This afternoon’s release of the updated fixture schedule represents a milestone for Fantasy managers. With TV coverage now factored in over August and September, it has been confirmed that Gameweek 2 will get underway on a Friday evening, with Aston Villa entertaining Man United at 7.45pm – the first time this has occurred.
This will bring a new twist to the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game in particular, allowing us to see the starting XI prior to kick-off before firming up our transfer plans. With that in mind, Fantasy managers may be a little more reluctant to delve into the transfer market prior to the Gameweek 2 kick-off, which, in turn, would slow any possible player price rises.
From an editorial perspective, we’ll obviously take this into consideration and roll out our Scout Picks and Spot the Differential articles earlier than normal, publishing them on Friday morning to accomodate the time switch.
The Premier League have also issued the schedule for the opening seven rounds of fixtures, though the rest of the Gameweeks will kick off on the usual Saturday afternoon, with the Villa-United match moved to Friday due to an English Defence League march in the area the following day.
It’s worth noting, however, that from 2016/17, ten Friday evening matches are expected over a season, bringing this new tactic into play far more frequently.
8 years, 9 months agoIf I was ever thinking of Costa as an FPL option, I'm not now with Falcao there.
One of those players that waits for Costa to go on two-game blank then comes in and does nothing for a few weeks, and the cycle goes on.
Hazard if anyone. I don't think Chelsea's defence will be value for money with a price rise likely this year.
Maybe Ivanovic if you want to be a real FPL tart and splash the cash