FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 4 2016-17
Welcome to FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 4 2016-17. Welcome, welcome, welcome to our fixture analysis for the week! The first three weeks of the season are in the books and the transfer window has slammed shut until January. All was right in the world, and then… the first of many annoying international breaks. Surely planned for no purpose other than to simply to frustrate us. The footballers themselves seem to enjoy it but to the clubs, their fans and, most importantly, the fantasy football managers these matches are nothing but a chance for their players to get injured and suffer jetlag ahead of week 4.
Did your players survive? Did you survive? For many of us this international lull has been a time of fantasy introspection. ‘To wildcard or not to wildcard’ as the Bard once famously put it. Some of us planned our teams for the first three weeks and hit the wildcard button just as planned and full of confidence, while others have tossed and turned through the night debating the choice.
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Fixture Tracker – the next 6 games
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FAVOURABLE FIXTURES
Everton – Sunderland (a), Middlesbrough (h), Bournemouth (a)
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[/three_fourth]Transfer deadline day came and went and Everton managed to ward off interest in Romelu Lukaku.
They also addressed their most pressing need: a viable backup for the streaky Lukaku. The arrival of Enner Valencia will not set the league on fire but it will give Ronald Koeman options when Lukaku enters one of his inevitable goal droughts.
The league bestowed on Everton a kind set of opening fixtures and they have certainly taken advantage. The Toffees look poised to continue their hot start with three very winnable fixtures on the horizon. A trip to Sunderland (one point from three) could well be their most difficult test over the next month. Last season was a rollercoaster affair, with the teams combining to net 11 goals the two times they met.
Their next foe, newly promoted Middlesbrough, will likely park the bus and play for a point at Goodison Park as they attempt to survive their first season back in the big time. Relegation fodder Bournemouth are likely to employ the same strategy, but we fancy Everton have enough class to overcome both teams. Adding Lukaku, Ross Barkley or Leighton Baines could pay dividends over the next several weeks.
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Arsenal – Southampton (h), Hull (a), Chelsea (h)
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[/three_fourth]Stop the press! Arsenal finally bought the striker and central defender they have needed for the last three seasons. You can debate whether the players are a perfect fit for Arsene Wenger’s system, or whether they are a notable upgrade from the players already on the roster, but they finally have the depth that would have seen them mount a legitimate challenge for the title last season. Better late than never, we guess.
The arrival of Lucas Perez will push Olivier Giroud and means Sanchez can return out wide where his game is better, and the arrival of defender Shkodran Mustafi means Arsenal now have a player whose name will never be spelled correctly. One can only hope Arsenal fans will serenade him with The Circle of Life when he opens his Arsenal account.
Looking at their upcoming fixtures the Chelsea game looms on the horizon, but facing Burnley and Swansea in the following weeks make Arsenal a team you should invest in over the next five weeks. Alexis Sanchez is the obvious attacking choice, but a punt on Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla or even Theo Walcott could see you climb in the rankings.
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Tottenham – Stoke (a), Sunderland (h), Middlesbrough (a)
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[/three_fourth]Tottenham have negotiated a tricky opening trio of games and have five points to show for it. Fans should be satisfied with draws against Everton and Liverpool, and a hard fought victory over Crystal Palace. Most importantly, they sit one point ahead of Arsenal. For now.
The deadline day acquisitions of midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou beef up Spurs strength in depth, while an early season goal from Erik Lamela has reminded people that he plays for Spurs. With the defence fit, boss Samwise Gamgee’s most pressing issue now is figuring out why his striker seems to have lost his nose for scoring. Speaking of slow starts, Pochewotsit’s have failed to find the back of the net in the first-half this season.
Their next three matches should see that change though. A trip to Orc Arena could prove challenging as Stoke attempt to avoid relegation but Spurs are talented enough to overcome such thuggery. Sunderland and Middlesbrough are likely to pose much less of a threat. The problem with exploiting their fixtures is figuring out who will score their goals.
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WORTH A LOOK…
Crystal Palace – Middlesbrough (a), Stoke (h), Sunderland (a)
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[/three_fourth]Continuing the trend of picking teams that play Middlesbrough, Stoke and/or Sunderland, we present to you Crystal Palace for your consideration. The arrival of strikers Loic Remy and Christian Benteke finally give the Eagles legitimate scoring options, and keeping hold of Wilfried Zaha has shown that the owners are keen to improve on last season’s 15th place finish.
Despite a rough start that has seen them drop two of their opening three fixtures, Alan Pardew’s men will fancy their prospects for points in the next month. The Middlesbrough-Stoke-Sunderland axis has surrendered a total of 13 goals thus far. Just what the doctor ordered. It may take him a bit to acclimatise himself but we think Palace’s next three opponents make Benteke one to watch in the coming weeks.
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BE WARY OF…
Swansea – Chelsea (h), Southampton (a), Manchester City (h)
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[/three_fourth]We realize you likely do not have any Swansea coverage in your team, but our job is to make sure of that. It isn’t that Swansea are that bad, they just have a brutal schedule over the next month. And they are just bad. A quick check of their roster confirms Gylfi Sigurdsson does still play for the team. Unfortunately, no one else of note does. Poor Siggy. Where is Michu when you need him?
If the prospects of Chelsea and City are not enough to scare you off, they face Liverpool and Arsenal after that. It realistically could be the end of October before Swansea win another match. Stay far away until then.
