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. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy the best bet in that price bracket?

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

      Been also thinking about keeping Martinez as they have good fixtures. Really not sure what to do.

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

      Keep him

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

    I will probably use my FT to do Steer —-> Johnstone
    Will cost me 0,5m, but worth keeping Martínez for two DGWs and at the same time free up a third Villa slot, if needed

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

    Is this G2G? Doing Steer > Johnstone as rotates nicely with Martinez anyway.

    Johnstone
    Justin Lamptey KWP Coufal
    Bruno Son Jota
    Kane Vardy DCL
    Martinez Grealish Mitchell Stephens

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

      Rather Martinez/Johnstone than Mendy set and forget?

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

        Only because of the type of season it is going to be, better to have two keepers I feel, what if Mendy gets injured/COVID etc

  4. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Big problems for me here. What to do? 1FT and 1.3 iTB

    McCarthy
    Ayling-Chilwell-Justin
    Sterling(C)-Bruno-Bissouma-Hamez
    Mitrovic*-Jimenez*-Vardy

    Steer-Mitchell-Grealish-Targett

    I can do Jimenez and Mitrovic to Jesus and Adams but i cant do Sterling/Bruno to Salah in GW 12 then. Any suggestion lads??

    DCL, Adams, Bamford, Antonio?

    Keep or sell Grealish. Wildcard?

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

      Jim and mitro to Bamford and another cheapo

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Adams maybe?

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

      I'd strongly consider the wildcard in your shoes

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah im considering but think i will hold for GW 16

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

      WC

    4. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Your teams awful. Should have wildcarded weeks ago

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

    Sorry.....bottomed.....Pretty clueless on what to do here....1ft. 1.5mitb.

    Keeping grealish. Can't see watkins replacement with decent fixture so tempted to keep him too....

    Maybe martinez and mitchell to Mccarthy and xx - 4?.....mitchell needs to go some time.....advice appreciated.....thanks

    (Martinez)
    Chilwell james cancelo lamptey (Mitchell)
    Bruno kdb ziyech burke (grealish)
    Vardy dcl (watkins)

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

    Peacock farrell going to start again do we think lads?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hope so, like the benny hill show out there hehe

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

    Which team do you prefer?
    A:
    Martinez
    Chilwell, Dias, Cresswell, Ayling Lamptey
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish , Jota
    DCL, Bamford

    B:
    Martinez
    Chilwell, Dias, Cresswell, Ayling Lamptey
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio

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

      A

    2. Boom Boom Sheikh the Toon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Big post to ask Jota or Antonio, nevertheless, A

  8. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1 ft and 0.3 itb. Thinking of saving ft. Thoughts?

    Mccarthy
    Zouma Chilwell KWP Dallas
    Salah Bruno Rodriguez Ziyech
    Kane Brewster

    Peacock Mitchell Grealish Wilson

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

      Save

  9. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins to Adams worth a hit?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Im debating whether or not it’s worth it for free - I’d have to start Brewster otherwise

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'd have to field 10 players otherwise. I wanted to hold Watkins till GW 15. But a blank and Wolves away next week are putting me off. Adams has BHA, SHU and Arsenal, who have been poor lately.

        1. The Senate
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Sounds worth it probably - he shouldn’t be too hard to get back in future if necessary

          1. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            True!

  10. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed apologies for the repost. I have no idea what to do with this lol. Anyone be able to give me a hand?

    Martinez* 4.0

    Robbo Chilwell Dallas Lamptey 4.0

    Bruno Son Ziyech Grealish Bissouma

    Kane DCL Bamford

    2 FT’s, 2.2 ITB

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

      We have almost identical teams. Same money itb and 2 free transfers too

      Im selling martinez but holding grealish for now.

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

        Who you selling Martinez for out of interest?

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

          In ir case id sell for mendy but i already have double che def so thinking the sou keeper

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

            Ur*

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

          Mccarthy

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bench Grealish and use one of your FTs, to transfer out your 4.0 keeper to McCarthy

  11. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So I have Martinez, Konsa, Grealish and Watkins, and Wilson. I also own Cancelo.

