News

Unexpected Blank Gameweek for Man City and Everton in COVID-19 postponement

Manchester City and Everton have both been handed an unexpected Blank Gameweek as their Goodison Park clash was postponed on Monday afternoon.

The two sides were scheduled to meet at 20:00 GMT on Monday evening but an “an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the Manchester City squad” forced their hand.

As things stand, the identities of players who have tested positive remain undisclosed.

Meanwhile, with the compressed nature of the current schedule, Manchester City’s Gameweek 17 trip to Chelsea on Sunday is sure to be under threat already.

That is less than a week away and, with the self-isolation periods not specified, it is certainly possible that the number of players available for the Stamford Bridge visit to also be too high to field a full squad too – certainly something to monitor in the next few days.

Naturally, we wish those affected by the positive tests and their families our best wishes during this strange and unpredictable season.

The Fantasy Premier League fallout, of course, means Blank Gameweeks for popular assets such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) – although with the announcement coming after Monday’s Gameweek 16 deadline, none of us had any chance to pre-empt it.

As a result, a large number of managers will be relying on their benches over the next few days – perhaps increasing the need for returns from Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m), Max Kilman (£4.2m), Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) and the more highly-owned £4.5m midfielders such as Yves Bissouma (£4.5m) or André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m).

Moving forward, the silver lining to this development is that Everton and Manchester City are likely to have Double Gameweeks in the future.

Double Gameweek 19 is due to take place in January, with the two clubs currently only set for one fixture each – so they could meet during the midweek phase of that round.

664 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Decided to lose one of Chilwell and Reese James.

    Of course Chilwell plays.

    Owners get ready for a haul.

    1. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He'll play gingerly.

    2. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I benched Chilly. Villa are gonna wreak havoc. Grealish hatty.

      1. Pitch Perfect
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hope this doesn't come back to bite me.

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

    I hope Liverpool game is off as well. Fek everyones team up 😆

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

      Yeah me too. Just so some can feel half my pain.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Works for me. Salah(c), Kane(vc).

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

      So you hope lots of people have caught a deadly virus? Real nice.

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        shush man stop twisting his words

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

          Thanks for the support. I meant no ill will. I was just joshing.

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      More than a little harsh

  3. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I have Coufal coming in for Dias, incoming 2 pointers.

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

      We'd be lucky if he even play given West Ham's fixture congestion

  4. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    rest in pieces fudge boy

    gone and forgotten x

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

      What happened

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

      What happened?

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Jim Corr vibes

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

        He dared post a joke about covid. Wrongspeak not allowed, FFS is part of the MSM now.

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

          Don't be a prat (again)

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

            Again?

        2. Nimby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It was a joke? You sure about that?

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

            His entire thing is posting polemic comments to wind people up.. sometimes go too far

            1. Dr Van Nostrand
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Kettle pot black

            2. Simon69
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Common issue among FFS posters who were ignored by daddy.

        3. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Posted a joke about a virus that is currently killing people - Unlucky to receive a red.

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He'll come slithering back with a new account on his mum's email

    4. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Has he really been banned?

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

        Depending on priors I would guess about 24 hours naughty step.

    5. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who we get as a sub for him?

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Forza to do an Undertaker?

    6. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I can think of a few more who can go

    7. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How can you tell when someone is banned?

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The flow of sewerage suddenly stops.

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

        You cant.

  5. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy nailed to start next game lol

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

      Only Covid can stop that

  6. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sold DCL
    Kept KDB
    Could have avoided a points hit, but triple Leeds it is 😆

  7. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I just logged in to see salty Vardy owners.

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

    Lookman + bissouma in for kdb an dcl...looks good

    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not sure.

  9. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FPL. Requires a lot of luck.

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

      😆 too obvious

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

      FPL is all luck, especially this season! KDB DCL and Lamptey all out this game week already

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

        Did we not already know about Lamptey?

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

          Last time I looked he was due back this game week and everyone on here was saying they thought he would play!

  10. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    We're going to have to factor in the number of COVID cases in the city the player plays in aren't we?

    'Sterling has an xGI of 4.83, but the covid cases are rising 14% per week in Manchester'

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

      1. Check Covid cases
      2. Check for disruptive weather reports
      3. Check players wag's pregnancy schedules

      Anything less diligent = filthy casual

  11. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So let’s hear the ROUGH and SMOOTH from everyone regards today’s Everton vs Man City postponement : Think of it as therapy... come on, let it all out?

    I’m managing to field 11 .... I think .... so a lot kinder to me than many others.

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

      Should be able to field 11 with Brewster/Konsa coming in.

      But KdB was the one I kept to gain some ground in my ML with heavy Son owenrship. I chose to save my FT and keep KdB to make up some ground. So, that hasn't worked out well at all.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah KDB was almost gone this week to get Kane in for me .... ho him .... bizarrely, with another DGW for KDB ... I now have to have a think about keeping him!

