Fixtures

Chips and transfer strategies to navigate the FPL Blank and Double Gameweeks

Fantasy Premier League managers should start formulating a plan in their minds for the upcoming Blank and Double Gameweeks.

These provide an excellent opportunity to make up lost ground or press home a mini-league or overall ranking advantage.

The best way to make the most of these altered Gameweeks is through the use of the FPL chips.

After discussing when the Blank and Double Gameweeks could fall earlier this week, we will discuss the best transfer and chip strategies in this article.

Using Chips to Navigate the Blank and Double Gameweeks

FPL managers may have to rethink an often-used chip tactic from previous seasons this time around.

It has been popular in previous campaigns to Wildcard in a single Gameweek between the Blanks caused by the FA Cup quarter-finals and the first big Double Gameweek. Then after that, use the Bench and Triple Captain chips in two big Double Gameweeks and Free Hit in the Blank Gameweek caused by the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, that strategy will not be possible this season as there won’t be a single Gameweek in which you can Wildcard between the Blanks caused by the FA Cup quarter-finals and the first big Double Gameweek, as these fall in Gameweek 31 and 32 respectively.

Gameweek 31 is likely to be the biggest Blank Gameweek of the season and many FPL managers will use their Free Hit then if they haven’t prepared for it. You’ll have plenty of time to come up with a plan to use your free transfers to prepare for Gameweek 31 and the Free Hit chip may be more useful in the subsequent Gameweeks.

Free Hitting in Double Gameweek 32 would allow you to focus on preparing for the Blanks in Gameweeks 31 and 33. This strategy will work particularly well if you were then to Wildcard in Gameweek 34 to set your team up to play your Bench Boost chip in Double Gameweek 35.

Free Hitting in Blank Gameweek 33 would allow you to focus on preparing your team for the Doubles in Gameweek 32 and 35. This strategy will work better if you can Wildcard in Double Gameweek 32 to get rid of your players who have just played in Gameweek 31 and replace them with players who will have at least one Double Gameweek.

Neither of these Free Hit strategies involves playing your Triple Captain chip in either of the two big Double Gameweeks. You would either Free Hit or Wildcard in Double Gameweek 32 and then Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 35.

That leaves the potential “extra” Double Gameweek as a perfect opportunity to play your Triple Captain chip if one team ends up with three fixture rearrangements this season.

I think an extra Double Gameweek (outside of Gameweek 32 or Gameweek 35) seems likely enough that it’s worth holding on to your Triple Captain chip for.

There have been at least three separate Double Gameweeks in each of the last nine seasons. There will be a third Double Gameweek this season if a team ticks at least three of these boxes:

  • They or their Gameweek 27 opponent reach the Carabao Cup final
  • They or their Gameweek 31 opponent reach the FA Cup quarter-finals
  • They or their Gameweeks 33 opponent reach the FA Cup semi-finals
  • They have a game postponed (and moved to another Gameweek) for another reason such as bad weather or traffic problems etc.

There will also be a third Double Gameweek if a Gameweek 27 Blank is brought forward to Gameweek 25 or 26.

All the Blanks fixtures will be confirmed by March 17th, which is a day after the Gameweek 31 deadline. The Double Gameweek 32 fixtures will be announced between February 19th and March 19th.

It makes sense to prepare for the Blanks in Gameweeks 27 and 31 using free transfers and then decide on a chip strategy during the international break after Gameweek 31. At that point, the Blank and Double Gameweek picture will be a lot clearer.

Trying to navigate this stretch of the season without the use of a Free Hit chip and your Wildcard will be difficult. Transfers that you make to prepare for a Blank Gameweek could directly lead to you having fewer players with two fixtures in a subsequent Double Gameweek and conversely, transfers that you make to prepare for a Double Gameweek could directly lead to you having fewer players with a fixture in a subsequent Blank Gameweek.

Remember, the teams who reach the FA Cup semi-finals won’t have a Premier League fixture in either Gameweek 31 or 33 and are very likely to play twice in both Gameweek 32 and 35. The teams who have a fixture in Gameweek 31 are unlikely to play twice in Gameweek 32 and the teams who have a fixture in Gameweek 33 are unlikely to play twice in Gameweek 35.

