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Monday, 26 June 2017

Examining the Fixtures - Fantasy Premier League 2017/18

The 2017/18 English Premier League fixtures have been announced and the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) launch is now only a matter of weeks away. So, we at WFC have taken a deep look at each team's fixtures throughout the entirety of the season. For your benefit, we have created colour coded fixture tables, as well as month by month fixture summaries, containing key events and points to notes.

Please remember, the fixture difficulties used in this article are based purely on squad strength and historical records. However, these difficulties may change when taking the form of teams into account.

Nevertheless, we hope that you find the information we have compiled useful.

Fixture Tables

Fixture Analysis

August: GW1-3

Key Events

· EFL Cup 2^nd Round – GW (gameweek) 2/3

· International break – GW3/4

Notes

· The teams with the best run of fixtures in the first month of the season are Southampton and Manchester United. Doubling or tripling up on these teams looks safe.

· Manchester City has three favourable fixtures in the opening month, but two of these are away from home, which is something to be wary of.

· Crystal Palace options could reward FPL managers greatly in August, with two very favourable home fixtures.

· West Brom options are also worth monitoring defensively, whilst Liverpool options could be profitable in the attacking positions.

· Arsenal players offer mixed potential, so it would be advised not to load up on them until later in the season.

· Although Tottenham has two home games, one is against Chelsea, and they are not proven at their new home ground, Wembley. They are also notorious slow starters to Premier League seasons, so be cautious when selecting Tottenham players.

· Steer clear of Everton and Leicester players.

September: GW4-6

Key Events

· Champions League & Europa League Matchday 1 – GW4/5

· EFL Cup 3^rd Round – GW5/6

Notes

· September is the time to pick up Arsenal players, with two juicy home fixtures on either side of Chelsea away.

· Brighton players should be selected in September due to their great fixtures, whilst Burnley players, especially defensively, offer potential.

· Swansea players also offer potential, with two favourable home matches.

· Both Manchester clubs offer similar potential to their first month of the 17/18 season.

· Newcastle options should also be monitored.

· Again, be wary of Tottenham, who have two tricky away matches.

· Steer clear of Everton players until the last GW of September.

· Avoid Bournemouth and Stoke players.

October: GW7-10

Key Events

· Champions League & Europe League Matchday 2 – GW6/7

· International break – GW7/8

· Champions League & Europe League Matchday 3 – GW8/9

· EFL Cup 4^thRound - GW9/10

Notes

· Continue to hold Arsenal and Southampton players in October.

· Keeping Manchester City options looks safe in October, whilst transferring Manchester United players out in GW8 could also be smart.

· October is the time to stock up on Everton, Chelsea and West Ham players.

· Also monitor the inclusion of Leicester players in October.

· The inclusion of a Swansea player could be beneficial.

· Crystal Palace players should be avoided.

November: GW11-14

Key Events

· Champions League & Europa League Matchday 4 – GW10/11

· International break – GW11/12

· Champions League & Europa League Matchday 5 – GW12/13

Notes

· Despite a trip to the Emirates in GW12 and two Champions League matches, November is the month to stock up on Tottenham options.

· Bournemouth begins a favourable run of fixtures in November, so consider picking up their players.

· Options from both Manchester clubs do not look appealing at the start of November, but should come into consideration in the back half of the month.

· Regardless of matches to Manchester United and Liverpool, it is advisable to hold Chelsea players in November due to an extremely favourable run that starts in the final GW of the month.

· Southampton’s dream start to the season continues into the first GW of November, but stops there. This is the time to look elsewhere.

· Arsenal players are also a sell in November, with two Champions League games as well as matches away to City and Burnley and home to Tottenham.

· Leicester players should be avoided.

December: GW15-21

Key Events

· Champions League & Europa League Matchday 6 – GW15/16

· EFL Cup Quarter Finals – GW18/19

Notes

· Chelsea and Tottenham have the most favourable runs of any teams in November, so hold their players.

· Liverpool players, especially in attack, are a must in December.

· Crystal Palace players could come in handy, as could those from Watford.

· Both Manchester clubs have been handed mixed schedules to start December, but turn favourable towards the end of the month. Hold their players.

· Be wary of Everton players. Their fixtures appear favourable, but they only have two ‘easy’ home games. Their options could still be worth acquiring, but this is just something to monitor.

· Arsenal players should be avoided until GW18.

· Do not touch West Ham, Newcastle, Bournemouth or Southampton players in December.

· Please note: few players are safe from rotation in December due to the heavy fixture schedule, so select with caution and monitor player situations throughout this month and the beginning of January.

January: GW22-25

Key Events

· FA Cup 3^rd Round – GW22/23

· EFL Cup Semi Final 1^st Leg – GW22/23

· FA Cup 3^rd Round Replays – GW23/24

· EFL Cup Semi Final 2^nd Leg – GW24/25

· FA Cup 4^th Round – GW24/25

Notes

· Stoke players should be sought after in January due to three extremely favourable home matches and a trip to Bournemouth.

