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. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 7.7m forward to replace DCL?
    Own Bamford and Adams.

    Antonio? Watkins? Other?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Toying with this with 2FTs.

      DCL+C.Taylor >> Antonio+Cancelo

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

      Would be tempted to punt on Rodrigo if you don't have 3 Leeds already, frees up a lot of cash too

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Got 3 already! Nice idea though

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can do Raphinha+DCL >> Grealish+Rodrigo...

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

      wood??

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😯

  2. wanny180
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    hi
    A quick question, if I use a free transfer 1 day. then a couple of days later use the free hit, will it also lose the free transfer I put in for the following week.
    cheers

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

    4. wanny180
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thank you. wanted to change 1 player to keep for the following week, so as not to take a hit, so thats fluffed that up lol..
      have a good one...

  3. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Sean Dyche's press before or after the deadline?

  4. G00D3
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martínez Forster

    Robbo Dallas Coufal Taylor Mitchell

    Salah Bruno KDB Son Burke

    DCL Bamford Welbeck

    1FT 0ITB. FH18, TC19.
    Need some help on how to navigate transfers. Thinking about these moves:
    (1) Burke + Welbeck > Soucek + 4.5? (-4)?
    (2) Burke + Welbeck > Martinelli/Saka + 4.5? (-4)?

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

      You don’t need a hit

  5. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    People clamouring to get KdB back now. Love it.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's still not that good at the moment

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It’s a matter of damage limitation, though

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

      Mad, especially since he could have covid

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Will we actually hear who has and who doesn’t or is it considered private information? I know we can work it out based on who’s on n the squad but we need to know before the deadline.

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

          Jesus and Walker were not private. AZ said Ederson has it too.

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

      Let them

    4. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      silly point to make, the gws have changed and so are peoples tactics... I hate these kinda comments

  6. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kdb a viable captain now for the dgw19? Also are Villa players a trap for the dgw?

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

      KDB has been off recently so no.

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

      No. Getting a double doesn't suddenly give a player good form.

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

      Unless KdB absoultely kills it in GW17 and 18, he's going nowherhe near captaincy. It's Salah/Bruno for me. Most probably Salah as he is goign to be ridiculously owned and highly captained and TCd as well. Just having Salah (no C/TC) that week is of no use and too risky.

  7. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is the first one to drop from this lot?

    Martinez
    Dier/Coufal/Cancelo
    Son(c)/Fernandes/Salah/Grealish
    Watkins/DCL/Bamford

    Bench: Forster/KWP/Anguissa/Taylor
    1ft 2.7 itb

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

      Taylor

  8. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are the CHE vs MCI and BUR vs FUL games definitely on this weekend?

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

      I can’t understand how Fulham could be off yesterday and playing this weekend.

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

        Yes. It would be a quick recovery by FUL.
        Also, not enough info coming from the clubs about which players have tested positive.

  9. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts in this for a -4:

    Taylor, Watkins to Stones, Rodrigo

  10. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I guess this has been asked a few times.

    If you make a transfer in GW 18 but play FH does that negate your transfer?

    Along the same lines if you have 2FT but play the FH chip do you start the next week with just 1FT?

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

      Y&Y

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Correct, the transfer is considered part of the FH team and is lost the following week.

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

      Yes. All Free Transfers are cancelled and all Free transfers are lost from the previous week. Basically you are not allowed too much of a good thing.

  11. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB such a dilemma now. Dont even know if he'll play this week but the fixtures after that are so strong? On the other hand he's eating up so much budget for not a lot of return currently.

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who's that on top with the chopper? Hellooo it's me again

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

    Which one to keep for DGW19?

    a) Matip
    b) James
    c) Ditch both for -4

    1. turd ferguson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ditch both

  14. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw or Lindelol good options?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Linda is Injured

      Telles will probably play against Burnley as they don’t have attacking threat.

      Shaw is like Stones he will play most.. he was class the other day for us

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

      I’m interested in Shaw can he stay fit

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

    Moves before bb in Gw19

    A) Son, Vardy, Johnstone to Kdb, Antonio, Ederson (-8)

    B) Salah, Johnstone to Sterling, Ederson (-4)

  16. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With the extra fixtures in 18..... might negate the need for a FH

    If I roll the FT this week - is this acceptable to NOT free hit in 18 (using two FTs)

    Martinez
    Dias. Cancelo
    Son. Bruno. Grealish.
    Wood. Dcl.

    Then GW19

    Martinez
    TRENT. DIAS. CANCELO. COUFAL. DALLAS
    BRUNO. GREALISH. SALAH
    BAMFORD

    plus either Soucek or Bamford

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

    Hi all, would love to save my chips but really not sure I can as I’m half set up for bench boost 19 but riddled with injuries in my defence, what would you do here ?

    Mendy / Forster
    Lamp, Taylor, James, cress, Dallas
    Son, Bruno, salah, Grealish, raphinia
    Dcl, Firmino, bam

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

      BB later

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And consider TC Salah in 19.

  18. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What was the cup qualifying GW Rank?

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

      Just had it in 16

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

        Oh I see what you mean, was like 4mish?

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      around 4,1 mil I think

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Damn 4.2m 🙁 thought I had it

        1. Joey Tribbiani
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          better than me... 4,4m

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

      4.1M something

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

    How's this TC19 team looking:

    Martinez,
    Dias, Coufal, Dallas
    Grealish, KDB, Salah, Bruno
    Vardy, Bamford, Adams

    (Peacock, Mitchell, Burke, 3.9)

    Will be either KDB or Salah who gets the armband...

