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. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Only COVID can stop the monster that is Ruben Dias

  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lucky City sellers...

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

    Anyone knows why Castagne didn't feature today?

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

      Rotation

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

        rotation? Funny,he needs mins after long period of not playing

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

          Easing him back in, same for Madisson.

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

    COVID (C) next week anyone?

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

      I think I might go (TC)ovid

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

      Who's your vc in case it doesn't go ahead ?

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

        Brexit (vc)

      2. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Famine. It's a new year, so new Horseman incoming.

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

    So basically Lampard replaced all non-performers in the last one game. Looks like a kneejerk reaction.

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Perhaps they underperformed due to fatigue

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

        He calld them lazy!

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

      Should have replaced himself

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

      Could be true but doesn't it expose his coaching inexperience? Strong teams usually have the same set of starters.

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

      Chelsea would have done well with Poch

  6. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Never knew I'd be so thankful for 3 points from Jairo Reidewald!

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

      Haul.

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

    Maybe more games will get postponed.. manure next?!

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

      Who's that?

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

    Are you keeping City def or instantly getting rid of?

    Let say that City won’t play GW17 too

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

      Depends on your bench, I'm keeping

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

      Obviously keeping they'll have a great DGW19

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

        the DGW players may have their game cancelled like today 🙁

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

      Will keep Dias. Might rid get of Cancelo as he's rumoured to be one of the players who have tested positive.

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

      Depends on bench but I am keeping Dias

    5. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wasnt planning on playing Dias vs Che anyway

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

    Villa goals galore when they counter attack this 2nd string Chelsea defence (with Chilwell's dodgy ankle)... you can see it happening

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

      Hope so. I've Grealish and Watkins.

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

      Really hope Grealish punishes sellers

    3. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hope so!

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

        Do you support Villa or something?

  10. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Benched Watkins for Soucek, but I'll still be cheering him on here as it'll be a minor miracle if I get a playing first XI.

  11. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Unselfishly, I'm not sure it was the right call from Man City to request postponing the game. The season is already congested with fixtures and this is only going to add to their pile up. They have a SF with United soon, still in the FA Cup, CL and league.
    Surely they have enough players to play the game tonight?

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

      Agreed

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

      of course they do

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

      It got passed quickly as Everton were going to rest half their team anyway.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        City requested the postponement, happy to be wrong here , though, i think this was a bad call from the City hierarchy.

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

      It's not about not having players though. They might field players who haven't showed signs yet but could be positive which would put Everton at risk as well.

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

      They could have half their team with covid we don't know the details. Too early to comment. Safety of players first

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They all tested negative after Jesus and Walker were positive. In short let's face it, this pandemic is very difficult to control.

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

    Brewster goal pls

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

      Not a hope.

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

        As long as he plays, that’s all

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

    Amazon saying they are awaiting news on tests for Newcastle v Liverpool game

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

      GW up in smoke!

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

      Depends on COVID testing of players before game.

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

    Anyone else fancy asking the same question 100x over?

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

      Anyone else fancy asking the same question 100x over

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

        Anyone else fact chicken and chips tonight? Pass it on.

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

      1) Is Everton vs Man City postponed?
      2) Is Newcastle vs Liverpool postponed?
      3) Will Man City play their next game vs Man City?
      4) When will Everton vs Man City be rescheduled?

      Think that sums it up.

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

        * 3) Will Man City play their next game vs Chelsea?

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

      Who the fk is Alice?

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

    I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this game week. More shocks to come

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

      Yeah Liverpool game will be postponed.

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

        And man utd

  16. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sold KdB and DCL for Kane and Raphinha. Lucky

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

      No, well played

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Oh stop it 😉

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Was gonna do that. Decided to give them another shot and keep my 2FT...

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

      My exact moves

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell starting is really surprising imo.

  18. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Liverpool v Newcastle could be affected too according to Prime as Newcastle played Man City on Boxing Day...

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

      Well Bruno VC then. Only 9 playing players this week. I'll take it.

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

        Same

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I've got KDB and Dias (Wilson benched) and for some reason went Fernandes captain with Robertson vice lol...

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

      Ouch, waiting for test results then? Not sure the quarantine policy

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

      Only good thing is Newcastle players didnt get within 5 yards of City one

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

        Excellent.

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        😆

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will be down to 6 players great ...

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Genius' at Amazon Prime

      However, time for testing to check newcastle squad and theyve all had it already anyway.

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

      Bamford VC. Let's go!

    7. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will be fine imo

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I can only hope, and even if it does go ahead I need Salah to blank lol

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

    what is the point anymore

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

      Just be happy ... lots of lottery

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

        the skill element of fpl has never been less effective this year

  20. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will we found out which players tested positive?

  21. celticman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    suicide watch i got 3 city and zouma and maddison screwed

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Unlucky bud

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

      Doubt it's that serious.

    3. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      RIP

    4. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Zouma out?

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

      Dont be so stupid.

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

      Just remember, there's always next year. And the year after. And the year after that. There's also the option of quitting and going back to watching football for the fun of it. Or fishing. Try fishing.

    7. Davros
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      At least you don’t have any pool players

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

    Lucky that I kept my wildcard for this week, I've got a strong bench now and before I wildcarded I had no playing subs!
    Soucek, Dallas and Coufal coming on

  23. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb and Brewster -4 to Kane and soucek not looking too bad so far

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

      Brewster will finally score but well played

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Down to 9 if Liverpool game postponed...

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why would Liverpool get postponed?

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

        See above

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

        It’s all over this website. So many posts. City played Newcastle.

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

        Newcastle just played city.

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

      Lucky you.

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

      Why would that game be postponed too?!

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Toon player City days ago

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

        When a team has their fixture cancelled, think about who they last played and the ramifications.

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Didn't happen with Palace after they played Newcastle, though. Has there been any cases of it passed on between opponents during a game yet?

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Down to 6 mate (KDB, Dias, Salah, Robertson, C. Wilson)

  25. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just hearing that this all started when City played Arsenal in London in the Carabao Cup...there was an outbreak in the hotel they stayed in.

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

      Arsenal could be postponed too?

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

        No it was the hotel that Man City stayed in. Arsenal seem to be ok. At the moment at least...

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Islington Travelodge?

  26. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wow ok. Makes me feel a bit better for selling Dias 2 weeks ago. Oh and KDB yesterday. Get well soon

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

    #MCFC have taken the decision to close their training ground for the foreseeable future so very unlikely their weekend game with #CFC or EFL Cup semi-final v #MUFC will go ahead as scheduled

    https://twitter.com/alex_crook/status/1343603193540968450?s=21

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

      How are they going to practice sideways passes??????

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

      They’ll have to play matches after the season is meant to end at this rate

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

      What a mess.

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

    So I’ll finally get Soucek off the bench for DCL!

    Blank confirmed

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I brought him in for a hit with TAA and he paid that off nicely...

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

        Hopefully Liverpool game goes ahead

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I think that's what all managers are hoping for, even the Salahless ones too...

  29. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thank God I viced Kane

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

    Might as well be a blank gw for me if liverpool game is off.

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Let's wait and see...