua’s had his fight I think he’ll be back sooner than later imo.

    • 17.2
      Kralin says:

      I told a hit last week (week 6) as I wanted to put the Mendy and Mkhi fires out. And hits are very rare for me. But a lot of people stuck with Mendy, and I may well have done but for the other injuries plaguing my side

      I brought in Trips, partly because I thought he’d cover Mendy’s absence (given his fixtures) with a few points and partly because as he’s a similar price I’ll be able to bring Mendy back without having to fiddle round with the rest of the team.

      However if I still had Mendy I’d definitely wait on his injury update – whether or not ‘injury’ is a euphemism we’ll never know – and take it from there. And not worry too much about the price changes. As soon as he’s back he’ll rise rapidly enough.

      • RedKev says:

        Cheers Kralin! If Mendy had of dropped last night it would’ve been a case of ‘option gone, sit him on the bench!’ As he didn’t, I find myself still pondering!
        I do think it’s more a combination of his tweets, driving ban, nights out with Pogba etc rather than an injury and his night out at the Joshua fight probably hasn’t helped him get back any quicker but how long will he be punished for?!? With Delph and an injured Danilo as back up, hopefully not too long!?
        Waiting it out at the moment as do have cover but am well tempted by Trippier with those next 3 fixtures and attacking potential on top!!

      • zwischenzug says:

        I wonder how you approach dilemmas in life, especially when presented by others.

        The cat could or could not have been just as likely. Although you missed the comma after however, I’ll stick with that (and Mendy). “Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”

        • RedKev says:

          Huh ….what …who ….cat ….John Lennon….what?!? Sorry Zwis you’ve totally confused me with that one!?! :what:

        • zwischenzug says:

          Sorry RedKev, it was for Kralin. In more simple terms, Mendy is still warming my bench and probably will continue to during this weekend.

        • RedKev says:

          😆 ahh ok sorry Zwis yeah I’m in the same boat with Mendy still, hoping Pep gives some info in the pressers or over the weekend and will decide what to do with him from there!

      • bees323 says:

        I would get Trippier, but I worry that he will get rotated as CL looms next week. Do you think he will play EPL with Barca up next?

        • RedKev says:

          50/50 I think tbh bees …presume they’d want their best players to play against the best teams though! Aurier has got the odd mistake in him so against the best attackers in the world I prob wouldn’t wanna trust him. If it was for a FT I’d get Trippier but for me it’d be a hit so I’m gonna leave it myself……I think

        • eresh12 says:

          best to leave it kev

  6. 18
    diznynut says:

    Any help with this bunch? Worried about Moura’s time with Son back. Mendy and Pedro. 2 FT and 2.1 ITB.

Leave a Reply

Go to Latest CommentsView Now