Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best FPL fixtures over the next six Gameweeks?

Our regular frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) clubs and players with – in theory – the strongest and weakest runs of matches over the next six Gameweeks.

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.

You can see a tutorial on the Season Ticker below:


OVERVIEW

BEST FIXTURES

FPL Gameweek 2 review: Williams' threat and why Chilwell didn't start

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Based purely on upcoming opponents, Steve Cooper’s outfit have a strong fixture run. Although they rank bottom of all teams for attempts conceded (79) and expected goals conceded (7.91), they’ve had a tough opening run of fixtures and consecutive meetings with Bournemouth (H), Leeds United (a) and Fulham (H) gives them the chance to pit their wits against sides likelier to be around them in the table as the season progresses.

An out-of-sorts Leicester City and Aston Villa then follow after the international break, although those fixtures are a month away and it remains to be seen what shape those two underachievers are in by then – and whether the current head coaches are still at their respective clubs.

An eye-watering number of signings have arrived at the City Ground, so there seem to be a few secure starters for FPL managers to consider.

Dean Henderson (£4.6m) entered Gameweek 5 as the game’s top-scoring goalkeeper thanks to a clean sheet and two penalty saves. Bargain enabler Neco Williams (£4.1m) is an attacking wing-back that leads the way amongst defenders for goal attempts (11) and is in almost 28% of squads.

Brennan Johnson (£5.9m) is probably the cheapest FPL forward with any significant appeal, in case managers want a third striker during this period of congested fixtures. Penalties are also thought to be in his locker, although even he has plenty of competition up top.

BOURNEMOUTH

Another newly-promoted team that ranks joint-last for conceding shots on target (27) is the now managerless Bournemouth.

Days after the devastating 9-0 loss at Liverpool, where Scott Parker said he “can see some more” coming over the season, it was announced that the club had parted ways with the former England international.

So their good-looking run of fixtures could alternatively be seen as six teams whose assets we want by the time they face the Cherries.

There are also now uncertainties over how a different head coach would set up the team but if the incoming boss can get a tune out of his new charges, there are some potential bargains to be had for FPL benches everywhere.

There are two starting forwards cheaper than Johnson in Kieffer Moore (£5.5m) and Dominic Solanke (£5.8m), for instance, the latter of whom is also on spot-kicks.

Additionally, £4.9m midfielder Marcus Tavernier is on corners and free-kicks.

The sensible advice in Fantasy terms would be to see how the newly appointed manager approaches things tactically from now until the international break, as the Cherries’ good fixture run continues from Gameweeks 9-16.

LEICESTER CITY

Bottom of the league table are Leicester, who have let leads slip away during both home games so far. They entered Gameweek 5 having had the third-fewest goal attempts but Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, the two sides below them, can at least say they’ve both already had to visit Liverpool and Manchester City.

Despite this, James Maddison (£7.9m) was initially a good pick with goal involvements in all of the first three matches. He missed Saturday’s trip to Chelsea because of a “twinge” and could do the same on Thursday night.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward (£4.0m) is their most-owned asset by far on 27 per cent, although he has only returned a point each time. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m) is possibly the best midfield option at his price but an exciting differential could well be Harvey Barnes (£6.9m).

His last three campaigns have averaged 16 goal involvements despite never reaching 2,100 minutes and he then netted three times in pre-season, opening his account for 2022/23 at Chelsea in Gameweek 4.

A bit like Bournemouth, it’d probably be advisable to see how the Foxes fare from Gameweeks 6-8 without the distraction of the transfer window and then pounce over the international break if things are looking up. Trips to Brighton and Spurs before then, indeed, are no easy tasks.

Beyond that, Leicester face only one of last season’s top six – Manchester City – from Gameweeks 9-16.

BRENTFORD

The likes of David Raya (£4.5m) and Ivan Toney (£7.2m) continue their promising streak of fixtures up to Gameweek 9 at the very least, although their most recent outings have brought just two points from Fulham (a), Everton (H) and Crystal Palace (a).

