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. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just to make sure,

    The deadline is at 11 AM on Saturday then?

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

      Not definitely - depends if FPL have the skill to update the game

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

        done already

    2. Wrong Captain Again
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oh hey! You’re the guy catching up to me in John’s league, I’m the guy in second place. What’s our plan if John stops the league next year, want to run it with me?

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I would have no problem playing in that league next year. But I do not live in the UK.

        1. Wrong Captain Again
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Neither do I, it’s not an issue

          1. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Then no problem.

            1. Wrong Captain Again
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I’ll email John at the turn of the new year and see what he says... cheers

  2. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well, backed myself into a corner. Guess I'm using my 2FTs on swapping out Villa. Nothing in the bank, so a bit limited on options.

    Watkins, Targett > Antonio/Bamford/Adams, Phillips??

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Cancelo, KWP, Kilman
    KDB, Grealish, Bruno, Ziyech, Soucek
    DCL, Vardy
    (Forster; Grealish, Watkins, Targett)

  3. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Woohoo I can play Brewster for his weekly 1 point!

  4. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Villa have dodged a bullet by not having to face Callum Wilson FC this week, maybe if they're lucky he might not be available for the rearranged game and they'll get to laugh in the face of Joelinton.

  5. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    There's literally no straight swap for Martinez with no money itb. Better off just taking the 0

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

      Take the 0 and get the DGW

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

      McCarthy?

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

      Join the club m8

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

      There is straight swaps? McCarthy 4.6... any of the 4.5s

      mightn't be great but they're there

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

        Could be Meslier's time to shine.

      2. The Chosen One...
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I already got their cover from defenders

    5. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m confused if you got him at £4.5m he has risen to £4.8m so can sell him for £4.6m so McCarthy?

  6. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I knew it was a good idea to lose Wilson last week before his 12 point haul.

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

      *Doffs cap*

      Inspired!

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Every cloud 😉

  7. Boz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Yves Bissouma, now is your time to shine

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

      An exciting watch for El Classicoast.

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

        Always a big game

  8. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lewis to Lamptey?

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

    Martinez dropping like a stone.

    Fire sale!

  10. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Does anyone have a clue when the game will be replayed?

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sometime between now and May.

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Helpful.

        1. Wrong Captain Again
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It’s literally the most accurate answer anybody can give you right now

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can't think of any reason why they need to take so long to re-arrange, it's not like they have to worry about crowds or policing .. so expect it to be months away!

  11. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    (RP)

    Any CL MANAGERS here?

    Zapata or Ronaldo?

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

      Zapata, Atalanta plays more attacking then Juve. And CR doesn't really score braces or hattricks lately, it seems :/.

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

        Nevermind.. He's scored 2 braces in his last 7 matches XD. But he has been injured, so might not start.

  12. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the best cheap defensive option now? Taylor at 4.4 or Dallas at 4.5?

    I would need to play them this weekend

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

      Dallas

      1. chaser123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Annoying that he has Chelsea away this week!

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          His attacking threat more than makes up for it. Very happy owner since GW2, I’m shocked he hasn’t gone up yet actually

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

        Funny that people are all over Coufal and KWP few weeks ago

    2. WATERMELONS
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I own Dallas already but looking for a 4.5 defender in place of Robbo to free up cash for the big Man City moves. Taylor is an interesting shout.

      Anyone got a view on Fuchs (4.5)? Leicester look terrible at the back but their next couple of fixtures are good (shu, BRI, EVE). Is he a guaranteed starter though...? Pereira and Castagne coming back soon...

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

        He was awful. As soon as anyone else can play hes gone. Castagnes probably close, I wouldnt

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

          True this.

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

    Grealish > Jota is going to be such a popular move.

    1. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I’m 50:50 between this and playing Bissouma

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

        Same boat, playing Bissouma most likely tho

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My thinking is I don't want Grealish Wolves away either, so leaning towards selling

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jota going up tonight to 6.9, he was only 6.3 two or three weeks ago

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

      Jota owners: Stonks!

