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. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thanks to Salah(C) my rank is actually far better than this team suggests. A lot of dead wood, might take my first hit of the season. Any ideas?

    1FT and 4.8 spare.

    Henderson
    Soyuncu - TAA - Kelly
    Cantwell - KDB - Salah - Martial
    Vardy - Maupay - Ings

    Button - Rico - Lundstram - Dendonker

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

      Think I would wildcard here, would drop at least 10 players of that lot

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        You're probably right but I think I'm gonna save, simply because of my mini-league situation. For now, maybe 3 transfer over the next two weeks will do.

        1. Tabasco
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Just take a hit or two and save the WC.

          So, players to consider getting out: Soy, Kelly, Lundstram, Cantwell, Martial, Maupay
          Potential replacements: VVD/Lascelles/Stevens, Traoré/Son, Firmino/Aguero/Jiminez

          So perhaps Kelly, Martial and Maupay to Lascelles, Son and Jiminez? Then play a 4-3-3 for this week.

          1. Atwood
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Glad we agree on all the players to get rid of.

            Thanks a lot for your suggestions man, some really good shouts there.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay Dendoncker/Cantwell and lundy/Soy/kelly all need to go .. May 2 of them this week then the third next week.

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Maybe I can get away with Maupay for one more week as they have a nice fixture (if he starts)

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

        Agree with this. There are better times to WC

    3. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      .

    4. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wildcarded a very similar tea, far too much dead wood

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I hear you, but leaving it a little later will actually benefit me in my league I think.

  2. pricycle
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it only me with Mané still left in my team?

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

      yes you are the only one from 7 million

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I've held on too. We will be rewarded.

      Even if not this week, price hasn't really dropped so it'll be harder for people to get him back in once he hits form again.

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

        I think most a lot have either gone Mane -> Salah, or those who had both Salah and Mane have gone for 2 LIV defender.

        I, for one, won't be getting him back any time soon.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I still have Mane. I think he starts this upcoming game and frankly, it's keep Mane, or take a bunch of hits to remove and get Pool defenders. I don't like the alternative, so stick it is.

  3. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How is this WC team with cheap defence looking??

    McCarthy/ Pope
    TAA/ O'Connell/ KWP/ Fernandez/ Stephens
    Salah/ KDB/ Grealish/ Bergwjin/ Barnes
    Jimenez/ Ings/ Firmino

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

      Quadruple Southampton? Or is that Stevens(SU)?

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

      Cheap defense is the way to go with all good options available

    3. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Downgrade Bergwijn or Barnes to a £4.5, save yourself the headache

  4. Greek Freak
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pep being Pep aside, is there any particular reason Bernardo Silva has been used so little lately?

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

      Baffling isn't it.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez in good form I guess.

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That's what I thought, but then I saw Bernardo didn't even start when Mahrez was benched. I guess I'm looking for reasons why the front 3 can't be Bernardo-Aguero-Mahrez this week.

        1. Prison Mike
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Jesus Aguero Mahrez maybe?

        2. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          It can be but both Mahrez and Bernardo prefer to play on the right.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pep is not a fan of casual racism in the work place! Yaya Toure was wrong!

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

      I think it’s simply because he isn’t playing as good as the other alternatives.

  5. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    We should get a presser from Wilder tomorrow right? Hoping for one last clue on what to do with Lundstram.

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

      Unless one of Norwood, Berge or Fleck got injured, I highly doubt we’ll get any clues; he doesn’t normally talk about his squad selecfions in press conferences.

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't count on any clues, he's not a regular starter anymore, that's it. I expect him to start some odd game here and there, maybe in double gameweek but nothing more. Time to move on.

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A. Boly & Traore
    B. Lascelles & Redmond

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lascelles & Traore?

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

      A. Just. Like the Redmond pick. Considering him in for Maddy.

  7. The Strokes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hendo (Pope)

    TAA – VVD – O’Conell - - (Williams)

    Salah © - KDB – Mahrez - - (Hayden)

    Auba – Jimmy – Ings

    Bench one:
    A. Perez (WOL A)
    B. Stephens ( BUR H)

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

      I would play Perez..