Toney has a pair of goals and assists to his name, with cheap midfielders Mathias Jensen (£5.1m), Josh Dasilva (£4.6m), Vitaly Janelt (£5.5m) and Yoane Wissa (£5.4m) all providing at least two attacking returns.

The complication with a number of the names in the above paragraph is competition for places: Dasilva and Wissa were both benched on Tuesday, for example, while the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.4m) and Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.3m) will likely only player bigger and bigger parts as the season progresses.

Toney is at least rotation-proof: he was the only first-team FPL forward not to get substituted once in 2021/22 and he’s again completed every minute in this season so far.

ALSO CONSIDER

At the time of writing and ahead of the Liverpool trip, Newcastle United remain undefeated and have built upon their brilliant second half to last season.

The fixtures are about to get a whole lot easier, too.

Kieran Trippier (£5.1m), who is already on 26 per cent ownership, is a stand-out target from Gameweek 6, with various attacking options in Alexander Isak (£7.0m) and Miguel Almiron (£5.0m) also on the watchlist.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s squad were able to handle European commitments and finish seventh last time, although a high number of summer signings makes it hard to find reliable starters beyond the out-of-form Jarrod Bowen (£8.2m).

The Hammers won’t be targets for many managers in Gameweek 6 but the fixtures are much better after that point.

Tuesday night’s Rodrigo (£6.5m) injury devastated the two million managers that have purchased him since Gameweek 3. Those wanting alternative Leeds coverage may be interested in Brenden Aaronson (£5.5m) or Jack Harrison (£6.1m), the latter of whom is currently joint-third for chances created among midfielders in 2022/23 so far.


WORST FIXTURES

FPL Gameweek 4 differentials: Aaronson can provide value 2

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Gameweek 1’s then-£5.5m midfielder of choice Pedro Neto is yet to return more than appearance points and has already dropped to £5.2m. With new names Sasa Kalajdzic and Goncalo Guedes (£6.0m) arriving at Molineux with strong reputations and Daniel Podence (£5.5m) pushing for a recall, Neto could even find his place in jeopardy in the medium term.

At the back, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.4m) was the best defender for expected goals (xG) and fourth-best for expected assists (xA) during the first three matches – then he was benched against Newcastle.

Not that many will consider a Wolves defender now with Liverpool (a), Man City (H) and Chelsea (a) on the horizon, and the home fixture against Southampton in Gameweek 6 will likely be the last hurrah for owners of Neto et al.

EVERTON

The Toffees are still without a win but Anthony Gordon (£5.5m) has netted twice in as many matches. During the first four Gameweeks, he ranked ahead of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£8.2m) for goal attempts, sitting joint-fourth with Harry Kane (£11.4m).

It’ll be interesting to see how new forward Neal Maupay (£6.2m) fits in and affects those around him, while cheap defender Nathan Patterson (£4.0m) has played all 450 minutes so far.

However, now doesn’t seem the time to revisit Gordon’s budget appeal: Everton have five of last season’s top seven clubs to come between Gameweeks 6-11.

LIVERPOOL

Over in the red half of Merseyside, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) did what he did best in Gameweek 4 by scoring 17 points against Bournemouth, just as the murmurs of discontent had started. He’ll perhaps be a ‘hold’ for many from Gameweek 8 onwards but is the usually fixture-proof Salah ditchable for the fixtures from that point, with plenty of premium assets competing for our attention?

Competition up top is going to get a bit more fierce now that Darwin Nunez‘s (£8.9m) suspension is over, while Diogo Jota (£8.9m) “can train from Thursday” according to Jurgen Klopp. There’s more analysis to be done over how Darwin affects Salah’s game, too, with the early indications being that the Uruguayan will see more chances than his new teammate.