  20. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If there's a rough with the smooth for a month then I don't think this past month could have gone any worse for me. It started with a punt on Mahrez after Jota got injured. Didn't have Salah for the insane points hauls he had. Finally got him in for a -4 point hit to remove Fernandes (being as I was planning for 18 and I thought Salah had much better fixtures) only for him to blank twice as my captain and Fernandes to get points both games.

    Then because I was planning for 18, my squad value has took a dive as I'm losing out on money from Grealish, KDB, DCL etc. But worst of all it meant I had double City, double Spurs and DCL for this last week and only fielded 9 players. Then to top it off Fernandes is now playing in 18 meaning my decision to sell him was stupid - I would have got rid of KDB instead which would have worked out 10x better.

    And now I still probably have to use my FH in 19 but others will have the luxury of not needing to FH in 18 now and being able to bench boost or TC in 19.

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

      Sometimes thats just the rub of the green, and it just sucks. I would just say a little advice though, I always just avoid players like Jota, Mahrez, Foden etc. Players who seem like a good punt / differential but come with unproven stats, not nailed, it honestly never worth it in the long run. Stick with the premium but tried and tested, like Salah / KDB / Bruno now. There's never any "cover" for these guys other than themselves.

      Having said that, its not all lost for you, you've still got KDB? Thats a huge plus, the new DGW for city is peachey so he is a huge asset now. The fact that Spurs and DCL blanked sucks for now but means you have games in the bank for the future. That fixture will be played at some stage. Alot will still use FH, and many have even used it on a random week before, it's not that big of a chip, I honestly think its a bit crap anyway. The biggest chip is WC, dont waste your 2nd.

      Just find a way to get Bruno before it's too late. The fixture in 18, the double in 19, and the fixtures after are just incredible for Utd. Forget about how it was annoying to sell him, he will carry on getting points and he just needs to be in your team no matter what.

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

        Thanks for the reply - to be honest, I'm normally preaching off the same tune about players like Mahrez and Jota and haven't owned players like this over the past few seasons. The thing is the rest of my team have been all talisman players/safe from rotation - I thought I could take a risk with 1 slot because there wasn't anyone else I wanted in that middling price bracket. Many experienced managers went with Jota and it's impossible to say it was a mistake given he got injured (so we'll never know) They weren't there for cover either but because I thought they were great value themselves. Mahrez I didn't touch for so long because he was never nailed but this season with injuries aplomb and Silva leaving it looked like Mahrez was relatively nailed. Sadly that wasn't the case.

        And yeh, I'm for sure getting Bruno either this week or next. It depends if I want to lose Salah or not this week or if I want to get rid of KDB? this week just to bring him back in next - thus wasting a transfer but getting a player with better fixtures.

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

          Jota could have been a good pick to be honest, alongside Salah, disagree with those that went without Salah and only Jota. But yeah generally the talisman, safe, captain players are the best.

          I wouldn't lose Salah or KDB for Bruno. Must be a way to get all 3. I had all 3 for most of the season and only just lost KDB for Son but with these new fixtures thats really messed with that decision.

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

    I still may FH in 18, we’ve been given extra players to pick from for that week which is great.

    Load up on City for 19 and bench boost.

  22. Wicked Weapon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB 19 surely got more appealing but is the goal always to get 15 players on a bench boost ?

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

      Should be the goal yes, unless there are some standout single gameweek options you can't look past

      More than enough in this DGW to be putting out a strong 15 of double players though...

      1. Wicked Weapon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I can't field 15 in DGW without a hit or two, worth it you think ? It all depends on the team one puts out I guess but generally speaking, taking a hit can easily pay off in a double game week no ?

  23. choco27
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lowton or Pieters?

    Thanx before...

  24. Huddersfield
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    11 GW18 Players and 8 Doublers right now with 3 FTs until gw19
    i hope that will help me overcome the GW16 29 points.

  25. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What do I do here? Probably not bb now.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Robo Coufal
    Salah Bruno Bowen Raphinha
    Bamford Kane DCL

    Ryan Dallas Mitchell Anguissa

    1FT 2.2 ITB

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

    Totally lost on what to do!!..any views on this plan please? Looking to bb in 19. 3.1mitb....

    Transfers this week not ideal - but hopefully worthwhile in long run!

    17.....james and forster to dias and Johnstone - 4 (play 3 x villa and 3 x Leeds)

    18 free hit

    19.....kane and soucek to kdb and 6.4m striker - 4

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

    Thanks

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still do what you had planned.

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

        As in the plan above?

        Having thought it through it seems relatively sensible

        Gives me dias and kdb for 19

        Worried about starting 2 x villa attack and 3 Leeds this week but so be it

        Fprster to Johnstone could wait till gw19 - but I like to split up the hits - and hope big Sam goes ultra defensive this weekend! Cheers

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

    Would you use FH in 18 if you can field this without any hits?
    Cancelo, Maguire, Dias, Fernandes, Grealish, Son,DCL and Riedewald(1-pointer)

    No City attack is scary though...

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

      I would save the FH to attack a DGW later

  28. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we know whether Chelsea - City will go through? Asking because Dias in would be my transfer and I need to do it tonight.

    Thanks and Happy New Year!!

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

      No news from MCI, or the FA.
      Is Pep's press conference after the FPL deadline?

  29. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martial in now cavani Is banned for 3 games?

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He'll only miss one Gameweek (the other two games will be cup ties).

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

      Nope, Cavani misses only 1 pl game and 2 cup games

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He was always in for us but yes

    4. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just seen he only misses 1 gameweek

  30. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was all set to do KdB -> Son for the Leeds match. With the news, would you hold KdB for Chelsea, or take him out for Son and maybe bring him back for 19? (FHing in 18 anyway)

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

      Would be tempted to hold, Chelsea hardly look great at the back and KDB will be keen to score against his old club