News

Newcastle’s Gameweek 11 trip to Aston Villa postponed as COVID-19 cases rise

Newcastle United have announced that their Gameweek 11 trip to Aston Villa has been postponed.

The match was originally scheduled for the evening of Friday, December 4 at 20:00 BST but a “significant increase” in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases at the Magpies’ Training Centre has forced the club to take action.

They report that “several” Newcastle players and staff members are now self-isolating after an upturn in positive tests over the last few days.

It has not been revealed which individuals have contracted the disease or when their respective isolations end at this stage.

Meanwhile, the knock-on impact on Gameweek 11 of Fantasy Premier League is similarly unclear.

What is certain is that the opening match of the round is no longer to take place on Friday, with Everton’s Saturday lunch-time trip to Burnley set to kick us off for Gameweek 11.

At this stage, it is unknown whether or not that game-makers at FPL Towers will change the deadline from 18:30 BST on Friday to 11:00 BST on Saturday, in line with it usually occurring 90 minutes before the first fixture of the Gameweek.

As for our squads, Jack Grealish (£7.7m), Callum Wilson (£6.5m), Emi Martínez (£4.8m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) are among the key Fantasy assets with significant ownership at the time of writing.

While it could be tempting to shift as many of these as possible, or even trigger a Wildcard or Free Hit in response to the postponement, we urge patience and caution to Fantasy managers.

Both Aston Villa and Newcastle have a free midweek fixture slot in the week beginning Monday, December 7.

If the protocols and ever-changing situation at the two clubs allows, we could see this fixture rearranged either for Tuesday, December 8 or Wednesday, December 9.

If that were to be the case, then it would remain in Gameweek 11 and still count towards your next collection of points.

Such a scenario would not be without its complications, of course. Confirmation of the fixture’s new date could be short notice, and come after the Gameweek 11 deadline.

Meanwhile, even if the game is confirmed as going ahead before we have to submit our next squads, the likes of Wilson, Karl Darlow (£5.0m) and Jamal Lewis (£4.3m) could all be among those self-isolating, so we will have to wait for more information on those specifics too.

Furthermore, the Premier League has now confirmed that Newcastle’s training ground is to remain closed until “Friday at the earliest”, which could affect the timing of any rescheduling.

1,273 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Make me proud Anguissa mate

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This, to be fair he was brilliant against Leicester, hardly attacking but could be worse people to come in

  2. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Ollie Watkins cursed?

    GW9: Last minute penalty overturned by VAR
    GW10: Misses penalty, last minute goal overturned by VAR
    GW11: Covid cancellation

    What will he do next?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The stage is set for him to score a hattrick right after you sell him. 😀

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      dunno, but he always looks like he's about to start crying.

  3. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Enjoy the pain, early transfer people. I hope it hurts real bad.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Damn ruthless

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Brutal.

      Wilson was a trap

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ha. Why do you care?

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did it for the first time this season man!!!

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No problem.

      Dallas and Soucek to the rescue

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The Dallas Buyer's Club demands you start him every week. Benching him is an offence.

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hah. Finally got his big points last week. So true that

    6. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only idiots would take a -4 on a sunday night .... oh wait

  4. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Chilwell is worth the extra cash over James, if already have Mendy?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think so. He'll miss an odd game during December but looks a great option given he's atleast 1m cheaper! Also a bonus magnet.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think so with >1m difference

    4. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yes. the positions he gets in to in open play are ridiculous. like a back post poacher at times.

    5. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Errr...dunno...Depends how much money you have. I currently have Chilwell, Robertson and Walker in defence ...but wouldn’t baulk at sellIng Chilwell for James if I needed the funds elsewhere....

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I have Chilwell... but I’m thinking to do Martínez if he’s out, to Mendy and then James to Chilwell... I also gain 0.5 cash from those moves... just some early thoughts

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          The only way I can get Mendy is by freeing funds elsewhere.. don’t really like other keepers in Martínez’ price range

    6. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      own both and YES

    7. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Own both. Chelsea fan. Yes - I think he's worth the extra.

      Chilwell is the one on the end of crosses from Ziyech & James.

      He's the one that gets in the box & runs on to the odd loose ball. James does not venture into it too often.

      James is ticking along great and will probably continue to do so (especially if people start converting his crosses) - but Chilwell has the higher haulage potential as he's got some good goal-threat.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for the response 🙂

  5. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Noooo. Tom Curran is bowling again.

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Relax - England gonna win anyway so let him make things interesting.

    2. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Should be nowhere near the England side. Give me Wood/Willey/Ali over him any day. Should be playing 2 spinners anyway with the India WC looming.

    3. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Didn’t know there were cricket fans in here

  6. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well great. No goalkeeper and ruins my planned transfers to get Salah in week 12.

  7. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'll ask again. Aren't Newcastle players subject to 14 days isolation?

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It’s a good point. Those who catch it need to isolate 14 days

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If you catch it, it's 10 days

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yeah those who tested positive but we don't know who.

  8. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez to Mendy before price changes tonight or wait for new fixture date to come out?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait obviously

    2. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait til Friday is essential in these Covid ridden times

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure it's worth it. Chelsea defence good but Leeds live a shot on goal. Either a Mendy haul or we just let one in.

      Martinez has good defensive fixtures for the next few weeks & a potential 2 DGWs.

