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

    Just did some digging, City will get their latest covid test results tomorrow and have a new test on Saturday before the Chelsea game

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

      5 players isolating, 3 are known: Walker, Jesus and Ederson

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So the game could be called off after deadline if City do get more positives.

        Cancelo is rumoured to be one of them.

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

          I think so, hopefully we get tomorrow's results before deadline. If it's all clear then as in the last test I think we're on the safe side

  2. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help greatly appreciated chaps, 1 FT, 0 ITB.

    Martinez*
    Bednarek*, Zouma*, Dias*
    Salah*, Mane*, Son, Fernandes*, Grealish*
    DCL, Bamford*

    (Steer, Taylor**, Brewster, Douglas).

    Planning FH18 and Vardy/Soucek/City defender in for GW19. Was all set on Taylor -> Alioski - now - still a good move?

    Cheers.

  3. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on Taylor ? Reluctant to sell now has 3 games 18,19

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No definite news but has a hamstring injury, usually a few weeks depending on severity, so wait and see.

      https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

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

    Is KDB the essential City mid for the DGW, or would you go for any cheaper options you could bank on starting both? Struggling to offload DCL without selling KDB for funds too

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes Kev essential. Plus set up nicely for after the dgw

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

      besides KDB,there is no other city mid that would play both DGW games, that is guaranteed

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

      He's the only option tbh

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

      KDB is the only City non defender I would want. Every other option is a potential problem.

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

      There’s only KDB really.

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

      I'd probably keep if I was you, but personally can't get him without losing Bruno or Salah and from my experience this season he's not worth that.

    7. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling

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

      Sterling. More points this season. More likely to score right now. Probably just as likely to be safe from rotation as KDB

    9. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No one is essential for that week alone imo

      At least not KDB the way they are playing at the moment

    10. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he doesn’t have COVID

  5. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good enough for DGW19?

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Dias
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Raphinha
    DCL Bamford

    Could bench DCL for 11 DGW players if I get Balbuena for one of my non starter defenders.

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great

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

      yeh looks good to me

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thats my team except Son for Grealish and Coufal for Cancelo. You going TC?

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Will think about it that gameweek only. But Salah & KDB are tempting.

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

    Wellcome back KDB

  7. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Genuinely considering WC18 then BB19 and saving the FH for the next big double

    Can't remember a double this big

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s more or less what I’m doing, but keeping wc and playing 7/8 gw 18

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

      Seriously considering this too

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

      for me i'd rather save WC than FH as I feel its more powerful, but depends on your circumstances

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My plan too, BB as good as one could hope, FH handier later.

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

    Rumours going round that Kyle Walker had a party on Xmas with 19 premier league players and now 11 are positive.

    This is doing the rounds on Twitter

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      hope he and the club get fined and docked points then.

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

      No way 😆

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

      Any evidence?

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

        Does Twitter count?

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

        No not yet.

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

          That doesn't usually matter to you 😉

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

            Hahaha. I read this much earlier but sod me putting that up this time. What a facepalm.

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

              😀

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

      Given they test all the time I can understand why they think it MIGHT be fine, but my goodness is that bloke an utter idiot (FPL loyalties aside).

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

      this may be true or untrue, but regardless i dont think its a coincidence the number of positives rose over xmas.

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

      Yeah read this earlier. The most extravagant rumour is that Jadon Sancho hired a private jet and attended.

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

        😀 lol

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

    If I roll the ft in 17 and FH 18, do I get 2 fts in 19? Or does FH wipe it?

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

      i think it wipes it but someone else will have to confirm

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

        100% wipes. My favourite brand.

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

      Wiped.

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

        Thanks both

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

    so I think I can put 10 players out for the blank gameweek without taking a hit, and still have a very good team to BB in the DGW, saving my free hit for another day.

    risky but could pay off big?

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

      Deinitely worth doing

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

      I’d save

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

    For DGW 19 would you rather:

    A) Vardy + Grealish

    B) Rodrigo + Sterling

    Other forwards are Bamford + Adams

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

      A for sure

  12. Patron
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I just saw who I play in the cup and the lad did -32 pts hit last week but got a 58 points overall and he qualified, is it really the way it works? 😀

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

      If +26 pts was the threshold then yes he met the criteria.

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

        Not how it works. It’s game week rank

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

        it was 37 or something like that 😀

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

      Yeah, hits don't count for qualifying, bizzarely.

