Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best and worst upcoming FPL fixtures?

Our regular frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Premier League clubs and players with – in theory – the strongest and weakest runs of league matches over the coming weeks of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

The primary focus in this article will be on the next six Gameweeks but we will scrutinise the longer-term prospects where appropriate.

Our colour-coded Season Ticker is the primary source for this piece; using this tool as a Premium Member, you can sort by difficulty, rank by attacking and defensive potential or find budget rotation pairings. You can also set your own difficulty ratings, should you disagree with our own.

BEST FIXTURES

CHELSEA

Saturday’s comprehensive 7-0 win over Norwich City brought a hat-trick from Mason Mount (£7.5m), who had lost 390,000 owners since his previous start in Gameweek 5, rather than the much-bought Kai Havertz (£8.1m). The German was the only Chelsea starter to blank – a beautiful summarisation of what FPL is all about. However, those new owners could still benefit from Romelu Lukaku‘s (£11.5m) injury if Havertz delivers the goods against Newcastle United – a side yet to keep a clean sheet.

The Blues then face Burnley at home, completing the sequence of facing relegation zone sides. After that are two games that seem difficult at first but, looking deeper, still present strong attacking fixtures. Leicester City haven’t kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 1 and conceded twice in each of the four games preceding Sunday’s 2-1 win at Brentford, whilst Manchester United have let in 11 goals from their last three matches in all competitions.

Six clean sheets have been kept from nine attempts. Although their three goals conceded is the league’s lowest, Chelsea are bettered by several sides in terms of shots conceded, shots conceded in penalty area and expected goals conceded (xGC). The other defensive issue is guessing who will play for Thomas Tuchel. Only Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) and Trevoh Chalobah (£4.9m) have started the last two league matches, with Marcos Alonso (£5.8m) and Andreas Christensen (£5.1m) waiting to step in.

BRENTFORD

Another side facing the bottom three in succession is Brentford. The newly-promoted side have impressed many over early matches, despite the last four fixtures being against teams from last season’s top six. Before that, the Bees won two and drew two of the first five and many FPL managers will be hoping that Ivan Toney (£6.5m) is joined by Bryan Mbeumo (£5.6m) in attack, should the Frenchman recover from the hamstring issue that forced his half-time withdrawal at the weekend.

Mbeumo is a cheap midfielder, playing as a striker. his expected goals (xG) tally of 3.47 is the best of all sub-£7.5m players and only beaten by six of any price. Only two goals have been scored, although an incredible six shots have hit the woodwork. Toney only has an assist from the past four gameweeks but is on penalty duty.

Burnley (a), Norwich (H) and Newcastle (a) present three of the four worst xGC numbers, conceding a total of 434 shots so far – an average of 16-per-match. Norwich have only scored twice, with them and Burnley having the lowest team xG numbers of 7.29 and 8.78, boding well for Ethan Pinnock (£4.7m) and Pontus Jansson (£4.7m). Beyond that, Everton have just conceded five times at home to Watford, Tottenham have let in 13 from their last six and Leeds United’s defence is the only one competing with the bottom three for worst back line.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Kane and Wilson enter FPL differential conversation ahead of Gameweek 9 5

Between defensive woes, two successive defeats and the drop in form of Harry Kane (£12.1m), Tottenham’s imminent clash with Man United will be an interesting battle to see which club is most in crisis right now. For owners of Kane and Son Heung-min (£10.2m) – who is still managing to have a good season – the fixture defies its red colouring on the ticker. Then it’s a trip to Goodison Park and a stretch of fixtures that exceeds the four shown in blue above. Between Gameweek 12 and Gameweek 22, Spurs only face one of last season’s top four.

This gives an opportunity to those with plenty of money in the bank from selling Lukaku or Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m), as the temptation to get either Son or Kane strengthens. Defensively, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men started the season with three clean sheets but have none since, yet the cheap prices of Eric Dier (£4.5m) and Sergio Reguilon (£5.1m) could persuade FPL managers to grab one for these opponents.

