Fixtures

When the Blank Gameweek and Double Gameweek fixtures could take place

The first Double Gameweek of the season is just around the corner, with Liverpool and West Ham United enjoying two fixtures in Gameweek 24 thanks to the postponement of their Premier League clash in December.

It won’t be the last bit of disruption to the fixture schedule this season, of course.

We’ve already had a mini-Blank Gameweek in December because of Liverpool’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup and we are likely only six weeks from another, with the final of the EFL Cup set to be contested on the same weekend as Gameweek 28 in the Premier League.

Blank Gameweek 28

The two Premier League games postponed in Gameweek 28 are Manchester City v Arsenal and Aston Villa v Sheffield United.

We are still yet to learn when those games will now take place.

Blank Gameweek 31

Gameweek 31 will be a blank for some top-flight teams, with the FA Cup quarter-finals set to take place on the same weekend.

Given that the international break immediately follows these games, there is no chance of any postponed fixtures being held in the following midweek.

Blank/Double Gameweek 34
2019/20 FFS Cups are now open for entry

Gameweek 34 looks set to be an unusual one.

While some teams will possibly be without a Premier League match due to the clash with the FA Cup semi-finals, there is also a free midweek afterwards.

It could potentially end up being a Double Gameweek for a handful of sides, then, while other clubs may have just one or indeed no match at all.

That will all depend on earlier cup-influenced postponements.

Double Gameweek 37

Any outstanding fixtures would then be contested in Double Gameweek 37, given that all the other midweek dates that follow scheduled Premier League fixtures are affected by European club competition or the March international break.

There are other possibilities beyond that (Triple Gameweeks etc)- but we’ll keep it fairly simple for now.

Other Fixtures

Forward-planning is not just about navigating the blanks and doubles, of course, but factoring in which top-flight sides have a congested fixture schedule around their league games.

Involvement in European club competition could have an impact on rotation from Gameweek 26 onwards: the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal recommence their UEFA Champions League/Europa League campaigns in mid-to-late February.

The winter break should offer some respite for Premier League sides, although it will be tough to navigate from a Fantasy perspective as the Gameweek 26 fixtures are spread out over ten days.

A dozen teams are in action a week or so after the FPL deadline for Gameweek 26, which means that Fantasy managers will have to keep their fingers crossed for injuries not occurring the interim.




We’ve cobbled together a calendar for the remaining Gameweeks of the 2019/20 season, though in some cases (Premier League fixtures from Gameweek 29 onwards, FA Cup from the fifth round onwards) the dates are subject to change due to the whims of the relevant television broadcasters.

It should also be stressed that the future Blank/Double Gameweeks after Gameweek 24 have not yet been confirmed by the Premier League and won’t be for a little while yet – but this would appear to be the itinerary at this early stage:


