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

    Bottomed

    What is a better combo for DGW19?

    A) Fabianski, Adams
    B) McCarthy, Antonio/Haller

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A if Antonio's not fit, B if he is. Don't rate Haller

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

      A

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

    Found this article super useful, cheers. It's convinced me I'm doing the right thing re: planning, or at least not the totally wrong thing. Although that could be the confirmation bias talking.

  3. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kinda stuck here. Regret making the early transfers.
    0 FT with James and Chilwell still in my team.
    Bench is fodder.
    -8 the only option? ( TAA and Coufal)

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any news on how long is Chilwell out for?

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

        Won't be playing vs Arsenal. Rolled ankle. Scan today. Update after that to reveal the severity of it

  4. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who will score more pts until and incl the DGW ?

    A) KDB
    B) Bruno

    Man United are going to face leics, wolves and Villa in next three who like to sit back, and he blanks in GW18 and one of the DGW fixtures is Liverpool away.

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

      Form says Bruno
      Fixtures say KdB
      I'd personally pick KdB.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you, I am looking to sell one of them for Son and can't decide who should I go with

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

          I’d keep both. Bit worried about Spurs after Mourinho’s post Liverpool breakdown and their subsequent performance against Leicester.

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

            Agreed, wouldn't be dropping either for Son. Kane looks like better Spirs asset if must have one.

  5. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    anyone taking mane?

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

      no chance

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

    Bruno or Kane for the next 5-6 GWs?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane easy, even TC vs Leeds

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

      Bruno

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

      Both

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

      Bruno. Worries about Spurs.

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

    How does this plan look:
    Martinez steer
    Chilly lamptey coufal Dallas Mitchell
    Grealish kdb Bruno son bissouma
    Dcl kane bam
    2 FTs
    Not using chip in gw18
    Bench boost gw19
    Gw 15: chilly to regulion
    Gw 16: dcl to adams & steer to mesiliar & grealish to Madison -4
    Gw 17: Mitchell to Lewis/o'shea
    Gw 18: nothing
    Gw 19: kdb to salah, lamptey to balbuena, bissouma to soucek, & reguillion to James -8

    Thoughts? Suggestions?

    1. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Too much on hits?

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

      How many players will you have in 18?
      How many DGW players will you have in 19?

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

        gw 18 - 7
        gw 19 - 12

    3. NOMONEY
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      so u just gonna ignore salah for the next 3 (WBA new sou)..?

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

      Sounds horrible

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

      Why remove DCL and Grealish if you aren't using FH?

      I was planning to do something similar but it's just not possible. You need to either be okay with just 4/5 DGWers and 6/7 players in for GW18. The hits simply aren't worth it.

      You can't save all your chips and get away with maximising both GWs.

  8. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Richarlison> Benteke? Building towards GW18 and Freehitting in 19.
    Richarlison does not seem to do much on the wings. Even though he is against Sheffield tempted to get him out.

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yuck.

      Benteke and Roy hodgson are nothing but two donkeys combining.

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

    How is this bench boosted team looking for GW19?

    Meslier, Fabianski
    Robertson, Chilwell, Justin, Coufal, Alioski
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, Soucek
    Bamford, Adams, Giroud

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very Good apart from giroud.

      Monitor Antonio as you’ve still got 3 weeks for him to get fit.

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

        Thanks

        The question is fit Antonio and McCharty or Fabianski and Adams. Which combo would you go for?

  10. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    martinez
    stones kwp dallas
    mahrez kdb salah(c) jwp
    bam kane dcl

    subs: steer cresswell lamptey asm

    gtg?

    see lineup for manc against arsenal and decide whether to bench mahrez and start cresswell?

  11. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go for GW15?

    Mendy
    Robbo,Dallas,Dier
    Salah(C),Zaha,Grealish,Raphinha,JWP
    Kane,Dcl

    Button Chilwell,Wilson,Douglas

    1FT , 2.3 M

  12. Live Lad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Targett or Coufal?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      cOUFAL

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

    Those who have WC left, any chip strategies to share?

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

      WC before GW16 loading up on DGW players, FH in GW18, and BB in GW19.

  14. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I currently own Dias looking to get another def for upto 6.0.

    Would you go for man city def double up instead of a spurs or chelsea def?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ederson , safe option for double up

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    crazy to get mane instead of ways to get salah right?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah, he already rested.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’s not playing great tbh

  16. shiraz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which is a better option to replace chilwell?

