Ah, it’s almost double gameweek time. A sweet opportunity to exploit the system for most fantasy managers. With United and Wigan players currently hot property for those in the know, here’s a summary of how the dark art of double gameweek’s work, as we hover on the edge of something wonderful/desperately disappointing.

It includes a word of caution for those already banking on those extra points – don’t go rushing into the market just yet – the FA Cup has a large spanner which could end up well and truly in the works…

Both Wigan and United have double fixtures in gameweek 21 of the Fantasy Premier League game. That weekend, United take on Chelsea, whilst Wigan face Spurs. Both United and Wigan then meet each other at Old Trafford on Wednesday January 14. In simple terms, this is beneficial because players from United and Wigan will play two matches in that gameweek – so there’s potential for double points from their players.

However – here’s the potential catch. Both United and Wigan are both involved in the FA Cup this coming weekend. United take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday, while Wigan travel to Spurs this coming Friday. Should either of those games end in a draw, then their respective replays will be scheduled for January 14 and the Premier League meeting between them will be postponed. There’s a chance that this double gameweek will never arise.

Investing before the weekend is clearly a gamble then. However, should you be confident in things falling into place (which sadly, could involve cheering for Spurs), then where do you set your sights for transfer targets to exploit this opportunity?

United players are obviously the more favourable with Vidic and Evra the most desirable at the back, Ronaldo the obvious candidate in midfield and perhaps Berbatov the pick of the forwards. Rotation is an issue with United. The defence is unlikely to be touched by Ferguson, barring a switch between Neville and Rafael. Vidic and Evra are very safe bets then as is Van der Sar in goal. Ferdinand less so given the fragility of his back injury. In midfield you would bank on Ronaldo starting both games given the fact that United are chasing the pack. Wigan at home will not be an easy game given the current form of Steve Bruce’s side and I can’t see Ferguson putting his side out on the back-foot by resting Ronaldo.

Up front it’s a different matter. One of Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov will play both games with the latter two likely to start against Chelsea. Personally, I would say that Berbatov is the more likely to figure against Wigan. Rooney and Tevez share some qualities, whereas Berbatov has a degree of subtlety and flair that Ferguson may well value against a likely stubborn Wigan resistance.

Peripheral players such as Carrick, Park and Fletcher will all figure in at least one of the two games for United. I can see them being rotated for the other though with options such as Giggs, Scholes, Nani and Anderson available to Ferguson.

As for the Wigan candidates, unlike United, rotation is not a major concern. Possible returns certainly is however, as Steve Bruces’ side may well struggle to register any profits from the trip to Old Trafford. Defenders can obviously lose points should United run riot. That perhaps looks unlikely given Wigan’s form, but at least Ryan Taylor, deployed in midfield right now, offers some potential for attacking returns to balance a possible thrashing. It’s midfielders – namely Valencia – and the strikers: Zaki and perhaps Camara, if Heskey is sidelined as expected, that appear to offer the best opportunity for investment. They will have their returns against Spurs and at least an extra two points if they avoid bookings on the night.

An almost guaranteed two points obviously reduces the cost of an extra transfer going into the gameweek so, if you’ve already made one move into the FPL transfer market, signing another United or Wigan player that you are fairly certain will start the second fixture, will cost you just two points with the potential to earn those points back and more.

With tonight’s game at Old Trafford, the FA Cup games and Wigan and United’s fixtures before the extra midweek game, you are also gambling on being lucky with injuries and suspensions. For this reason it’s advised not to go overboard on transfers too early. Certainly not until we know for certain that the double gameweek is in place and that your targets have come through the fixtures unscathed. This depends of course, on price rises and how long you can afford to hold off your potential moves. As I’ve mentioned, United and Wigan players will be popular in the next few days. Expect one or two prices rises for all the key targets I’ve mentioned. It’s a fine balance between risk and reward – another lovely twist in the fantasy season.