DatesPremier LeagueOther fixtures
Sat Jan 18 – Sun Jan 19Gameweek 23
Tue Jan 21 – Thu Jan 29Double Gameweek 24FA Cup third round replay
Jan 23: Tranmere v Watford
Fri Jan 24 – Mon Jan 27FA Cup fourth round
Tue Jan 28 – Wed Jan 29EFL Cup semi-final, 2nd legs
Jan 28: Aston Villa v Leicester
Jan 29: Man City v Man Utd
Sat Feb 1 – Sun Feb 2Gameweek 25
Tue Feb 4 – Wed Feb 5FA Cup fourth round replays
Sat Feb 8 – Mon Feb 17Gameweek 26 (split across two weekends)(Winter break)
Tue Feb 18 – Thu Feb 20Champions League/Europa League
Feb 18: Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
Feb 19: Spurs v RB Leipzig
Feb 20: Bruges v Man Utd + Olympiakos v Arsenal + Wolves v Espanyol
Sat Feb 22 – Mon Feb 24Gameweek 27
Tue Feb 25 – Thu Feb 27Champions League/Europa League
Feb 25: Chelsea v Bayern
Feb 26: Real Madrid v Man City
Feb 27: Man Utd v Bruges + Arsenal v Olympiakos + Espanyol v Wolves
Fri Feb 28 – Sun Mar 1Blank Gameweek 28Mar 1: EFL Cup final (AVL v MCI)
Tue Mar 3 – Wed Mar 4FA Cup fifth round
Sat Mar 7 – Sun Mar 8Gameweek 29
Tue Mar 10 – Thu Mar 12Champions League/Europa League
Mar 10: RB Leipzig v Spurs
Mar 11: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Mar 12: Europa League last 16, 1st leg
Sat Mar 14 – Sun Mar 15Gameweek 30
Tue Mar 17 – Thu Mar 19Champions League/Europa League
Mar 17: Man City v Real Madrid
Mar 18: Bayern v Chelsea
Mar 19: Europa League last 16, 2nd leg
Sat Mar 21 – Sun Mar 22Blank Gameweek 31FA Cup quarter-finals
Wed Mar 25 – Tue Mar 31Internationals
Sat Apr 4 – Sun Apr 5Gameweek 32
Tue Apr 7 – Thu Apr 9Champions League/Europa League
Apr 7-8: Champs Lge, QFs, 1st leg
Apr 9: Europa League, QFs, 1st leg
Sat Apr 11 – Sun Apr 12Gameweek 33
Tue Apr 14 – Thu Apr 16Champions League/Europa League
Apr 14-15: Champs Lge, QFs, 2nd leg
Apr 16: Europa League, QFs, 2nd leg
Sat Apr 18 – Sun Apr 19Blank/Double Gameweek 34FA Cup semi-finals
Tue Apr 21 – Wed Apr 22
Sat Apr 25 – Sun Apr 26Gameweek 35
Tue Apr 28 – Thu Apr 30Champions League/Europa League
Apr 28-29: Champs Lge, SFs, 1st leg
Apr 30: Europa League, SFs, 1st leg
Sat May 2 – Sun May 3Gameweek 36
Tue May 5– Thu May 7Champions League/Europa League
May 5-6: Champs Lge, SFs, 2nd leg
May 7: Europa League, SFs, 2nd leg
Sat May 9 – Sun May 10Double Gameweek 37
Tue May 12 – Wed May 13
Sun May 17Gameweek 38

The FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League finals take place after the Premier League season ends, on Saturday May 24, Wednesday May 27 and Saturday May 30 respectively.

Early Thoughts on Chip Strategy

There’ll be more focus on chip strategy once we have ascertained the fixtures in the bigger Blank/Double Gameweeks to come but there’ll be lots of Fantasy managers considering using their Triple Captain chip in the first Double Gameweek of the season – the deadline for which is next Tuesday.

FPL bosses haven’t had the chance to deploy this chip on a Liverpool asset since 2015/16 and there will be a huge temptation to use it on Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) or Sadio Mane (£12.4m), among others.

Such is the uncertainty about future postponements, then we can’t really say whether there’ll be a better chance to use it in 2019/20.

Those who still have their Bench Boost chips will of course be eyeing up Double Gameweek 34 or 37 but there is, unlike last season, some breathing room in between the blanks and doubles for those who have already used it.

The Free Hit chip could potentially be used in Blank Gameweek 31 but, given that we will have a little bit of time to prepare for it, that set of fixtures could feasibly be navigated around with careful use of free transfers (and perhaps a hit).

When to use the second Wildcard is another discussion point and again, once the Blank/Double Gameweek picture becomes clearer, we will revisit the various options for this chip – some point after Blank Gameweek 31 is perhaps the preferred option at this stage.

437 Comments Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of Leicester having DGW?
    Previously mentioned two tasty fixtures possible, any chance?