    2. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens

    3. Turns
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Perez more explosive, but expect a SOU cleanie

  8. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision to make on the WC team... A or B?

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Stephens O'Connell Lascelles ****
    Salah KDB Barnes Hayden ****
    Jiménez Ings ****

    A) Boly, Son & Firmino

    B) VVD, Traoré & Aguero

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

      A for me

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I do like A team structure more long term but the Aguero captain this week is very tempting...

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

          Yes, WHU are awful. Both KDB and Salah good captain picks though ...

  9. Turns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here? Have money for DCL -> Ings next week. Bench needs sorting too.

    McCarthy
    TAA - VVD - Aurier
    Salah - KDB - Son - Maddison - Traore
    Vardy - DCL
    -----------
    4.5 - Lund - Kelly - G'wood

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hold

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

        Thanks bud. Leaning that way myself

    2. Aimar
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why not ings this week !?

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

        For a hit? DCL has Palace at home, so I fancy him getting a return

        1. Aimar
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Oh sry didnt see Hit

          No u r right not for a hit

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

            Cheers mate

  10. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What would you do with 2 ft 0 itb?

    McCarthy
    TAA Robertson Sidibé
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish Moura
    Vardy Ings

    Button Maupay Rico Reid

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

      Sidibe to E.Stevens

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

        And save

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

      Sidibe (terrible fixtures) -> one of the SHU boys or Lascelles

      Role the other and consider Vardy to Jimi next week for the NOR game

  11. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A. Martial to Mane - double up with Salah(c)
    B. DCL to Aguero(c)

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

      B

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

      B is tasty. Don't fancy the Salah-Mane double up (captain headaches and mega frustration if get it wrong)

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

    Maccarthy
    TAA LuND Stevens
    Son martial salah mane
    Vardy martenelli DCL

    Subs: traroe Söyüncü Hanely
    1.2 itb 1ft

    A) DCL ——> Ings
    B) lundy ——> KWP/stephens
    C)Martial ——> Mahrez

    Play one def & one mid/fwd

    1) Söyüncü
    2)lundy

    1)martenelli
    2) traroe

  13. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    start perez or trarore

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

      Tough one. If confirmed fit, I'd go Traore

  14. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    bench grealish traroe or perez

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Perez

  15. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Transfer window moving back to the old system is great for professionals. It was simply too casual friendly to have all squads wrapped up by the time the season started, and encouraged spoon feeding instead of creative thinking on the fly.

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Agreed! For those like you and me who make a living from FPL, and a pretty tidy one at that I might add, this is a big step.

      1. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        LOL

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, not often you meet a fellow pro on here! Most are spoon fed casuals. Whos your sponsors mate?

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Didn't wanna boast but Klappa and Noke. They're up and coming brands from China. The next new thing in global fashion I'm told.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not really a fan of that from a football perspective. Felt more of an even playing field once everyone's squads were locked in before the first game.

      Re FPL I guess there's more potential in an early WC if there are a lot of late signings to jump on.

  16. George James
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2

    A) Soy

    B) Rico

    C) Lundstram

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

      AB

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

        +1

  17. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram to Egan or Saiss, Hendo is my keeper. Wildcarded last week but Williams and Dendonck both got dropped

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

        Egan

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Pope + Tanganga or Button + Boly.

        McCarthy is the other keeper and would be happy to play him every week. On a WC feel like it's sensible to get 2 GKs but doesn't seem worth the money and I can just transfer a second GK for bench boost week.

      3. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Players to be sold
        Ryan
        Lundstram
        Kelly
        Mane
        DCL
        2 FT
        Who to sell first?

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

          Kelly & Ryan for me

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

          Kelly and Lundstram first

        3. Turns
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Mane back soon (not a priority). DCL has a decent fixture (sell next week). Ryan has a decent fixture (hold).

          So Lundy an and Kelly the priority.

        4. Pukkipartyy
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Lund & Kelly

        5. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Lundstram and Kelly.

