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

    Chances of Neco Williams playing vs Wolves?

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

      Not 0. Milner is out.

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

      75%

      chance of him being absolutely useless, 100%

  2. Baggers
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Need to take Martinez out, 4.9 replacement... McCarthy @4.6 best option?

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

      Or Meslier

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

    Have Martinez and Steer would you take a -4 to get a new keeper in or play without?

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

      Could get Mendy.

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

      I'm considering doing it as he's been so disappointing recently.

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

      Not for a hit

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gonna leave him. Over the next 4 there's no one I can see that I want that will pay that hit back. Villas fixtures still good and now they have 2 doubles coming up.

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

        Thanx. Maby its best to keep him.

    5. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It depends...

      If you want to free up a Villa slot to own both Watkins and Grealish then a hit now may be a good opportunity to do so.

      A replacement keeper will need to score 4 points minimum to offset a hit so I will just be going without a keeper

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

        This. If there are Villa doubles I think attackers or defenders with attack potential are better options.

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

      I have those 2 and think I will just accept the zero since I have to do another transfer to get him back before two DGWs.
      There is a big chance that whoever you get will just get 2 points. Points per match on average is around 4 for most goalkeepers so chances are you get 0 anyway+added transfer to get Martinez back for DGW.

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

      Thanx all i Keep him : )

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

    I will have to play Brewster this weekend.
    Will he even play?

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

      I hope not - I have to play Burke

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

      I'm playing him.

      For me if I take Watkins out for -4, whoever comes in HAS to deliver to cover the -4, for me I'll just play Brewster and bank the 1 point cameo. God forbid... he might ever start

  5. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    At least Villa will have a double gameweek in near future most likely. Definitely keeping Grealish for that

  6. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mendy
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal, Justin
    KDB(c), Bruno, Ziyech, Jota
    Vardy, DCL

    Bench: Brewster, Grealish, Targett

    How is this looking?

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

      Sweet. Might play 10 though (cancelo)

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

    Best gk in the game

    Fabianski or Mendy?

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mendy

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

      Lloris

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

    Roll this team or should I take another hit? Already on -4 and 0 itb

    Martinez*
    Chilwell PVA Dallas Lamptey
    KDB Bruno Son Soucek
    Vardy DCL

    Button Kilman Grealish* Watkins*

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

      Roll

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

        Thanks

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

    Grealish vs. the Newcastle U23s side would have been so much better for FPL!

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

      Even Watkins could have scored!

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

        Steady now

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

      This. Reason why I went Watkins over Bamford early. Feck by the PL rules now lol

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

      I know, right? I was just starting to make a tiny bit of progress and now I'm well and truly back in the gutter.

      I'd started to laugh off this season as a funny write-off, but this has annoyed me.

  10. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson
    Watkins
    Targett
    Kilman
    Dead player
    Few terrible fixtures

    Free hit load up on pool/city/chelsea?

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

      Maybe... think I would be happy playing 9-10 players though

  11. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Villa already got a game in hand against City at some point so they should try and fit Newcastle game in soon

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

    Zambo Anguissa time!

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Price?

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Apparently Adrian to start for Pool tonight

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Alisson has covid doesn't he?

  14. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo, Chilwell, Cancelo (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Bruno, Son, Ziyech, Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    Option A:
    GW11 Kane + Soucek > KDB + Adams (-4)
    GW12 Ziyech > Jota

    Option B:
    GW11 Kane + Soucek > KDB +Brewster (-4)
    GW12 Ziyech+Robo > Salah+Masuaku (-4)

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

    Looking at it, Martinez to Mendy seems like an upgrade itself rather than a move that I'm being forced to do...

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

      Definitely

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

      I'm just short otherwise I think I'd do it. There's no one up to 4.9m that I think is worth the hit for me.

    3. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep. Too bad Mendy rises before friday.

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

      There is that. I'm also wondering if it's worth upgrading Steer to have two playing GKs... but Martinez has been poor (in FPL terms) for a while

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

      Im considering the same. Set and forget Mendy until May

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

    Thoughts on this hit? -4
    Mitchell and Rashford to Dias and Jota?

