Millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are currently formulating chip strategies that they probably won’t finalise until there’s full knowledge of both Double Gameweek 33 (if it is to be a double) and Blank Gameweek 34.
The FA Cup action edged us closer to knowing all about the big blank – but the full picture may not be known until later this week.
BLANK GAMEWEEK 34
Blank Gameweek 34 clashes with FA Cup semi-final weekend.
There are seven Premier League matches definitely going ahead as both teams have already been knocked out.
Three are postponed, although Nottingham Forest v Brentford could stay in Gameweek 34 by moving to the midweek after it.
GAMEWEEK 34 MATCHES GOING AHEAD: CONFIRMED
- Chelsea v Everton
- Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
- Newcastle United v Ipswich Town
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City
- Brighton and Hove Albion v West Ham United
- Southampton v Fulham
- Bournemouth v Manchester United
POSTPONED
- Arsenal v Crystal Palace
- Nottingham Forest v Brentford
- Manchester City v Aston Villa
(bold indicates still in the FA Cup)
DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 33
It’s the current assumption – but far from a given – that two of the postponed Gameweek 34 matches (Arsenal v Crystal Palace and Manchester City v Aston Villa) will move to Gameweek 33.
Doubles being announced in Gameweeks 25 and 32 were previous curveballs that the Premier League threw at us, so we can’t rule out something unexpected again.
We also can’t assume that we will have confirmation of Double Gameweek 33 by Gameweek 30.
The midweek Gameweek 30 deadline comes just a few days after the FA Cup quarter-finals, not giving much time to rearrange with all relevant parties.
Of course, clubs could already be working with the Premier League to prepare for this scenario, ready to act quickly.
But it’s safer to believe that announcements will instead be made by Gameweek 31 when there’s still a two-and-a-half-week notice for supporters.
Within the Fantasy community, Gameweeks 30 to 31 are set to be a popular time for Wildcard usage. The latter gives more time to digest fixture information and is closer to a potential Double Gameweek 33 Bench Boost, meaning more accurate decisions can be made on fit, in-favour players.
