Pro Pundits

What new Blank and Double Gameweek fixtures mean for our FPL teams and chip strategies

Fantasy Premier League managers have been handed some big out-of-the-blue decisions as we head into 2021.

Going into a new year is often a time for reflection and this article was supposed to be a review of the season so far but, as is often the case in this strange new world, there was a spanner in the works.

On New Year’s Eve, we learned that Burnley v Manchester United is joining the Blank Gameweek 18 schedule and Manchester City v Aston Villa has been place in Double Gameweek 19.

At the time of writing this announcement is still very fresh, and I need time to process it but here are some initial thoughts and what this all means.

Blank Gameweek 18

andys-gw17-article 3

Those without chips will likely find this period much easier to navigate now. Burnley and Manchester United now playing in Gameweek 18 brings into play players like Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) who a lot of people already have in their team.

It also makes other players like Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) and Nick Pope (£5.4m) a little more desirable as they play in Gameweek 18 and then have a Double Gameweek.

It also means some teams will be able to save their Free Hit chip which could be very handy later on in the season when we see more Blank Gameweeks.

A lot of this will be chip dependant, but if you already have a team full of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool you’re probably in a good place to cover Gameweek 18 and the doubles in Gameweek 19.

Manchester City More Desirable

andys-gw17-article 4

With Manchester City now having one of the best pair of fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, and playing in Gameweek 18, it makes them much more desirable to bring in if you haven’t already.

After Chelsea (away) in Gameweek 17 the fixtures look like this:

  • Gameweek 18 – Brighton (home)
  • Gameweek 19 – Crystal Palace (home), Aston Villa (home)
  • Gameweek 20 – West Brom (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Sheffield United (home)
  • Gameweek 22 – Burnley (away)

Not only do they cover both Gameweek 18 and 19 well with very good fixtures, but the run continues afterwards. A double or triple up looks ideal.

Who to target from Man City is, as ever, the key question.

The obvious options are Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m), João Cancelo (£5.6m) and Rúben Dias (£5.7m). I’ll be targeting at least two of this three over this fixture run.

Manchester City have looked extremely good defensively and I don’t know how Cancelo hasn’t gotten more than one assist so far. And despite people losing faith in De Bruyne, he’s still going to be a great option over this run.

It also arguably makes De Bruyne a better captaincy in Gameweek 19 than Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), who faces Manchester United (home) and Burnley (home) although I’d never bet against the Egyptian.

There are other players to consider too. John Stones (£4.9m) looks like an absolute bargain now that he has laid claim to his starting role, and we shouldn’t forget that Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) has two goals and three assists in his last five matches.

Hold Aston Villa?

andys-gw17-article 7

While people were Wildcarding away from Aston Villa players, and ditching the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.7m) it may not be the worst time to hold. You still have to get through a Manchester United (away) match in Gameweek 17 and Tottenham Hotspur (home) in Gameweek 18, but after that they have a Double Gameweek and a decent enough fixture run from Gameweek 20:

  • Gameweek 20 – Burnley (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Southampton (away)
  • Gameweek 22 – West Ham (home)
  • Gameweek 23 – Arsenal (home)
  • Gameweek 24 – Brighton (away)

At the bare minimum it gives a lot of us a Double Gameweek goalkeeper in Emiliano Martínez (£5.0m). Even if the matches are tricky with Everton (home) and Manchester City (away), only Ederson (£6.0m) has a better save percentage among regularly-starting goalkeepers over the last four matches.

The return of Ross Barkley (£5.9m) may spell the end of a run in the team for Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) or Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) but if either of them continue through to Gameweek 19 they become a great budget enabler, especially El Ghazi while he’s on penalty duty.

Abandoning our chip strategies

andys-gw17-article 5

I was convinced I was going to Bench Boost in Gameweek 19. Even with single Gameweek players I was prepared to play the chips and my initial transfer for Gameweek 17 was to bring in Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) in preparation.

The problem now is the layout has changed and we have to be prepared to adapt. This is likely something we have to bear in mind for the rest of the season, I’m sure there’s more chaos in store.

For some managers it will be easy, they’ll still Free Hit in Gameweek 18, only now there’s more options. And they’ll Bench Boost in Gameweek 19 because they’re already loaded up with enough players.

But for others we still have to change strategies and it’s important not to be rigid in your thinking.

This was my team before transfers in Gameweek 17:

andys-gw17-article 6

As mentioned above, Johnstone was to come in this week with a Free Hit in Gameweek 18 and Fabián Balbuena (£4.4m) to be my Gameweek 19 transfer. It would have meant some single Gameweek players on the bench, but I was okay with that.

But now there’s the potential of bringing in Manchester City players for Gameweek 18 and 19, therefore potentially meaning I can save the Free Hit. The Bench Boost might have to be abandoned too, but I’m prepared to adapt as necessary.