  9. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I think the PL would be keen to get it on next week, or should be if they have any sense, They may have a few of these PP to deal with so they really need to keep on top of things....it’s hard enough to reschedule games as it is without Covid PP to deal with.

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

      Neither team in Europe so they both have 8 free midweeks next year to play it. Plus they'll probably be able to have fans in at that point. They might want to rearrange quickly and be proactive, but I don't think they will bother.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      PL probably want it played. But the teams would rather be rested before the hectic Christmas schedule I bet. So postpone to next year.

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Plus potential more fan revenue next year.

  10. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance pope is out injured this week?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There is a possibility

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      you considering a Peacock-Farrell move?

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Already have him so small hope I have a gk

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Steer to Peacock? 😀

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why would you want a -1?

  11. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Prioritising KdB in but means I'll need to take a bit to get a playing keeper. Do I?

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I m going keeper-less if the game is not within gw11. Dont see much sense wasting a trf/taking a hit for a keeper. The upside seems so low

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

      Are you planning on keeping long term? I've got Martinez and Button and probably won't bother making a transfer and just go without a keeper. Either it gets played Monday/Tuesday and counts for this week anyway or Villa will have another double gameweek with one already on the way.

      Of course if you were planning on losing Martinez anyway then I'd say it's probably worth the hit if we haven't heard when it will be played by later in the week

      1. BEEZUS
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I was thinking when I eventually wildcard maybe I'll get rid, but also maybe not. Not a priority for me and think I'm just going to go keeperless as I'm already taking a hit to get KdB and that's more pressing imo.

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek & Taylor from the bench for me..

    What about you?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek and Dallas so not too worried. Kilman is also there.

      No cover for Martinez though (button) lol

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lookman and Brewster

      1. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Anguissa

  13. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Poor Villa now have 2 extra games to cram into an insane schedule through no fault of their own.

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No Europe at least so that should help

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only insane if you are in Europe. Villa will be fine.

  14. Seamy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I own Grealish and the 2 Villa keepers. Still think I'll save my FT.
    Play keeperless and start Lamptey

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think it comes down to if you are happy with Martinez overall or not. If not, it's an opportunity to switch him out.

    2. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not a fan of keeper trf generally but not a bad idea for u to get rid of the non playing cheapie keeper n free up a slot for a villa attacker in the future

  15. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Worth a WC to do?

    Grealish, Bissouma, Watkins, Vardy -> Jota, KDB, Bamford/Adams, Brewster.

    I'm half tempted. Got to use it soon anyway and this seems a great excuse to leave me with a power attack of

    Salah KDB Bruno Son Jota
    DCL Bamford/Adams

    Opinions much appreciated.

  16. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez and Grealish to Jota and Mendy -4 looks tempting...

    Exact money. And Jota is rising tonight!

    Or go without a keeper and play Burke (lol) or Mitchell (lol)

  17. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This is unbelievably frustrating

    I’ve done everything right this season and keep getting hit by this absurd negative variance

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You can't have done "everything right" and have this affect you so badly that it matters.

      Doing everything right would include not over-committing to a single team when COVID could postpone any fixture at any time.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for that - definitely cheered me up 🙂

  18. dogtanion
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Masuaku done as a starter now do we think ? I could do with his 1 point this weekend .

  19. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'll just leave Martinez in goal, bigger fish to fry than worrying about GK transfers and he'll have two DGWs coming up soon enough.

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Transfer 2nd keeper out for a playing one?

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This. Like for like replacement doesn't guarantee a good shot at CS, unless can reach for Mendy

  20. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do here with the news of the Villa/Newcastle game being postponed? Got 1FT I was planning on keeping... but could bench Grealish and do something like Martinez > McCarthy or Meslier?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Coufal - Cancelo - Lamptey (Dallas & Taylor)
    Salah - KDB - Grealish - Soucek (Burke)
    DCL - Kane - Werner

    0.4m itb

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

  21. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish and Wilson owner here, probably sell the latter

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m considering Wilson -> Richsrlison 1 week punt

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Punt on Tammy

  22. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    As Lateriser tells us, this season DO NOT MAKE EARLY TRANSFERS!!!

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      doesn't exactly take a genius to work that one out tbf

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Was just trying to legitimise my sage words of counsel.

    2. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Especially in a week with European games, injuries and Covid gonna cause havoc.....

  23. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Another week; another series of fires to cry into.

  24. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can I play my defender in goal in place of Martinez?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only if you TC him

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

      Have you got Walker?

  25. Roman9SK
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Target Grealish Watkins Lewis + killman and cancelo on the bench 0ft... What the hell I should do.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      turn back time and don't make an early transfer

      1. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Great help ha

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will the Aston Villa-Newcastle game be in a double gw or this gw?

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Read the article

  27. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    GW11 : Kane + Grealish > KDB + Bamford (-4)
    GW12 : Hamez > Grealish

    Don't overthink it.

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      nice.

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

      But i dont have Kane

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Some paid 7m for him and he's now 7.7 so not as easy to get rid.

  28. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My first early transfer of the season. Now have no keeper

  29. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What's happening with Wilf Zaha, anyone know?

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’s been training with the Newcastle squad.

      1. roach04
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I legit laughed out loud at this LOL. Well said.

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        😆

  30. mitro
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Think I’ll go keeperless this week, Martinez was getting 1pt anyway 🙂