News

Four clubs set to play three fixtures across Blank and Double Gameweeks

Fantasy Premier League managers have been thrown a wonderful New Year’s Eve gift by the powers that be with Thursday’s fixture rearrangements.

Manchester United’s Gameweek 1 trip to Burnley has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, putting it into Blank Gameweek 18.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are now due to host Aston Villa on Wednesday, January 20, adding to an already bumper edition of fixtures in Double Gameweek 19.

With these changes to the schedule it now means the following clubs all play in Blank Gameweek 18 and have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 19.

  • Aston Villa
  • Burnley
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester United

So what does this mean for Fantasy managers? Well, regardless of chip strategy, it makes assets from these four clubs more appealing in the coming weeks, especially the two Manchester sides.

The additional of the Red Devils’ favourable trip to Burnley makes life a little easier for anyone considering the Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 18 simply because the pool of players has expanded.

As a result, the margin for potential success is arguably wider now as the chances of identical Free Hit squads will go down with an additional fixture. The same is true of Double Gameweek 19 although the list of potentially explosive assets was already rather high.

Either way, two more active teams in Blank Gameweek 18 (raising the total from 10 to 12) arguably decreases the need for using a chip either during or before that round.

Those looking to hold onto their second Wildcard now have an easier route to tackle Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 side-by-side with their free transfers considering there are now four clubs who play three matches across them.

Manchester City and Manchester United are likely to help form the spine for Fantasy teams across the globe in light of their appealing fixtures and array of decent options.

However, there are a few complications to consider, not least the fact that it has not been disclosed which players at Manchester City have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last week.

Thankfully, their next match (a trip to Chelsea) is challenging enough to put off investment anyway and we might get more information about the COVID cases either in the pre-match or post-match press conferences, if not from the team-sheet itself.

Manchester City’s next six fixtures

  • Gameweek 17: Chelsea (away)
  • Blank Gameweek 18: Brighton (home)
  • Double Gameweek 19: Crystal Palace (home) + Aston Villa (home)
  • Gameweek 20: West Bromwich Albion (away)
  • Gameweek 21: Sheffield United (home)
  • Gameweek 22: Burnley (away)

Manchester United’s next six fixtures

  • Gameweek 17: Aston Villa (home)
  • Blank Gameweek 18: Burnley (away)
  • Double Gameweek 19: Liverpool (away) + Fulham (home)
  • Gameweek 20: Sheffield United (home)
  • Gameweek 21: Arsenal (away)
  • Gameweek 22: Southampton (home)

Aston Villa’s next six fixtures

  • Gameweek 17: Manchester United (away)
  • Blank Gameweek 18: Spurs (home)
  • Double Gameweek 19: Everton (home) + Manchester City (away)
  • Gameweek 20: Burnley (away)
  • Gameweek 21: Southampton (away)
  • Gameweek 22: West Ham (home)

Burnley’s next six fixtures

  • Gameweek 17: Fulham (home)
  • Blank Gameweek 18: Manchester United (home)
  • Double Gameweek 19: West Ham (away) + Liverpool (away)
  • Gameweek 20: Aston Villa (home)
  • Gameweek 21: Chelsea (away)
  • Gameweek 22: Manchester City (home)
1,143 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ou yeah. Now what WC-ers????

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Now is the time to win against "casuals "

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Eh! Eh! Alright! Alright! Calm down! Calm down!

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wildcard again!

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bench Boost now definitely for GW 19 methinks

    4. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wildcarded 3 Burnley. So shh

  2. Bielsa's Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guess I'll GW18 FH followed by GW19 BB

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

    Hi...A little bit lost with the rearranged fixtures....plan to free hit in 18 and bb19. 3.1mitb

    What to do here please Is? Is grealish to rashford worthwhile?

    I know grealiah has a double - but so does rashford and his games are better......thanks

    Martinez
    Robbo dallas coufal james balbuena
    Salah bruno grealish raphinha soucek
    Kane watkins bamford

    Thanks

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think KDB is the priority for DGW 19

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hhhmmm...

  4. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where do I go with this team? 1FT 0.0itb. Looking at TC19

    Martinez
    Stones balbuena taylor
    Salah kdb Bruno son soucek
    Kane bamford

    Forster kwp strujik davis

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane to Vardy for the double?

