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. tyron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys question.

    If in FH18 I make a transfer and confirm before actually activating the free hit chip will i have that player in my team for gw 19?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No.

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

    3. Dr Ennet
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, unfortunately not. Your team will revert to the same team you had before the FH.

    4. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, FH overrides

    5. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Every year the same question asked by so many people...

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

      Thanks all

  2. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1 hit from this BB gw19
    Meslier Fabianski*
    Robbo Dias Zouma Coufal Mitchell
    Salah Mane Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Bamford Rodrigo* Adams/Watkins*
    * Dont have yet
    Good enough for BB?

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’d consider selling Mitchel for someone if you are using bench boost.

      The rest looks great- love the double Liverpool midfield.

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

      No City mids. Two prime home fixtures.

  3. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For DGW19

    Option A
    James to Dias. Consider triple captain

    McCarthy* (4.0)
    Dias* Zouma* coufal* Dier (targett*)
    Bruno* salah* soucek* son (Burke)
    Vardy* Bamford* (Adams*)

    Option B for -8 bench boost
    James to Dias
    4.0 to Fabs/Ederson
    Burke to raphina
    Or
    -12 and sell target for cancelo/stones assuming buying Fabs in goal.

  4. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’ve updated my matrix tracking the timeline of the compressed December and January schedule, to include :

    - GW16 Postponements: EVE-MCI and TOT-FUL
    - Rescheduled matches from GW1 to GW18/GW19: BUR-MUN and MCI-AVL

    This is colour coded to indicate number of full recovery days between matches (i.e. Red >
    : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5+ : Green)

    https://twitter.com/legomane_fpl/status/1344665035466014721

    Main fixture matrix also updated, showing GW17-23 below:

    https://twitter.com/legomane_fpl/status/1344649005201055744

    Hope these help!

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

      Thanks

  5. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would this be good enough for 18 or should I FH?

    Martinez
    Cancelo • Stones
    KDB • Bruno • Son • Grealish
    DCL • Brewster

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s most certainly good enough. If I could save my FH I would love to.

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

        Yeah hoping to save for 29

    2. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah you’d probably get away with that

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

      I’m in the sane situation and intend to save it

  6. Saka_me_sideways
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez ***
    *** Robbo Maguire Cresswell Chilwell
    Salah Son Bruno Raphinha Soucek
    Adams DCL Bamford

    A: Dias + Meslier
    B: Canelo + McCarthy
    C: Dallas + schmeichel

    ???
    Just gonna have to stick with what I’ve got up front and go without any city attackers for the DGW!

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

    Have been debating wildcarding early and now WC18, BB19, FH25/29, has become EXTREMELY tempting to me. WC into triple United and City with double Villa added in - they have great fixtures GW20 onwards, play in the BGW and have doubles. The more I think about this strategy, the more I like it. So damn excited for this

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I hope you are not serious about this.

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

        You bet I am.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          One postponement and your GW is gone.

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

            Which is true no matter when or how we play our chips, no? That risk will always be there.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Field 8-10 for GW18 BB19 with 14 DGW players. WC for DGW25 and FH29. That’s what I’m looking at

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

        Looks fantastic

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only double Villa? Live a little!

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

        Can always add another after the DGW!

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

    City have been crap all season. If you wouldn't have their players without a double, why would you pick them ahead of other players who also have a double?

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

      Pick their defenders at least. Dias and Cancelo have been excellent.

    2. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think their defenders are too good to ignore. And the excitement of a KDB captain is huge

    3. Kindness
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Aye not sure I'll be picking KDB for that week but who knows

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

        Defense has been in grat form. Surely need one defender.

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

      Any chance everton still get a double in 19?

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No

        1. Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Eve-Mci is their only postponement, and city already have a double confirmed

          1. Legomané
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            The only way this could be feasible as things stand would be if City and Everton both crashed out of FA Cup R3, and PL rescheduled the match to coincide with R4 games. That would create a triple for City and a double for Eve, but that’s pie in the sky!

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

            makes sense, cheers

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

      RAPHINA, SON, KANE, > GREALISH, KDB, WATKINS (-4)

      YES OR NO?

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

        Is this supposed to be funny?

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

          No, I need KDB ffs.

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

        Son and Kane will outscore the THREE of them with their one fixture

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

        Son and Kane out before Leeds at home. What could go wrong?

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

      Any others still stuck with KDB but still considering selling this week?

      I’d have back in for FH18 but probably not for the double - his downgrade to a 9.2 or less enables DCL to Vardy for example

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

        The DGW has made me reconsider now!

      2. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I was considering selling Vardy to get him in 🙂

      3. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I sold this week before the updates. Would prefer him and captain. Home to palace has huge potential

      4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have had him but I dont think I am stuck with him. Brought him in for BGW18. DGW19 is a bonus.

