Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best fixtures for FPL Double Gameweek 22 and beyond?

Our regular frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) clubs and players with – in theory – the strongest run of league matches over the medium term.

We typically take a routine look at the next six matches in this article but in light of Double Gameweek 22 being announced, we’ll slightly tweak the usual format.

We’re instead assessing the eight Double Gameweek 22 teams for ease of fixture beyond next weekend, before looking at the best of the rest.

Our colour-coded Season Ticker is the primary source for this piece; using this tool as a Premium Member, you can sort by difficulty, rank by attacking and defensive potential or find budget rotation pairings. You can even set your own difficulty ratings, should you disagree with our own.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 22 TEAMS: PLAYERS WHO HAVE FAVOURABLE FIXTURES IN AND BEYOND GAMEWEEK 22

There are, arguably, only one or two teams that fall into this bracket.

Manchester United (avl + bre | WHU | bur | SOU | lee | WAT) are at the top of our Season Ticker over the next six Gameweeks, with some favourable fixtures for their attack especially beyond their so-so Gameweek 22 double.

West Ham may be riding high in the Premier League table and will pose a threat to David de Gea (£5.2m) in Gameweek 23 but their success certainly isn’t based on solidity in defence, with three of their first-choice back four out injured and only one clean sheet arriving in the Hammers’ last 11 league matches.

Burnley, who United beat 3-1 just over a week ago, then follow, while Southampton haven’t kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 12 and Leeds have registered more shut-outs than just two teams all season.

The icing on the cake is the visit of Watford, who have been scored against in all 18 of their Premier League matches in 2021/22.

The problem isn’t fixtures but form, with United scoring only six goals in their last five matches (games against Newcastle and Norwich have been part of that equation) and it’s only really Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m), who himself is hardly value for money, who appeals from Ralf Rangnick’s pool of below-par attackers.

Foden and Gallagher uncertainty as Ranieri explains early Dennis substitution 2

As for Watford (new + bur | NOR | whu | BHA | avl | mun), the likes of Emmanuel Dennis (£6.1m) and Joshua King (£5.8m) will be targets for, or already owned by, not just those on a Free Hit chip but for managers using their free transfers or a Wildcard.

The Hornets’ attack (we’ll ignore their defence given how poor they are at the back) may well have the best fixture pairing in Double Gameweek 22, with Newcastle and Burnley managing just four clean sheets between them all season. The Magpies can also not be beaten for goals or big chances conceded in 2021/22.

A meeting with a Norwich side who have shipped 14 goals in their last five matches then precedes a trip to West Ham, whose defensive shortcomings we have discussed above.

The fixtures stiffen thereafter but more Double Gameweeks await: as is the case with a number of clubs, Watford have another two previously postponed fixtures that could be accommodated anywhere between Gameweeks 25-29 or beyond Gameweek 30.

TEAMS WITH THE MOST FIXTURES OUTSTANDING
  • Arsenal, Burnley, Everton, Leicester (3)
  • Spurs, Brighton, Watford, Liverpool, Leeds, Aston Villa, Wolves, Newcastle, Chelsea (2)
  • Southampton, Crystal Palace, Norwich, Man Utd (1)
  • Man City, West Ham, Brentford (0)

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 22 TEAMS: PLAYERS WHO HAVE UNFAVOURABLE FIXTURES IN/BEYOND GAMEWEEK 22

The Double Gameweek 22 fixture announcement was met by a wave of apathy by the FPL community and the above ticker illustrates why.

For Free Hitters, most of the clubs have mediocre ‘doubles’ in Gameweek 22.

And for managers planning for the longer term, either with their transfers or Wildcard, there isn’t much to shout about beyond that.

Chelsea (mci + bha | TOT | blank | blank | cry | LEI), for example, are off to the Club World Cup when Gameweeks 24 and 25 roll around and are well on their way to having their Gameweek 27 match against Leicester postponed, as that clashes with the EFL Cup final.

We probably won’t see another double for Chelsea before Gameweek 28, with anything before that requiring early domestic cup eliminations for themselves and any prospective opponents.

Brighton (CRY + CHE | lei | blank | wat | BUR | avl) are also without a league fixture in Gameweek 24 as a result of Chelsea’s involvement in the Club World Cup, meanwhile, although have an appealing run from Gameweeks 25-28 if any owners of Albion assets can navigate their way through that blank.

Leicester (bur + TOT | BHA | liv | WHU | wol | che) have some so-so fixtures after Gameweek 22 and almost certainly won’t have another double before Gameweek 33 if they continue to progress in cups at home and abroad.

