Fixtures

What the FA Cup replay results mean for the Blank Gameweek 31 picture

Plenty of uncertainty remains over how many postponements we’ll get in Blank Gameweek 31.

The FA Cup quarter-finals clash with that set of fixtures in late-March and another three Premier League teams made it through to the fifth round following their midweek replays, with only one – Southampton – falling by the wayside.

The Saints were defeated 3-2 by Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Wednesday, although may still blank in Gameweek 31 (more of which below).

A youthful Liverpool side squeaked past Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday to set up a meeting with Chelsea in the last 16, while Newcastle United defeated Oxford United after extra-time on the same evening and will next face West Bromwich Albion.

So far we have only two Premier League fixtures definitely going ahead in Blank Gameweek 31:


Burnley v Watford
Wolves
v Bournemouth


We won’t find out which of the other eight scheduled Premier League fixtures of Gameweek 31 will be taking place until the beginning of March, with the FA Cup fifth round taking place in the midweek between Gameweeks 28 and 29.

One of Spurs v West Ham or Norwich v Everton will definitely go ahead in Gameweek 31, as Jose Mourinho and Daniel Farke’s sides meet each other in the next round of the FA Cup and one of those two clubs will be eliminated.

The ties in the FA Cup fifth round are as follows:


Chelsea v Liverpool
Derby County v Manchester United
Leicester City v Birmingham City
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Reading v Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United


Therefore, at this stage, we can still have anything between two and seven blanks in Gameweek 31.

Blanks will be confirmed in Gameweek 31 if the following events occur:


GW31 Premier League fixtureA blank will happen if the following happens in the FA Cup fifth round:
Spurs v West HamSpurs beat Norwich
Chelsea v Man CityChelsea beat Liverpool or Man City beat Sheff Wed
Man Utd v Sheff UtdMan Utd beat Derby or Sheff Utd beat Reading
Newcastle v Aston VillaNewcastle beat West Brom
Norwich v EvertonNorwich beat Spurs
Liverpool v Crystal PalaceLiverpool beat Chelsea
Leicester v BrightonLeicester beat Birmingham
Southampton v ArsenalArsenal beat Portsmouth

The maximum of seven blanks will happen in Gameweek 31 if Manchester City, Manchester United or Sheffield United, Leicester, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle all win their FA Cup fifth-round ties.

Looking further ahead to Gameweek 34, which clashes with the FA Cup semi-finals, there are again only two Premier League matches currently confirmed as going ahead:


Everton v Southampton
West Ham United
v Burnley


The results of the FA Cup fifth round and quarter-finals will determine which of the other scheduled Premier League games will survive.

There’ll be fewer blanks in Gameweek 34 (a maximum of four) and, given that there is a free midweek after that set of fixtures, it is widely assumed that 2019/20’s first ‘big’ Double Gameweek will fall then, with outstanding fixtures from Gameweek 28/31/34 needing to be rearranged.

More details of the blanks and doubles can be read below:


646 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really need Chelsea to beat Liverpool

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone has 3 pool players so not a big deal

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

        True but it's a big deal as it means we won't need to use FH chip and can save it for a dgw

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          This

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Will Liverpool play their kids again?

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

        No, a mix of first team and reserves imo

      2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not an entire u23 squad but certainly a few youngsters imo.

      3. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Similar sort of team to the Everton match I would have thought. Chelsea may rest a few too, which seems to be being missed by most.

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Comeee ooooon Chelsea

  2. dekikide
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So, gameweek 34 could have BOTH blanks and doubles?? Or am I misunderstanding something?

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

      That's correct

      1. Le Bluff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wow. Could help make the case for Free Hit in GW 34 then? Would surely be hard to build a WC in 32/33 in you have blanks and doubles in 34.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably 1 or 2 teams with blanks at most, and around 4 to 6 teams with DGWs, by my estimate.

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How can only 1 team blank, surely their opponent will blank too..

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Because one team may have a rearranged fixture in the following midweek while their opponent will not.

          I think when we had a similar situation a few years ago, just one team blanked completely (West Brom?)

          1. The Train Driver
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Onky way is if that team has a double then...

  3. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    **Repost**

    What implications does the Sterling injury have for the City team?

    Would it be a straight swap for Bernardo, or would Jesus come in for the double up top?

    If Bernardo comes in, does it affect KDB's position on the pitch?

    Do either or both of Mahrez and Aguero's spot(s) become more nailed-on?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Little point in speculating, really.

      Pep is Pep.

      All you can say with any certainty is that it lessens the rotation threat of everyone you've mentioned purely because Sterling is injured!