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

        DGW is making me think. I'd probably sell for Son this week. Will see how the form is over 2 weeks and decide whether it's worth getting him back in GW19 or should I just pick someone else. (Will probably get him back back cause of the double and the fixtures after that)

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

      Feel somewhat lost with this lot

      Martinez Johnstone
      Coufal Kilman Taylor Dallas KWp
      Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Lookman
      Kane Bamford Brewster

      1.6 ITB and 2 FT.

      Had originally planned BB in 19 but the Taylor injury has possibly put paid to that.

    8. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Afternoon guys, usual quiet afternoon with nothing much going on in FPL.........

      Adams out for.
      A, Wood.
      B. Watkins.
      C. Antonio ( if fit ) no game in 18
      D Any other suggestions

      1. The Desi Messi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’m doing the same, going B.

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Watkins my preferred choice over Adams, but he is so frustrating to watch......plus nervous having 3 Villa

    9. elwardio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was looking forward to watching the scoutcast but fixture news has made it redundant

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

      The best advice I can give to everyone here is :

      Get Diaz !!

      No matter what chip strategy you might go with, he will be in it.

      BB 19? Need Diaz
      Using FT for 18? Need Diaz
      WC in 18? You will have a discount on Diaz

      I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do, but Diaz will be my transfer in this GW.

      We will have plenty of time before GW 18 to think.

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

        No thanks, I'll get Dias instead.

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure on Diaz, but I definitely recommend Dias.

      3. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Stones?

      4. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        i presume you mean Dias?

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

          Yes, Dias

          1. Hybrid.power
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            He's too pricey for me unfortunately

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

      Don’t particularly want to lose Son despite his lack of a DGW - would probably still rather lose KDB, oddly. To fund other moves as above like DCL to Vardy or something. Anyone else?

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

        Same

      2. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’m looking forward to offloading son after leeds

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

      Still looks like FH18 & BB19 works best for me?

      Martinez18/19/19
      Zouma19/19, Robbo19/19, Stones18/19/19
      Bruno18/19/19, Son18/19, Grealish18/19/19, Salah19/19
      Kane18/19, Bamford19/19, Adams19/19

      Johnstone19/19, Coufal19/19, Dallas19/19, Soucek19/19

      1FT & no idea where to use it???

      .1

    13. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For the DGW:

      Son and Kane > Vardy and Rashford (2FT)

      Son,Kane,Brewster > Mahrez, Vardy and Antonio (-4)

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

      Which 3 of these premium players would you want for GW19:

      Salah
      KDB
      Bruno
      Vardy

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

        Salah
        Bruno
        Vardy

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

        Salah, Bruno, KDB for me

      3. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        S, K, V

    15. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looking to FH like most in GW18. How am i set for this GW? 0.2m ITB + 1FT. Cheers.

      McCarthy
      Justin - Robbo - Alioski
      Bruno - Son - Salah (C)- Soucek
      Adams - Bamford - Kane

      Johnstone - Raphinha - Coufal - Taylor

    16. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We now need 6 mids to navigate the DGW successfully

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

        Salah, Bruno, KdB, Grealish, Son and Soucek/Raphinha needed 😛

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yup!

    17. ZakyJ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So is DCL & Lamprey > Watkins and Cancelo/Dias the move if I'm FHing next week?

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

        Decent moves.

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

      How do I fit in city players for dgw19?

      McCarthy - Johnstone
      Alioski - O’Shea - Justin - Coufal - Balbuena
      Salah - Bruno - Rashford - Son - Raphina
      Firmino - Adams - Bamford

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

        A downgrade of son, rashford or firmino looks your only option?

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

      Any takers for Rob Holding to replace Taylor? Obviously no DGW but still

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

        Going nowhere near that Arsenal defense.

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

      Any of these worth it? 2FTs. FH18, BB19

      A. DCL+C.Taylor >> Antonio+Cancelo
      B. DCL+C.Taylor >> Wood+Cancelo
      C. DCL+Raphinha >> Rodrigo+Grealish

      McCarthy
      Robbo, Dias, Coufal
      Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
      DCL, Bamford, Adams
      (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, C.Taylor*)

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

        Antonio or Wood could be Watkins too

    21. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone thinking of getting Bailly? Any reason not to?

    22. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With this lot and 2FTs would you save the FH? With 3 transfers between now and 18 I could get 9 players. Starred players are currently playing in BG18.

      Mccarthy Martin
      Zouma Dias* Konsa* Dallas Neco
      Salah KDB* Son* Bruno* Anguissa
      DCL* Adams Bamford

      Any recommendations for transfers would also be appreciated.

    23. pol
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For DGW 19, yay or nay:
      Son + grielish + brewster > kdb + raphinha + watkins (-4)

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

      Done some tinkering and pretty set on wc into 18, bb 19

      Save fh

    25. _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any news on Charlie Taylor?