Fixtures

When will the Blank and Double Gameweeks take place in FPL this season?

Monday’s surprise announcement that the EFL Cup final would move back two months has caused a stir in the Fantasy world, as it would seem to have implications for the Blank and Double Gameweek picture.

First off, there will very likely be a Blank Gameweek 33, in which one or two Premier League fixtures will be postponed depending on how many top-flight clubs progress through the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

Secondly, Gameweek 26 will, barring any further weather or COVID-related postponements, have a full complement of 10 Premier League games taking place on the last weekend of February.

The free midweek after Gameweek 26 may well have accommodated any postponements from the weekend had the EFL Cup final clash occurred as originally scheduled.

Instead, it may now host other rearranged games, be it the outstanding fixtures from Gameweeks 1 and 11 and/or other cup-related postponed matches.

So here’s what we know about the Blank/Double Gameweek picture so far…

WHICH BLANK AND DOUBLE GAMEWEEKS ARE SO FAR CONFIRMED?

Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 have been confirmed by Fantasy Premier League and look as follows:

WHICH FIXTURES REMAIN OUTSTANDING?

Three postponed fixtures (two from Gameweek 1 and one from Gameweek 11) are yet to be rearranged. They are:

  • Burnley v Manchester United
  • Manchester City v Aston Villa
  • Aston Villa v Newcastle

It’s possible that two of those could still fall within Gameweeks 18 or 19, thus adding to the Double Gameweek 19 fixture bonanza or meaning that fewer teams will be without a match in Blank Gameweek 18.

But other dates are possible, as we’ll discuss below.

WHEN COULD OTHER BLANK GAMEWEEKS OCCUR?

There are two Gameweeks in which the Premier League schedule clashes with a cup competition and there is no ‘free’ midweek afterwards. These Gameweeks, therefore, could be ‘blanks’:

  • Gameweek 29: The FA Cup quarter-finals take place on the same weekend. An international break subsequently follows, so any postponed league matches couldn’t take place in the ensuing days. Anywhere between zero and eight league games could be affected.
  • Gameweek 33: The EFL Cup final takes place on the same weekend, with the Champions League and Europa League semi-finals scheduled for the following midweek. Between one and two league matches will be affected.

WHEN COULD OTHER DOUBLE GAMEWEEKS OCCUR?

  • Gameweek 26: The most obvious time to stage any outstanding matches will be Gameweek 26, given that no domestic or European competitions are scheduled to place straight afterwards and a free midweek opens up. Two of the three postponed matches from Gameweeks 1/11 could be candidates for this week, as could any rearranged Gameweek 29 clashes.
  • Gameweeks 32 and 37: There are free midweeks immediately after these two Gameweeks, which happen to clash with the FA Cup semi-finals and final. It would make sense for any fixtures affected by those FA Cup ties to be merely shunted back three or four days, but there is the capacity to absorb outstanding matches from other Gameweeks if required.

There are other possible options for a small Double Gameweek, such as Gameweek 23 – although that would require clubs being eliminated early from the FA Cup and thus having a free midweek when the fifth round is due to take place.

WHEN ARE THE CHIPS AVAILABLE?

Joshua Bull crowned overall FPL champion for 2019/20

A shrewd chip strategy will be needed to navigate through this tricky period of Blank and Double Gameweeks, and that’s before we acknowledge the possibility of COVID-19 wreaking more havoc on the football calendar.

The chips, which can’t be used in conjunction with another in the same Gameweek, are available as follows:

Bench Boost, Triple Captain and Free Hit – can be used once a season at any time.

First Wildcard – available until the start of Gameweek 16 (Monday 28 December at 13:30 GMT).

Second Wildcard – available after the start of Gameweek 16 (Monday 28 December at 13:30 GMT).


Be sure to check out our Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 guide below for more information.

825 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What happened to Laporte?! I got the impression that he was Man City's best defender last season. FPL site just says "Unknown - 75% chance of playing"

    Also stupid the FPL pricing system won't ever bring him below 6.0m as he is owned by dead teams only!

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

      New Vinny. Unreliable

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

        As in the injured Vinny and not the rock of the club and spine of the team Vinny

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

      Stones has been playing well (9 CS in the last 10) and Pep dropped Laporte after his mistake vs Spurs, losing patience with him. Dias is this season’s Kompany so Stones is currently partnering him due to form, which Pep has emphasized recently.

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

        Dias will NEVER be Vinny but I agree with the sentiment

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He had knee issues and lost his place to Stones. Probably best thing for him... wasn’t healthy

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

    A) Bednarek Raphinha

    B) Dallas Soucek

  3. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’m not too unhappy with the Chilwell injury. I’ve been thinking about cashing in for a week or two

    I’m not sure the breakdown of points between Zouma, Mendy, James and Chilwell in recent weeks..but it doesn’t seem a lot...does anybody know?

