Pro Pundits

What new Blank and Double Gameweek fixtures mean for our FPL teams and chip strategies

Fantasy Premier League managers have been handed some big out-of-the-blue decisions as we head into 2021.

Going into a new year is often a time for reflection and this article was supposed to be a review of the season so far but, as is often the case in this strange new world, there was a spanner in the works.

On New Year’s Eve, we learned that Burnley v Manchester United is joining the Blank Gameweek 18 schedule and Manchester City v Aston Villa has been place in Double Gameweek 19.

At the time of writing this announcement is still very fresh, and I need time to process it but here are some initial thoughts and what this all means.

Blank Gameweek 18

andys-gw17-article 3

Those without chips will likely find this period much easier to navigate now. Burnley and Manchester United now playing in Gameweek 18 brings into play players like Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) who a lot of people already have in their team.

It also makes other players like Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) and Nick Pope (£5.4m) a little more desirable as they play in Gameweek 18 and then have a Double Gameweek.

It also means some teams will be able to save their Free Hit chip which could be very handy later on in the season when we see more Blank Gameweeks.

A lot of this will be chip dependant, but if you already have a team full of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool you’re probably in a good place to cover Gameweek 18 and the doubles in Gameweek 19.

Manchester City More Desirable

andys-gw17-article 4

With Manchester City now having one of the best pair of fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, and playing in Gameweek 18, it makes them much more desirable to bring in if you haven’t already.

After Chelsea (away) in Gameweek 17 the fixtures look like this:

  • Gameweek 18 – Brighton (home)
  • Gameweek 19 – Crystal Palace (home), Aston Villa (home)
  • Gameweek 20 – West Brom (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Sheffield United (home)
  • Gameweek 22 – Burnley (away)

Not only do they cover both Gameweek 18 and 19 well with very good fixtures, but the run continues afterwards. A double or triple up looks ideal.

Who to target from Man City is, as ever, the key question.

The obvious options are Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m), João Cancelo (£5.6m) and Rúben Dias (£5.7m). I’ll be targeting at least two of this three over this fixture run.

Manchester City have looked extremely good defensively and I don’t know how Cancelo hasn’t gotten more than one assist so far. And despite people losing faith in De Bruyne, he’s still going to be a great option over this run.

It also arguably makes De Bruyne a better captaincy in Gameweek 19 than Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), who faces Manchester United (home) and Burnley (home) although I’d never bet against the Egyptian.

There are other players to consider too. John Stones (£4.9m) looks like an absolute bargain now that he has laid claim to his starting role, and we shouldn’t forget that Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) has two goals and three assists in his last five matches.

Hold Aston Villa?

andys-gw17-article 7

While people were Wildcarding away from Aston Villa players, and ditching the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.7m) it may not be the worst time to hold. You still have to get through a Manchester United (away) match in Gameweek 17 and Tottenham Hotspur (home) in Gameweek 18, but after that they have a Double Gameweek and a decent enough fixture run from Gameweek 20:

  • Gameweek 20 – Burnley (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Southampton (away)
  • Gameweek 22 – West Ham (home)
  • Gameweek 23 – Arsenal (home)
  • Gameweek 24 – Brighton (away)

At the bare minimum it gives a lot of us a Double Gameweek goalkeeper in Emiliano Martínez (£5.0m). Even if the matches are tricky with Everton (home) and Manchester City (away), only Ederson (£6.0m) has a better save percentage among regularly-starting goalkeepers over the last four matches.

The return of Ross Barkley (£5.9m) may spell the end of a run in the team for Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) or Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) but if either of them continue through to Gameweek 19 they become a great budget enabler, especially El Ghazi while he’s on penalty duty.

Abandoning our chip strategies

andys-gw17-article 5

I was convinced I was going to Bench Boost in Gameweek 19. Even with single Gameweek players I was prepared to play the chips and my initial transfer for Gameweek 17 was to bring in Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) in preparation.