ASTON VILLA

Off-form Aston Villa began the season with a defeat to Bournemouth, which looks worse with each passing week. It didn’t take long for Leon Bailey (£4.7m), Matty Cash (£4.8m) and Philippe Coutinho (£6.8m) to be ditched and an imminent hosting of Man City, which follows a trip to Arsenal, won’t bring much noise for these assets.

Chelsea are also on the horizon at the end of this six-Gameweek stretch.

The run from Gameweek 8-13 is actually not all that bad at all but there’ll have to be a vast improvement in on-field displays for many of us to venture anywhere near Villa players, while Steven Gerrard’s chopping and changing up front is another downside.



FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

286 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Smoky Johnson
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Robo + Rodrigo > Trippier + Diaz ?

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

      yea

    2. I Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I like those moves.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

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

    Don't get why people are shifting Martinelli - Arteta won't change while they're winning

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I guess if people can upgrade to Zaha there is some appeal there but I agree no reason to sell on current form, price and position.

    2. David Parkinson
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe some are switching Martinelli to Mitrovic?

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

      He blanked one week. People are fickle.

    4. Arteta
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Muahahahaha 😈
      We'll see about that!

      1. Sun God Nika
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        :O

    5. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Arteta rotates like Pep. Very likely he is benched this week.

    6. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He can rest during Europa.

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

      It depends on the alternatives.
      I replaced Martinelli with Alvarez. I am not complaining.

  3. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Harrison or Rashford?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Harrison

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Harrison

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Pondering the same If Rashford was guaranteed plenty of minutes id deffo be going there

  4. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who do you lot prefer?

    A) MGW
    B) Aaronson
    C) Eze
    D) Mac Allister

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

      Aaronson.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Aaronson

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

      E) Snisterra

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

      I have Aaronson, but MacAllister is on penalties so might not be a bad shout

  5. Feanor
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why did Mount keep the assist?

    "If an opposing player touches the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is awarded"

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Apparently Sterling was the intended destination

    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling was his intended target.

      1. Feanor
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        So if the defender punted the ball outside the penalty area but Sterling ran to the ball and scored from there before anyone else touched it, that would be an assist?

        Surely destination has to be an area of the pitch.

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

          The intended target (Sterling) scored in the attended destination (edge of 6 yard box) after one defensive touch that didn't alter much.

          Them assists can get messy! If you want a worse one, look at Salah's 'asssit' for Darwin vs Fulham. Mount's one isn't nearly as 'bad'.

          1. Feanor
            • 15 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Mount's assists is far worse because a defender knocked the ball six yards away from it's intended destination.

    3. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Intended target. Biggest assist comedy points is whenever someone shoots and if it rebounds and some other scores then the one who shoots will be given the assist.

      1. Feanor
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Doesn't say "target", it says "destination"

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

          That is the same thing though

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Does the team look ok for next GW without using the FT? Assuming James is fit.

    Sanchez
    TAA James Walker Neco
    Diaz Sterling Martinelli
    Kane Haaland Jesus

    Ward Saliba Andreas Colback

    Thanks!

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

  7. Arteta
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    After 5 days of this Haaland rotation talk, de Bruyne will be the one who sits out.

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

      And most of us are getting Neco off the bench with negative score. Cruel game this.

    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      One's 22 not going to the World Cup while the other's 31 going to it...

      Pep may have given us the biggest clue he ever has!

      1. The Final Boss
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Why did he care about his players national duties? It's about city and their fixtures only concern pep I guess especially before the start of the wc.

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

          All the minutes accumulate. They'll likely both play twice between GW8&9 for their countries.

          Belgium should go far in the WC meaning KDB is back late and City games starting back on Boxing Day, Pep needs him available as often as possible.

  8. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Haalands start for four matches is identical to Aguero. Aguero got 2 goals in his fifth match. Beat it, match it or bench it?!?!?....

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

      blank it

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bench it

    3. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bop it, pull it, twist it.

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Suck it

  9. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Hoping to save FT.

