We now have confirmation of dates for the last two remaining fixtures rescheduled in light of the FA Cup semi-finals. This time the chips didn’t fall exactly where we predicted, but itโs added a nice little twist to the run-in.
Fulham will now play host to Bolton on Wednesday April 27, while the night before we will see Stoke face Wolves at the Britannia…
What this means for Fantasy Managers is a full quarter of our Premier League stable (Man City, Fulham, Bolton, Stoke & Wolves) now face a confirmed gameweek 33 blank fixture, but to make up for that, all will have a double-gameweek to follow shortly after. As already confirmed, City will get their double-header in gameweek 36, while the remaining four clubs will now contest their matches in gameweek 34.
Looking at the fixtures around this new double gameweek, it raises a few question marks on the potential of heavy investment in the teams involved.
With their next three gameweeks looking decidedly nasty [CHE, tot, —], Stoke look a very questionable proposition, with Robert Huth owners set to consider their options. The allure of the double fixture does then lead into a reasonable run of opponents [avl/WLV, bpl, ARS, mcy, WIG], but clean sheets still look hard to come by in that run.
Wolves appear to offer more promise, and their closing season run [FUL/stk, bir, WBA, sun, BLA] could encourage Fantasy investment, particularly in midfield areas where Jamie OโHara and Matt Jarvis are beginning to earn attention. Right now, they look set to be the likely key targets for gameweek 34.
Fulham may have a nice home tie with Blackpool this week, but everything around their newly appointed double fixture looks tough. Their schedule from gameweek 32 onwards is what nightmares are made of [mun, —, wlv/BOL, sun, LIV, bir, ARS]. Boltonโs double meanwhile, isn’t a hugely attractive one, but with kind opponents to follow ARS/ful, bla, SUN, bpl, MCY] they may yet earn some Fantasy suitors; the problem here is isolating a potential target with Daniel Sturridge perhaps the leading candidate.
Fantasy Managers must now analyse their squads to decipher how exactly they can navigate the tricky no-fixture zone of gameweek 33, whilst still coming out on top in the double gameweek that follows. You can of course look forward to our regular “Scouting the Doubles” articles leading up to all these fixtures to help you assess your options, and this situation is just crying out for the “Masterplan” treatment – expect that very soon.
Season tickers will be updated shortly the represent these new (and quite possibly last of the season) changes to the Fantasy calendar.
