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

    Which defender at 4.5m or less would you pick going forward?

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

      Dallas

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

        Even tho he got Chelsea next?

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably this

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

      Ivanoivc

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

    Martinez is my only GK. Is it worth to spend the FT for a goalie ? I'm not even sure which one would be a good choice for the next 10 weeks.

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This is the issue. Aside from Mendy, nobody really is even very appealing.

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

        He is the only one who I would consider but probably won't bring him. I have Chilwell already and 5.1 is maybe a bit pricey for me to pay a GK. Hope Martinez will pay back this trust in his double GW 😀

    2. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Im keeping Martinez

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

      Same situation, except I already used by FT. So unless you're planning to keep someone for long term, I don't think it worth considering, specially because Villa, might have two double gameweeks if the match is postponed for a longer period of time

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

    Best move here?

    A Son -> KDB
    B Robbo/Podence -> KWP/KDB

    Martinez
    Chilwell Zouma Robbo
    Bruno Son Grealish Jota
    DCL Vardy Bamford

    Forster Podence Lamptey Mitchell

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

      think im leaning B with Allison out.

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

    Alison hamstring injury. Possibly out for 10 to 14 days. Klopp just now.

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

    So with this latest Alisson injury, I'm guessing people will be staying away from Robbo for now?

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

      For weeks already

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bigger fish to fry unless I take a hit and need the cash.

      He was a whisker away from a decent score last weekend.

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

    Grealish to Mahrez for a hit as a punt this week? KDB C

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds exciting to me. Yay!

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

      Idk,maybe if it was a free hit but not for a hit for me

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do here chaps?

    Martinez
    Robbo Zouma Justin
    Son pereira Ziyech Bruno
    Vardy Kane DCL

    Forster Lamptey Burke coufal

    1FT & 0.1m ITB

    A) Son Pereira ➡ Jota Mahrez(c) -4
    B) Robbo Pereira ➡ KWP Mahrez(c) -4
    C) Son Robbo ➡ KDB(c) KWP
    -4

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

      I'd lose Kane before Son so D) Kane Pereira to cheapo KDB c

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane vs Gunners

        Tasty

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

      I'm tempted by C but with Pod not Son.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Then no brainer

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

          cool cheers, think I prefer B as I would rather keep Son

  8. white heart pain
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Did Neco Williams get dragged at half time? Need a 4.0 def for this week.

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

      If Milner isn't fit, I'm not sure there's anyone left to fill in at RB

      1. white heart pain
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hendo replaced him at HT, i didn’t watch it. Did hendo play RB?

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

          Milner did I think until he was injured, then Curtis Jones had to fill in for the last 20 mins or so.

  9. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth going keeperless and benching Grealish, so that I can carry my free transfer to next week and get Salah without taking a hit? Or should I get someone like Meslier/Johnstone in?

    Martinez - Steer
    Walker - Chilwell - Coufal - Veltman - Mitchell
    De Bruyne - Fernandes - Rodriguez - Grealish - Soucek
    Kane - Calvert-Lewin - Brewster

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT

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

      I’ve got both grealish and Watkins and I won’t be using ft’s on either, not because of one GW. Will sit them out and get Salah in

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.
      No.
      I'm in a very similar situation and that's what I'm doing.

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

    So, Cancelo out? Absence of Grealish in the next GW makes this transfer more urgent...

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      James in?

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

    Already made 2 transfers (-4) this week. Got Grealish and Martinez.... what to do (no 2nd playing keeper - annoyingly nearly went the Bur 2nd goalkeeper as 4.0 fodder!)

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

    Can I hold here or do Semado to James/Mendy - 1ft 1m itb

    Or perhaps upgrade Mitchell to Dallas and play him instead of anguissa ?

    Mendy
    Semado lamptey cresswell
    Son kdb bruno anguissa
    Vardy dcl bam

    4.0 Mitchell konsa greilish

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

      Mitchell to Dallas

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

    Allison out for a fortnight... a ha, a ha ahahahahaha, who's Klopp going to blame now?

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

      Jurgen strop

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think they will be very dangerous at the weekend as will defend from the front I reckon and try and out score the opposition. Could be a goal fest.

  14. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If like me you wildcarded after GW4 and still found yourself with three Villa in your team, this postponement could prove to be a real blessing in disguise. I wasn't happy having Martinez anymore and I still can't believe I didn't rage transfer out Watkins last night. Now I don't need to be a fixture hostage anymore and can bring in a goalie who actually makes some saves and a striker who is capable of hitting a cow's a rse with a banjo.