Well that is it for me this week lads and lasses. As always, I enjoyed out time together and appreciate your reading this article. Best of luck to you all in the coming weeks. Cheers!
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Thanks for reading FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 4 2016-17. This article was written by LawDogg
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Hi everyone! I have 1FT but 0 in the bank. Obvious transfer is Aguero to someone, potentially Costa but am looking at differentials. Would it be worth taking a 4pt hit and switching Redmond to Sterling or Cazorla or would Redmond be worth keeping?
Hey Igy, I can’t decide what to do with Redmond yet so I’m sorry I can’t be much help there. Kun to Costa is the obvious move as you say and there isn’t many differentials out there but a punt on Giroud maybe but I don’t like it too much
Hi Matt! Thanks for the advice! I was considering Kane because of his fixtures but his form is poor! Giroud is an option but they also have Perez so it’s hard to know who will get game time. I plan on getting Aguero back as soon as he returns so I’m not sure about taking a punt on someone who may not get game time in the next couple of weeks!
Yeah Kane would be a differential but like you say his form is poor and also he doesn’t have Dembele back yet and I feel that without Dembele he won’t score. Yeah that is a problem that’s why I said there isn’t many differentials. Costa really is the only option unless you go with Benteke, Defoe or something like that you know?
Kane historically starts the season slow – hold off until he heats up. Costa is the safe bet. Do it, you know you want to.
Go with Giroud
Omg…Iam getting kane to replace kun. Consider the fixture onwards.. haha
wHATS GOIng on with Gray, anyone know when we are likely to find out if banend or not. Thought it was today but probably not. Will we find out this gw?
We have to wait till he is given a date for this personal meeting and if the date is before Saturday then he could be gone but if it’s after then he will be able to play.
Almost 30,000 managers have transferred Aguero IN this week!
The mind boggles
That was before the ban was announced. I’d say they are kicking themselves now!!
Tnx for the article guys. Any news on ummmm Gray?
And with Shaw out, could Blind become leftback again? This is a way for Mourinho to have both Smalling and Blind in his team. Was already surprised Blind was still starting, he’s doing well though. Smart player which compensates for the poor speed and so on.
I’m not sure Shaw is out yet. I think he should be alright for the derby but we will have to wait for pressers.
Yeah, my mistake. It was a precaution move after the lengthy injury from before, too much for him. I read serious and figured it was serious now, but that was about the previous problem.
Ah right yeah I get what you mean but I think he should be alright as I believe he left the England camp to rest up so he would be available for the weekend.
Who??!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3774772/Burnley-striker-Andre-Gray-requests-personal-hearing-answer-FA-charges-homophobic-tweets.html
Oh I know Raz. Hopefully we will hear the date of the personal hearing later today.
Evil.
Hahah thanks
Hmmm, after Arsenal Redmond has a rather easy game. Also, we have to keep in mind that Arsenal has much more playing going away on international duty, the time to meet them and face them is now, for a team like Soton. Plus, Arsenal is Arsenal, they will always have defensive problems.
That is true Raz but Southampton have been poor enough so right now I’m looking into selling him.
Hey guys great article
Would appreciate some help on my team though please. Anybody know if luke shaw should be fit? I have 1 transfer with 3.3 to spend
Shaw may be OK for the game. So would keep him. You have souare on the bench anyway. Maybe try get ozil or sanchez for firmino or redmond. Very similar team to mine.
Hey Weller, no news of Shaw yet, hopefully Jose tells us something positive on Friday. Saying that, even if Shaw doesn’t play, Souare can come in for you.
I would hold the transfer there mate unless you want to splash the Kun cash for a couple of weeks.
I certainly wouldn’t do anything with Shaw. Even if he’s fit I’d be half-tempted to play Souare due to fixtures! Gray would be my concern if I was you, but that’s just a waiting game it appears!
Two quick Tuesday afternoon poles for you all…
1) Best 4.0 keeper? Jakupovic or Pickford?
2) Best 4.5 midfielder??
On a wildcard and just trying to tidy up the bench.
Thanks.
1) Pickford because Jaku could lose his place to Marshall
2) Fletcher probably
Cheers Matt. Do you reckon Pickford is likely to keep hold of his place then? Fletcher is certainly guaranteed a start I suppose. Not much else at that price point is there!
Well since Mannone is out injured for the next 2 months then he should be nailed on. I would say Maloney or Whelan as well but Whelan hasn’t the best fixtures and Maloney doesn’t seem to be starting.
Yea I currently have Maloney, but he’s not starting, so I’m gonna change him I think. Jack Rodwell is on my radar too.
Yes I forgot about Rodwell I was just looking at him. I think he could be alright fixturewise but I would still prefer a WBA as they are more solid at the back.
I think I’d fancy Rodwell to pop up with more random assists, but not convinced of his gametime… And there’s also talk of him moving to full-back.
Okay I didn’t know that but if he does I wouldn’t touch him.
1) Pickford as for the above reason
2) Capoue ifor 0.1m more
Cheers Ripcurl. Capoue’s 4.7 now, and my budget only allows for 4.6. If I get Capoue then I’d be entirely reliant on Aguero dropping to 12.9 in order to be able to get him back. Whilst I’d say that’s likely, it’s a punt I’m not comfortable with.