If you have already used your Wildcard, it still makes sense to Free Hit in Double Gameweek 32 or in Blank Gameweek 33 but another option might be to focus on bringing in players who Blank in Gameweek 31, then Free Hit in that Gameweek and you’ll be well set up for the Doubles in Gameweeks 32 and 35.

Using Free Transfers to Prepare for the Blank Gameweeks

Bringing in players who won’t Blank in either Gameweek 31 or 33 will give you more flexibility when you come to chose a chip strategy for dealing with Gameweeks 32 to 35.

Liverpool are currently the only team who we know definitely won’t Blank in either of these Gameweeks, but more teams will be added to this list after each round of the FA Cup.

Liverpool’s fixtures between now and Gameweek 31 are Crystal Palace (home), Leicester (home), West Ham (away), Bournemouth (home), Manchester United (away), Watford (home), Everton (away), Burnley (home) and Fulham (away). They then play Southampton away in Gameweek 33. Meanwhile, the other top six Premier Leagues sides will likely only have somewhere between seven to nine fixtures in those 10 Gameweeks.

Tripling up on Liverpool players by Gameweek 31 is an obvious move and bringing them in well in advance of Gameweek 31 makes sense given their upcoming fixtures.

Mohamed Salah (£13.4m) is the highest scoring player in the game and with five double-digit scores in his last seven Gameweeks, he’s fully justifying his price tag. He will certainly be one of the most popular captains of the season when Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage in Gameweek 31.

The question is whether you opt to double up on Liverpool’s defensive assets with Salah or just pick one of Liverpool’s back five and double up on their attack with Salah. He could be paired with either Sadio Mane (£9.5m), Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) or even Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.1m) who’s scored five goals in his last ten appearances and tends to only be benched against tougher opposition.

Liverpool players are obviously worth bringing in now, but other than that there’s no need to let the upcoming Blanks affect your transfer decisions this week.

We’ll receive more information about all the Blank Gameweeks in the week leading up to the Gameweek 24 deadline. You might want to use your free transfers between Gameweeks 24 and 27 to make sure you can get an active starting XI in Blank Gameweek 27 whilst also keeping an eye on how your team is looking for Gameweek 31.

Gameweek 26 would be a good time to save a free transfer as the Gameweek 31 Blanks will all be confirmed four or five days before the Gameweek 27 deadline. That will give you six free transfers before Gameweek 31 with full knowledge of which teams will Blank.

Spurs’ fixtures between Gameweeks 23 and 26 are very favourable with Fulham (away), Watford (home), Newcastle (home) and Leicester (home) their opponents. But after that, it has the potential to be less appealing. If they beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg and win their FA Cup fourth-round tie their schedule would be Blank, Chelsea (away), Arsenal (home), Southampton (away), Blank. Accordingly, Gameweek 27 could be a sensible time to sell your Spurs players.

If Burnley lose away to Man City in the FA Cup next Saturday, Leicester will be added to the list of teams who won’t have a Blank fixture this season. The Foxes have tough fixtures in the next four Gameweeks but in Gameweeks 27 to 31 they would face Crystal Palace (home), Brighton (home), Watford (away), Fulham (home) followed by Burnley (away) if the Clarets get knocked out of the cup. They will host Huddersfield in Blank Gameweek 33 so Gameweek 27 seems like it will be a good time to start bringing in Leicester players. Ricardo Pereira (£5.3) looks like their best Fantasy asset and has received plenty of attention on the site in recent weeks.

If you are one of the FPL managers who activated your Wildcard this week after hearing about Harry Kane (£12.5m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s (£5.2m) injuries, you should be aware that Everton and Man City plus either Spurs and Burnley or Chelsea and Brighton will Blank in Gameweek 27 and you’ll only have four free transfers to prepare for it.

You may be in the unfortunate position of not having your Free Hit chip or your second Wildcard available but it’s still important to come up with a plan for how you’ll approach the Blank and Double Gameweeks, and be prepared to take hits.

Make sure you go back and read Ben Crellin’s article from earlier this week on predicting when the Blank and Double Gameweeks are likely to fall. READ IT HERE.

When we know more about which teams will and won’t be affected by fixture changes, we will publish some more content.

For regular updates on Blank and Double Gameweek information follow Ben Crellin on Twitter, or visit his constantly updated FPL Calendar spreadsheet HERE.

