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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why is Wilson rising tonight?

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

      Scored 10pts in last GW

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

        *12 🙂

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

      Ppl buying him.

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

      Because he got a 12 pointer in his last game. So he will do that for the next 28 games in a row so people have to get him in or they will miss out on 336 points.

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

        he's done well all season to be fair. 6 points less than salah for 6m less.

        ignoring this Friday's postponement, he can't do much more to prove himself as a good pick.

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

        Hahaha

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

      DGW due

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Saiss >> James and switch to 4 at the back this week?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Cresswell, Justin
    KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, Grealish, Jota
    Kane, DCL
    (4.0, Mitchell, Saiss, Davis)

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

      Yes

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        James the best move? 5.2m available

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

          Yeah, James will do the job. Dallas can also work but this week's fixture is tricky

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

      yep. james

  3. 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).

    Thanks

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

      I’m considering doing Cancelo to Dallas or KWP this week

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have him. Thinking Reece James at the moment (already have Zouma).

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think James above

    4. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry just seen you have James! What about Lamptey?

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

        yeh i think i might actually. good shout

  4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Been looking for an excuse to ditch Martinez and now I have one...

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

      Thinking the same though he is going to have 2 dgw in the future. Could also upgrade 4.0keeper

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

        I suspect that double will be next year when you could get him on a wc anyway

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

          That's true. Last 2 gw's (total 79pts) have been so horrible for me so might as well take a big hit to shake the team

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

    Play 1:
    A. Bissouma
    B. Coufal
    C. Kilman

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

      Bissouma imho. Always prefer more attacking player. I am on the same boat but my options are limited to Coufal, Kilman and Burke (most of the time he doesn't play), so it would be hard 😀

  6. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bruno, Grealish, Ziyech, Hamez

    Was planning on Hames to KDB, but Grealish to KDB makes sense right?

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

      Depends. If you have a backup for Grealish, then stick to the plan of Rodriguez to Dr Bruyne

  7. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Chilwell Dias Cancelo KWP
    KDB (c) Riedwald Ziyech Bruno
    Vardy DCL
    (Forster, Kilman, Grealish, Watkins)

    2FT 0.6ITB

    Martinez > McCarthy and save other FT? Will have enough for Ziyech+Vardy > Salah Wilson next week

  8. MIDIMAN2010
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    People losing the sh1t over non playing GK... Jesus wepts

  9. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this -4?
    Martinez and Mitchell to Meslier and Dias?

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

      Do you have to make the Martinez move to get Dias?

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

    Martinez to Mccarthy for a -4?

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

      Yeah. good reason to get rid of martinez villa cant defend

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

      no

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

      yeah, everyone should do this except me

    4. Make ManeMane Make ManeMane
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No way

    5. MIDIMAN2010
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah go for it

    6. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lol no way

    7. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What about for free?

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

        Im considering for free, but that just ruin some other plans and will practically cost -4 later. Also, you want Martinez back before DGW.

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

    Martinez
    Forster
    Mitchell
    Cancelo
    Zaha
    Grealish
    Watkins

    im in deep waters. What to do? Martinez needs to go but what else?

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

      8 mid/attacker is Bissouma but at least he plays lol

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

    Have 2 free transfers

    A) Martinez and Grealish -----> Mcarthy and Jota

    B) Martinez Son and Grealish ------> Mcarthy Jota and Salah (-4)

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

      Jota might not start either. Just do martinez to McCarthy

  13. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Honestly might leave Martinez in. Take the 0 points. I'll just want him back soon. It's not like McCarthy will get 17 points as a replacement.

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

      it's the logical move. unless you have no other issues to fix.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish is the other issue. But I’ll play Brewster.

        Just leaves me a player down

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

      He's only get 1 point anyway if playing probably

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t say that!

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

      He might. Brighton Sheffield arsenal next 3

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

        I was looking to remove Martinez and now its only a -2 hit probably

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

          Could actually be worth it if McCarthy keeps a clean sheet

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            What I’m saying is. I’ll want Martinez back soon. Villa will have 2 DGW’. Wasting transfers on goalkeepers isn’t great

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

              I don't trust their defence anymore. I don't want him double gw or not

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

              MCI away in one of those doubles - is that a good or bad thing?

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

      Same, and play Soucek (Grealish)

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

      That's what I'm doing. Will just rely on the other 13. I've got steer as well.

  14. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will Mitchell or McCarthy (both of Palace) start this GW? If they don’t, I don’t have a bench as Grealish is already not starting. I also have no GK with Martinez and Steer as my GKs. So I probably need to address that first.

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

      Er yeah, if you're relying on Mitchell and Mccarthy to play, you're a bit screwed. Surely you must have some other defensive 4.5 backups? Just swallow the gk, not worth a -4

  15. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Madness to save a FT with the below team? Don't really want to waste a chip on two players that I'll probably want back in again.