It’s still too fresh in my mind to make a plan, it looks like my New Years Eve will be way more busy from an FPL point of view than I’d imagined, but I’ll have to think of ways to adapt than to rigidly stick to my plan if it’s not as viable any more.

Final Thoughts

It’s not the ideal time to be processing all of this information. We’re just past Christmas having had two Gameweek deadlines in the space of two days, ahead of what for many is a time of celebration as we enter the new year.

But if there’s some comfort it’s that this chaos usually means those who are willing to plan and create strategies can get ahead of the crowd. So while you’re suffering from the New Years hangover, just keep thinking of the green arrows.

1,360 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Aubamewho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with Mahrez?
    - Keep
    - Downgrade mahrez + N.Williams >.. ?.. + Dias

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell | KWP | Justin
    KDB | Bruno | Son | Grealish | Mahrez
    Bamford | Kane

    ( Steer, Kilman, Brewster, N. Williams)
    0.1 itb, 2FT

  2. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    captain...

    A. Kane
    B. Son
    C. Bruno
    D. Salah

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went Bruno with Kane as VC. Kane could easily smash it tho

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

      Have A, B, C going with A

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

      Kane.
      Villa a tough nut to crack.

    4. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cheers all.. on Kane(c) atm

    5. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd captain Kane if I had him but Son for me

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

      A

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

      B i feel Leeds will leave space behind perfect for runners like Son

      1. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same I do believe son will love that space

  3. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which GK do I start this week?

    A - McCarthy (LIV)
    B - Johnstone (ARS)

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      I’m going A. Mainly cause I’m a Liverpool fan so he’ll probably generate a ton of points.

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

      B

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who has done the KDB > Son transfer? I’m debating whether it is worth it. Want KDB straight back next GW

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am more inclined to go the other way round. KDB vs Chelsea not such a bad fixture.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I did it this gw

      • The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I did KDB > Raphinia to afford DCL > Kane.

        Kane will be going in 19 to fund getting KDB back, probably for One of Soucek,Raphinia or Grealish.

    3. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If I have 2 free transfers, then use free hit. Do I then have 1 or 2 FTs next week?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No

        1. Fuddled FC
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No?

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Sorry, used to another question. My bad. (1FT next week)

    4. NoName
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bottomed.

      Which one of each to start?

      A) Adams
      B) Bowen

      1) Dallas
      2) Mitchell

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

        A1

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

          Thanks

      2. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A2

        Reasonings:

        • Adams is starter and Liverpool does not keep much cleanies recently
        • Mitchell does not make cameos usually and has good fixture on paper if he starts

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

          Thanks for your reasonings. Leaning that way as well. Dallas' attacking potential is what's giving me pause.

          1. Lucky Z
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, I understand. Dallas is a safer option in this terms.

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

              Cheers.

    5. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guys, how to improve that existing squads with current 2FTs and 0.5 ITB?

      GW18
      Sanchez
      Dias | Targett | Reguilon | Lewis (Dallas)
      KDB | B.Fernandes | Grealish | Son (Salah)
      DCL | Brewster (Bamford)

      GW19
      Sanchez
      Dias | Dallas | Targett (Reguilon | Lewis)
      KDB | Salah | B.Fernandes | Grealish | Son
      DCL | Bamford (Brewster)

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

      Which goal keeper to play

      A. Martinez
      B. Johnstone

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

    7. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 week benching issue. Any help choosing one?
      A) Wilson (LEI)
      B) Grealish (mun)
      C) Bamford (tot)
      D) Zaha (SHU)

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        SHU one of the games at risk

      2. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tough. Probably A

      3. sneif4
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks both. Think I'm leaning towards A.

    8. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not an overly helpful answer FP 😉

      1. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What was the question?

    9. The_FF_King
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Grealish to El Ghazi a good move to free up some funds?

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yes

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

        I would say so El-Ghazi on fire and Grealish 1 YC away from a suspension

    10. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Happy New Year Guys!

      Best defender for this gw only?

      Not including TAA or Robbo

      Thanks

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Holding

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          In my thoughts. Not prefer Tierney?

    11. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Morning

      Can anyone confirm whether Holding is nailed for Arsenal, or will he lose his place to Luiz?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Probably even Arteta cannot

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

        Assume not then, ha.

        Thanks

    12. Nay08
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      last try. my comment keeps getting cut, not posted in full. idk why.

      ok so here is my new options. will do the transfer this week. which go you guys think is better?
      A. Stones and woods in
      B. Dias and

      1. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        damn it. idk why this happened. sorry for the spam folks

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

        Man City match could be called off still

      3. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Try without the paragraph at the top clean your cage maybe ?... you could ask a mod for help. Gl nay08

        1. Nay08
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          even without the paragraph up top, it still ends at "Dias and". thanks anyway mate.