NORWICH CITY

Top of the fixture ticker are Norwich, although with an asterisk that they’re bottom of the league, winless and with only two goals so far – it would an incredibly maverick move to go for forward Teemu Pukki (£5.8m). A decent £4.5m bench option could be Mathias Normann who, since his Gameweek 5 debut, comes top for goal attempts (11) at his price point. Their defence did keep consecutive clean sheets against Burnley and Brighton, before returning to normality with the 7-0 crushing at Chelsea.

Whilst one perspective is that Leeds (H), Brentford (a), Southampton (H), Wolves (H) and Newcastle (a) are good fixtures for Norwich, the other is that managers should target assets from these five teams because they are about to have a very promising opponent.

WORST FIXTURES

WATFORD

Is now the time to sell Everton's value-for-money FPL midfielders? 1

Just when it seemed that Watford’s early mid-table position was about to collapse, new manager Claudio Ranieri watched his side overturn a 2-1 deficit at Everton into a remarkable 5-2 win inside the last 15 minutes. The Hornets are now in 14th place and will be thankful for a six-point gap over the relegation zone, knowing that the home match against Southampton is followed by Arsenal (a), Man United (H), Leicester (a), Chelsea (H) and Manchester City (H).

Some of these sides’ weaknesses were mentioned above but, make no mistake, they will still be tough challenges for Watford. Emmanual Dennis (£5.2m) delivered 12 points in his 26-minute cameo but is suspended for Gameweek 10, whilst Joshua King (£5.5m) added a hat-trick to his brilliant record versus Everton to bag his first goals of the season. Star man Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) wasn’t involved in any of the five at Goodison Park and his price drops are expected to continue when FPL managers see these fixtures. At the back, Watford join Newcastle in still not having collected any clean sheets.

WEST HAM UNITED

Vestergaard injury latest as Antonio and Benrahma haul again 2

The time might have felt right to ditch Michail Antonio (£8.1m), having blanked in consecutive matches and with Liverpool (H), Man City (a) and Chelsea (H) on the horizon. Then the striker netted the winner against Tottenham to join Jamie Vardy on 57 points as the joint-second highest FPL scorer behind Mohamed Salah (£12.9m). Many managers have other fires to put out right now, with Mbeumo, Jamie Vardy (£10.8m) and Raphinha (£6.7m) potentially injured and Ronaldo losing form, meaning Antonio’s goal should see him survive a cull.

However, team mate Said Benrahma (£6.5m) may be one of those fires. After delivering a goal, an assist and 12 points from the first pair of matches, he he since been involved in one goal from seven. It isn’t for a lack of trying – his four games since scoring in Gameweek 5 have amassed 16 shots, a number only topped by Salah throughout the league.

Again, the Mbeumo and Raphinha situations could spare him an abandonment, but patience must surely be thining amongst his 33.7% ownership. Defensively, the Hammers have followed a leaky start by keeping two successive clean sheets. Aaron Cresswell (£5.5m) added an assist on Sunday. However, it’s ill-advised to purchase one with these upcoming fixtures.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,574 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Make United Great Again
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Raphinha to Son or Mount this GW?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I prefer Son

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Cheers. Plum fixture vs United too.

        Pains me to say that 🙁

  2. SouthCoastSaint
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Anyone keeping Havertz if he plays an hour?

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I don't have Havertz, but it makes sense that he is starting. He needs game time as the centre forward.

    2. dansully3
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Why wouldn't you keep him, I have him and will be keeping him for at least the next 2.

  3. SouthCoastSaint
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Mbeumo, Raphina, Marcal, Havertz owner who also wants to boot ronaldo and has no chelsea defenders!!

    -8?

    1. el polako
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I know it's wrong but you just made me feel bit better about my own (mess)team 😉

      Stay strong.

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I have no Chelsea defenders either, I own Alonso.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Chilly or Rudi swap.

