Next up, we roll out our weekly look at the forthcoming fixture schedule, initially focusing on those sides with favourable match-ups in this first part.
The upcoming blanks in Gameweek 31 play a significant part in our appraisal, while the strategy chosen by Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to navigate this testing period is equally key.
Certainly, those who intend to play their Free Hit Chip for the reduced set of Gameweek 31 fixtures will be scanning the short-term schedule, concentrating their transfer activity on those sides with an obliging run over the next three Gameweeks.
We’ve subsequently pinpointed those teams in our short-term selection, though it’s unlikely that the same sides will be of equal interest to those managers retaining the Free Hit for a later Gameweek, or indeed those without the chip to play.
The long-term view is different, though. Those without both a Free Hit Chip and a Wildcard should now be looking beyond Gameweek 31 and can even begin to assess the yet-to-be-confirmed Gameweek 34 doubles in tandem with the blank fixtures in Gameweek 35.
However, if you are still holding a Wildcard and have this booked in for either Gameweek 32 or 33, then the long-term schedule is almost academic at this point with the double Gameweeks such an influence on our thinking.
The Short Term
Tottenham Hotspur (cry HUD bou)
With Palace, Huddersfield and Bournemouth up next, Spurs are very much the poster boys for Fantasy managers looking to wield their Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 31.
These managers will likely target Mauricio Pochettino’s main men in the hope that mini-league rivals who are either without the chip or are deploying in Gameweek 35 will be driven to look elsewhere.
Spurs have to deliver to make that strategy effective, though with cup ties also a factor, they are braced with a run of five matches in 14 days from this weekend onwards that will surely increase the likelihood of rotation.
Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen look the safest picks in that respect, while Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli now seem a little more secure than Son Heung-min in midfield in light of Erik Lamela’s return from injury and the winter arrival of Lucas Moura.
Leicester City (STK BOU wba)
Another potential go-to option for the Gameweek 31 Free Hit manager, with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez the obvious targets for back-to-back home matches against Stoke and Bournemouth and a trip to the basement-dwelling Baggies.
Similar to the Spurs situation above, these managers will hope to get a free run at the Foxes assets, with their mini-league rivals otherwise fixated on acquiring active Gameweek 31 players.
Not only do Claude Puel’s men also have an excellent long-term schedule that could appeal, they could easily drop back into Gameweek 35 should they lose out to Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals that are played over the Gameweek 31 weekend. For those without the Wildcard to load up on Gameweek 34, such a scenario could even see at least one of their assets held for the long haul.
Swansea City (bha WHU hud)
Another side set to be targeted by the Free Hit Gameweek 31 manager, Carlos Carvalhal’s men are braced for a run of key head-to-heads with relegation rivals over the next three Gameweeks before their blank.
The potential loss of Alfie Mawson is a blow, however, and could force a reassessment of a defence that has upped their resilience, conceding just two goals in the last four Gameweeks.
Three goals in seven under the new manager could bring Jordan Ayew into contention as a budget candidate for those on the search for a short-term punt up front.
Burnley (SOT EVE whu)
Any short-term interest in Sean Dyche’s side is typically restricted to their backline, though a single clean sheet in the last nine Gameweeks has dented our confidence in the likes of Nick Pope and Ben Mee ahead of visits from Southampton and Everton.
Significantly, though, the Clarets not only have good fixtures leading into the blank in Gameweek 31, they offer the combination of a likely double Gameweek 34 while also being active in Gameweek 35.
That’s a situation that could appeal to those managers without a remaining Wildcard: at least one Burnley asset could be held over this spell before we revise our squads to deal with the Gameweek 37 doubles.
Everton (wat bur BHA stk)
The Toffees are unlikely to be targeted by managers playing the Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 31 but their kind short-term schedule is, nonetheless, a very valid option for those keen navigate through Gameweek 31 by loading up on active players.
Theo Walcott and Oumar Niasse look the main targets to consider, with two goals and an assist apiece in the last four rounds of fixtures. Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford presents an option in goal, for those set on maximising their Gameweek 31 allocation.
Our Everton players are likely to then make way in the Wildcard overhaul in either Gameweek 32 or 33, with one eye on the two sets of doubles to follow.
Liverpool (WHU NEW mun WAT)
Jurgen Klopp’s side have one of the most enticing schedules on offer between now and the end of the season, with many of us bidding to triple-up on their assets in the short-term, at least.
At home to Watford in Gameweek 31, Mohamed Salah looks the obvious captain contender, with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk jostling for our attention elsewhere.
The Reds also have a Gameweek 35 fixture – away to West Brom – though for those Wildcarding in Gameweek 32 or 33, the Egyptian may be the only Liverpool player to remain in our plans.
Even without any doubles, dare we get rid of Salah for the run-in, given his penchant for explosive and consistent hauls? Much may depend on his side’s progress in the Champions League, though his Golden Boot battle with Harry Kane could even lessen the risk of rotation.
The Long-term
Watford (EVE WBA ars liv BOU BUR hud CRY)
Even with back-to-back home matches to come, Watford’s Gameweek 31 trip to Liverpool may make them less attractive to non-Free Hit Chip managers picking options for those reduced fixtures.
However, for those without the Free Hit Chip and Wildcard, it’s worth noting that the Hornets’ schedule is very attractive and the likes of Gerard Deulofeu or Abdoulaye Doucoure could, therefore, prove a crucial source of budget talent.
They have two strong short-term home fixtures against Everton and West Brom, play in Gameweek 31, and then can provide a favourable four-match run which includes a Gameweek 35 clash with Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road.
Arsenal (MCI bha WAT blank STK SOT new WHU)
The short-term schedule is less kind to the Gunners, with a visit from Man City and blank Gameweek 31 in the next four rounds of fixtures.
However, those managers with Gameweek 32 or 33 Wildcards – and/or those without their Free Hit Chip to play in Gameweek 35 – should certainly be targeting Arsene Wenger’s regulars once the blank has passed.
Like Burnley, the north London side will likely feature twice in Gameweek 34 – (new lei) – and also play in Gameweek 35, when they entertain West Ham.
Unlike the Clarets, they have some attractive attacking assets to consider. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey (if fit) could find their way into our midfield plans for the run-in, while Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s domestic minutes aren’t in question as he is ineligible to play in the Europa League.
That could influence how we view the Gunners, should Wenger look to claim a place in next season’s Champions League via European success.
West Brom – (HUD wat LEI bou BUR SWA)
Alan Pardew’s side are guaranteed fixtures in both Gameweek 31 (bou) and 35 (LIV) but are really only a temptation for those without the Free Hit and who plan to play the Wildcard later than Gameweek 33.
Up to that point, their fixtures are excellent, but potential targets are difficult to identify due to the distinct lack of form that leaves them sitting seven points adrift of safety at this point.
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