Fixtures

How the FPL Blank/Double Gameweeks will be shaped by the FA Cup

The fifth round of the FA Cup will take place in midweek and, if you weren’t aware already, the results of these ties will have big ramifications for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

Here we take a look at what will be decided by the time we get to the Gameweek 26 deadline.

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY

FA CUP FIXTURES

Stoke City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers
Fulham v Leeds United
Bristol City v Manchester City

Tuesday is the biggest night for our Blank Gameweek 28 planning.

Liverpool’s Gameweek 28 status will be dictated by the result of Fulham v Leeds United, with a win for the latter meaning that the Reds will be guaranteed a fixture.

Victories for Leicester City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City would confirm blanks for those three teams and their scheduled opponents in Gameweek 28.

If Leicester lose, however, their Gameweek 28 match against Brentford goes ahead.

WEDNESDAY 1 MARCH

FA CUP TIES

Southampton v Grimsby Town
Burnley v Fleetwood Town
Manchester United v West Ham United
Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur

All that it will take for the Gameweek 28 match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur to fall will be a victory for one of those two sides in their respective cup matches, which looks likely to happen.

Gameweek 28 blanks for Manchester United and West Ham United will already have been confirmed on Tuesday if Brighton and Manchester City have won their respective cup ties at Championship opposition.

The FA Cup quarter-final draw will then follow and this will have implications for Blank Gameweek 32.

FPL GAMEWEEK 28 OVERVIEW

GW28 Premier League fixtureStatusA blank will happen if the following happens:
Arsenal v Crystal PalaceOn
Aston Villa v BournemouthOn
Brentford v LeicesterPossible blankIf Leicester beat Blackburn in the FA Cup fifth round
Brighton v Man UtdPossible blankIf Brighton beat Stoke in the FA Cup fifth round and/or if Man Utd beat West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v EvertonOn
Liverpool v FulhamPossible blankIf Fulham beat Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round
Man City v West HamPossible blankIf Man City beat Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round and/or if West Ham beat Man Utd in the FA Cup fifth round
Nottm Forest v NewcastleOn
Southampton v SpursPossible blankIf Southampton beat Grimsby in the FA Cup fifth round and/or if Spurs beat Sheff Utd in the FA Cup fifth round
Wolves v LeedsPossible blankIf Leeds beat Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round

FPL GAMEWEEK 32 OVERVIEW

GW32 Premier League fixtureStatusA blank will happen in the following situation:
Arsenal v SouthamptonPossible blankIf Southampton beat Grimsby and then a quarter-final opponent
Bournemouth v West HamPossible blankIf West Ham beat Man Utd and then a quarter-final opponent
Brentford v Aston VillaOn
Brighton v Man CityPossible blankIf either Brighton or Man City beat Stoke or Bristol City and their quarter-final opponent
Crystal Palace v EvertonOn
Fulham v LeedsPossible blankIf Fulham beat Leeds then a quarter-final opponent, or if Leeds beat Fulham then a quarter-final opponent
Leicester v WolvesPossible blankIf Leicester beat Blackburn and then a quarter-final opponent
Liverpool v Nottm ForestOn
Man Utd v ChelseaPossible blankIf Man Utd beat West Ham and then a quarter-final opponent
Newcastle v TottenhamPossible blankIf Tottenham beat Sheff Utd and then a quarter-final opponent

FPL DOUBLE GAMEWEEK IMPLICATION

Most, possibly all, of the fixtures that have to be postponed in Gameweeks 28/32 will then drop into Double Gameweeks 34/37.

Up to nine Premier League fixtures will be postponed in these two Gameweeks due to a result of an FA Cup clash.

Newcastle United v Brighton and Hove Albion is the only postponed fixture from earlier in the season that still needs a new date.

This excellent graphic from Legomané below shows where each postponed match could slot.

Image

Haaland Foden


95 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mentaculus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Come on the underdogs! Especially Blackburn & Leeds!

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

      And Ayling!