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1,472 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How's does this look please?? Cost me -4 this week but saves me using the wildcard!

    Etheridge
    Digne | Targett | Pereira
    Sane | Richarlison | Salah | Pogba
    Rashford | Aubameyang | Jimenez/Chicharito*

    Speroni | Dunk | Wan-Bissaka | Billing

  2. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What we saying lads?

    Fab
    Digne Doh Shaw
    Salah Sane Rich Anderson Pererya
    Rash Aubam
    (Button, Jimi, Alonso, AWB)

    Not ideal for them first 2 subs but can't see who I'd switch for. Prefer Burnley to Leicester hence Pererya over Jimi... and he is early game so exciting either way

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso over digne for me

  3. dannyboy25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    TAA still drop in price tonight given the news?

    1. boredjames
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      looks that way

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I doubt it now

    3. dannyboy25
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Conclusive haha - need him to drop so I can get him back in for the same £

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    On WC:

    Which Pool defence double up:

    A) Robbo and TAA
    B) Alisson and Robbo

    If A then which GK up to 5.7:

    1) DDG
    2) Lloris
    3) Patricio
    4) Etheridge
    5) Other

    1. dannyboy25
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A2

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I had this idea, but a Spurs blank in GW27 could be annoying.

        Alisson should be proper set and forget until GW38. No transfers used messing around switching keepers.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A 2

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

      a3

  5. Slumdog-Mignolet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ings or Digne? Rest of team would be:

    Fab
    Doherty, Robertson, Shaw
    Salah, Hazard, Rich, Pereyra, Pogba
    Rashford

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Digne

    2. boredjames
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      tough, but i would just play ings, Should start and on pens.
      close though.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ings go for the arlttacking option

    4. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Digne

    5. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      ings

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Shall I sell Anderson for sane for free or keep now that Arnie has been dropped ?? Please please advise 🙂

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Get Sane

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would do that for free.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    3. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I will 🙂

  7. Guadlajara
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Perreya (Bur H) or Bennet (Lei H)

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Per

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Perreyra 100%

  8. Js31
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Richarlison > Alli for -4?

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      not this week

    2. bautasten
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I'd wait a week to se how Spurs look.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No way

  9. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which one is better

    A) Auba and Rich
    B) Jimenez and Sterling

    Cheers

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      not only for this week*

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      tough one, maybe a

  10. BT
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Need to bench one: Doherty, Digne, TAA, Jimenez. Any ideas?

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Doherty. Then if TAA doesn't play you can ride the Doherty train.

  11. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play Mitrovic or Alonso?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Can't you bench another defender ?

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      alonso

  12. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Start Jonny or Bednarek this week? The benched one would come in if TAA doesn't play.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jonn.Same position

  13. Ancelottery
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Wouldn't Pereira or Kola be a better alternative to Digne?

    Similar returns and Digne blanks in 27

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      On WC and sold Pereira but kept Digne, will sell Digne for Pereira for 27 blissful if all going well 🙂

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        this is the move

  14. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    New WC in light of Trent news:

    Lloris
    Robbo TAA Doherty Digne
    Salah Hazard Sane Alli Pogba
    Rashford

    Speroni Ings AWB 4.4fwd 0.3 ITB

    Anything that can be done with the 0.3 ITB?

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      5x Spurs/Everton/City/Chelsea

      GW27 gonna hurt.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yep.

      2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        More so if Spurs blank obvs.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          DDG might then be safer

          Or could go down to Etheridge and then have money to upgrade Speroni to a 4.5 and 4.4 FWD to someone like Niasse

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Well, it's frustrating because you'll know the answer by midweek...

            If I had thought about the amount of information regarding blanks/doubles that we'll have by GW24, I would have just sucked up a -4 with TAA out (or not).

            A wildcard will be a lot more powerful from next GW, or if the FA Cup draw goes a certain way, DGWs.

  15. bautasten
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you switch Arnie out this week since he wont play although I'm already on a -4? If I do nothing Camarasa (will he play?) or AWB will replace him.

    So:
    A) Arnie -> Firmino (-8)
    B) Arnie -> Budget: Jimenez/Ings/Barnes (-8)
    C) Wait til next week.