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

      It’ll backfire in my opinion - let them sell!

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

    People talking about the game being played on Tuesday or Wednesday? Shouldn't Toon still be in lockdown for GW12 v Baggies? Presumably no one has skin in that game anyway.

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

    Bloody Covid

    Wilson to Watkins done

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

      You certainly have been 😉

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

      Raised a chuckle

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

    Any advice appreciated as always.

    Worth WC to do:

    Justin Grealish Bissouma Vardy Watkins -> James Jota KDB Adams Brewster?

    Only 5 (?) weeks left to use it anyway...this seems as good a time as any?

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

      You lucky man

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

        Why exactly?

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

    What are people doing with Martinez then? Should I keep him if I have Ryan as backup?

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

      Well the entire point on having a second 4.5 keeper is to prevent those sort of things so...

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

      Keep. 2 dgw down the road

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

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

      Keep him. Easy decision

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

    Last week: benched Barkley, played Soucek

    This week: bench Grealish and Watkins, play Soucek and Dallas

    Lol at me

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

      Why would you bench Grealish and Watkins lol.

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

      Either trf them out or play them. Auto subs happen if its intended to happen

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

        Yeah I mean I gotta keep them on the bench. Not that hard to understand

  19. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Steer
    Martinez
    Mitchell
    Lewis
    Grealish

    Awesome 🙄

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Free Hit?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No have 2 free transfers and want even going to play lewis

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

    Is going without City coverage this week madness?

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

      If De Bruyne scores more than 10 pts yes, if he scores less the no.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 3 months ago

          What if he scores 10

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Amazing

          2. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            *brain explodes*

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

        I'm wondering this, plans changed massively now and not sure if taking -4/-8 is worth it

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

          Getting De Bruyne in would mean moving out Zaha (wba) or Ziyech (LEE). Zaha Covid permitting, can see points in both of those.

          Was going to Kane > Wilson to fund that, but now that's a no go I'm tempted to just stick for a week...

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

        Nope but if you are planning to get them, better to take a hit and get them this week

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

      FPL is most fun when we're faced with situations like this, love it

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

        It is if you don’t own Sterr, Martinez, Grealish and Wilson (although yes I got a huge score this gameweek)

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

          I have the same 4!

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly. I'm loving it and I own 2 villa players, lol

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cheeky look at what a Free Hit team could look like

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

      No point in taking out Martinez when I WCed last GW too bring him in for this fixture run, right? Have 1.1 itb but need them to get Salah back in.

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

        Right

      2. popey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        he has 2 DGW now remember

    5. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mccarthy Meslier or Mendy the best GK for long long term?
      Or its worth going without a gk this gw?

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

        Go without - not much difference to the three GWs when Martinez has returned 1 or Zero

    6. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any chance Burke gets on the pitch for Sheffield again this week?

      Yes, this is what it's come to.

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

        I'm with u buddy

    7. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best set and forget GK replacement for Martinez?

      a) Johstone
      b) McCarthy
      c) Mendy
      d) Leno

    8. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Goid time to get rid of Martinez? Or would you upgrade Peacock-Farrell to 4.5 keeper.

      If transfering Martinez out could upgrade him to Mendy or even Ederson to get nailed City player...

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

        *good

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Pricey GKs are amongst the worst value options in the game, don't fall for it

    9. turd ferguson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo to who?

      Have: Chilwell, James, Mitchell, Kilman (to Dallas next week).

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why are you getting rid? He was just rested...

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

      Any chance Mitchell starts for Palace this week?

      Given the fixture that would be a dream

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Who knows, I want to know why he wasn’t even on the bench this week.
        Like he’s just disappeared

    11. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have 4 players from those 2 teams but still like this postponement strangely enough

      Shd be the beginning of the end for casuals

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They’ll never end, there’s too many of them