· Both Manchester clubs continue a good run of fixtures.

· Arsenal face a tricky game to start January, but their fixtures turn highly favourable after that. Hold their players.

· After dropping West Ham players in December, January is the time to stock up on them again.

· Monitor Liverpool players. Although they face three probable bottom half teams, all three of these matches come away from home.

· Southampton has one tricky match, but stocking up on their players again looks safe.

· Continue to hold Chelsea players.

· GW23 is a good time to release some Tottenham players due to a tricky five game run.

February: GW26-28

Key Events

· FA Cup 4^th Round Replays – GW26/27

· Champions League Round of 16 1^stLeg – GW27/28

· Europa League Round of 32 1^st& 2^nd Legs – GW27/28

· FA Cup 5^th Round – GW27/28

· EFL Cup Final – GW28 BLANK

Notes

· Stoke continue their favourable run of fixtures, as do West Ham.

· Swansea and Bournemouth both enjoy favourable fixture runs in February.

· Everton start February in a tough way away to Arsenal, but their fixtures soften greatly after that.

· Manchester City, Manchester United and Leicester all have two favourable fixtures out of three matches in February.

· Be wary of Southampton in February. They face a tough home game against Liverpool and two away matches to West Brom and Burnley who are both resilient defensively at home.

· Steer clear of Tottenham players until the final GW of February.

· Arsenal face a tricky run of fixtures in February. Look to transfer out or expect to bench their players this month.

· Possibly look to sell some Liverpool options in GW26.

March: GW29-31

Key Events

· FA Cups 5^th Round Replays – GW28/29

· Champions League Round of 16 2^ndLeg – GW29/30

· Europa League Round of 16 1^stLeg – GW29/30

· Champions League Round of 16 2^ndLeg – GW30/31

· Europa League Round of 16 2^ndLeg – GW30/31

· FA Cup Quarter Finals - GW31 BLANK

· International Break – GW31

Notes

· Pick up as many in form Tottenham players as you can and hold them for the rest of the season.

· March is when you should stock up on Arsenal and Liverpool players, with the intent to keep them for the rest of the season.

· Look to bring Leicester players in at this time.

· West Brom and Huddersfield players could come into our thinking in March due to soft fixtures.

· Both Manchester clubs face mixed fixtures in March, but are worth holding.

· Chelsea start March in a tough way, but their fixtures soften greatly after that. Look to hold their players for the rest of the season.

· Southampton again has some favourable fixtures, but two away matches in March may act as a deterrent when form is taken into account.

· Steer clear of Newcastle, Watford, Brighton and Burnley players.

April: GW32-36

Key Events

· Champions League Quarter Final 1^stLeg – GW32/33

· Europa League Quarter Final 1^stLeg – GW32/33

· Champions League Quarter Final 2^ndLeg – GW33/34

· Europa League Quarter Final 2^ndLeg – GW33/34

· Champions League Semi Final 1^stLeg – GW35/36

· Europa League Semi Final 1^stLeg – GW35/36

· Champions League Semi Final 2^ndLeg – GW36/37

· Europa League Semi Final 2^ndLeg – GW36/37

· Possible Double GW (DGW) – GW34

· FA Cup Semi Finals - GW35 BLANK

Notes

· With three extremely favourable home matches from GW32-35, look to bring in Watford players.

· Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool players are must haves in April, with Manchester United players also looking appealing.

· Tottenham face a tricky match either side of GW33, but it is worth holding their players for the run-in.

· GW32 is a good time to offload some Manchester City players, possibly with Crystal Palace, Brighton or Leicester players used as replacements.

· Steer clear of West Ham, Bournemouth, Stoke, Newcastle and Southampton players.

May: GW37-38

Key Events

· Possible DGW – GW37

· Europa League Final – post GW38

· FA Cup Final – post GW38

· Champions League Final – post GW38

Notes

· Stock up on players from both Manchester clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal for the final month of the season.

· Be wary of Chelsea players. They face Liverpool who are notoriously tight defensively against big teams, as well as a tricky away trip to Newcastle.

· Differentials could come from Bournemouth, Everton, Stoke, Swansea or Crystal Palace.

· Do not touch Brighton, Huddersfield, Southampton or West Brom players.

Thanks for reading.

By Sebastian Candido | Worldwide Fantasy Club

Monday, 19 June 2017

EPL Transfer Speculation That Could Shake-up the FPL Landscape

Andrea Belloti (Torino > Manchester Utd or Chelsea)

The 23 year old Italian forward has been touted as a future star in recent times after bursting onto the scene with Torino in the 16/17 campaign, registering a staggering 26 goals and 7 assists. Belloti’s scoring prowess accounted for 37% of his team’s seasonal goals. This has sparked the interest of both Manchester United and Chelsea who are looking to transfer in new centre forwards to their squads. For FPL managers, the signing of Belloti to either Premier League powerhouse could spell golden points returns. However, the price tag placed on the young forward’s transfer by Torino (£84million) has halted Man Utd’s push, allowing Chelsea to swoop, should the sale of Diego Costa manifest. FPL managers would be silly not to consider selecting Belloti in their squads if his transfer occurs, as he registered 3.8 shots on target per 90mins in the last Serie A season, along with 1.1 successful take-ons per game and a key pass every 56.2 minutes. Additionally, Belloti was fouled on average 3.6 times per game. This proves that Belloti is an active forward that gets on the ball and takes responsibility for his positional role. Belloti could be a bargain pick up in comparison to his forward counterparts.