Burnley (LEI + WAT | ars | MUN | LIV | bha | cry) are realistically a no-go for anyone not playing their Free Hit in Gameweek 22, while Brentford (liv + MUN | WOL | mci | CRY | ars | NEW) face the double whammy of a fairly awful ‘double’ and some of the division’s meanest defences (Wolves, City and Arsenal) beyond that.

That leaves Spurs (ARS + lei | che | SOU | WOL | mci | LEE), who also face the three sides with the best defensive records in 2021/22 (Chelsea, Wolves and City) after their middling double. Chelsea have been in fairly poor form at the back and might be there for the taking but the Blues comprehensively outplayed Antonio Conte’s near-full-strength side in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, with the Lilywhites’ manager downbeat after full-time:

“Last year, they won the Champions League and if you compare the two teams I think there’s not a comparison. We’re talking about a team that’s ready to win and they’ve played an important part over many years.

“Today, we have seen the difference between the two teams.

“I said that these types of games can show us the difference in the gap there is between us and top clubs like Chelsea. We struggled a lot this evening and they showed us they are much stronger than us.” – Antonio Conte

SINGLE GAMEWEEK 22 TEAMS: BEST AND WORST FIXTURE RUNS

Who has the best fixtures for FPL Double Gameweek 22 and beyond? 2

As for the rest, it’s easy to see why some FPL managers are unwilling to ditch too many ‘single’ Gameweek 22 assets ahead of next Friday’s deadline.

Everton (nor | AVL | new | LEE | sou | MCI), for example, sit near the top of our ticker when we look at the next six Gameweeks. The lack of a Double Gameweek 22 might have miffed Fantasy bosses who brought in the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m) last week, thinking there was a chance of a ‘double double’ for the Toffees, but they do have some favourable matches over their next five, with the bottom three teams for goals conceded all to come between now and Gameweek 25.

Merseyside rivals Liverpool (BRE | cry | LEI | bur | NOR | blank) are also sitting pretty in our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 22-26, with Diogo Jota (£8.2m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) seeing their owned-by figures and prices rising further in the run-up to Gameweek 22.

And West Ham’s upcoming meetings with Leeds, Watford, Leicester and Newcastle, who have a collective seven clean sheets in 74 league matches this season, look great for Michail Antonio (£7.8m) and Jarrod Bowen (£6.7m).

The fit-again Ollie Watkins (£7.8m) will be a likely FPL target when Aston Villa‘s (MUN | eve | LEE | new | WAT | bha) fixtures turn for the better in Gameweek 23, meanwhile.

As a footnote, there are blanks for both Liverpool and Arsenal (tot | BUR | wol | blank | BRE | blank) in the above graphic.

The two sides’ Gameweek 27 meeting has been postponed because of a clash with the EFL Cup final, although it could theoretically still be held within Gameweek 27 if they are both eliminated by the FA Cup fifth round. The Gunners are also without a fixture in Gameweek 25 because of Chelsea’s Club World Cup involvement.

FUTURE DOUBLE GAMEWEEKS?

With Covid still wreaking havoc on the fixture calendar and 15 Premier League matches still to be rearranged (plus more cup-related blanks in Gameweeks 27, 30 and 33), the schedule will continue to evolve over the coming weeks and months.

Here is when the next Double Gameweeks could hypothetically fall between now and the March international break:

  • Gameweek 23: A chance of a very small Double Gameweek*.
  • Gameweek 24: A chance of a very small Double Gameweek*.
  • Gameweek 25: A possible Double Gameweek for anyone bar Man City, West Ham, Brentford, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester and Norwich)
  • Gameweek 26: A possible Double Gameweek for anyone bar Man City, West Ham, Brentford, Chelsea, Man Utd, Leicester and Norwich)
  • Gameweek 27: A possible Double Gameweek if teams with an outstanding match-up are eliminated by the FA Cup fifth-round stage. Four sides, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool, will have their weekend matches postponed because of the EFL Cup final, however.
  • Gameweek 28: A possible Double Gameweek for anyone bar Man City, West Ham, Brentford, Liverpool, Leicester (if they are still in the Conference League) and Norwich (if Leicester are still in the Conference League)
  • Gameweek 29: A possible Double Gameweek for anyone bar Man City, West Ham, Brentford, Chelsea, Man Utd, Leicester (if they are still in the Conference League) and Norwich (if Leicester are still in the Conference League)
  • Gameweek 30: No chance of a Double Gameweek and a near-certain chance of it being a Blank Gameweek, as it will clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals.