    Chilwell > Dias for me for a while,

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

      But Chelsea have 2 solid fixtures in the DGW

      I'd love to be able to have one still. Maybe even 2!

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

    Cancelo and Stones

    Traps or good picks?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

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

        Yes to what?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Both are traps and good picks

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

      Pep will bench them both for the DGW, I guarantee it

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

        * BGW 18

    3. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best to have decent cover if you get them. I think they could be really good picks

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

    68 pts with Kane (c)

    Will take that and run

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same total points with Bruno [C] but no Salah

    2. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      73 here and same 🙁 still feel pretty shitty about it all

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yeah same here! just happy to have salah and bruno

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

      Me too....not bad, but I would have almost taken over my main ML if I had left it on Salah. Oh well, not bad considering a captain fail.

  6. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best lamptey replacement here? Need to burn a ft.

    A. Coufal
    B. Stones
    C. 3.8m defender and save some cash

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo zouma Dallas Taylor lamptey

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn’t it depend on your gw18/19 strategy?

  7. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell or James to go, which one please? Got on both fairly early.

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

      Depends who you want in their place I guess, both look fairly unlikely now to play both DGW’s I’d say, James won’t be risked and Chillwell I can see missing two games or so.

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, yeah difficult, maybe cash in on both....

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

          Think I’ll be cashing in on both despite their good DGW, plus my defence is where it’s letting me down, needs a shake up

  8. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I've Lamptey, James and Lewis. and 0.0 itb. Robertson and Douglas are my other defenders so I've essentially 1 fit defender.

    Do I sort out James or Lamptey? Tempted to get Stones for James, or a hit for Maybe Dier/Taylor for Lamptey/James?

    Not sure the best combo as both doubts are a pain. I'd like to keep them both, but the yellow flags are not cool when you've only 1 defender

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Had all 3 this GW,now all gone.
      You need 3 nailed defenders with that set up,not sure Stones is nailed.

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

    Hmm, a lot of talk around Dias/Stones/Cancelo.

    Appreciate the help previous pages guys. About to do Chillwell to Dias.

    Now, after how much of a regular he’s now become, we have to think Fias is nailed, don’t we?

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

      Basically

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

        Cheers. Need to make this move in my situation, otherwise I’d wait. Buys me time to assess further moves tomorrow

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, but they have 4 fit, expensive CBS and 4 competitions

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

        I know yeah, this is the troubling thing ain’t it. I have to think with how settled they have become and keeping cleanies that Pep may not want to spoil this momentum. But this is also....

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

          But this is Pep*.......

        2. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I’m leaning Stones but I know how dumb that sounds

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

            Not dumb at all, seems to have accrued some regular playing time, would love to take the chance but i need a good back up first, if I had the back up bench now (which I’ll have in couple GW’s), then I’d probs chance it on Stones

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

              Yes I have Coufal as a 4th defender in a 3atb, so Stones is the choice for me.

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

            Pep really likes Stones, with City not scoring he knows they need to be solid at the back and he gets that from Dias and Stones' partnership.

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

              Nice point actually, I agree

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He should be the most nailed of the cbs

      Young and has a good injury record, should be the first cb on the teamsheet every week

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

        Cheers AL, yeah just gotta not overthink this and do it, will do shortly before the rises

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

    For the blank GW followed by the DGW, am I right in thinking that across those 2 weeks every team plays exactly twice?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      At the moment yes, but the article hints at some possible further tinkering with the fixtures.

  11. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo/Zouma/Justin
    Salah(c)/KDB/Grealish/Zaha
    Kane(vc)/DCL/Adams

    Peacock-Farrel/Bissouma/Kilman/Mitchell

    A. Justin to Dallas
    B. Zaha to soucek
    C. Save FT

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  12. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How is this looking go for it?
    Lamptey + Bowen ➡️ Dias + Raphinha (-8) leaves 0ITB

    Fed up with 1point from defense,so thinking about -8 before rices(will wait on Chilwell got him at 5.5M)

    Martinez
    Chilwell* - Cresswell - Lamptey*
    Salah(C) - KDB - Son - Grealish - Bowen*
    Kane - DCL
    (Taylor - Brewster - Neco)

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

      Not for -8

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Will miss with prices,Dias go up tonight.
        Will need him to BGW and DGW and Raphinha can probably cover Bowen

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d get rid of Chillwell tbh and bring in a pool fullback thoughts below?

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No $

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

    Thoughts on this for free?
    Ayling and Chilwell to Dallas and Zouma?

  14. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Leeds fans - has Rodrigo cemented a place in starting XI?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I hate dirty Leeds, but I think he’s nailed

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like it. It was a matter of match fitness and adapting to the style.
      (After last game I think more adapting is needed... )

      1. Villa Velour
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. I'm gonna take the punt.

  15. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Grealish, Mitchell > Robbo, Burke

    Trent or Robbo?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Robbo, thoughts below?