Predicted FPL Price: £8.5-9.0 Potential Team Influence Rating: 7/10

Hakan Ҫalhanoğlu (Bayer Leverkusen > Arsenal)

Ҫalhanoğlu has been a dynamic player for many consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga. However, season 16/17 wasn’t the Turk’s best season to note of, having only managed 15 league appearances over the course of the entire campaign. Although he had low appearance numbers, Ҫalhanoğlu doubled his scoring output from the previous season, snapping up 6 goals. With limited minutes and Leverkusen finishing below mid-table, the Turkish international has been linked with a move away, with Arsenal currently leading the race for his signature. With his wizardry dribbling and excellent long-shooting in addition to his majestic free-kick ability, Ҫalhanoğlu has the potential to thrive in the Premier League – especially with an Arsenal side that loves to possess the ball. The interchangeable midfielder and often make-shift centre-forward could spell good news for FPL managers wanting an Arsenal player in their squad when they have a good run of fixtures but can’t afford Alexis Sánchez (should he stay) and have given up putting faith in Theo Walcott and Mesut Özil. The crafty playmaker was instrumental when he played in the Bundesliga last term having a shot every 25.7 minutes and orchestrating a shot assist every 42.8 minutes, making him one of the most influential players in the Bundesliga. If this form transfers over to the Premier League, along with him being a certainty to be placed on set-piece duty, FPL managers are in for a treat.

Predicted FPL Price: £7.5-8.0 Potential Team Influence Rating: 7.5/10

Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid > Manchester United)

What can you say about Morata besides the fact that he loves playing for big clubs. The young Spaniard has been an above average striker for the better part of four years but has never been entrusted to lead the team he has been playing for, often playing second fiddle to other big names like Karim Benzema. If a move to the Red Devils comes to fruition, it is likely that he will slot straight into the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimović at the spearhead of United’s attack. With a regular starting spot, Morata could work wonders for FPL managers, as it would provide more depth in the striking position for squad selections. Almost a certainty to be a cheaper price than most other prolific strikers (Kane, Aguero, Lukaku, Costa), Morata possesses the ability to score and create just as much offensively as his counterparts. Scoring 15 goals for Madrid in season 16/17 after only featuring in 14 games from the opening whistle, and a further 12 from the bench, Morata knows how to find the back of the net. He is a very efficient scorer, only having on average 2.1 shots per game, but 1.8 are from inside the box, meaning he is a true out and out striker with exceptional poaching skills and aerial prowess. These are all good skills to be a successful FPL points scorer which is what FPL managers want. WFC believes that if Morata is in the Premier League this upcoming season, it is highly probable that he will break the 20 goal barrier. However, a lot of his goals will come from crosses and balls played into him – not maze dribbling self-constructed goals, meaning that with Morata’s acquisition, the potential of Pogba, Mata, Mkhitaryan and Martial's points returns also increases.

Predicted FPL Price: £9.5-10 Potential Team Influence Rating: 8.5/10

Mohamed Salah (Roma > Liverpool)

Since leaving Stamford Bridge and moving to the Serie A with Roma, Salah has come on in leaps and bounds. This has caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp, with the Egyptian almost certain for a return to the Premier League. For FPL managers, the transfer of Salah back to the Premier League might not sound too enticing after his first stint with Chelsea that promised so much but delivered so little, after never truly breaking into the team as a nailed on starter. For the past two and a half seasons in the Serie A (on loan and permanent transfers), Salah has scored 35 goals in 81 total appearances. Season 16/17 was Salah’s most productive and effective to date in his career, amassing 15 goals, 11 assists and winning man of the match on 4 separate occasions in the league. At 25 years old, Salah is moving into the prime of his career and a move to Liverpool could spark him to jump to another level in ability. For FPL managers looking for attacking assets, Salah could provide another handy option, as joining Liverpool would mean he is moving into a well-developed attacking force that scores a lot of goals that come from direct assists. Salah’s 2.9 shots and 2.6 key passes per game ranks him higher than current Liverpool men in comparable positions, Sadio Manè for shots (2.1) and Coutinho for key passes (2.5) who both had similar amounts of league appearances – Salah (31), Manè (27), Coutinho (31). If Salah’s Serie A output can be replicated, he could level or even eclipse the FPL points tallies registered by Manè or Coutinho in the past season. Re-entrusting Salah could be a worthy FPL consideration.

Predicted FPL Price: £8.0-8.5 Potential Team Influence Rating: 7/10