      4. EMEA
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        RMT - 0 ITB and 1FT
        McCarthy, Button
        Robertson, Aurier, Rico(Kelly, Lundy)
        Martial, Maddison, Salah, KDB(Cantwell)
        Vardy, Firmino, Jimenez.

        What should I do with my FT?
        Option 1. Keep Vardy for GW28, & Maddison—> Fleck
        Option 2. Vardy/Maddison—> Ings/Son

      5. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        5th midfielder on WC

        Mooy or Hayden ?

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

          Mooy if money not issue.

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

          depends if you want/need to rotate him in or not - if not I'd just get the cheapest

        3. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Mooy

      6. The_Fish
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thoughts on Martial to Mahrez?

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          For free I would if you can manage GW28.

        2. Aimar
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thinking about it but it is actually one week punt and cost you a transfer a mahrez will blank 28 and may be dont start one of WHU or LEI

          I know he will score but it doesn’t make sense as it costs a transfer

      7. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy and Mane hovering around -90% on fplstatistics.co.uk price change predictor website. Will probably drop again very soon maybe tomorrow night

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

          Depends how many of transfers were on WCs 😀

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

          damn my selling price goes down with both of those...but keeping long term anyway so whoooooo cares

          1. suddenorgan
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            we're approaching the point in the season where that kind of stops mattering

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

              there's a good chance it never matters imo - depends how well the big hitters are doing, and this season the answer is -not very well-

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

                I've never had enough money in this game ... but very happy to have 3 or 5m more to spend than my rivals

      8. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hi all

        Re my team below, what do you reckon on these changes? Thanks

        GW27 : Aguero & DCL to Jiminez & Ings
        GW28 : Grealish & Sidibe to Son & Stephens/Lascelles

        Ryan
        TAA - Robbo - O'Connell
        Salah - KDB - Grealish - Fleck
        Vardy - Aguero - DCL

        Button / Sidibe - Cantwell - Williams

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

          Good moves, both for -4?

        2. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yes, would each cost -4 but hopefully will pay off...

        3. Fuddled FC
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I think I would play Sidibe instead of O'Connell this week

        4. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I was considering playing Sidibe over Grealish tbh. Just don't see Villa get much in that game.

      9. payetisgod
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Best 4.4 Defender,

        Obviously Stephens.... any love for the likes of Cahill or Newcastle defenders?

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

          Fernandez/Lascellas
          C. Taylor
          Saiss

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

            Thanks Holmes, who would be your pick of the bunch... Fernandez ive had my eye on!

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

              I have Fernandez. C. Taylor also looking good, especially when he has no blank in GW31

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

          Shiny new defenders in my team this week are Stephens, Boly and Tanga (Lascelles came in last week)

          Boly (or Saiss) is good for coverage during the blanks plus covers my rival's Particio on goal

      10. AbsolutelyNoIdea
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ryan/Foster

        Worth going Foster to Henderson for a hit?

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

          Ryan to Henderson, Foster don't have a blank.

      11. barton fc
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Best option?

        A) jimenez, Schmeichel + 0.8 ITB
        B) vardy, Mccarthy + 0.1 ITB

        Freeing up funds for mahrez,think one of my Leicester boys gotta go

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

          A

          1. barton fc
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers, what ive been thinking but will in vole selling vardy for a hit will be vardy, martial, Kelly > jimenez, mahrez, basham

      12. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        My defence at the moment is

        Lundstram, Lascelles, TAA, Kiko Fermenia and Aurier.

        No money ITB.

        Should I hold and save for 2 FT next GW or jut sell Lundy for Egan?

        Maybe start Lundy and expect 1 pt cameo then get rid next week?

      13. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Play 3, with 1 defender at least:

        A) E.Stevens
        B) A.Traore
        C) H.Barnes
        D) Grealish
        E) Boly

        & play which keeper:

        1) McCarthy
        2) Henderson

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          A C D 1

      14. Fernandito
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Pope Button
        TAA VVD Sidibe Lund Rico
        KDB Salah Martial Grealish Traore
        Ings Vardy DCL

        Lund & Martial to Stevens & Mahrez worth a -4??