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

        Yeah because it’s gw rank

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

        haha pretty stupid tbf

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

          Much like if you get say 80 points (-12) you still have a game week rank of as if you got 80 overall. Always been that way.

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

            yeah it's just I didn't know about that at all 🙂

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

              Ah, well, now you do.

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

      Yes. If you want to be almost guaranteed to get in the cup just take hits to get in whoever you want.

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

        haha cheers!

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

    Bednarek to Dallas for free no brainer?

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

      yep

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

        Bench this week but seems logical move for doubles and going forward

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

          i have him 1st on my bench for this week but i am tempted of starting him, have Taylor starting so might not have a choice but may just do it anyway

    2. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      sideways

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

        How in christ's name is that sideways?

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

      Would you play Dallas this week?

  14. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son or Salah for the armband?

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

    Is anyone not planning on using a chip throughout GWs18 and 19?

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

      Got to use BB or TC in 19 surely? Only so many opportunities

      1. Garam MOSALAH
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

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

        Yeah I think you're right. BB looking more tempting given the abundance of double gameweekers!

  16. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who you think will get more points in DGW19 :

    A) Soucek + Johnstone
    B) Raphinha + Forster

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

      A easy

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

    Is Dias nailed at city? I’d expect Stones and Cancelo to be rested for 1 of the 3 games over 18 and 19

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias more nailed

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

      im looking at going with Stones and Cancelo, good bench if one or even both is dropped.

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

      From memory, Pep always rotates defenders during DGWs

  18. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    LOUD DGW NOISES

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I love Lamps

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

    Got no Spurs players for this week

    KDB -> Son? I’ll have to reverse it for GW19

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

      Waste of a transfer.

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

        Depends what Son scores this week vs KDB doesn’t it? I’d captain Son this week

    2. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

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

    Who makes way here to enable offloading DCL for the dgw ? Was gonna be KDB, but the double making me pause. Son has lack of DGW, but still good fixtures and a lot of value pent up.

    Martinez Areola
    Robbo Coufal Dallas Taylor** Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Son(c) KDB Soucek
    DCL Bamford Davis

    Have yet to decide if I will BB19 (am FH18), so may just do Taylor out this week and roll 2FT

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

      You can’t roll 2FT as you are BB18 so will lose them

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

        *I meant FH not BB18

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

        No I’m FH18. Would I not only lose 1FT, and then gain it back with GW19?

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

      DCL enables you. DCL > Adams/Watkins.

  21. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias worth the premium over stones?

  22. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all,

    If I save a transfer this GW I'll have 2 FT's for GW18.

    If I then Free Hit in 18, will I still have 2 FT's for GW19?

    I think the answer is no, but just want to check.

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

      Lol jinx

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think you lose it

    3. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same dilemma as I'd like to save but feel I have to change Taylor to someone

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

      It's annoying as I'll have to take a -4 one of the GW to do the 2 changes I want over the 3 GWs

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

    I have 2FT now. If I carry that on into GW18 but then FH while having 2FT, do I keep 2FT (keep one, get another after) going into GW19?

    Or would I be bumped down to 1FT heading into 19?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Spooky - identical question 1 post up from me!

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

        I actually asked the same question roughly 2 posts below too

    2. Kno
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      uno

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I think this city dgw news helps those who are not planning on using bb

    I feel like it will be very hard to fit Bruno KDB Salah with a decent bench. Guessing most BBers will go without kdb then

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there still a chance that Spurs alv Fulham falls in GW19?

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

    Scenes when everyone brings in KDB and Sterling outperforms him like he's been doing... this entire season!

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

      Um until last game week KDB was ahead of Sterling, thus outperforming him...

      All season.

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

    I have 1ft if I don't use it this week. Then free hit next week. Do I get 1 or 2 FTs week after Free hit?

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

      1

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

        I know the transfer from the week you freehit doesn't carry over but your saying none carry over, it's a total reset?

    2. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hey, me from the identical question above.. it's one FT. I've found the relevant rule...

      Please note that when playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers will be lost. You will be back to the usual 1 free transfer the following Gameweek.

  28. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB is putting out pretty good stats, playing more advanced and shooting a lot

    So he's a poor finisher is what I conclude...or am I wrong?

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

      Probably the worst finisher for city this season

      His 1 v 1 miss summed him up...never thought he'd score it

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I saw that actually, he looked very tired too...

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

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

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

    Who would you rather have for the gw 19 Vardy or Kdb?

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

      KDB

    2. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

      He'll score, KDB one assist max