  16. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How many games minimum will Chilwell miss with this ankle injury?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Minimum? 0

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

        won't be that low.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          That’s the minimum though. I expect all 3 Xmas fixtures

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

            so you would be happy to trade before scan results in order to get say stones before rising?

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Just did

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

      My guess is 1-2

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

      Depends on scan results and how bad it is but I would guess minimum is 2 games

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lampard suggesting that the Arsenal game is too soon for him.

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts? 2FT 0.4itb

    McCarthy
    KWP Coufal X
    KDB Son Bruno X X
    DCL Bamford X
    (Nyland, Konsa, Podence, Mitchell)

    A) Robertson, Grealish, Firmino
    B) Dallas, Salah, Adams

    1. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A... only just

    2. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure on Firmino, could be rested, and always been difficult FPL asset.
      B)

    3. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah priority,you need Robbo too so dont like any.

      KDB/Bruno out for Salah i think

    4. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think I’d go B mate, feel you need Salah and not so keen on Bobby

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

    Thoughts on Lindelof?

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

      Was once chatting to my sister on a night out in Manchester early last year, and she had no idea who he was. He actually had the audacity to say “do you know who I am?” apparently. The arrogance! Lol

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's been solid but is playing through injury so has to be a risk. But even then, United aren't keeping CS and he's not gunna be netting goals too often.

  19. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    At what time are price changes?

    A) James -> Dallas
    B) Grealish / James -> Soucek / Robertson

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      15 mins mate thoughts above?

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

      Just A. I would not want to get rid of Grealish.

      Dallas + Grealish could well outscore Soucek/Robertson this week.

      1. Lilac Breasted Roller
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah think I'll do this. Was so set on getting rid of Grealish before, but vs Crystal Palace is an opportunity (with maybe Barkley back).

  20. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any love for Matip?.. hmmmm

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

      It’s either Robbo or TAA and nobody else for me from pools defence. Also injury prone is Matip

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Way too much on this site imo.

  21. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wood or Adams?

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

      Adams

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams, thoughts above?

  22. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which is better?
    A. KDB & McGoldrick
    B. Bruno & Wood
    C. Bruno & Che Adams

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Defo not A, probs c

  23. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Based on Lamps comments. Who do we think has more of a chance to play this weekend?

    A) James
    B) Chilwell
    C) Neither

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

      C

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

      C

    3. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys

  24. mash
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy Steer
    Chilwell* Justin KWP Davies Taylor
    KDB Fernandes Mahrez Grealish Bissouma
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    2FT, 0.9 in the bank

    Will be using both FTs this week as it's WC time for me for GW16

    My current WC draft includes Dallas and has a 0.1 buffer at present prices. If Dallas rises tonight it will be zero, and I have to sweat on price rises or tweak the draft for changes that happen between now and Saturday...

    A) Vardy and Mahrez to Adams and Salah
    B) Chilwell/Davies and KDB to Dallas and Salah

    A was my plan a couple of days ago, but with Chilwell's injury, Vardy's knock and Dallas probably rising tonight, is B better? I can lose 0.1 on Chilwell without losing SV. Any opinions appreciated!

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

      Just do it now!!

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

        Thanks - do you mean option B?

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

    Chilwell scan tomorrow, can Stones avoid a rise?

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

    Reguilon or Zouma? Who do you prefer?

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

    How do price rises during free hit work?

    I suppose you burn a FT in the week you free hit right? So does it make sense to get everyone who may catch a price rise in early on so you can gain value and not be priced out?

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

      You can't gain value during a FH for your original team.

      But I suppose if funds are tight, you should FH and immediately bring in all the top targets.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. You get your team back before any changes, so buy before they rise

  28. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I don't have Salah, but I think I NEED Salah. I have 2 FT and my WC to play next week.

    James & KDB -> Stones & Salah ??

    Risky getting rid of KDB but I don't think I'll keep him on WC next week anyway.

    1. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would do this

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for the vote of support.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      no KDB has newcastle

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Last week they had West Brom, then they had Southampton...

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

          But this is Newcastle, basically it’s a given City are going to score a few

          1. Johan Queef
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            You are both so right. I think it's because it pains me so much supporting Liverpool but still kinda hating it when it's always Salah scoring the goals!

  29. hueycho
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just did chilwell to dallas, couldnt wait haha

  30. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I did it.
    KDB->Salah

    No regrets

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

      Tough one, probably the right call
      Unfortunately Salah's EO is going to be enormous so it will be all about your other 10 players next GW IMO

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Unless Salah [C]?

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

          I just think that will be the default option for most
          His ownership will probably be 80-90% and EO 160-70%? So (c) will help but not move the needle that much

    2. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think a no brainer, especially if you're building for DGW19