FPL long view: Plan ahead for fixture swings in Gameweek 9

The Scout helps managers in Fantasy Premier League to plan ahead for what's coming up AFTER this weekend's Gameweek 8 matches, highlighting clubs with good and bad fixtures around the corner. Remember, you can now save up to FIVE free transfers.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s upcoming run of opponents has the potential to pose problems for their heavily-owned players in Fantasy.

After this weekend’s visit to AFC Bournemouth, the Gunners face Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea in successive matches before their schedule improves markedly in Gameweek 12.

All three matches are ranked at four or five in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR).

Arsenal's fixtures from GW9 GW Opp. FDR* 9 Liverpool (H) 5 10 Newcastle (A) 4 11 Chelsea (A) 4

*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture

That short-term schedule is likely to influence the plans of Fantasy managers at both ends of the pitch, and many are likely to reduce their quota of Arsenal picks to navigate this period. 

At the back, David Raya (£5.6m) and William Saliba (£6.0m) are the most-selected goalkeeper and defender respectively, found in 32 per cent of squads.

Certainly, Gabriel's (£6.2m) 27 per cent owners should have no qualms over starting him, as his goals at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City attest to his ability to produce big scores in difficult fixtures.

In attack, meanwhile, Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) and Kai Havertz (£8.3m) are the third most-owned midfielder and forward respectively.

Over 34 per cent have selected Saka, whose single blank in seven outings this season suggests he could be the one to hold, whereas Havertz has blanked three times for his 20 per cent ownership. 

Newcastle

A somewhat mixed run of opponents is expected to curb any enthusiasm over Newcastle’s key players until mid-December. 

While Eddie Howe’s side will be eyeing goals this weekend when they host Brighton & Hove Albion, they then face Chelsea and Arsenal in Gameweeks 9 and 10.

Indeed, they have only one favourable home fixture before Gameweek 16, with that match coming against West Ham United in Gameweek 12. 

Newcastle's fixtures from GW9 GW Opp. FDR GW Opp. FDR 9 Chelsea (A) 4 14 Liverpool (H) 5 10 Arsenal (H) 5 15 Brentford (A) 3 11 Nott'm Forest (A) 2 16 Leicester (H) 2 12 West Ham (H) 2 17 Ipswich (A) 2 13 Crystal Palace (A) 2      

Back-to-back matches against promoted pair Leicester City and Ipswich Town in Gameweeks 16 and 17 then kickstart a very kind schedule that’s bound to bring the Magpies back into managers’ plans.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope (£5.0m) could be a good option between the posts, while Anthony Gordon (£7.3m), Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) and Alexander Isak (£8.3m) have the goal threat to emerge as festive must-haves. 

Fulham

Interest in Fulham’s players is likely to increase after this weekend's tricky match against Aston Villa thanks to a very favourable run of opponents.

According to the FDR, five of their six matches from Gameweek 9 onwards score only two.

Home encounters with Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton, allied with visits to Everton and Crystal Palace, look conducive to Fantasy returns at both ends of the pitch.

Fulham's fixtures from GW9 GW Opp. FDR* 9 Everton (A) 2 10 Brentford (H) 2 11 Crystal Palace (A) 2 12 Wolves (H) 2 13 Spurs (A) 4 14 Brighton (H) 2

Emile Smith Rowe (£5.7m) is Fulham's most-popular player by some distance, with a 27 per cent ownership making him the fifth most-selected midfielder in Fantasy. 

It is worth noting, though, that he has produced all his attacking returns – two goals and an assist – at home this season, while he was benched in the Cottagers’ last away match, at Man City.

Raul Jimenez (£5.6m) could prove to be a great cut-price forward over this period. The Mexican has scored or assisted in each of the last four Gameweeks. 

In defence, left-back Antonee Robinson (£4.7m) offers the likeliest chance of attacking returns, although Joachim Andersen could be a great ultra-low priced pick, at a cost of just £4.3m.