  5. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are the odds one of these new scheduled fixtures are postponed?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pretty good

    2. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on the testing and if so how many test positive.

  6. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This change can make BB 19 more viable for alot of people who are still holding villa and city

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Also makes TC a good option, those ManCity fixtures are good

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, it certainly has for me.

  7. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So it’s WC 18 bb 19 now

    Load up Man U , man c and villa abs Burnley

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

      West Ham and Leeds have best DGWs though

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

    Brain meltdown

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This.

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

    So, I was all set for FH18 and BB19, and still think I'm doing this, BUT.
    Would you do the following with DWG19 in mind

    Cresswell, Son, DCL -> Lowton, KDB, Adams

    A) Yes
    B) No

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It will be for a -4

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

      Yes

  10. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With the new DGW announcements, want to be a bit punty... how is this move this week:

    Grealish > F. Torres

    Will have KDB, Torres + Dias for 19

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would hold Grealish for his double personally

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good point, will hold off

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

      Torres will only play one so don’t like it tbh

    3. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Torres apparently one of those who was tested positive for Covid.

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh, big no then, thanks!

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

      You're a decade late mate.

  11. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this a good team for DGW19?

    (4-5-1)
    Martinez
    Robbo | Diaz | Dallas | Coufal
    Salah | KDB (TC) | Bruno | Grealish | Raphinha
    Bamford

    Just one hit required.
    Bench isn't worth bench boosting: 4.0 keeper, DCL, KWP, Brewster

    Would you change someone for another hit?

  12. Top Dog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Massive advantage to those that were not planning to use chips in 18. Could now navigate both without need for chips

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They’ll still lose a lot of points

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've said it numerous times but I repeat both City and United play twice between 17 and 18 . Knocks and rotation are highly likely. No advantage at all , expect some screams when the lineups are announced

  13. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Well I’m in a right pickle now

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

    Looks like Bench Boost's back on the menu, boys.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Better than orc meat

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

    Sigh. Took Fernandes out before Wolves for Kane to plan for 18.

    Conclusion: do not plan for anything in FPL until the Saturday morning

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's a friday deadline though?

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

    Does KDB rival Salah as a triple captain candidate now?

    1. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB had the better fixtures but hasn’t exactly been lighting it up so to speak

      1. only2
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Also only 3 days between

  17. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Think I might wildcard in 18 instead of FH now.

    Only have 1 from united and city.

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same.

  18. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hmm well have to WC again it seems?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why? More fixtures now?

  19. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lindelof essential

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's injured.

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

    Son, Vardy, Johnstone to Kdb, Antonio, Ederson... (-8) but captain KDB

  21. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Son + Chilwell -> Bruno + Bailly? Got exact funds.

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

      Taking Son out before Leeds ?

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Crazy move this week

  22. Basil1977
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With city and villa having a double in 19 makes bench boost instead of triple captian Salah a no brainer for me, 3 extra players Dias, Martinez and Grealish, just leaves Kane and DCL as single game week players once i remove Lamptey this week.

    Just need the news about city v chelsea and fulham v burnley being on to make my mind up about this weeks transfer.

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City game should be ok, but Fulham vs Burnley likely to be off unless you’ve read different news to me?!

  23. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One week at a time lads, one week at a time....

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

    Would you still FH18 with this lot?

    Martinez
    Dias *****
    KDB Bruno Son
    Brewster

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hmmmm close can you bring in 1 or 2 more ?

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I save ft in gw17 and free hit in 18, will I have 2fts in 19??

    Thanks

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope always 1 after a FH

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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

      No just one unfortunately

  26. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City v Chelsea is deffo on but minus the City 5 with Covid

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do we know which City players have Covid?

    2. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      where did you here this plus which 5 city players have covid

  27. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 7 players playing GW18 and full DGW19 squad. Ffs I don't need to do any fts(bar injuries or covid) going forward :/.

  28. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any idea why Team News is predicting Mitchell to play again? Surely Van Aarnolt comes back into the team.

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell was MOTM in the game. Many think he'll retain his place on Palace forums.

      1. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah okay thanks, won't shift him for the time being.

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

    Matip to:
    A. Cancelo
    B. Dias

  30. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I think double city defence + Kdb is fine.