The FA Cup weekend is behind us but the competition itself could well continue to prove a source of frustration for Fantasy managers, with the Premier League fixture list now hit by a series of postponements.
The FA Cup Quarter Final’s will take place on the weekend of March 17 – or Gameweek 29 in Fantasy terms. With the progress of Everton, Bolton, Sunderland, Stoke and Liverpool already sealed, their resultant Premier League fixtures will now be rescheduled.
Right now we can confirm – weather or unforeseen circumstances permitting – that the following Gameweek 29 fixtures will be untouched:
Fulham vs Swansea
Wigan vs West Brom
Wolves vs Man United
Newcastle vs Norwich
Aside from these fixtures, there’s also the Man City vs Chelsea encounter in the Gameweek which may yet be affected, should Chelsea overcome Birmingham in their FA Cup replay.
That leaves us with a list of fixtures which could now be removed from Gameweek 29 and join the Merseyside derby, formerly found in Gameweek 26, on the “pending” list. The matches in question are…
Everton** vs Arsenal
Aston Villa vs Bolton**
Blackburn vs Sunderland**
Stoke** vs Tottenham*
QPR vs Liverpool**
All this talk could be for naught of course – the Gameweek may yet remain intact. Unlike every other midweek spell from here on in, the days following the weekend of Gameweek 29 are entirely clear of any European, Cup or International fixtures. Potentially then, the fixtures above could be kept in Gameweek 29, shifting to Tuesday and Wednesday kick-offs.
While that would seem to be an obvious option, and a welcome outcome for Fantasy managers, the impact of the midweek games could still cause issues with squad rotation. Certainly, should Chelsea progress, Man City’s fixtures would be squeezed further and, with a potential Europa League Quarter-Final first leg on March 29, Roberto Mancini’s side would likely face three games in nine days at home to Chelsea, away at Stoke and then against European opposition.
Right now, this is all speculative – we can only wait in anticipation of confirmation from the Premier League. We’ll be sure to update you on the new dates and the Gameweek implications as and when news breaks.
*Sides facing FA Cup Fifth Round replays.
**Sides who qualified for the FA Cup quarter finals.