The problem now is the layout has changed and we have to be prepared to adapt. This is likely something we have to bear in mind for the rest of the season, I’m sure there’s more chaos in store.

For some managers it will be easy, they’ll still Free Hit in Gameweek 18, only now there’s more options. And they’ll Bench Boost in Gameweek 19 because they’re already loaded up with enough players.

But for others we still have to change strategies and it’s important not to be rigid in your thinking.

This was my team before transfers in Gameweek 17:

andys-gw17-article 6

As mentioned above, Johnstone was to come in this week with a Free Hit in Gameweek 18 and Fabián Balbuena (£4.4m) to be my Gameweek 19 transfer. It would have meant some single Gameweek players on the bench, but I was okay with that.

But now there’s the potential of bringing in Manchester City players for Gameweek 18 and 19, therefore potentially meaning I can save the Free Hit. The Bench Boost might have to be abandoned too, but I’m prepared to adapt as necessary.

It’s still too fresh in my mind to make a plan, it looks like my New Years Eve will be way more busy from an FPL point of view than I’d imagined, but I’ll have to think of ways to adapt than to rigidly stick to my plan if it’s not as viable any more.

Final Thoughts

It’s not the ideal time to be processing all of this information. We’re just past Christmas having had two Gameweek deadlines in the space of two days, ahead of what for many is a time of celebration as we enter the new year.

But if there’s some comfort it’s that this chaos usually means those who are willing to plan and create strategies can get ahead of the crowd. So while you’re suffering from the New Years hangover, just keep thinking of the green arrows.

1,360 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would you say is the benchmark to make the FH i.e. how many points does the FH need to outscore the current non-FH team by to make the chip beneficial

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’d say in normal times 20 points would be great, 12/15 good, 10 or less and hardly worth it. Probably scale those up based on fact this is also a double gameweek for most players now.

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate. The question was in respect of the BGW18..

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Totally misread the question, sorry!

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably not the answer you're looking for but it really depends. The value of the free hit chip isnt just in the GW you use it in but the GWs before and after it too. So think about how your plans are effected in total by using the chip

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Spot on infected

  2. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Matip to:

    A) Cancelo
    Or?
    B) Chilwell

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo, if healthy.

  3. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What we thinking guys?

    Martinez
    Robbo Dallas Justin
    Grealish Fernandes Son Salah
    Bamford DCL Adams

    McCarthy Chilwell Mitchell Stephens

    0.7 in the bank
    2 free transfers

  4. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    AVL & MCI DGW completely screwed my original plan.
    I want to FH in BGW18 and BB in DGW19 I guess.

    But no idea what to do here - thoughts..?

    Martinez - Button
    Zouma - Lindelof - Coufal - Dallas - Kilman
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    Vardy - Adams - Bamford

    1 FT
    2.7 itb

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd abandon the bench boost in your position, grab a city defender and then bring KDB or Sterling in for 19. You can always bench boost later, this looks increasingly like a good TC week to me though.

  5. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    PVA Worth a 1 week punt? (Have mitchell for cover)

    Bascially FHing next week so cant save a transfer...and cant get robbo this week without selling son or kane

    So will turn PVA into Robbo before DGW19 when i sell one of Kane/Son

    ..

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has he done anything lately?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Exist

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That's quite an achievement in itself!

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin/Castagne better
      or maybe Tierney

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Plenty of better punts available than PVA imho.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Your honesty is noted and admired across the kingdom.

  6. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help needed! Team:

    Martinez
    Trent Robbo Cancelo
    Salah Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Steer Anguissa Balbeuna Mitchell

    2 FTs - I think I need Son this week. Building towards FH18 / BB or TC GW19 (not sure). What’s the best way to get Son in?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sacrifice TAA or DCL and do Grealish > Son.

  7. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The team in the article does not match the team in the Author's FFS's profile

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hmmmm strange?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Uh oh, it's the FPL police!

    3. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ha. Noticed the same.

      Going to assume the FPL link is not up to date.