*Aston Villa v Burnley or Leeds v Aston Villa could be played on Saturday/Sunday February 5/6. That would mean either the Gameweek 24 deadline being brought forward a few days or the fixture being tagged onto the end of Gameweek 23.

729 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    a) Salah to Maddison
    b) Salah Livra Gunnarsson to Maddison Lowton Sanchez -8 and bench boost Sanchez Sissoko Lowton Broja

    B means I would have to ditch Jota to get Salah back. A would be a straight swap back again

    1. gawa11
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  2. gawa11
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Should I sell bernardo or foden for Son?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bernardo

    2. basilfawlty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bernardo

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Bottomed on last page

    This isn’t worth FH is it? Thinking of doing a -4 to get 2 more DGW players, probably Maddison & Dennis.

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo Alonso Dawson Livramento
    Son Jota Foden Bowen Gray
    Ronaldo Antonio Broja

    1. gawa11
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe move ramsdale to de gea

      1. basilfawlty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        For a hit or instead of getting Maddison & Dennis?

    2. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      My team is really similar to yours and I'm going to FH. I've got both and WC left so going to have a punt.

      1. basilfawlty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Interesting. I thought I had probably 6 or 7 I’d have in FH anyway so doesn’t feel worth it. I also have both FH & WC.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Foden + Broja to Madds + Dennis -4

      Ramsdale is going to have blanks, upgrading Foster if you can afford might worth extra hit.

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

    Bottomed.
    Hi guys, which spurs defender would you rather have out of Dier and Sanchez? And why?

    1. basilfawlty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If I was choosing a Spurs defender, it would be Emerson or Reguilon, probably the former for nailedness.

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

        Only have 4.6m to spend hence doing it tonight before any price changes

    2. gawa11
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez has more goal threat

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

        Thats what i was thinking. But will he start both games. Dier is a guranteed

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone one else saving a FT this week? 😆

    DDG
    TAA Alonso Regulion
    Son Jota Maddison Bowen
    Ronaldo Antonio King

    Steele Gray Cancelo Livramento

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Nice, that's basically the team I want but need a -8 to get there

    2. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cracking team!

  6. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Think Maddison and Dennis are the ones to get for the DGW

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      So B below? Haha. Will leave me with a lot of money on the bench though and I have king already

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeh agree plus son, Kane, & ronaldo

  7. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Salah -> maddison
    B) Salah & Edouard -> maddison & Dennis (-4)
    C) salah & Edouard -> tielmans & Ronaldo (-4)
    D) Salah, Edouard, tomiyasu -> maddison & Ronaldo & 4.2 fodder defender (-8)

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B seems sensible. Do you have Son?

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yes I have son. Also have king though but maybe a double up on Watford attack is fine for this week

  8. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    5 flags led me to WC to this:

    DDG (Bachmann)
    TAA Reguilon Lowton (Cancelo, Marcal)
    Son Jota Maddison Bowen (Gray)
    Kane Antonio Dennis

    Any glaring issues? Marcal alternatives? Stretch Kane to Ronaldo?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Kane's fixtures aren't great after the double but then Ronaldo isn't exactly value for money right now either

  9. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Chaps, who would score more for DGW22

    A Maddison (would bring in for Foden for a hit & bench Marti)
    B Marti +4
    C Foden +4

  10. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Each to their own but what moves would you make to cover a non FH team (just the 3 dgw players so far)
    I've been leading towards FH but curious if I can get a decent team without. Haven't used first FH yet
    1FT 4.5m itb from Salah to Son last week

    DDG (Steer)
    Trent Cancelo Keane (White Livra)
    Son Foden Bowen Jota (ESR)
    Antonio Watkins Dennis

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      ESr & Watkins to Maddison & ronaldo?

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

        would seem a popular move. love to avoid owning ronaldo all season!

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Otherwise Kane

      2. basilfawlty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, assuming you own Dennis or King, I’d rather get one of them if not.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Smith Rowe and Watkins to Trossard and Lukaku.

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

        decent suggestion thanks. city double + EFL semi lineup will be interesting to navigate

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      ESR > Maddison

  11. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you FH to this bunch:
    DDG
    Alonso - Lamptey - Castagne (Lowton, Tsimikas)
    Son - Maddison - Sancho - Mount (Gilmour)
    Ronaldo - Kane - Dennis

    1. basilfawlty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t have Sancho, Utd midfield is a lottery plus no form. Think TAA is still a must.