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think he will play a similar team to that which dispatched Villa a few weeks back

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

      no-one knows anything except for the last question which is yes to both (if 'more nailed-on' is accepted as 'more likely to play')

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mahrez was awful and Pep was angry.....can see both Silva playing which would be bad news for KDB

        1. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Hope David Silva plays. He's my 2 week punt while Mane is out, and his no show vs Spurs meant I got Stephens off the bench for - 1pt.

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

      ...Pep.

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kun and Mahrez are essential is the main result if hes out. Look at City averages in home games where Sterling didnt start this season...

  4. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hendo
    Trent VVD O'Connell
    Salah(c) KDB Grealish Fleck
    Auba Jiminez Ings

    Button Traore Lascelles Stephens

    0.2 1FT

    I think I'll save FT this week and keep as is
    Unless any suggestions?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That's an easy save IMO. Nice side

  5. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Pope VVD

    B) McCarthy Robertson

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B.

      I think McCarthy has a better run of fixtures, and I marginally prefer Robbo over VVD because I think he offers a better goals/assists/baps potential.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  6. Dr Mulholland
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should be
    Wolves vs Bournemouth
    at the top of the page!

    1. Smell the Lavender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good spot.

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

      Fixed, good spot! We promise at least one error in every article, it's like an Easter egg hunt. Sometimes we go wild and put in several. All deliberate.

  7. Fletch365
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1FT
    Would you do Martial > Barnes? or any of changes?

    McCarthy
    TAA/VVD/Aurier
    Salah/Mahrez/Grealish/Martial
    Kun(C)/Jimenez/DCL

    Button/Lundstram/Guilbert/Cantwell

    (apologies for repost - bottomed previous article)

    1. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have a similar team and am wondering the same. Currently thinking of Martial to Redmond though

  8. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    PL starts 8th August next season - super early! Expect quite a few Copa America / Euro 2020 players resting early on.

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That's a month before cricket league season ends - annoying!

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Used to be the worst thing about playing Saturday afternoons - especially on Cup Final day when your captain lost the toss and you ended up fielding.

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

      I'm just going to buy Africans. What could possibly go wrong?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ebola?

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

        Salah Mane Mahrez (Son) Auba is not a bad heavy-hitter base - GW4/5 WC, sorted

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Here I am struggling to plan 4 weeks from now, and you’re already thinking 7 months ahead!

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone thought the same last season, and it never really happened

    5. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Copa America and Euro 2020 both finish on 12th July, so they should at least be back in training before 8th August.

      But what about the Olympics (24th July to 9th August) - might that affect a few?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Good spot! I see Egypt have qualified...….

  9. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Want to ditch Martial but no great options in that range - Barnes and upgrade DCL?

    Guaita
    VVD - Holgate - Lundstram
    Salah - KDB - Son - Martial
    Vardy - DCL - Greenwood

    Button - Williams - Rico - Dendoncker [1FT + 2.4m ITB]

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore and Ings in for Martial and Greenwood?

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Been off a while - Traore recovered from injury?

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Wait for any updates but sounds like he'll be fine

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would upgrade Greenwood first

  10. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    On WC

    Leaning towards option A at the moment, Aguero would be for the West ham game only, will swap to Firmino next week and have enough funds ITB to swap Mahrez later on to KDB after GW 29.

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA O'Connell Fernandez Stephens Taylor
    Salah ** Son Barnes Hayden
    Jimenez ** Ings

    A) Aguero and Mahrez
    or
    B) Firmino and KDB

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Given what you say I think go with A.

  11. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone tell me what the blanks and doubles in GW34 determined by?

    Was it the FA Cup SFs?

    Thanks in advance.

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

      Yeah, FA Cup semi-finals clash with GW34. Doubles in that Gameweek could be any number of combinations of the outstanding fixtures from 28/31/34.

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Read the article?

  12. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm going to give Lundstram one more week, Wilder quotes were encouraging and a straight swap to Egan seems very low ceiling.

    G2G otherwise?

    Henderson
    Trent Robbo Lunders
    Salah KDB Grealish Traore
    Kun (C) Jimenez Ings

    McCarthy, Hayden, Taylor, Lascelles

    1FT 0.0ITB

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team man! I am also giving Lundy one last chance as well. Mainly so I have 2FTs to play with for the following gameweek

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      G2G but I'd make the swap, a SHU CS is probably 1 point for Lund off the bench and 6 for Egan.

