Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 31 – The Strong

Our analysis of the fixtures looks beyond the forthcoming Gameweek 31 blanks and considers the impending, yet-to-be-scheduled, double Gameweeks.

We expect confirmation of these next week on or around March 19, with the Gameweek 34 schedule likely to be bolstered with an additional fixture for those teams sitting out this weekend. Broadcasting dates provide the complication, but it is still safe to make some assumptions in our latest update.

Even so, our approach is split in two as we first assess those teams with strong schedules without the additional bonus of a double Gameweek.

Following that, we look to the longer-term to the sides who will doubtless play a larger role in Wildcard recruitment, either in Gameweek 32 or 33.

Short-Term

Liverpool (WAT cry eve BOU wba)
While the Reds are the darlings of Gameweek 31, the downside is that they won’t benefit from a double Gameweek.

Nonetheless, they have a schedule that makes parting with their assets rather jarring.

Do we limit our interest to Mohamed Salah alone, or can the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino be sustained up to the double Gameweek fixtures?

Jurgen Klopp’s side also don’t blank in Gameweek 35, when they travel to West Bromwich Albion, so those without the second Wildcard will likely hold firm and only consider alternatives when sights switch to double Gameweek targets.

The UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are prior to Gameweek 33 (eve) and Gameweek 34 (BOU), with the latter a possible hotspot for rotation.

Watford (liv BOU BUR hud CRY)
Like Liverpool, the Hornets are one of eight Gameweek 31 teams. They then face three home matches in the subsequent four, but have no double Gameweek to come.

Significantly, Watford have won all of their home matches under Javi Gracia, with Troy Deeney scoring in all three victories. An ever-present under the new Hornets boss, Adrian Mariappa can be an enabler in defence.

Crucially, Watford don’t blank in Gameweek 35 – they entertain Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road in a fixture certain to go ahead.

Again, they could tempt further investment for Gameweek 31 from those managers without a Wildcard, as Hornets players could prove to be profitable differentials given that Wildcard managers will likely overlook them for those set to benefit from two matches in Gameweek 34.

Huddersfield Town (CRY new bha WAT)
The Terriers are another Gameweek 31 side whose fixtures that follow provide an ideal window for investment. All of their matches are against relegation rivals and look key to their survival hopes as the schedule then turns unfavourably after that.

David Wagner’s men could blank in Gameweek 35 if Chelsea make it to FA Cup semi-finals, though, handing Huddersfield two fixtures in Gameweek 37.

In terms of the likely targets, Christopher Schindler and Steve Mounie head the queue.

Wildcarders may choose to hold one or two of their players as budget enablers, depending on whether the Bench Boost chip is to come into play in Gameweek 34.

But, like Watford assets, they could prove to be handy differentials for non-wildcarders over the forthcoming Gameweeks as they could go ignored and have both the motivation and fixtures to deliver.

Long-Term

Arsenal (blank STK SOT new WHU mun BUR hud)
They have suddenly become a key source of talent – particularly in the case of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will provide the popular solution to the Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero injuries.

From Gameweek 32 onwards, they are ranked top of our fixture ticker for strength of schedule and look to be a staple for those wildcarding in either Gameweek 32 or 33. Importantly, there is an incentive to invest early here, with Stoke City visiting the Emirates in Gameweek 32.

The Gunners face just one top six side from this point onwards, when they travel to Manchester United in Gameweek 36.

Their likely Double Gameweek 34 will involve trips to Newcastle United and Leicester City, while they are guaranteed to play West Ham United at home in Gameweek 35.

Back-to-back wins and clean sheets have restored our faith, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang the main candidates.

The latter is ineligible for the Europa League and is nailed on domestically, though Wenger’s recent teamsheets suggest Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny may continue to sit out league matches should they progress in Europe.

Leicester City (blank bha NEW bur SOT cry WHU tot)
Claude Puel’s side could yet have two double Gameweeks – their Gameweek 35 clash at home to Southampton remains at risk, with both needing to exit the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage for it to go ahead.

Leicester host Chelsea on Sunday, while Saints travel to Wigan Athletic on the same day. A cup exit will surely end any fears over rotation.

The Foxes are expected to have two matches in Gameweek 34 (bur ARS), with strong fixtures around the double.

Riyad Mahrez is the prime candidate for wildcarders, with Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy also set to remain in contention.

Chelsea (blank TOT WHU sot HUD swa LIV new)
The schedule from Gameweek 33, in particular, looks very encouraging and should see those managers wildcarding turn to Chelsea assets.

Having bowed out to Barcelona in the Champions League last night, their appeal is increased further, as rotation is now not expected to be a major concern.

They could also have a blank Gameweek 35, when they’re due to host Huddersfield Town, and instead have a double in Gameweek 37 (LIV HUD) if they make last four of FA Cup.

That would certainly make Eden Hazard a potential triple captain target given that the Blues may still be battling to secure a top four finish at that point.

Indeed, Marcos Alonso and Hazard look the likeliest targets, bearing in mind Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata continue battling it out for one spot up front.

Burnley (blank wba wat LEI stk BHA ars BOU)
Back-to-back wins – scoring five and conceding once – hints at form ahead of our Gameweek 32 Wildcards being deployed.

The Clarets have a guaranteed Gameweek 35 fixture away to Stoke, with the Chelsea match-up expected to form a Double Gameweek 34 (LEI CHE).

Investment in the Burnley attack is usually not particularly high on our agenda, but they boast some in-form budget options.

Ashley Barnes has now scored in three successive Gameweeks, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson has a goal and two assists in his last five outings.

Tom Heaton’s expected return next month will dent Nick Pope’s pitch time, while Matt Lowton (two assists and one clean sheet in five) could be the cheap option in defence at 4.4 in Fantasy Premier League compared to Ben Mee (4.9).

Manchester United (blank SWA mci WBA bou ARS bha WAT)
Although their form is unconvincing, the possibility of two double Gameweeks boosts the appeal of United assets.

Their likely double in Gameweek 34 (WBA whu) would be very favourable. If Jose Mourinho’s men beat Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, they would have a blank Gameweek 35, handing them a probable Double Gameweek 37 (bha bou).

They have managed just one clean sheet over the last six Gameweeks, but six of their eight remaining opponents are relegation strugglers, and could promote investment in their backline once again.

David De Gea is the main pick at the back, with Romelu Lukaku the primary option in attack – both are free from rotation concerns.

The absence of Kane may see interest in Lukaku escalate after his recent return to form, with the Belgian a potential Triple Captain candidate for Double Gameweek 37 should Jose Mourinho’s side reach the FA Cup semi-finals.