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I know I know, but I do want to catch those potential upside. Man Utd can not be this bad for so long.

    2. Cantonesque
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure Sancho has shown enough to justify a selection, will he even start both?

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Well he did start 2 in a row, I guess his safe

        1. Cantonesque
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          0 goals, 1 assist vs Palace, Norwich, Newcastle, Burnley, Wolves, less than compelling.

          This difficulty of finding 4 midfielders from DGW teams is what has put me off FH.

  12. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi....might get priced out, but what is the better option here. Will be taking a hit....thanks

    A.....Dennis and fodder (Ramsey?)

    B.....king and martinelli (exact cash)

    Ddg (rams)
    Taa cancelo alonso (diop livra)
    Son foden jota bowen (xxx)
    Ronaldo Antonio xxx 

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A.

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A & Ramsey seems a good shout

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

        Hard to pinpoint the best fodder mid

        Like Ramsey - don't know how much coutinho eats into his time tho

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

    Nothing to decide right now until 21 doubles are played and fixtures confirmed but I think my decision to FH or not will be based on how happy I am with current team for gw23. Don't want to go overboard making changes this week only to not want those players the following week. Still leaning towards FH22 but see how things pan out

  14. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do the following hit with BB team below or just Hwang > Dennis/King/Watkins for free and save BB chip. All chips remaining. FH also an option or save both of those?

    Hwang McArthur > Dennis/King Tielemans/6.4 (-4)

    BB
    DDG Bachmann
    TAA Cancelo Reg White Liv
    Son Bowen Jota Gray Gallagher
    Ron Antonio King

  15. Cantonesque
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all, tempted by Watkins > Ronaldo for a -4 but then who to bench?

    A) Cancelo
    B) TAA
    C) Gray (Norwich tho!)
    D) Bowen
    E) Antonio
    F) Forget Ronaldo, just bench Watkins
    G) Toss in Martinelli>Maddison -8 and bench boost (Livramento/Foster other bench)

    Cheers!

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      F.

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A or G for me - still unsure about the bench boost myself

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

      Prob A or D, I got same dilemma. Not keen on BB, foster may not start and games may still get called off after deadline especially with current covid situation

    4. Cantonesque
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys. Wish I could wait till next week to decide but Watkins price plummeting, lots of Watkins>Ron going on I guess. Maybe I let that 0.1m slide and wait.

  16. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which to bench? KDB, Gray, Bowen

    1. Cantonesque
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Would have to lean KDB, surely Chelsea won't let in more than 1 or 2? But upcoming games for Bowen and Gray can help assess their form before you decide. Maybe Everton are really hopeless.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Probably KDB but not a nice decision

  17. Surgical Attack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why no one going King over Dennis. Did I miss something?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Just the goals

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis has been playing as the central striker of late. I have king at the moment. I might take a punt on both of them

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why do you think King is better option?

    4. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm looking at both

  18. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I'm still considering bench boost, is it too risky with the Covid situation? I can get to 9 doublers with a -4. Would be something like this:

    DDG
    TAA Lamptey Reguilon Alonso
    Son Jota Maddison Bowen
    King Dennis

    Sanchez Foden Antonio Cancelo

    1. Cantonesque
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      As strong a bench boost opportunity as you are likely to be presented with. And maybe covid will be the same worry the rest of the season, for any future bench boost, anyway. Wait till last minute, see how you feel.

  19. Crouch Potato
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    i must admit I am very tempted to bring in Maupay for the dgw. Anyone got views on this move?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I just think there's better forward options and Brighton don't score many, but not a bad punt

    2. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      FH maybe yea but not transfer

  20. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins owners, are we holding for the potentially kind fixtures to come or shipping for a DGW forward?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm 0.1 off Watkins + Foden to Lukaku + Trossard

      1. Cantonesque
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Watkins much more appealing than Romelu for the five weeks following next GW, and likewise (and then some) for Foden over Trossard. You are lucky you can't afford this move.

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          you're probably right there!

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            a case of over thinking due to DGW

  21. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale to Sa and Bilva to Madison 4ph?

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

      Ramsdale has BUR WOL after that. Doesn't seem worth it

      1. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Was actually going for Sa who I think will do great long term and has two good matches this week.

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t lose Ramsdale

  22. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    All a) mendy & esr to Sanchez & Maddison or b) mendy & Benteke to Sanchez& ronaldo? Thanks

    Current team:
    Mendy
    TAA, cancello & reg*
    Bowen, jota, gray & son*
    Antonio & dennis*
    Subs foster, livra, Benteke & esr