    4. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Busted

  8. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Mitchell now again? Hesrd he played well, any chance he keeps his spot?

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm starting him this week. I think he keeps his place.

    2. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes he might imo, love watching this dude

  9. NoName
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA Justin Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes
    Vardy Bamford Adams

    (Steer, Bowen Dallas Coufal)
    0FT 0.9ITB

  10. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dallas kwp stones
    Bruno salah mahrez jwp
    Dcl bam kane

    Subs steer cresswell asm lamptey

    1ft 0.9 itb, gtg or?

  11. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play?
    A. Chilwell
    B. Coufal (have DCL)

    1. NoName
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell all day long

  12. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish lokman to which 2 to from these
    El ghazi - neto - soucek?

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on your chip plans I guess but I am really hard on loosing jack myself

  13. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What an incredibly hard captain decision this week:

    1. Fernandes (AVL)
    2. Salah (sou)
    3. Son (LEE)

    Thanks

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have all 3 and leaning towards son.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3

    3. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same - very tricky decision to make. Should we just keep salah as captain then?

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs form over last 4 games not good and son has blanked.

        I have all 3 too 🙁

    4. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son for me

  14. Johnny too hotty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I did Ferguson to maguire now I would have 8 playing in the bgw and then 10 dgw playing and would come out the end of it with WC BB FH and TC.

    Is there anyone else thinking this is a wise move ? Only issue is I won’t have kane.

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I won’t be getting rid of Ferguson.
      He’s the new AWB don’t you know. 😆

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would you FH during this period? Your team looks to be in good shape with the number of players you have available

      1. Johnny too hotty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I could in either 18 or 19 but I’m wondering if it’s worth it when I have an ok setup, which is why I’m thinking save the lot. Could be huge to have them later in season?

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          My thoughts exactly. Perhaps use the B.B. chip though given that your bench must be pretty solid for GW19

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The only question would be whether there are two better DGWs to do BB and TC. I think BB is too risky but players are currently fairly nailed and in form (thinking particularly Salah and Bruno) and TC inGW19 might be an option.

  15. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Taylor replacement up to 5.1?

    Current defence is; Robertson, Cancelo, Dier, Coufal & Taylor.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding?
      Depends on your plan though

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's Dallas.

    3. Ye
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones or Holding I think, if you consider the next three gameweeks, I have the same predicament..

    4. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones. Price rising tonight as well

    5. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I got same dilemma and will for stones but only because I got Dallas already so it's Dallas for me in your case gl

  16. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Reconsidering my whole strategy to WC GW18 to have 10 playing blank and BB GW19. See my team below to cover both GWs:

    McCarthy/*Martinez
    *Stones/Chilwell/Robertson/*Shaw/*Lowton
    Salah/*Bruno/*Son/*El Ghazi/*Torres
    *Watkins/Bamford/*Cavani

    * Play in GW 18. (10 in total)
    GW 19 = All doubles except Son.

    Any changes or suggestions will appreciated.

    1. joey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks ok on paper but how confident are you that Stones, Torres, Shaw and Cavani all play 180 minutes, or somewhere close to it? Shaw and Cavani have Telles and Martial to worry about minutes wise and have rotated so far and apart from KDB I don't know if I'd trust a Man City attacker, with Sterling and Mahrez about I wouldn't be at all confident of Torres getting more than 135 minutes. I could be wrong but could see it being something that looks good on paper with 14 players playing twice and then ends up underwhelming.

    2. Steager
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good points i agree. The problem is Sterling and KDB kill the rest of the team, Torres means i can have a decent bench.

      Cavani just back from suspension. I think he will get a couple of games. He also plays alongside Martial.

      Shaw can easily become Lindelof/Bailey depending on whose nailed.

  17. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was it Fulham or Spurs that was hit på covid? Will Spurs play tomorrow?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fulham

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fulham

    3. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good question.

