After Spurs claimed a spot in the last eight of the FA Cup last night with a 6-1 win over Rochdale, the schedule for Gameweek 31 is finally confirmed.

With that in mind, we take our usual look at the upcoming fixtures as Fantasy Premier League managers attempt to navigate that restricted round of matches and beyond.

Assessing those teams with favourable schedules, we look at the situation from a short, mid and long-term point of view.

That way, our analysis will not only cater for FPL managers planning to play their Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 31, it also looks at who best to target for a Gameweek 32 Wildcard.

Furthermore, we also assess the likeliest teams to pinpoint for those without either a Wildcard or Free Hit Chip, with another set of blanks and two double Gameweeks looming later in the run-in.

Short-term

Tottenham Hotspur (HUD bou)
The most likely stop for those playing the Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 31, investment in Spurs continues at pace with Ben Davies the most signed player ahead of Gameweek 29. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen’s stock is also on the rise with his assist at Crystal Palace enough to install him as the fourth most signed midfielder.

The second leg Champions League tie with Juventus (four days after Huddersfield and four days before Bournemouth) is an unwanted distraction for Fantasy managers, though Davies and Eriksen will be backed for starts in both league matches, with Danny Rose perhaps more likely to get the nod at left-back against the Italians in midweek.

Following the Gameweek 31 blank, Spurs’ outlook is more treacherous with a trip to Stoke sandwiching clashes against Chelsea and Man City. The Potters’ fixture could be a rotation hot-spot should Spurs make it to the last eight of the Champions League, while the City clash in Gameweek 34 will likely be paired with their postponed home fixture with Newcastle.

Harry Kane will surely be retained in Wildcards for that double-header, though whether he is joined by the likes of Davies and Eriksen could depend on whether they progress past Swansea City to make the FA Cup semi-finals and offer a second double in Gameweek 37. Those without the Free Hit Chip will likely opt for just Kane even if that is the case, given that Spurs would also then blank in Gameweek 35.

Swansea City (WHU hud)
The chastening 4-1 defeat at Brighton was a jolt and certainly dented our confidence in the Swans as a source of short-term talent.

But Jordan Ayew maintained his recent form with a goal in the FA Cup replay win over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek and shouldn’t be overlooked over the next two Gameweeks. Match-ups with West Ham and Huddersfield could also promise defensive returns, with Alfie Mawson and the cheaper Federico Fernandez remaining viable short-term targets.

The blank follows in Gameweek 31, though a likely double Gameweek 34 – handing them home contests with Everton and Southampton – looks among the best on offer. Given their relegation plight, rotation would seem unlikely, making Ayew and Fernandez prime budget talent with the Wildcard after Gameweek 31.

Southampton (STK new)
An unattractive proposition in Fantasy terms, the Saints’ attacking talent is erratic, while at the back it’s been seven without a clean sheet.

Nonetheless, back-to-back ties with Stoke and Newcastle at least offer some promise before the Gameweek 31 blank. James Ward-Prowse remains a midfield option, while the cut-price Jack Stephens offers a goal threat from defence.

Longer-term, both those players could be budget double Gameweek options. They are likely to have two fixtures in Gameweek 34 (CHE swa) and could also offer a double Gameweek 37, albeit with a blank in Gameweek 35, due to their progress in the FA Cup.

At present, Saints are set to face Leicester in Gameweek 35, though both would need to lose their FA Cup quarter-finals for that to still go ahead. While the Foxes may well be knocked out by Chelsea, Southampton also need to succumb to giant-killers Wigan to keep that league match intact.

Short and Long-term

Arsenal (bha WAT blank STK SOT new WHU)
The Gunners boast a strong pair of fixtures leading into their Gameweek 31 blank, with a trip to Brighton preceding a home encounter against Watford.

Nonetheless, they have testing Europa League ties against AC Milan surrounding those two matches. Their first leg trip to Italy takes place four days after the Seagulls’ encounter and three days before the visit of Javi Gracia’s men, with the second leg four days afterwards. Depending on the first leg score, rotation could impact on their teamsheets, though Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is ineligible for the Europa League and won’t be affected.

Arsenal will likely have a double in Gameweek 34 (which would hand them trips to Newcastle and Leicester) and, crucially, won’t blank in Gameweek 35 (at home to West Ham), as they’ve already been knocked out of the FA Cup. They, therefore, look an ideal source of recruitment for those without the Free Hit Chip and Wildcard.

At present, they currently offer four home matches in five around their Gameweek 31 blank, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang potential differentials for the run-in. That’s providing, of course, they can rediscover some form, after a run of four losses in six across all competitions.

Leicester (BOU wba blank bha NEW bur SOT)
Similar to the Gunners, Claude Puel’s men offer a pair of kind league matches prior to their blank in Gameweek 31.

Yet, as explained in the Southampton section above, there are big concerns over their Gameweek 35 fixture with the Saints.

Should that league encounter ultimately require a new date, such a scenario would hand them a pair of doubles and boost their appeal regardless of whether you still have a Wildcard in hand, with Harry Maguire, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy the main protagonists.

They also have favourable fixtures following on from Gameweek 31, which include a likely double Gameweek 34 (bur ARS). Aside from those encounters, all five of Leicester’s other opponents over the next seven rounds of matches are currently stationed in the bottom half of the table.

That schedule could allow their main men to profit over the run-in, though Vardy owners aren’t too keen – he’s the third most sold striker in Gameweek 29.

Long-term

Huddersfield (tot SWA CRY new bha WAT che EVE)
One of just eight sides offering a Gameweek 31 fixture, the Terriers boast a very favourable upcoming schedule, though on the downside, will be devoid of a double Gameweek.

Back-to-back wins over Bournemouth and West Brom suggest that their form warrants investment once this weekend’s trip to Spurs has passed, though.

David Wagner’s side will then square up to five successive relegation rivals – with three of those at home – and also entertain Everton in Gameweek 36 in a run that looks essential to their prospects of survival.

With everything still to play for, the likes of Christopher Schindler, Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie could still prove a great source of budget talent for those without the Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 31. That also applies to managers devoid of a Wildcard who require funds for double Gameweek recruitment elsewhere.

Burnley (EVE whu blank wba wat LEI stk BHA)
Despite being set for a blank Gameweek 31, the Clarets’ schedule is another that affords reason for optimism – all seven of their next opponents between now and Gameweek 36 are placed below them in the league.

That would change if, as expected, their home match against Chelsea drops into Gameweek 34, where they also entertain Leicester.

Sean Dyche’s side also won’t blank in Gameweek 35 – when they travel to Stoke – so, similar to Arsenal, they can be pinpointed by those without Free Hit Chips and Wildcards as a means to riding out the tricky schedule.

Finding their likeliest source of points looks tough, though, and with Tom Heaton edging towards a return, Ben Mee arguably looks the go-to option here.