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Henderson
    TAA Gomez Cahill
    Salah KDB B.Fernandes Grealish
    Auba Jiminez Ings

    Bench:McCarthy,Adama,B.Williams,Lascelles

  14. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you own both Salah & Kun, who are you captaining this week?

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would go with Kun

    3. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Im first on my MLs and it would be safe to captain Salah, but i think im going to put C on Aguero.

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Same, I'm thinking Aguero my rival has both too.

    4. Tabasco
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mo Salah

    6. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      AGGUUUEERROOOOO

    7. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero

    8. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure yet, but in all honesty I expect them both to score roughly the same

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        21 each

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          😀

        2. Cruz88
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I'm going to guess more conservatively at 13 points each 🙂

    9. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kun for me

    10. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sir Sergio of Kun

  15. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    On WC .... G2g??

    Henderson/ McCarthy
    TAA/ Robbo/ Stevens/ Stephens/ Lascelles
    Salah/ KDB/ Grealish/ Barnes/ Son
    Jimenez/ Ings/ Martinelli

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3-5-2 or 4-4-2 or mix of both?? Nice team

  16. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    Soy Lund TAA
    Salah(c) KDB Grealish Mahrez Traore
    Firmino Jiminez

    Button Greenwood Rico Kelly

    I have 3.0itb 1ft

    Greenwood > Ings and bench Traore?

    Any thoughts?

    Cheers!

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would sort out the defence first

  17. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lundstram haul incoming 😛

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      SHU playing BB this week?

    2. maratus
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram train stopped already few stops ago. Now its time to cashout and sell.

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Great write up scouts, now it is more clear, not like last time when we had constructive discussion about the way for presenting the data.

    Thanks once again.

  19. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Am I good to save transfer? 0.9ITB
    McCarthy
    TAA,Robbo,O'Connell
    Salah,KDB,Grealish,Fleck
    Jiminez,Auba,Deeney

    Dubravka, Stephens,Traore,Lascelles

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg...

  20. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1 free transfer. 2.6 in the bank.

    McCarthy (button)
    Trent Rico Soyoncu (Lundstram, Kelly)
    Kdb Salah(c) Traore Son Mahrez
    Vardy Deeney (Greenwood)

    What transfer would you make? Thinking Kelly-Boly/Bertrand or Vardy-Aguero but the blank gameweek 28 is putting me off the aguero switch

  21. radawson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Martial > Son
    B) Save
    C) Something else

    McCarthy
    Aurier TAA Stephens
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish
    Firmino Vardy Ings

    Button Soyuncu Cantwell Lund

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would save, as it’s a hell of a long gameweek..

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go A

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go?

    McCarthy
    Bertrand Trent Robertson E.Steven
    SalahC DeBruyne Grealish
    Aubameyang Ings Jimenez

    Dubravka Traore Mooy Fernandez

    Debating the dbl Soton Defence, but want to give Bertrand a run out...

  23. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Soton to keep a CS against Burnley this week?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That’s what I’ve predicted? Ummm

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Auba or Kun on WC?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I still think Aubameyang will play every minute and fixtures look great after blank

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        will he play every minute? I am torn between him and Son

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Arsenal and Spurs are both ? Marks, both on penalties (it looks like) so i think both are good options..

  25. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I personally wouldnt bet on it. Looks like Dyche has the bit between their teeth again and they are gaining momentum.

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      reply fail

  26. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lundstram to

    A) Boly
    B) Tarkowski
    C) Steven

  27. OutofShorts
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Son or Mahrez to replace Grealish next 2 weeks? Son would avoid a 28 transfer but Mahrez v West Ham looks dangerous! Only have DB for City...

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone knows is Allan Saint-Maximin nailed on? I need him to play in GW 28 for sure too.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is their best player and might play as a striker too.. Will be nailed for sure unless he is injured.

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

      Generally nailed when fit but the only possible issue is that the FA Cup fifth round falls between GW28-29. ASM did his hamstring after playing three times in a week in GW14-16 and I think Bruce is wary of flogging him too much in case of a reoccurrence (he was on the bench v Oxford, for example).

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Skonto such a detailed feedback. Thanks a lot.

  29. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A Free Hit with the below four fixtures in GW31 would be ideal:

    Newcastle vs Aston Villa
    Norwich vs Everton
    Burnley v Watford
    Wolves v Bournemouth

    Other than Wolves, it is full of clubs you would not really have players from long-term, so a perfect opportunity to Free Hit.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Prepare for the grumblers saying that these are shite matches that are not worth free hitting for.

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

      I currently have 7 players from those teams 😀 😀 jesus

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My condolences 😉

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

          ha I REALLY need an Everton CS this weekend