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

      Same, just done Martinez to Mendy and it feels gooood

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

    My fpl squad makes me sad. Bissouma (c) ?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't make you feel any better mate.

  16. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins to Jesus for free sound ok ? Will then just bench Grealish.

    Kept about £5m ITB from Int Break Wildcard to get Salah back but think this is a better move now.

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

      Sounds great!

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

      Depends if you’re going to panic about getting salah next week

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

      Salah vs Fulham though...

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

    Liverpool's lineup today has a lot to say about the Jota or Firmino debate

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

      I can see Klopp wanting Firmino against Wolves though

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

        Probably... but it is Jota's former team so I find it difficult for him to be on the bench (especially if he scores today)

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

      What’s that then

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

        If he loses he is nearly out of the UCL so he is lining up his best team available

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

          Good point

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

          ? We can lose today and draw at home to Mitjelland and still qualify

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

            Not if Ajax draw Atalanta

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

      Firming will start against Wolves and probably Mane after being benched vs Brighton.

      Hard to call if both Jota and Salah will start vs Wolves

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

        They will both start. Jones will miss out.

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

    Barkley > Mahrez for 1 week then might swap to salah?

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

      Sweet

  19. cigan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Oh well

    Digne
    Wilson
    Grealish
    Martinez
    Mitchell

    all in my team with no backup keeper

    I'm deffo keeping Grealish + Mitchell can warm the bench too.
    Replace Digne & Martinez (-4), bench Wilson & go 4-4-2 with Bissouma and Coufal = way to go?

  20. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think of this plan?

    GW11 Rid’wald, Cancelo to Jota, James (2FT) that gives me
    0
    Chilwell James Lamptey Coufal
    Kdb Bruno Jota Ziyech
    Vardy DcL
    Subs: grealish, watkins, martinez, 3.9

    Then GW12 Ziyech, Vardy to Salah, fodder (-4)

    Yay or nay?

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No city defenders are nailed aren't they ?

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

      Correct - Ederson and KDB is it

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Miguel.

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

      Dias looks fairly nailed.

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

        Is fairly nailed the same as not nailed?

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

        Agreed. There will be some rotation over Xmas but he should start most games if for

  22. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you sell Sterling and Mitchell to Mahrez and Mendy.?

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell, Coufal, Kilman, Lamptey, Michell*
    Salah, Sterling*, Son, Jota, Grealish*
    Dcl, Vardy

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Fofana a decent replacement for Saiss ? Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have chilwell and Mendy already so James a no go

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

      No, Leicester are awful defensively right now. And fofana has had back to back shockers.

  24. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Sterling starting again.

    Just Sterling to KDB?

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

      Looking that way.

  25. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kelleher over adrian for this game only or for the next few do we think?

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

    This isnt worth it is it? For a -4:
    Grealish>Mahrez
    KWP>Kilman/Veltman? (any 4.3 that has a chance of starting?)

    The 4.3 defender will be for the bench, I need that little bit of money to fund Mahrez move. Dont have any City btw, If I dont do this move I can just play KWP this week and save the FT with Greslish benched.

  27. jb1985
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry if it has been asked already but I couldn't see. Will the Newcastle and Villa players value be locked? Or can they still drop?

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

      They can drop yeah

      1. jb1985
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for confirming.

    2. Ram sey Coq uel in
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I doubt they will be locked seeing as both Sala & Zaha have dropped for the same reason

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

        I believe the lock only comes in to effect when transfers go the other way, can’t rise fully until the flag is removed

  28. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best move here?

    A. Martinez > Mendy (forget about the Villa dgw)
    B. Steer > Johnstone/Meslier/Mccarthy

    Martinez Steer
    Chilwell Konsa Coufal Kilman Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Son Jota Anguissa
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    0 FT 1.9 Itb

    1. Heiro
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't upgrade second goalie. 0.5 too valuable at the moment.

  29. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Being on -4 an free hitting now will reset team to previous game week or -4 will apply regardless of ft now?

    Didn’t get clarity on previous reply

    Thanks

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

      Removes the -4

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you v much

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wipes out all hits but will also wipe out any free transfers carried over..

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

    Didn’t realise De Bruyne was playing tonight, at left back

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

      2018 joke alert 🙂

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

        Haha

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

      Classic