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

      If they beat villa yh. Believe one of the games will be Norwich

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Could be a delightful double

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Very likely - which means gw34 they would have ars & nor
      If Arsenal or Lei are in the FA SF, then that match would be gw37 and gw34 would be a single gw for them (the gw28 matches)
      In gw37, LEI would have tot / ars and ARS would have avl LEI

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        (Fuller post is on page 2)

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers

  2. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Better long term:

    a) Richarlison
    b) Martial

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

    Gtg? Still the option of Salah or Robo next gw but leaning towards Double D

    1ft 1.5itb
    Hendo
    TAA Perreira Lund
    KDB Mane Cantwell Alli
    Vardy Maupay ings
    (Martin, Martial, Rico, Williams)

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo

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

        Perreira to Robo next gw

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Alli out

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

        Fancy Alli for the Norwich game tbh

  4. Eagleowl
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to bench?
    A) Mooy (AVL)
    B) Traore (sou)

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore first sub.

      1. Eagleowl
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for your opinion. Currently thinking the same

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Is Mooy nailed? Saw him missed Everton away. Looking to get reliable 5th mid myself. Other option is Fleck.

      1. Eagleowl
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Almost. Has started every game since gw13 but had a little knock vs. Everton

  5. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Here to answer any questions, just ask

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG? If I saved this week what about gameweek 24?

      Guiata

      Sidibe Taa Soyuncu

      Kdb salah mane Richarlison cantwell

      Ings vardy (C)

      Bench:Button,Lundstram,Hanley,Greenwood

      0 ITB 1 FT

      Appreciate the help!

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Looks good to me - bench is on the weak side but 12 strong

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      New article- moving on

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What would you do to improve about this.

      Mccarthy, Button
      TAA, Robertson, Van Dijk, Lundstram, Williams
      KDB, Martial, Maddison, Grealish, Traore
      Aguero, Vardy, Ings

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Use traore as a cash cow to improve Williams and button but it’s strong

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks, that's the plan once I find some transfers.

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I’d keep Willams.
        Maybe Maddison,Traore > Mahrez,Cantwell if you can afford.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I’ve got Williams on a WC but think he is at threat to shaw who returns imminently

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            At 4.0m though surely he’s good for 4th on the bench.

    4. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Which move is better?

      Schmeichel maddison to McCarthy mahrez

      Maddison grealish to mahrez cantwell

      Schmeichel
      Trent sidibe dunk
      Kdb maddison mane grealish Salah
      Vardy ings

      Button greenwood lundy Williams

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        1st one by some margin

    5. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hendo
      TAA - Evans - Robertson
      Maddison - Mane - KDB - Martial
      DCL - Vardy - Ings
      ____________________________
      Button: Lundstram: Dendoncker: Kiko

      Starting 11 correct? Also, 2.2.m OR, is there hope? Bear in mind 2nd WC has had to of been used 2 GW's ago 😉 Appreciated.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cash itb?

        Think lascelles or janmaat are better options than Kiko

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          2.3 ITB now after doing Rash to Ings mate. Yeah Looking at Lascelles or Williams 😉

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Could you stretch to Egan or O’Connell?
            Then you’d have the option to triple up on Sheff Utd defence when you choose.

    6. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1FT 2.5m itb.

      Ryan
      TAA,Soyuncu,Lundstrum
      Salah,KDB(vc)Maddison,Sarr,Cantwell
      Vardy(c)Ings

      Button,Rashford,Kelly,Rico.

      1. Play as above?
      2. Rashford > Maupay and bench Sarr
      (Maddison > Mane next week)

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Brighton have villa but they are Brighton and maupay isn’t that great

        Spurs are by no means defensively strong

        Roll as it is

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yeh your probably right.
          Rolling means another week of agonising which route to take.lol
          Robertson,Mane or Firmino

    7. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dairy Milk or Galaxy?

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Both - yikes

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Good answer

  6. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I cant believe that Greenwood still hasnt earned a starting spot.
    I find myself for 8gws now with ways of making a nice team like that

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He was completely invisible last night

  7. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bit early but who would you captainin gw24 out off:

    A. Salah
    B. Mané
    C. TAA

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah if you have all 3

  8. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rash > Kun for a one gw cap punt?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  9. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Does Matip being back create a doubt over Gomez & TAAs game time in GW24?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      small one I guess

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

      Not much. He's the freshest of the defenders. Possibly could play LB or RB if Klopp wants to rotate during 4 games in 2 weeks but they can rest for two weeks after that.