    Who would you start?
    A. Dunk (H v LEI)
    B. Neco (H v BOU)

    1FT 1.6m
    Sanchez
    TAA James Dunk Cancelo
    Salah Gross Gundo Martinelli
    Jesus Haaland
    (Ward Neco Andreas Archer)

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

  10. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    All my ml rivals went for haaland over salah. Is that an obvious decision? Pep comments earlier about haaland that Alvarez will play etc increases dbts over his start in my mind, that's why I went salah. Anyway let's hope for the best.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Either gambled and hopes he starts or your rivals chose him based in his hatty last GW

  11. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Will Rodrigo go down in price tonight? Really unsure who to swap him for.
    Also is Cancelo no longer the asset he was last season? Haven't really seen much of City this season

    1. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      According to this Rod is only at -20%

      I'm holding Cancelo.

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

      I’m going to swallow the Rodrigo price fall…..bought him at 6.1 but need more information

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers guys seems safe to hold for tonight at least. Who are you thinking of switching him out for mate?

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

          I did a really bad -4 for Cucurella and Groß last night…..so now I have Neco first on the bench (starting Trippier). I reckon I’m better off rolling the transfer and reassessing next week.

          1. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Ahh! Cucurella looked a great shout on paper for last night. yeah that makes sense. Trippier seems like he is fit to play

    3. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not yet, flag helps prevent the drop longer.

      Cancelo's role has changed, he's not a wide or high up the pitch anymore, so yes, £7m is looking expensive! Hopefully he plays RB tonight if Gomez comes in...

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ahh that makes sense.
        I was wondering if his role had changed as his output is massively down for his price point right now

  12. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Groß
    B) Harrison

    1. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      S)inisterra

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        This

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Will he start playing more?

    2. teki0s
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      B

  13. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Very tempted to ignore the Mitro hype and go big up top with haaland, Kane and Jesus.

    Good move or should I give in to monster Mitro?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I know he seems fixture proof so far this season but he still has a tough few coming up that would put me off

  14. Bennyboy1907
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Best Rodrigo replacement?
    Have Salah Diaz Martinelli

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Wondering the same thing

  15. Bobby Digital
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    3 Pool
    3 City
    3 Arsenal

    Let's gooo!!!

  16. DARE TO BISCAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA, Trippier, Perisic
    Rodrigo, Salah, Martinelli, Diaz
    Toney, Jesus, Haaland
    (Ward, Neco, Saliba, Andreas) 0.2ITB 2FT

    Keep faith in Toney. Or, jump on the Mitro train?

    a) Rod, Tone > Zaha, Mitro
    b) Rod > Gross (0.8 & FT for Perisic to James, or whatever later on)
    c) something else (your suggestion)

  17. hochimin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Tempted by a wildcard of:
    Sanchez Ward
    TAA James Trippier Saliba Williams
    Sterling Diaz Gundo Gross Andreas
    Haaland Jesus Darwin

    Anything missing/standing out?

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

      I would get rid of Trippier or Saliba for Patterson and use the money on Gross, Gundo or safe ITB

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

        Good shout. Gundo could become Zaha actually and keep cash ITB

  18. The Mandalorian
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Haaland EO 177%

    Salah EO 58%.

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

      1- pointer for Halland and hat trick for Salah incoming?

  19. Charan77
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Good morning

    Current gw6 team is:

    Sanchez
    TAA, James, Cancelo, Perisic
    Diaz, Salah (v), Martinelli, Jensen
    Jesus, Haaland

    Ramsdale N Williams, Andreas, Greenwood

    Have 2ft & 0.1itb

    Any suggestions?

    Thinking James & Jensen to Trippier & Gross.

  20. SammoUK111
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    MacAllister or Gross?

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Gross

  21. SammoUK111
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    MacAllister on penalties though

  22. swanseag55
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of a punt on Sinnisterra as a replacement for Rodrigo. Heard good things about him. Why did he go off after 63 mins in last game?