    Bench: Brewster, Justin, Mitchell. Forster

    I'm not sure any of this is really worth transfers. The three Villa players will all have 2 games in hand so transferring them out is either almost certainly a points loss long term, or I'm looking at getting them back in. Grealish I have so much value tied up in and I already own Jota.

    I don't have a WC or a FH (Yeah... I know)

    It's just not worth it is it, I'm just going to have to take it on the chin.

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

      *not Watkins. Dunno where that came from

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

      That’s 4 villa players

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

        I know, I wrote Watkins by mistake instead of wilson, then forgot to erase Watkins

        This is very helpful

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Take hits galore, no way I could tolerate that many being out

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

            It's not about toleration. It's about what will be the way forwards that scores me the most points by gameweek 38. That might be swallowing a stinker of a week

  12. jamie1972
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Got Grealish in last night just in case I forgot about the early Friday deadline.

    Went well....

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

      At least you caught the price rise.

  13. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Maybe a difficult question but which combination is better ?

    A) Walker + Bamford -4 points
    B) Soucek + DCL

  14. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    200,000 have transferred in Wilson for this GW.......

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

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

      Haha

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

      Wow

    4. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Love it. Early transfers are very rarely a good idea.

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He might still go up in price tonight!

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        With these knee-jerkers, he'll probably drop instead! 😆

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

      Below 175 000 to be more precise, but yes 😉

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

    What a start to this over.

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

    Cancelo starting and Mendy,Walker benched 🙁

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

      Cancelo dead as an FPL option

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

      So Cancelo's probably not much an option now. Shame.

      Probably another transfer I need to make

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

      No Cancelo at the weekend then

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

        Yeah, waste of a WC pick for me.

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

    Interesting Liverpool team

    Kelleher
    Williams
    Matip
    Fabinho
    Robertson
    Henderson
    Wijnaldum
    Jones
    Mane
    Salah
    Jota

    Firmino nailed for the weekend? 😉

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

      No Adrian?

  18. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Worked out not too bad for me, only got Grealish in that fixture. Not sure if it’s even worth taking him out for a week.
    I guess my dilemma of who to play out of kwp and Lamptey is solved, play both. Or should I start Bissouma for one?

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KWP and Lamptey sounds good.

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

    Neco Williams to start vs Wolves?

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Sterling? Is he big rotation risk now?

  21. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Are we all starting Grealish in case the match is played during gw11?

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

      Yes

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

      I have no words for this...

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

      Indeed sir

  22. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth using a free transfer swapping martinez? I only have 4.7m to replace and not sure i like anyone else at that price.

    1. abhirup780
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He will get a double GW soon and have a great fixture, so what is the point of wasting a transfer on him?

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

    Is watkins to Bamford worth ft?

    Or just bench watkins...thanks

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's worth a free transfer if there's nothing else to sort. But if you have faith in Watkins for the next 3/4 fixtures, I'd hold.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep, and long term well worth it I’d say

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

      Bamford plays Chelsea. So just bench.

  24. tuvok
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Aren’t the doubles set to be around GW18/19? Not sure they are an important factor to consider when deciding to keep villa players

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

      City is one of the fixtures and spurs or everton the other. Do we really need to keep Martinez for that.

  25. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Jota playing now with Firmino rested for the weekend

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

      Yeah possibly, Jota next for the bench.

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

    How's this for a plan?

    GW11: Kilman --> James

    GW12: DCL + Soucek --> Bamford + Jota.

    0.3 wiggle room for price changes should be enough...

    Martinez, Forster
    Robertson, Chilwell, Dallas, Masuaku, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Watkins, Brewster

  27. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wolves match next in risk, but after Jimenez injury and Kilman being dropped it doesn't affect many teams.

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

      Wtf happened to wolves

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

    Foden better not get 90....

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

    Walker Stones Laporte Mendy likely back 4 v Fulham?

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

    Semado to Mendy worth a bash for free?

    Having to start Semado if not