    A. Vestergard
    B. Robbo

    Backline: Coufal, Lamptey, Dallas, Dunne Chilwell

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

      Not interested in Man City defenders?

      Robertson out of those

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

        I prefer defenders with attacking returns. Which city player would you recommend?

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

          Dias and Stones

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

            Stones look to be a cheaper alternative into city defence, but not nailed. Might just get dias

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

      Definitely robbo, but getting a city def for his cs chance is a way of getting returns. They look good defensively and their fixtures screams for them to get cs after cs each week

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

        Would look to take dias, more nailed compared to stones. It would be even better if he start scoring from ck

  17. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on Chilwell, how long is he out for? Or be available for next week....

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

      looks like he is doubt for Arsenal game

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

      Rolled ankle. Scan today. Time estimate later

  18. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, James is still Oly yellow flagged.. Is he fine to start next match?

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

      50-50

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

        Ok, can save the transfer anyway..have kwp dallas balbuena lamptey thus week even if lamptey is out I can field 3..

  19. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth doing this transfer for free?

    Targett >> Dallas

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

      no, atleast not this week. Dont like Leeds defense anyway...

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

    Early thoughts on TC in the double 19 week?

    A...TC Vardy
    B...TC Salah
    C...TC punt on Bamford

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      Salah

  21. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Considering this. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

    gw15 (2FTs): Lamptey, Wilson > Stones, Brewster (switch to 352)
    gw16: Grealish > Son
    gw17: save FT to better address bgw18 (but still may have to FH)

    Unfortunately, those transfers are swaps of players already in gw18, but unless I hokey-cokey some players (which I'm not fond of) or play my FH, I'm a bit screwed for the blanks.

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

      You'd lose a transfer if you FH in 18.
      Also, you're remving players playing in 18 and still not planning to use FH? That sounds crazy!

      How many players you'd have if you don't FH in 18?

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

    Play soucek or coufal this gw?

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

      Souchek.

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

      Coufal for me

  23. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rookie Q: why didnt i get Bissuma's points in for James? Had Coufal also in for Lamptey

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like you only had 2 playing defenders..

      You should have at least 3 DEF

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        thats what i thought thx Max

  24. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which team?

    A)
    McCarthy
    Dias / Dier / Coufal
    Salah / Son / Bruno / Grealish
    DCL / Kane / Bamford

    B)
    McCarthy
    Taylor / Dier / Coufal
    Salah / Son / KDB / Bruno / Soucek
    Bamford / Kane

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      b

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

      b

  25. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    can you use bench boost in the same week you use a wildcard?

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

  26. klopp2567
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Evening chaps,

    Got 2 FT and really dont feel like rolling them is a good move but also dont know what to do, Chelsea full backs have thrown me into disarray.

    Johnstone
    Dallas Chilwell James
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Lookman
    Kane Wilson

    Button KWP Mitchell Brewster

    0.1ITb

    The fact that I have jus 0.1 ITB doesnt help either.Please help folks.

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

      and you still have Jota???

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

      Chilwell to Stones and Jota to Bowen and James to Robertson.

  27. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do the following with 2FT's?

    Vardy & Chilwell > Kane & Matip?

    Got exact funds now.

    Yes or No

    Cheers

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      spurs vs wolves? is that consider an easy game?

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

        well i could just do Chilwell > Matip / Dias / Zouma?

        Got a bit of funds tied up in Chilly though!

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

          Dias of those 3, Zouma with Emerson and Azpi on wings isn't very attractive.

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

      no

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

    What to do here?
    Mendy(Forster)
    Cancelo Coufal Chilwell (Taylor)(Lamptey)
    Salah KDB Fernandes Grealish (Riedewald)
    DCL Watkins Bamford

    1 FT,1 itb
    Plan was to FH18 and BB19 but now I'm wavering after Chilwell injury, should I just TC instead?

    And what to do with FT?

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

      Chilwell to Robertson/TAA.

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

        0.2 short...

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

          Then I'd double up City defenders.

  29. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How’s this team guys?

    Mendy
    TAA Robbo Zouma Stones
    Salah Grealish Bruno
    Kane DCL Bamford

    (Soucek Biss Kilman)

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

      TV must be crazy. Looks good.

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

        Thanks

  30. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    There is a chance James might play against Arsenal as per Lampard. Definitely a merit in holding back the transfer till there is further news.

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

      Where did you read this?

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

      He said there is hope they will be involved in the midweek Christmas game, which would be Villa