    3. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Potentially, but they'll still play at least 1 game each, likely 1 and a half.

  10. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is gw34 the earliest that gw28 postponements will be played

    Assuming MCI will everything

    gw28 - ARS postponed
    gw31 - che postponed
    gw34 - NEW postponed - gw28 match played
    gw37 - play BOU + gw31 match + gw34 match???

    One match needs to be played in another gw

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, there exists the possibility of a Triple Gameweek 37 (has happened before) or, if City get eliminated from the Champions League early, I wonder if there's special dispensation for it to be played when other European games are on - that happened with Brighton v Cardiff in DGW34 last season.

  11. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lascelles or Williams as my Hanley replacement?

    Williams obviously better team but not nailed and high chance won’t play 31.

    Lascelles just come back from injury so might be eased in but good fixtures 31.

    Have used my second WC so thinking free hit could be used for doubles instead of blank 31.

  12. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What is best?

    a. Kelly + Maddison -> Robertson + Cantwell (and get Rashford for Jimenez next week)
    b. Kelly + Aurier -> Robertson + Williams

    Martin
    TAA, Digne, Lundstram
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish
    Vardy, Ings, Jiménez

    Guaita, Aurier, Hayden, Kelly
    2 FT, 1,8 million

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What is best, in life?
      Seeing your enemies driven before you. Hearing the lamentations of the women.

  13. Dazzrb
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico to who? Have 0.1 ITB...

    1. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Is he on your bench?

  14. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    eddie howe say owt about ramsdale?

    wonderign if i should transfer him out.....

  15. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, 1.1 ITB. Help greatly appreciated!

    Ryan
    TAA, Holgate, Lundstram
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Cantwell
    Vardy, Ings, Rashford*

    (Woodman, Traore, Kelly, Simpson)

    A) Traore -> Sarr (hope Rashford back for BUR)
    B) Rashford -> DCL (Kelly & Traore -> Son & Williams next week)
    C) Vardy & Rashford -> Aguero & DCL (leaving 1.9 ITB to upgrade Traore)
    D) Something else

    With Rashford (and Traore) presumably a doubt and Holgate potentially rested I dont want to save FT and risk not fielding 11. Currently on A although quite like the look of B as I will be priced out if I don't make this transfer today/tomorrow.

    Cheers .

  16. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to pick for a one week punt? Thanks legends

    A) Son
    B) Sterling (Already have KDB)
    C) Richarlison
    D) Someone else?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling or Mahrez, if you can face the fact they may get 'Pepped'

  17. doy
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Great piece Neale, well done!

  18. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?
    Roll free transfer to have 2 for gw24?

    Kasper
    TAA, Gomez, Sidibe
    (K)DB, Mane, Maddison, Grealish
    Vardy, Jimenez, Ings

    Bench: (Martin) Traore, Lund, Kelly

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good idea. (That's what I am doing, even though I'm expecting a red arrow)

      1. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly. There's nothing drastic I need to do I don't think...except maybe Traore to Doucoure, but it's a bit of a sideways step.

  19. Farns Foxes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ings and Mahrez in
    Maddison and Abraham out for -4

    Or just

    Ings for Abraham

    Team for this week

    Ryan
    Pereira Robertson TAA
    Mané KDB Grealish Traore Maddison
    Vardy Abraham
    Bench Lundstram Ayew Rico

    Or. Leave and have two free transfers next week?
    Thanks

  20. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I was pondering on whether to start Hanley over Lundy if confirmed fit for the last few days. Tom Freeman looks like he is exactly doing that.

    Follow suit? Or it's a huge risk?

  21. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez or Son for the next 2 gws?

  22. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is David Martin expected to start tomorrow? Considering playing him over McCarthy.

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think Randolph may come straight in tbh

  23. Emal
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Free hit big blank GW31, GW33 Wild Card and bench boost big double week GW 34.....GW 37 hits if required..
    What you experts suggest me?