  2. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Need (S)aka to do bits

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Same here. If referees were competent and did their job, Saka would have an opportunity to score from the penalty spot, and maybe we'd be looking at 10 or 11 pointer. Yeah, I'm still mad about it...

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        That was horrible mate

  3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Starting today Leeds and Blackburn are my second and third teams.

  4. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    whens mounts assist going to get added?

  5. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    GW26 captaincy should be interesting.

    Haaland vs Newcastle (H)
    Saka/Ode vs Bournemouth (H)
    Rashford vs Liverpool (A)

    This is currently the order I would have it due to Haaland's high ceiling and home fixture but the other two are very close imo.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Others are very close imo*

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Rashford will destroy Pool & Saka will have field day at Bournemouth

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      All 3 are great options. That's gonna be a tough one.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Very tough and potentially a good opportunity to go against Haaland.

        - How will Newcastle react after the cup final loss?
        - Bournemouth is the fixture to target
        - Rashford/ United feeling confident after cup win and up against a poor Liverpool defence that make mistakes

    4. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Thinking about Rashford as he will most likely terrorize TAA but will most likely keep it on Haaland as I am a boring FPL player

    5. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Bus was on Saka, and I still need to catch up on some of the weekend's games, but I think I'm leaning Rashford now

  6. Gon Freecss
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I felt well set up, rolling a FT this week, but with all the WC talk flying around, starting to second guess myself

    Think I can navigate the next few weeks on FTs alone?:

    Kepa,
    White, Shaw, Trip
    Ode, Saka, Rash, Salah
    Nacho, Kane, Haaland

    Ward, Andreas, Shaw, Bueno

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      *Duplicate Shaw is Tark

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I Know what you mean. I keep going backwards and forwards with a potential GW26 WC.

      A strong GW27 team looks very similar to a strong GW29 team, with a couple of tweaks (Maddison and Bruno in).

      GW28 and 32 are the headaches. I still have FH but that only solves one, ha

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Monreal back and playing up top? The team looks good.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Depends on how the cup fixtures play out. You are not heavily invested in Liverpool so you may not need to WC

    5. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I think the main issue with the OP's team (and mine) is that neither of us have any Brentford or Brighton players, and how best to go about bringing these in with the blanks in mind.

      1. Gon Freecss
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        This. Thanks for thoughts everyone!

    6. Athletico Underachieving
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Mines identical but for Mahrez over Nacho. Thinking WC next week makes more sense, never know who might get injured/suspended

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    This for -4?

    Nketiah + Mahrez to Toney + Saka

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Wait and see if Nketiah starts the next game

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I would but after the Cup games

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I'll probably do what Tony suggests & keep Nketiah another week, but for Saka I think this looks fine

  8. Hooky
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Spurs look much better without Lloris in the team.

    1. Henry the Black Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Spurs look much better when Chelsea can’t shoot on target…

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Spurs look noticeably much better with Conte being left in Italy too.

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

    In Crellin we trust

  10. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    which move for 26 lads:
    a. Darwin to Watkins/Toney
    b. Mahrez to Rash

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B for sure. He will terrorize TAA

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

      B

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes, get Rashy.

      Toney can wait a week, Watkins can wait 2.

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      thx and God bless

    6. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      b.

  11. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Obviously nothing we can do now but low chance of Darwin starting against Wolves on Weds imo. Probably Klopp saves him for the Liverpool game.

    Asked about Nunez's absence, Klopp explained: "Darwin was okay with an injection against Madrid because there’s no structural damage. It’s very painful but the day after the Madrid game he got another knock there and he couldn’t move the arm at all.

    "We will have to see how long that will take. That was the reason for him not playing."

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      United game*

  12. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I also hope he plays the Liverpool game.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Cheers Horsey

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Folks looking at Darwin to Toney in GW26, I'm wondering if delaying the move to GW27 is the right play or is it too cautious?

    Home fixture against Fulham who are without Palhinha is a good game to target. Toney on 8 YCs is a worry (refer to Mitro in GW19).

    Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches, up to and including their team's 32nd fixture, will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I'm actually on the cautious side here too. Can understand wanting to move Darwin out given fitness doubts & the tough fixture, but even without Palinha I don't really see FUL as a great fixture to target. Moving for Iheanacho might have more immediate upside. I guess with Toney, the question you have to ask yourself is, would you run the risk of another Mitro situation if he gets booked v Fulham, or would you choose a different option?

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I'm extra wary of Iheanacho now. Given his history with Rodgers I was always feeling like it'd take one bad game for him to decide he doesn't want him as his first striker, but especially after he took him off when chasing against Arsenal I'm wondering if that might be him done

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yeah, I'm still a little wary too. Planned to wait til 29 to decide whether to bring him in, and its only because I have Nketiah & Darwin that I would even remotely consider it now. But I feel like Daka was given an extended run and it didn't really work out, plus Vardy's fitness might not really stand up to regular starts now. Probably right to be cautious though, will try to hang in with my current frontline for another week & see what happens

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I think Maddison may have an impact on the setup and Nacho's mins. Also with Vardy and Daka on the bench, he'll get 60-70 mins if starting

          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Totally. Without Maddison, Leicester are a hard avoid. But I was reassured to read that he was passed fit before illness ruled him out

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              I wasn't aware he recovered from his knee niggle and instead ruled out with an illness. That is positive news for folks looking at Nacho.

  14. Big Mike
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Advice needed for game week 26 please:

    Kepa DDG
    Walker Trippier Dalot Tarky Gabriel
    Rashford Saka Martinelli Gakpo Andreas
    EBH Kane Darwin

    Which transfer is best?

    A) Gakpo > March or Mitoma (please specify)
    B) Darwin > Toney

    I'm sweating on Darwin's fitness for the Wolves game, but if he's fit, I have a transfer dilemma.

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      If Darwin is fit, I'd keep him over Gakpo. Prefer BHA's fixture this week too (over BRE). Mitoma is still the one for me even if stats suggest March. More clinical finisher, can make chances out of nothing with his incredible pace & dribbling, also seems to have more a poacher's instinct for attacking the back post.

      1. Big Mike
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        OK, thanks.

      2. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Would you double up on Brighton mid, already have Mitoma and thinking of Mac instead of March and also Estupian.

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yeah I like the idea - for my own team it'll be a tough decision between Ødegaard & March for 27-9. If I can gain a couple extra players for 28 through FA Cup shocks I'd be much more inclined to go March.

          I think I slightly prefer March to Mac but it isn't super clear-cut and I'm not entirely set on one over the other yet. Mac gets a lot of chances whenever I've seen him in the 10 role but I'm not too sure about the risk of him moving back into a deeper role. Will decide after the WHU game. Estupinan will be my first move

          1. DavvaMC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yeah I really need o get Odegaard in as well. I think Mac will play more advanced now Lallana is out, might be wrong though.

            1. The Mentaculus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Should do, but still a couple other options there (Welbeck if fit, Sarmiento). March v Mac is pretty much top of my watchlist now so will let you know further thoughts after the cup game & WHU.

  15. Hooky
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Oliver Skipp the oldest player ever to have scored in the PL? He looks about 45

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nah, Willian is at least 50

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Wayne Rooney was 46 on his debut.

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

      In that case, James Milner must be collecting his pension by now.

  16. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What to do if Liverpool play GW28?

    I will probably save FT this GW. I will have 10/11 players for BGW28 and want to save FH for BGW32. Probably WC in DGW29.

    Players I could lose for DGW27: Patterson, Ake, Gakpo and Felix. 2FT

    Thinking -4 is ok. Maybe Ake, Gakpo and Patterson, keep Felix for GW28.