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

      Yep

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jota far from nailed - if anything, wait as long as possible

  17. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No hit if I can field 10 men right? Will only miss a keeper

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

      I really think so

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

      a hit for a keeper doesn't make much sense in my opinion

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

      my plan also.

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm fielding 10 which includes playing Bissouma and having no keeper. Just gonna have to roll with it.

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

        I'm doing same. Makes the captain pick even more critical.

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

    Scenes when the PL will announce on Friday the AVL-new game will be played midweek under Gw11

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

      Unlikely. It's not a recheduling because of fixture issues. Its because of covid

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

        I think there’s a chance though.
        Villa already has a game to be Re-arrangered from Gw1 and this would make two which could be a nightmare to re-arrange later this year

        1. Chrisitis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Villa-Nufc wont be a nightmare to Re-arrange. They can play the game almost every midweek next year.

      2. Chrisitis
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        We also thought new should play their U23s

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

      🙂

  19. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    *Martinez
    Chilwell Cancelo Justin Lamptey
    Ziyech Bruno KDB Jota
    DCL Vardy

    Forster Brewster Mitchell Grealish*

    Worth doing Martinez to Monday for free?

    It is a transfer I considered for the future, but kind of wanted the 2 x free transfers next week

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *Mendy not Monday

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

      I'd do it for free

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

      For free yes

  20. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys.
    Anyone know if Pope will be fit this weekend?
    Steer - > Peacock-Farrell worth a tranny?

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

    When KDB and co. had a blank at the start of the season their prices were protected. It is only fair if the Villa and Newcastle players are price protected as well surely?

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

      I asked this earlier...

      Will the Villa/Newcastle players be red flagged?

      IIRC = red flag = 2-3x higher net transfer threshold for price changes and price locked once the flag is removed

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

        Shouldn't be flagged. They just have no fixture under their name.

        That's how it worked last year with the Arsenal/City cancellation.

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

          Ty
          Price drops for everyone then

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

          Forgot about that. I'd 3 players and auba (tc) that week. I've 3 villa as well now. So, cursing my luck. I feel that this could be one of many to come. Last minute transfers the order of the day from now on. Forget transfers for value.
          I will just leave villa players in this weeks team in case, and just enjoy a bit of bench wankery.

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

      Treated same as a BGW so no

  22. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Alex Telles likey to play this GW? I’ve got him and Tierney and would rather sell Tierney

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

      Most likely yes, Shaw still not back from injury.

  23. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Intended to keep the FT and do the Salah move for free next week.

    Said that, maybe use it for Martinez to McCarthy or Meslier?

  24. Napoleon IV
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    hmm, was planning to get a Newcastle and Aston Villa player with my two free transfers this week! Oh well, I guess that's the value of waiting!

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Own Martinez, Mings and Grealish. Do I hold tough for the best case scenario that Villa will still play in gw11?

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

    Martinez to McCarthy with FT or save and have no keeper?

    SV 4.6

    Thanks

  27. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hmmm...I stayed with Button,Mitchell,Kilman & Stephens...(Martinez,Watkins)
    0 FT

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

    I'm going to leave this until deadline just in case...

    But my initial thoughts are to do Martinez to Mendy and then take a -4 to bring in a City player.

    A) Martinez + Salah to Mendy + KdB (-4)
    B) Martinez + Grealish to Mendy + Mahrez (-4)

    Just a thought for now. Will reassess after Champions League (and the vague hope of Villa getting a game in midweek)

    Mitchell and Struijk losing their places doesn't help either...

    1FT 1.7ITB
    Martinez*
    Zouma Justin Coufal
    Salah Son Bruno Reed (haha)
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    Steer* Mitchell Struijk Grealish*

    THanks!

  29. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hits on GKs and Defenders are not worth it only if they fail.

    Perfect time to take hits IMO

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

    Is Salah and Bissouma to
    KDB and Jota madness? (For a hit)

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

      yes