    Other forwards are Rash and Auba.

    Thanks!

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Just wait

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      c

    3. evilfish
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Where did you get the info that he won't play? Bookies have him as second favourite to score in the goalscorers market. I was planning to play him but will reconsider if your info is good.

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

        Bookies odds don't take into account likelihood to start as bets are void if a player doesn't start.

      2. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ssn reporting hes not gonna be in squad

        1. evilfish
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Ok thanks, may as well ditch for Ings (-4).

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            only if you dont have 11 starters tbh

            1. evilfish
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Well one of my starters would be AWB, Stephens or Bennett. Would rather not have to start any of them.

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I don't know if any of you watch "the good place" but I feel like Chidi when I play fantasy league ,total indecision haha

  17. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Speroni (Guaita)
    Trent Robbo Digne (Bennett, Bednarek)
    Hazard Sane Salah (C) Rich (McNeil)
    Rashford Aubameyang Barnes

    1 FT, £0.3m. Save?

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Basically play Speroni or get Foster in for an FT?

      1. ZTF
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        a*

  18. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth taking a 4pt hit to do FAnderson out for Sane?

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Definitely not for a hit ! I actually hesitated to do it for free haha

        1. ZTF
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Anderson is such a liability

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            i dont own him but u gotta be joking

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      no lol

  19. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Scoutpicks are out:

    Foster
    Robertson Digne Doherty
    Salah Richarlison Sane Alli Pogba
    Rashford Jimenez

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Got 6 of them would have been 7 but took Richarlison out havnt felt comfortable since doing it however have a feeling a haul may happen this weekend it was for Sterling however so much better going forward in the long run

  20. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford worth a -4 or wait until next week?

    1. bautasten
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      who would play in his place for you?

      1. CHARLIE HULL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Alonso or Barnes. This would help my benching headache as would be losing both of them.

  21. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So we have another Sala in the game.
    Emiliano Sala, coming from FCNA (Nantes) to Cardiff. I guess at this point, ut's fair to say we should probably call him Mi Sala from now on.
    He has scored 48 goals in 143 games with FCNA, has currebtly scored 12 goals this season in Ligue 1 in a side that is ranked 10th in goals scored in ligue 1 this season.

    Quite a complete FW but who knows how he will adapt to PL and in a team that is not creating a lot of chances

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zTjWOU_uhM

  22. TIME TO VARTY
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would anyone do a -4 here to change anything 5.5M ITB
    Wanted a city player or upgrade def? Worth it?

    Pat
    Bennett/Chilwell/Digne
    Pogba/Salah/Rich/Anderson
    Aba/Rash/Jiménez

    Hammer/WanB/Hoj/TAA

    Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

  23. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    1) Taa to shaw, digne, vvd, Doherty or keep? Choose one

    2) masuaku to alli perhaps? 9.4 max suggestions welcomed

    Lloris hamer
    Robbo taa luiz awb peltier
    Salah hazard pogba Anderson masuaku
    Rashford Jimenez kamara

    Thanks!

    1. TIME TO VARTY
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I like #2 better. Alli could be gold again.
      News on TAA means i would keep and see. Try upgrading Peltier maybe to play 3 at the back this week.

  24. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any Richarlison sellers feeling quite apprehensive now after doing so???

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Most outside top 10k so guess they not bothered about FPL at this stage anyway

  25. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Kane to Firmino worth a -4 hit
    (and benching TAA)?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      no

      1. jaywills
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you for putting me out of my misery.

        1. HNI
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Support mercy killing

          1. jaywills
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            what does this mean lol?

          2. Sylas
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Someone should have mercy upon us for bearing your lame jokes. 😆

  26. Luca Tony
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alison
    Robertson Digne Doherty
    Salah pogba D.ali sane"C"
    Jimneze rashford lorente
    Is that good?

  27. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench?
    A. Doherty
    B. Digne
    C. Shaw

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      b

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Shaw but would rather bench a midfielder/fwd

  28. HNI
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone done Kane to Kun © like me?

  29. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Does a change of red flag to orange affect the price drop threshold? The existing volume of transfers out are not reset are they?

  30. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Guys, which option is best?
    Bobby or Auba??

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      aub

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Aubameyang but depends how you use the spare cash.