    What would you do?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I would probably move Gakpo out anyway. Guessing you have more Liverpool players? Trent/Darwin/Salah maybe more of a hold if the GW28 fixture goes ahead

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      If the QF draw keeps the big teams separate and provides a route for Southampton to reach the Semis then I think FH32 will be much stronger than 28. GW28 looks like a low scoring gw whether, even if you FH or have a full contingent.

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Thanks

  17. Big Mike
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I'd wait and see the results of the FA Cup matches first. You never know, there could be a few upsets there.

  18. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Please rate this WC.

    Sanchez, Ward
    Mee, Trippier, Shaw, Estupinan, Coufal
    Salah, Rashford, Maddison, Mitoma, Ødegaard
    Haaland, Toney, Watkins

    Will FH in 28

    1. GC123
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Bruno instead of Salah and upgrade Ward to Kepa and Odegaard to Saka?

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I would have Saka in a WC and definitely not Salah.

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

      If you're FHing in 28, then get Bruno over Salah.

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Just to add: Saka over Maddison too, then bring Maddy in for gw29

  19. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    8 draws in fa cup games.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No replays - matches go to extra time then penalties

  20. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    If all Fa cup games go as expected, its a struggle to have a chip plan.

    My team is setup ok however I dont have any BRI or BRE players.

    I will only have about 7 players for GW 28, although this may be ok, judging by the fixtures.

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I‘m in a similar situation and concluded that I think I am just going to ignore DGW27 and focus on getting 10 out GW28.

      Plenty of single decent options in my current team for GW28.

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

        Similar to me

        I have 8 players for gw28

        I might to darwin to toney. And then ignore Brighton for dgw27 and hope for the best

      2. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I know its team dependent but I do think its quite a risky strategy to ignore DGW27 against teams with around 15 fixtures (and also having a headstart on DGW29) for the sake of BGW28 if the latter only has 5 fixtures total.

        1. 1justlookin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I guess it depends on what fixtures your single GW players have in GW27. Not sure there is any correct answer tbh. :-/

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Hits 😀

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

      I'm in exactly the same boat.

      I'd have to sell either Kane or Watkins to buy Toney, neither of which appeals much tbh.

      Similarly, if I ignore Toney and decide to get a Brighton mid , I'd have to sell Salah the week he has Bournemouth and ahead of BGW 28 when he may also have a fixture.

      If Fulham stay in the cup, that would solve one issue.

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

        Yeah let's see Fulham v Leeds result

        I'm willing to sacrifice dgw27 overall tho

        No point taking hits for Brighton in 27. And hits to remove in 28

        And also Brighton feels like hard to pinpoint which of the mids / forwards to get

        At least with toney it's pretty obvious

        In theory if I do darwin to toney this week and save ft in 27 then I can take a hit to field 11 in 28 and Free hit 29

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      The other consideration is that practically all the top half teams have a good fixture in GW27.

      If you bring in a Brighton mid to your fifth mid slot, it creates a bench headache too.

  21. Big Mike
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Guys I've just noticed that there is a two week gap between game weeks 28 and 29 - anyone know why? The last game for game week 28 is Sunday 19th March and the next game after that is Sunday 1st April.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      International break

      1. Big Mike
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Bums

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Full on International week which is why I am planning to save the WC to GW29 rather than play it before the IB.

  22. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Akanji > Estupinan for free?

    1. GC123
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yep. That’s my move this week

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      My planned move and save second FT

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

      Yep.

      I'll probably be doing Martinez to Estupinan with my FT.

  23. 11 smelly shirts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I'm not betting, but if I would I would go for a draw between Fulham and Leeds on Tuesday. This would make our preparation even more complicated and this season I'm really sure it's going to happen

    1. Simpix
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      All ties in this round must be resolved on the night with ET or Pens.

  24. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Looks like Darwin fit to play?
    Not flagged on the website 🙂

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I think he'll get a cameo at best now that Klopp has Firmino and Jota fully fit.

      He'll probably save him for the United game.

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      The flag would be for the next GW i.e. the man utd game and not been a strong indication to suggest he won't be fit for that one

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Oh yeh true gandi
      Thanks