Fixtures

How Chelsea vs Man United could affect FPL schedule

Fantasy Premier League managers are just a few hours away from finding out the complete line-up of fixtures in Blank Gameweek 31.

That round of matches takes place on the same weekend as the FA Cup quarter-finals, which will be drawn this evening.

Just one Blank Gameweek 31 match is yet to learn its fate, hinging on the result of tonight’s FA Cup meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are currently scheduled to travel to Everton then, but if they win tonight that match will be postponed and rearranged.

Those hoping for more Blanks, and therefore more fixtures in upcoming Double Gameweeks, should be backing Maurizio Sarri’s men in the cup.

That’s because opponents Manchester United have already had their Gameweek 31 fixture postponed by Manchester City winning their fifth-round tie at Newport County.

The two city rivals were due to meet at Old Trafford on the weekend of March 16, but will now face each other on a rearranged date, most likely in Gameweek 32.

A win for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side would mean that the number of Gameweek 31 Blanks, currently at five, and resulting Doubles, would remain the same.

The matches already postponed from Blank Gameweek 31 are:

Watford v Southampton
Brighton v Cardiff
Man United v Man City
Wolves v Arsenal
Tottenham v Crystal Palace

Furthermore, if both Wolves and Manchester United were to make it to the FA Cup semi-finals then the two of them would only cause one Gameweek 33 fixture to become a Blank.

The two sides are currently set to meet each other at Molineux on the weekend of April 6.

However, if Chelsea were to win tonight, and then progress from their quarter-final too, Wolves making it to the last four as well as them would postpone two matches.

That’s because Sarri’s men are set to host West Ham in Blank Gameweek 33, who have already been eliminated from the FA Cup.

A Chelsea FA Cup exit, and a presence in both Blank Gameweeks, would drastically change the landscape for the FPL ‘chip season’.

Having options such as Eden Hazard (£10.9m), Gonzalo Higuain (£9.5m), Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) or David Luiz (£5.9m) available for matches against Everton and West Ham would be a great help to Fantasy managers.

After all, there are very few widely-owned Fantasy options set to play in Gameweek 31 with 10 teams already absent from that weekend of action.

Confirmed Blank Gameweek 31:
West Ham v Huddersfield
Bournemouth v Newcastle
Burnley v Leicester
Fulham v Liverpool

However, Chelsea ending up involved in Blank Gameweek 31 would mean a missed opportunity for more Doubles, and that they would not have more than one Double Gameweek match this season.

The Blues currently have an outstanding game waiting to be rearranged, their Gameweek 27 hosting of Brighton, but need to beat Manchester United to add more to that list.

Hazard or Higuain could make potential Triple Captain options if Chelsea are able to make it through to subsequent rounds of the FA Cup.

For example, if Chelsea were to have their rearranged Gameweek 31 fixture in Gameweek 32, the would have a Double of Cardiff (away) and Everton (away) – appealing stuff.

Likewise, if Chelsea were to make it to the FA Cup semi-finals they could face Burnley (home) and West Ham (home) in a Double Gameweek 35.

The Blues may still have a Double in Gameweek 32 though even if they get eliminated, as their outstanding meeting with Brighton could be moved there if the Seagulls don’t already have a fixture rearranged there.

1,465 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If anyone is seeing the game , chelsea’s and sarri’s tactics are better than us , we (united) are winning the game on sheer will and attitude

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Solskjaer is naive with tactics ,
      Even with the psg game , the difference is quality wasnt much , but psgs tactics enabled them to completely bypass the midfield

      1. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How can you critisice Ole man?!

        1. Totalfootball
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Nope , not criticising him one bit , he has gone old school , just go and score!
          Love it!

          1. Poseidon.
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Good man - he is an all all time legend

            1. GREEN IS GOOD
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              can you go to the Red Cafe forum and tug each other off there instead?

              1. Totalfootball
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Must be a pool fan

                1. Poseidon.
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  There’s a lot of ABUs on here bro

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wheres

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        The popcorn

        1. Sim Simma
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Which channel ?

    3. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ask the nurse to increase your medication.

    4. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No our strategy is better too

  2. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    FH 31 vs FH 32

    Could get 10 players without a hit in 31. Would mean something like this:

    Hamer
    Diop Azpi
    Haz Mane Salah Richa Felipe
    Firmino Barnes

    Go for it and rather FH in gw 32?

    1. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would mean Kamara to Barnes this gw and captain Son.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'd be tempted to captain FAnderson if you've already got him in

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      of course

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hamer won't play.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        More points that way

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hamer>Boruc is worth a hit with those 31 33 fixtures

  3. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender to transfer in this week for Digne?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on your team and chip strategy mate. Easy answer is Pereira

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        FH32

        So I’m looking for defender who plays in 31 & 33.

        But I do own Robbo, Doc, TAA & AWB too. Think getting Pereira will cause a lot of benching headaches.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pereira, Chilwell, Lascelles

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      unless you really need/want to, I don't think he's a very urgent sell at all tbh - unless Baines takes his place permanently

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Keeping Hazard now so need to use one of my 2 FTs on Digne or Kamara.

        Could get Rondon for Kamara but plan is to upgrade Kamara to Aguero next week.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Rondon (c) 😉

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yup I think I could keep Digne and upgrade him to Luiz later.

            One week punt on Rondon could work out.

  4. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Shaw to Pereira (keep Digne)

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I am doing Shaw to Pereira tonight probably.

  5. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    United GK struggling. Could be a big blow in the top 4 race.

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He's their 2nd choice keeper.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I *think* he knows

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Damn it. I always fall for these things.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wait... what?