    4. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fulham with the covid19 cases and the Lilly whites are most likely to play imo

  18. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT, 1.4m ITB - don’t want to play Kilman and am unsure on keeping KDB through the double:

    Martinez/McCarthy
    TAA, Coufal, Kilman (Ayling, 3.9)
    Salah, Bruno, KDB, Raphinha, Soucek
    Vardy, Bamford (Brewster)

    A) 3.9 > Holding, play this week
    B) KDB, 3.9 > Rashford, Holding (-4)
    C) KDB > Rashford (play Kilman/Ayling)

    I will FH next week and play no chips in DGW.

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why unsure about keeping KDB for the double?

    2. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ayling > Dallas/Alioski

    3. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ...and play Kilman this week.

  19. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If Taylor is out

    A) Taylor to Holding for a hit (Will be taking a hit for this move next week anyway)
    B) Play Rodrigo this week and do the move next week for a hit

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  20. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My head bloody hurts.....

    And now, I’ve got to try work out my wildcard, it’s going to be a mess!

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We're here for you

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Whazza..... How’s your head? Good night?

        Just seen it’s a 16:00 deadline! I thought it was 11am. THERE IS A GOD!

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Quiet night, I'm fine thank you 🙂 If you're still here feel free to ask anything!

    2. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah man whazza is right we are here for you dude...gl

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Loving this support.

        Right, first things first - Kane or Son? They get captained too.

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm in the Son camp but depends who you have really! Don't think you can go wrong with either (or both fail lol)

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Just posted this question, what do you reckon bud?

            A punt midfielder, 7.1m ITB.

            Following the article, Martinelli looks a good shout....

            Any others?

        2. Hot Fuzz
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's son for me this week due to Leeds playing style hope biesla goes full throttle son would love that stuff gl man

  21. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    bottommed...

    What we thinking guys?

    Martinez
    Robbo Dallas Justin
    Grealish Fernandes Son Salah
    Bamford DCL Adams

    McCarthy Chilwell Mitchell Stephens

    0.7 in the bank
    2 free transfers

    1. Johnny too hotty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What are you doing chip wise we have similar teams and I’m undecided. You could save all chips?

      1. Enes_Sahini1
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not too sure Ive got all chips available too me

  22. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Great thing about BGW18 is that it is over a week after GW17. Gives people time to take in info.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or players get infected

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Need plenty of time to decide on chip strategy and let the intense schedule settle down.

  23. Punty McPuntface
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year Everyone!

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same to you mate.

    2. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You too punty!

  24. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year,

    Suggestions on how to get more gw18 players in?

    Martinez*, Johnstone,
    Dias*, lewis*, Coufal, Dallas, Robbo,
    Kdb*, son* bruno*, salah, Soucek,
    Dcl*, bamford, Brewster*

    I’m at best Brewster & Lewis are 2 pointers!

  25. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on doing Grealish to Soucek this week and Son to KDB for GW19?

    Will give a team for the doubles of:

    McCarthy
    TAA Dallas Coufal
    Salah Mane Bruno KDB Soucek
    Adams Bamford

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quite like those moves

  26. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth using my FT this week to make better use of my BB in the DGW now that city play? Will lose it otherwise. Struggling to make KDB fit in and probably will do Kane -> Vardy for 19. Will still FH in 18 as not enough coverage. Should I just stick with these plans?

    McCarthy, Johnstone
    Robertson, Dallas, Balbuena, James, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford, Adams

    £0.1m ITB, 1FT

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes I would be good not to loose the second ft but your team is solid imo only thing what I see is James for stones. And looking Kane for 19 is a tough call aswell but that's up to you good luck you might just stick to your plan. Good team man

      1. Ëð
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That's the move I was looking at as well, thank you!

        1. Hot Fuzz
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No worries mate have a great gw

  27. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno or Kane C

  28. Boz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City presser today?

  29. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Strujik how long do we think he starts

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not long imo only just a folder

  30. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are there any pressers due today does anyone know?