    13. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      McCarthy, Forster
      Chilwell, Targett, Coufal, KWP, Kilman
      Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
      DCL, Bamford, Wilson

      2FTs, 0.3itb -- FH in gw18
      1) McC, Wilson > Fabs, Dec-Reid (dgw19 prep + funds)
      2) Grealish, Wilson > Son(c), Brewster (352 + big 4 mids, but weaker bench)
      3) Grealish, KDB > Son, El Ghazi (keep funds itb for KDB return)

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

      Morning. G2g here? 2mitb 0ft.

      Planning to free hit 18 and kane and soucek to kdb and adams / antonio for bb19

      Johnstone (martinez)
      Robbo dias dallas (coufal balbuena)
      Salah bruno grealish raphinha (soucek)
      Kane (c) Bamford Watkins

      Thanks

    15. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton or Pieters as Taylor replacement?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lowton of course. Pieters will go back to the bench once Taylor is recovered.

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

          Ty

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

        Pieters and Taylor both started before he came off injured.

    16. tabby98
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mccarthy
      Robbo, Justin, Stones
      Bruno, Salah, Son, Raphinha
      Bamford, Vardy, Adams

      Johnstone | Soucek, Alioski, Coufal

      Whats the right starting 11 here guys?

    17. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Here are the players I could have for BGW18-

      Stones, Dias, Saka, Bruno, Son, Kane, Watkins

      Would you suggest that I just use FH to bring in more/enhanced players?

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

        Any thoughts please guys? I’m really struggling here

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

          6 is too low mate

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

            7 even. I'm on 8 and contemplating FH

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

      1 FT. 0.7ITB.

      Martinez
      Dallas Coufal Bednarek
      KDB Bruno Salah Son
      Bamford Adams DCL

      Johnstone Bissouma Taylor* Matip*

      Matip -> Dias the best move? Y or N?

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

      What to do??!

      1ft, 1m

      McCarthy
      Zouma-TAA-Dallas-Mitchell-Lamptey
      Bruno-Son-Salah-Soucek-Raphinha
      Bamford-Kane-Adam

      Thinking Lamptey out?

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

      Is Bur v Ful at risk do we speculate or is it just guessing games (as a comparison with city back training I would think their game v Chelsea likely to go ahead)?

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

      Man City match could still be calmed off?

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Highly unlikely

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

        Any game could?

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

          True but we know there has been a case there. If rumours are true on Twitter the 5 players willl be isolating for 10 days?

          WAlker , Jesus,Ederson, Cancelo and Torres.

          Chunk of defence and costly defenders?

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

              Thanks for that. Still undecided. Would you risk a city DEF?

    22. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      To get KDB back without losing Salah,Fernandes or Grealish is:-

      Raphinia,Kane >> KDB,Rodrigo worth a -4 in gw19?

      Or forget KDB and do Kane > Vardy for free.

      1. Hot Fuzz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh tough call imo I know Kane got only a single in 19 but it's a massive one. I would stick with Harry and go with option 1 imo

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

      “Called

    24. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What do we think is the minimum amount of BGW players one should have if not using FH?

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        8

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        8-9

      3. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6

      4. Kane and Ablett
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6 with a few big hitters or an average 8

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

      Any idea as to whether City and Fulham games are likely to go ahead this GW17?

    26. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Better chip strat?
      A (FH18 BB19) or B (TC19)

      A) FH18:
      Darlow
      Holding Dias Maguire
      Son Bruno KDB El Ghazi
      Laca Wilson Kane

      BB19:
      Mccarthy Johnstone
      Robbo Chilwell Coufal Taylor* Alioski
      Bruno Salah Grealish Bowen Harrison
      Watkins Vardy Bamford

      B) No FH18:
      Holding Stones Taylor*
      Saka Grealish Bruno Bissouma
      Watkins Kane

      TC19:
      Mccarthy
      Robbo Chilwell Stones
      Bruno Grealish Salah KDB(TC)
      Watkins Bamford Rodrigo

      Both require 1 hit. Any thoughts advice would be appreciated

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

        I really like option B

        1. Alisson WondHaaland
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers

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

      Taylor to wan-bissaka is worth -4. I am planning for ederson in gw 19

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Taylor to Stones look good.

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

          Yea good one but rotation?

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

            Laporte and dias is first possible options than stonws correct?

      2. Kane and Ablett
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Stones has rotation and COVID risks so you need a good sub if you go that way

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

          Any good.options? For dgw

    28. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer Robbo (UTD, BUR) or Ings (LEI, LEE) for GW 19 ?
      Will have to make 1 transfer now as I'm FH GW18