    3. Forgetmeknot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I feel your pain im a raph, vardy mbeumo and azpi owner

  4. Flair
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Azpi, RLC and Christensen are injured.

    https://twitter.com/AbsoluteChelsea/status/1453055773785870336

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Wow..........

    2. el polako
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Teeth ? Really ?
      You would've thought that someone on 100k a week doesn't have to go to NHS butchers.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Important part of any pro’s arsenal , just ask Suarez.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      What?! How reliable is this source…

      I’m not sold

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      jeez, might have to get James back in

      1. Flair
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Feeling relieved as a James and Rudiger owner, especially with how many other injuries I've dealt with so far.

    5. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Oh ffs sake seriously?!?!?

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Sake twice do emphasise disappointment and disbelief

  5. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Havertz to score a brace tonight, just to troll everyone who capped him last GW.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Means nothing in the mickey mouse cup.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Sounds like the reply of a bot

  6. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Chelsea Team News
    Start: Kepa, James, Chalobah, Sarr, CHO, Barklay, Kovacic, Saul, Alonso (c), Ziyech, Havertz
    Subs: Bettinellio, Sharman-lowe, Chilwell, Rudiger, T Silva, Jorginho, Mount, Vale

    Southampton
    Start: Forster, Valery, Lyanco, Salisu, KWP, Diallo, S Armstrong (c), Tella, Djenepo, Adams, A Armstrong
    Subs: Lewis, Livramento, Bednarek, Perraud, Romeu, Smallbone, Redmond, Walcott,Long

    Arsenal
    Start: Leno, Cedric, White, Holding, Kolasinic, Maitland-niles, Elneny, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah
    Subs: Ramsdale, Tavares, CVhambers, Lokonga, Partey, Saka, Salah-Eddine, Lacazette, Balogun

    Leeds
    Start: Meslier, Dallas (c), Struijk, Llorente, Drameh, Phillips, Forshaw, Roberts, Janes, Harrison, Rodrigo
    Subs: Klaesson, Cooper, Hjelde, Cresswell, Klich, Mckinstry, Gelhardt, Summerville, Greenwood

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      James starting means benching.

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Maybe, but not if Azpi is injured like some rumours are indicating. Also, James has not had many minutes recently.

        1. The Final Boss
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          I don't think there is any reason to left him out of the squad entirely. Carabao OK. But it's a quarter final.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 days ago

            How about " if Azpi is injured"?

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Not if Azpi is injured

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Havertz starting means benching

  7. el polako
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Did Bielsa's translator said anything about Raphinias injury ?

    1. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Raph will be back with Evolution again.

  8. Amartey Partey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Antonio for a price rise? Interesting that more people are still buying him!

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Villa is a good VC game for Antonio. I'll probably sell for Toney after

      He's the only very popular forward who scored, so I see why there's that activity

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    James starting doesn't look for the next gw...

    1. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Azpi shoulder injury reportedly. So James should be safe.

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Any idea how bad? Been my worst gw5 WC acquisition by far. Thinking about straight swap to Chilwell.

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          Yeah, this.

        2. The Final Boss
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          Don't know bro.

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I'm wondering whether to upgrade to Chilwell. Have funds but it would be for yet another 4pt hit... Worth it if Chilwell starts next two and James doesn't but if James starts both...

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      well if Azpi is out it's fine, I imagine CHO will go back to playing in the front 3 so James should be g2g

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Cheers all

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      If Azpilicueta out for any period of time then James surely pretty nailed. CHO needed in front 3

    6. dshv
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      He needs minutes after all inkury period

  10. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Would you rather have:

    1. Cancelo and Kovacic
    Or
    2. Chilwell and Smith Rowe

    On a WC?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      2

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Cheers.

  11. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Good. Rudiger & Livramento on bench.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Yep.

      And Havertz to score 2 today?

  12. Black Knights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Brentford keeper Raya out for 4-5 months.

    https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2021/october/david-raya-knee-injury/

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      My luck lol

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        I invested in Pinnock last week....

