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

    Best replacement for Chilwell?

    I have 2FT's but thinnking of rolling one.

    a. Dias.
    b. Matip
    c. Zouma
    d. Bench and play Justin

    Cheers

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

      A if you are gonna burn it

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

        thanks mate - I have 2FT's so need to burn 1 and Chilwell will probably be out for a minimum 2 games i feel.

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

          At least 3 I’d say

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Zouma as Chelsea coverage is still good to have.

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

        Think Dias has better fixtures and no blank GW either.

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

    Kyle Walker best one week punt before WC for chilwell?

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

      No

  3. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone considering capping KDB over Salah? It would be foolish right?

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

      Salah is one of those set and nearly forget Captains lol.

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

      You wanna cry this weekend?

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

    If out for long, Chilwell to:
    A. Matip
    B. KWP
    C. City defender up to 6.6

    Have Coufal, Taylor, Dallas & Lamptey

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

      City

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

        Which one?

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

          Dias

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

      Dias

    3. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Is Dias going to rotated , he’s played nearly all the games ?

        Aldi not city for me as I’m loading for GW19

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

    A) Chilwell to defender up to 4.7, fund Grealish to Son next week(Other defenders are Cancelo, Lamptey,Coufal and Taylor)

    B) Chilwell to Dias/Dier/Stones, keep Grealish and do KDB to Son next week, or just forget about Son.

    Using FH18 and maybe TC 19

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

      A

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

        Cheers, which defender up to 4.7?

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

          KWP?

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

            I guess it would have to be him yeah, fixtures not ideal but I can rotate I guess

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

              Yes. You have enough playing defenders to cover for his bad fixtures. Plus he plays twice in 19.

    2. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KWP ready for DGW19.

  6. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    which is better for this GW?
    A. Kdb and chilwell to Son and Robbo (-4)
    B. Chilwell to creswell

    i will do the transfer the 3 of them in anyway, but still struggling on the order.
    Robbo vs WBA is way better than creswell vs BHA imo. but if i cant transfer robbo in without taking Kdb vs NEW out, which also a great fixture.

    tbh still cant decide who to take out from Kdb or Bruno. but with DGW in mind i favor bruno a little more.

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

      B

    2. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  7. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James + Chilwell-> Robbo + Coutal for a -4 the best moves here?
    Had rhe Chilwell-> Robbo move in mind even before his injury tbh.

    McCarthy.
    Stones, James, Chilwell, Dallas.
    KDB, Salah, Son, Fernandes.
    Bamford, DCL.
    Forster, Lookman, Brewster, Ferguson.
    1ft, 1.2m ITB
    Shaping up to be a FH 18 + TC 19 with 9/10 DGW'rs.

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

    What r the updates on chilwell and james? I'd much rather keep if it's short term injury

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

    Made a couple of transfers. How does the new team look?

    Leno
    Zouma Robbo Targett
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Bowen
    DCL Bamford

    Button Brewster Fofana Neco

  10. Nafew Rahman
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guys I am thinking of selling Wilson and bringing Wood in as Burnley got good fixtures.
    Is that ok?

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

      Not sure but at least this making sense.

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

    I got Cancelo, Chilwell*, Bellerin*, Lamptey* and Mitchell* at the back.

    Is this worth a -4?

    Chilwell + Bellerin - - > TAA + Coufal

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

      go for it i say

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

        Thanks

  12. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Doing Lamptey > Dier this gw with 1 FT and saving the other. Gives me -

    Martinez
    Dias - Dier - KWP
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Grealish - Son
    Wilson - Bamford

    Button - Taylor - Mitchell - Davis

    Good to go? Would you play Taylor (lee) over Wilson (mci) ? 🙂

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

      Probably not, but I’d play both over dier

  13. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play one of:-
    1)ayling
    2) targett
    Already have Martinez in goal.
    Do we see palace scoring?

  14. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guess I just burn a transfer this week? Got 2FT 0.0 ITB. Could find a better 4.5 than Ayling potentially?. Feel like I should be do prep for the incoming fixtures and already used my WC

    Team:
    Martinez
    Chillwell / KWP / Dias
    Salah (c) / Fernandes / Son / Grealish / KDB
    Adams / Bamford

    Bench: Button, Ayling, Michell, Davis

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Replace chilwell

      1. tc93
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        With? Any suggestions?

      2. tc93
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Already have Dias

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

      Decide if you are FH 18 or 19

  15. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have robbo.
    Chelwell to TAA and double up or too much?