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kept KDB so had to take a hit to bring Son in
      Sold DCL as part of hit, so....
      Rough and smooth really

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

        Klich in for KDB
        Dallas in for Stones

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I think that’s a pretty decent back up HUTTONDRESSEDASLAHM

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

        KDB, Dias, Torres and DCL in my team. Season ruined.

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          That’s a tough blow LORDKIPPE ... anything off the bench at all?

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB, DCL and Stones for me. With non playing Dunne on the bench, so 10 men unless someone else doesn't play

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

      Won't get 11 players out

      Worst season of my life

    5. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Double City defence with only Lamptey and Ferguson left on bench for cover
      Smooth: offloaded KDB and James for Son and Dier, otherwise would have only fielded 7 this week.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ooft! That is very much rough and smooth, your transfers this week have turned out to be gold.

    6. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias, KDB and DCL out with only Cresswell and Brewster to come in... 🙁

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

      Ayling 1st sub coming in for DCL. Still have Coufal 2nd and Bissouma 3rd sub eligible to play. Bissouma has been a great 3rd sub this season, but it's time to upgrade him to a DGW player so Raphinha time before the price rise (already got Soucek).

    8. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo KDB DCL, bench of Coufal Anguissa Mitchel.

      2ft’s for next week. We move on

    9. Futile Tinkering
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've no luck whatsoever. KDB, Zouma and DCL out... then Mitchell lost the clean sheet.

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

      Dias, Stones and DCL with only Soucek to come in 🙂

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

    KDB will drop tonight rip

    Just need around 35k transfer outs

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

      Miles off: -43%
      And most will hold transfers now until we get confirmation of postponed games and rescheduled fixtures

  13. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB and Dias MIA.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Reply fail soz.

  14. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sold kdb DCL pre deadline.. atleast they can't haunt me immediately 🙂

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

      See below - I did it as well, decided to play the fixtures! The game being called off is just a bonus!

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Me too

        For rash and vardy

        Well still a few more points!

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

          For (K)ane and Rapinha here so could still backfire with the captain

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

      I’m so jealous.

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

      This is ridiculous

  15. ilikewud
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    The year is starting to turn around for me. Did DCL and KDB to Martial and Son pre-deadline fingers crossed for a good week!

  16. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance postponed game is added to GW19?

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

      Chance of anything could happen these days

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

        Fair point indeed. Hope players and staff are fit and well soon while we strive to eat, drink, be merry and pick a captain from our couches.

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

    If Liverpool game gets postponed I think I'd be favored but as it is, I'm down to 10 for this week following the Zouma and James no-shows 🙁

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

      I envy you

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

      Any chance for New-Liv get postponed?

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's possible but they'll all get tested before any announcement is made, will probably hear something tomorrow

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

      Is there any word on Newcastle-Liverpool getting postponed or is that purely therotical? Due to Covid?

  18. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Justin and Vardy blanks balance out the jam of getting rid of Zouma, DCL and KDB on WC

  19. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hmmm i was building up my team to use BB gw 19.
    Now i dont know anymore.

  20. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who’s on pens for Chelsea now??

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Giroud I think?

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

    Well now... This means my bench plays. 3-5-2. Not thrilled with Lewis coming on though.
    Anyone utterly screwed by this? Triple Toffee/Citizen double up?

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    They cancelled this game a few hours before kick off

    I guess with no fans it’s easier to do it like that

    Could be some tomorrow too

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Everton are allowed fans though. Up to 2000.

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

      Fans were allowed to come to that game though!

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

      There were going to be gans

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

    Are you keeping City def or instantly getting rid of?

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

      Depends on the Chelsea game outcome

  24. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think i should have started Barnes over Adams?

  25. chrismoo75
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    loving the carnage as I only have Stones in the EVECITY game and don't own Zouma/James/Werner/Vardy/Maddy. Got 3 full playing subs to come in as well if needed

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

    Was in a good place. Noe considering quitting this season. IT is som wrong that people I clearly have outperformed Will catch men because of this.

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

      Doesn’t everyone have some City or Everton asset?

  27. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Think the rescheduled game will be Thursday 21st January on the DGW 19?

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

        Fair point im sure this happened last year with chelsea

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

      City will have to catch up on one of their blanks that week. It could be the Villa game from GW1.

  28. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why is everyone expecting the city Chelsea game to be postponed? They have 6 days to test etc. I thought as long as you had enough through u18s etc to play you had to play?

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

      The training gout is shot for an indeterminate period. So, if they don't train for a few days. So, it could get postponed. Also, further testing will happen. So, there might be more cases.

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

      6 days is not enough. We’ve seen it many times already.

  29. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    #mufc are not interested in swap deals for Paul Pogba with players like Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot, only money or top players. He will 100% leave United in the 2021 summer transfer window #mulive [@FabrizioRomano]

    1. Evil Buddha
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Money unlikely with the situation at big clubs. Not a good time for transfers.

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

      I don't see this tweet?

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

      A decent manager would have Pogba purring in that United squad. Shame.

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What will happen with the Newcastle vs Liverpool game?

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

      It will either be postponed or not postponed.