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          Brentford like a lucky packet now.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Oh, massive news for quite a few. And Brentford of course.

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Yeah just about worthy enough for me to think about sharing it when I spotted it.

        11% ownership, recent WC acquisitions for their run, no doubt.

    3. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Wow.

    4. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Ouch, James now not my priority concern...

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Yikes

    6. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      damn

    7. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Wow

    8. Yank Revolution
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Oof!

    9. Nanoelektronicar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Wildcarded him in last week.........Back to Sanchez then

    10. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Tom Freeman, Joe Lepper, Alistair Hughes and Fabio Borges all have Raya

  13. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Have Christensen owners bitten off more than they can chew going so cheap?

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      He clearly spent too much time masticating...

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Is the backup 4m?

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        No.

      2. WVA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        No

      3. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        4.5

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Thanks guys, my hopes were dashed really quickly

  14. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    As if the Brentford back up is 4.5m...

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Lol yeah went straight on to look too!

      1. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Would have been a lovely defence for 4m to free up more cash.

    2. JBG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Hahah.. did the same and was as shocked as you.

  15. WVA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Not happy ESR is starting, could really do without another injury, Rudiger, Lukaku, Vardy last few weeks!

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Today's upped the stakes a bit

      Raya, Azpi, Christensen, RLC, Milner

  16. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    My bench boost to soke up hits after the Raya news may very well come into frutation.

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      That's not a bad idea actually

  17. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    1FT and 6.6 ITB!

    Azpi -> Chilwell If Azpi ruled out? Not sure yet what to do with the cash, probably Foden/Son in near future..

    Ramsdale, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, Dias, Azpi, Livra
    Salah, Raphinha, Saka, Mbeumo, Brownhill
    Toney, Antonio, Hwang

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Looks good to me, Chilwell is a must and yeah get Son in a couple of weeks

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Thanks!

  18. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    How many weeks out with injured teeth?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Suarez suggests none.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      It can be really painful. If it's infected in any way.

      If it's just a tooth it can be fixed quick.

  19. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Used WC last week and got Raya, Azpi, Raph, Mbeumo and Vardy, laughing out loud!

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      That's horrendous mate, just goes to show it's all luck, you either get it or you don't

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Yeah, holding WC for so long and finally got myself into that shiet

        1. WVA
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          Not your fault mate, nothing you can do, so many variables it's just luck

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      It's one of those seasons...

    3. 272MK
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Raya James Mahrez Mbeumo Vardy for me

      At least Azpili is just minor?

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Owww that’s going to smart

  20. Il Capitano
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Not my finest WC then...

  21. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Leeds still refusing to give an update on Raph

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Starting to think "fine" meant fine as in no surgery needed...

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Oh, good 🙂

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Wonder what this means for James' minutes...

    3. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      So issues are there..

    4. TheTinman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Who do we believe then

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        The same account posted both tweets

  22. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Raya has been the calmed soul for Brentford.

    Luckily I only own him.

  23. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on Raya replacement? Ramsdale, Sanchez, Guaita or go dearer (sub goalkeeper is non-player)

    1. Il Capitano
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I've got the option of Foster this week, but when I've got the transfer spare I'll probably just go back to Sanchez, what a shame.

  24. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    2FT £0.0itb

    Priorities moves? (Ronaldo out seems the most pressing)

    Sanchez
    TAA Rudiget Cancelo
    Salah Mbuemo* Raph* Gray
    Ronaldo Antonio Jiminez

    steele, semedo tierney sissoko

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      The injured ones

  25. 272MK
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    James. Mahrez. Mbuemo. Vardy.

    Dayyum I hope at least 3 of them play this coming gw

    1. 272MK
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      And now Raya as well. Wow

  26. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Wtf even is this season, now my players are getting dental injuries lollllll

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Karma

  27. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Has Brentford's season just seen it's behind?

  28. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Who has Corney vs Brentford?

    Brentford not going to be the same.