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

      Perfect

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

      I don’t think I would want to double up yet holding one is good enough right now

  16. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hold on to Villa players as of now?
    What are the chances of them having a double game week anytime between now and GW19?

    Also, any updates on the Chilwell injury?

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      50% on FPL , I reckon he miss next game, I have him too

      Not sure who rot replace with ??

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Holding Villa as they’re in pretty good form. Not sure when the DGW will come but I reckon after 19.

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

    This can be a cruel game. ML leader has lead from the go until now. He scored 43 and for example lost 61 points to me this week alone. Now he’s eight. Hard to imagine his feelings now.
    All those little wins each week just to crash in one.

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

      RIP

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

      Oh my. Guess he has no Salah and Bruno.

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

    Morning all hope it was a good GW for you

    Anything worth taking a hit for here or try and squeeze through and hope some of my players get back fit?

    already done kdb to salah this week so don’t have a ft but do have 2m ITB

    Mendy
    James* lamptey* cresswell Dallas
    Bruno salah son Grealish
    Dcl bam

    Ings* Taylor anguissa

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

    What's the latest on Reece James?

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

      See above; I doubt he plays Boxing day and if he has a reaction he is likely going to be a long term.

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

    Balbuena or KWP? Already have Coufal but still think I prefer Balbuena due to fixtures...

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

      Eh...

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Southampton have some tough fixtures, I’d say Balbuena personally.

  21. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I want to do Lewis > Taylor, though I have another FT on top. 2 FTs, 0.3 ITB. Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Justin / Bednarek / Balbuena
    KDB / Grealish / Salah (c) / Lookman / Fernandes
    Kane / Bamford

    Was wondering about Kane > Vardy though I think i’ll leave that for the following week, and bring in Son for KDB depending on performance this weekend.

    Subs: Button / Brewster / Lewis / 3.8

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

    Best defender for 4.4 & under is?

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Balbuena? Taylor has unfortunately now risen to 4.5

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

        Have Coufal, plus Balbuena might rotate with Diop.

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

      Lowton for me

      Others:
      Holding
      White
      Balbuena
      Amapadu
      Lewis

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lascelles will soon be 4.2

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

        Can’t wait! Coming in week 18

  23. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Robbo Zouma Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha
    Vardy DCL Adams
    (Forster Soucek Targett Kilman)

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

    Just did Chilwell and Werner to Robertson and Bamford. Feels great to be rid of the German Iwobi.

    Is Robertson enough cover for Liverpool this GW? Thinking of capping him as WBA surely can’t score this week.

    Will get Salah and Maybe Mane for the DGW.

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

      Enough for you, not enough for me

  25. Chopmahoney
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play? Burke (eve)h or Lamptey (west ham)a

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

      Lamptey

  26. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chillwell out for long? What to do here with 1 FT and 0.6 ITB?

    McCarthy Button
    Robbo Chillwell Dallas Lamptey Ferguson
    Salah Bruno Grealish Soucek Raphina
    DCL Bam Kane

    1. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd wait for an update on Chilwell. If he's out for more than the next GW I'd look at bringing in Zouma or Creswell.

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

    Thoughts on what to do? 0.3 itb 1FT

    McCarthy
    Robbo I Chilwell I Dallas
    Bruno | Rashford | Son | Grealish I Bowen
    Kane | DCL |

    Forster I Coufal I Lamptey I Brewster

    Cheers

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

      Roll that

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

      I'd be playing Coufal v BHA this GW.

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

        He will cause Chillwell is crocked

  28. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1) Chillwell -> Robertson
    2) Chilwell -> Dias
    3) Chillwell -> Cancelo
    4) Chillwell and Grealish -> Coufal/Justin and Son

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

      3 - I am about to pull the trigger on this exact move also

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

        Thanks, what’s your thoughts about Cancelo vs Dias?

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

          Sorry that was suppose to be 2.

          Dias over Cancelo for me.

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

            Thanks, no worry

    2. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I like 4 - Coufal and Son.

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

    Team good to go folks? 1ft, 0.1m itb. Not sure about the bench, any changes needed? Thanks.

    Martinez
    Robbo zouma Dallas coufal
    Salah kdb Bruno son
    Dcl bamford

    Forster soucek Taylor Brewster

    1. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good, save the FT.

  30. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KWP and Dier on bench. No other pressing issues. Save FT but who would you play for Chilwell? Defence is:

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell* Dias Coufal

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

      Play KWP v FUL for sure right!

    2. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KWP this week.