  6. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Well at least we can start stocking up on Eve defenders now for gw31 🙂

  7. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Willian on for Pedro

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sarri original, never fails to surprise

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Walcott for the blanks anyone?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes several blanks

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yep he will get you some blanks

    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He's always good for blanking alright

  9. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Look at Rashy go 😆

    1. hsakrujd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Speedy Gonzales

      1. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He’s so quick and fast

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Quick AND fast? 🙂

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ariba Ariba ... Andalee

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He never stops...

  10. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Willian on for Pedro.

    When is Barkley coming on for Kovacic?

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just before Giroud comes on for Higuain

    2. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

  11. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What happened to Azpi? Used to be so reliable before Sarri.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      let down by the rest of a crap defence really

  12. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any one of us could manage Chelsea better than Sarri,,,

    Once again- Pedro for Willian

    Next Giroud and Lofus/ Barkley on for Kovacic Higuain

    Useless he is

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Doherty injured too? I might have to FH this week looking at my team

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Might be.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Might as well burn it

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      knock, didn't sound too bad though

    4. hsakrujd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing bad, should be up for Bournemouth...

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He is OK was just pissing about timewasting imo

    6. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      knock, knock

    7. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dead leg, should be ok for next match imo...

  14. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kids across England used to grow up dreaming of playing in FA Cup for their team.
    Hope no English kids grew up supporting Chelsea with that dream.

  15. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So with Everton looking likely to play in 31 now, guessing I shouldn't be rushing to get rid of Digne & Rich now? Though I could maybe do Schindler > Lejeune this GW instead as realistically I'm not going to want to play Schindler in 31 or any other week.

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So glad to be rid of Everton players

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It's like getting rid of chlamydia isn't it.

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      same here but 31 seems a long way off the way they have been

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Enjoy the 2 ppg

  16. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it me or does Lukaku look completely out of place in this united team? He also looks way too bulky to me

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He's top heavy these days. Heskey suffered from the same problem.

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Crouchy FTW

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Lol I’m sure there is a happy medium between the two!

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think he's in training for a crack at the Wimbledon ladies singles title this summer.

  17. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alexis waking up from his nap.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He played too rambunctiously with the kids in the park yesterday

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Anyone who didn't see the interview will be quite alarmed by this comment.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          😆

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Atom & Humber love a run-around.

  18. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kante yc. Rashford playing very well.

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    FH candidates for this GW... any others?

    FH candidates:

    Fabianski
    Arnie
    Anderson
    Eriksen
    Son
    King
    Almiron
    Schar
    Periera
    Vardy
    Maddison
    Auba
    Laca
    Kola

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Prefer the look of FH candidates when they play twice in a GW.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Odd week for FH.

      How many players you got out?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fabianski
        Kolasinac • Doherty* • AWB • Bednarek
        Mané • Salah • Son • Martial** • Rich**
        Rashford
        (Button** / Aguero** / Digne** / Kamara**)

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        1FT

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      How many players do you have this week ?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fabianski
        Kolasinac • Doherty* • AWB • Bednarek
        Mané • Salah • Son • Martial** • Rich**
        Rashford
        (Button** / Aguero** / Digne** / Kamara**)

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Take -4 maybe ? doherty injury does not seem to be serious,

          Martial to Fanderson/Maddy, Digne to Pereira ?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, perhaps I just go for that. Who to Captain is then my issue

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        1FT 1.1m available

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          If doherty is passed fit I would just take a hit.

          Martial might be fit too according to the sun

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks mate. Any bit suggestions? Anderson/Almiron and Periera or even Kun >> Auba(C)

          2. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            This

            Does Kamara + 1.1m buy you Ashley Barnes @ 5.6m?

            That'd be the move I'd make, plays both blank GWs

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Nope. The usual 0.1 out!

  20. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Love herrera under solskjaer
    Looks like a new signing
    Where was he ?!

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Crushed under the wheel of Jose.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jose had him too busy being a bulldog instead of playing the game.

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Parking attendant for JM bus

    4. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      For me he should be our 1st name on the team sheet. He is what this club is all about

    5. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks a £5m bargain to me...

  21. MTPockets
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Was looking forward to selling Hazard...

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Barkely coming on...

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        let me guess... for kovacic....

        1. hsakrujd
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Hahaha

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Shock 😮

    • Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The issue is, I don't really want to drop any of Doherty AWB Bednarek Pogba Son Jimenez

      Leaves me, potentially, with Rashford Bednarek Camarasa sized holes to fill for the BGWs

      Team currently looks like:

      Fabs Boruc
      Robertson Alonso* Doherty* AWB* Bednarek*
      Salah Pogba* Son* Sane* Camarasa*
      Auba* Rashford* Jimenez*

      Shipping Alonso--> Pereira this week, may ditch Sane to Mane pre-BGW too.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        and the other GWs?

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          To which are you referring?

    • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      even with VAR this penalty box wresting is impossible to judge

      1. hsakrujd
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'd always give penalty for this... Saying as MUtd fan

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          There’s no way that’s a penalty man. We should have probably had a free kick actually

    • MarcusAurelius
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Willian’s Wipper

    • tm245
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea should bring in Giroud for one of the CMs and try 3-4-3.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        My bad, just keep doing more of the same, Sarri.

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Need to enact the premise of inception to get it to actually happen though

    • how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Willy up and over

    • Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Plan A-

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Give it 10 mins before you judge. It might be better than the original plan A.

    • Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kovacic off Barkley on 😮

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Jaw-dropping move from Sarri

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Stop posting the same stuff every week.

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😆

        Same plan, different player.

    • gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Now... Giroud for the 3rd change... come on Sarri... useless manager.. nothing in your locker

      1. hsakrujd
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        If he comes in for Rudiger, that would be surprise