    1 FT - 0.2m ITB - WC available - FH available

    McCarthy (Button)
    Chilwell Zouma Justin Taylor (Mitchell)
    Bruno Sterling (C) Son Bissouma (Grealish)
    Vardy DCL (Watkins)

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or just replace Watkins with the FT?

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

      I have a similar team and tempted to just pull the trigger on the WC. But I don't have any ManC coverage unlike you in fairness.

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

    Watkins owners are the lucky ones.

    He usually scores 0 anyway so the postponement has no impact on his output

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

      Actually they get a positive impact: their auto-sub.

  17. Rochdale_Cowboy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I posted that the game would be off at lunch time. Admin deleted the message! Looks like they didn't want the information to get out. Well done Admin. #ITK

  18. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Soucek still a good option at 4.9?

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

      If you don't have to play him regularly, he is fine

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

      I think so, should have scored past 2 weeks

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      an extra .5 gets you to Raphina. Would be well worth it imo.

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

      I hope so LOL - he'll be playing for Grealish in my squad this week!

  19. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What mayhem.....who is the best watkins replacement?

    A....bamford
    B...adams
    C....antonio (not sure he starts this week...)

    Thanks

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks as always

  20. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I hope the PL will come up with a justification for this décision.
    If NEW can’t justify ring able to field 14, the PL is discrediting itself and will leave an open door to clubs for postponements

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

      Their priority is probably player safety and not our FPL teams

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

        you better wash your mouth out with soap!

      2. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I’m not thinking FPL here
        I’m thinking if new gets with it because Wilson and dubravka are positive why would Lampard not get a postponement if Werner and chilwell are ?

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

          It’s probably bigger than those two players if they have called off the game.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      PL have closed Newcastle's training center till Friday as the virus seems to be spreading from there.

      How can Newcastle play a match if they aren't allowed to train???

    3. MIDIMAN2010
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why won’t Newcastle say who was infected? I bet it was reserves and staff and they are making a big deal out of nothing.

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

        That’s what I’m saying. This needs clarification from PL

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        LOL!

        You think PL doesn't know who all have tested positive?

    4. MIDIMAN2010
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why so much secrecy? Just announced who was tested positive and when.
      Imagine this will now set a precedent for future games called off cause one of two players were tested positive.

    5. MIDIMAN2010
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Juventus were awarded a 3-0 win over Napoli, who have been docked a point after they failed to fulfil their Serie A fixture earlier in October With two positive Covid-19 tests before the game, Napoli were ordered not to travel by their local health authority. They don’t need about in Italy

  21. maditass
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With the postponed match, will the GW deadline also be postponed to saturday 12:00 aswell?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Already changed

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

      should get a nice green arrow from all the hits this week. and then the hits to get villa back in for their double game weeks.

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

        FH

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

          even crazier

          free hit is the most valuable chip in my opinion.

          and it hurts the most when people have it in the bag for late season doubles/blanks.

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

            Yeah but I had this problem last season where I had too many chips (had all 4) and not enough DGWs going into the latter stages.

            I reckon WC, BB and TC going into the latter stages should be sufficient.

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

      This is the GW that separates the so called casuals and enthusiasts.

      I imagine a fine victory for the latter, despite the hits galore.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 3 months ago

          In my experience this is where the experienced people overthink and the casuals who barely keep up with things do really well

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

            City play Fulham. Mahrez & Torres. Casuals won't go for the latter but both could do some damage.

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

            We'll see. Casuals will panic but wise men already have card up their sleeves 😉

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

        Martinez and Grealish to Mendy and Jota -4?

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

          Yes from me

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

          You’ll want Grealish back surely?

          But if you want to do that move this is the perfect chance

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

          I'd keep Grealish

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

          Difficult one - I would drop 0.4m if I sell him and he's got two DGWs coming up

          I would be lot happier if I didn't have Sterling to worry about

        5. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Keep grealish

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

        Time to have 2 playing keepers?

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

        Martinez & Mendy is far too much outlay for keepers isn't it really?

        I have 1.5 ITB to move Steer/Mitchell on to cover for Villa/Newcastle assets and Mendy/4.4 looks like a great route.

        Will likely stick to Johnstone or Meslier though.

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

          im heavily considering Martinez -> Mendy as a Chilwell owner. I have Martinez and 4.0 as GKs

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

            The only thing is the Martinez DGWs that will come along.

            I am a James owner and double Chels defence does seem an exciting prospect

        2. chrismoo75
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I am thinking Mendy/Martinez. Got martinez at 4.5 and want to keep because of DGW. I have half decent TV so will probably do it myself

      5. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        DCL + Grealish -> Welbeck + KdB (-4) good move?

        1. Werner Bremen
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Nope

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

        Is Pope likely to still be out - Hoping BPF plays, and doesn't get negative points

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

        Ziyech, Grealish to KDB (C), JWP

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

          For -4

      8. Johnmph
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Best 4.9 defender as a replacement for Kilman?

        Was thinking Vestergaard due to fixtures and attacking threat from corners.