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. Pommie22
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Evening guys choices,choices!!!
    Robbo
    Coufal
    Zouma
    Dallas
    Stones
    Initially thinking Robbo,Coufal plus ?
    Any advice greatly appreciated

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

      Stones, Robbo, Zouma

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

    Is the Burnley v Fulham game on? Need to bring in Lowton for Taylor.

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

      Looks like we won't find out before the deadline. Frustrating.
      If BUR vs FUL and CHE vs MCI are postponed, that is another two games to be rescheduled somewhere.

  3. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy 2021!!

    Fancy a bit of a captain punt before my FH GW18 and TC KDB GW19.

    McCarthy
    Trent/Dias/Cresswell
    Salah/KDB/Bruno/Barnes(c)/Raphinha
    DCL/Bamford

    Button/Alioski/Brewster/Ferguson

    0 FT, 1.1 ITB

    I’ve got a plan that suits my team and barring any unforeseen cancellations, I intend to see it through... 🙂

  4. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Lindelof fine?

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

      Presser today

  5. tom2224
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed:
    Start Raphinha TOT (A) or Grealish MUN (A)?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Toss a coin

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

    a) Chilwell + Soucek
    b) Dias/Cancelo + Raphina (-4)

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tough, probably A

    2. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B. Cancelo is an amazing asset

  7. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Quite a few mediocre options for me this week, all with away games, bench two of these:

    A) Raphinha (tot)
    B) Brewster (cry)
    C) Kilman (bha)
    D) Coufal (eve)

    Already starting Soucek and Bamford...

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

      Raphinha in, Brewster out for sure.

      That leaves the other two. I'd probably play Coufal for attacking threat.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, that is my current feeling though Kilman tempts as he is unlikely to come off the bench if he doesn’t start, and Everton are on form. Leeds attacking double worries me vs. Spurs who will probably slaughter them on the break with Son. But only Fernandes in my squad has a home fixture, so expecting it to be a bit rubbish this week.

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

      Bc

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

    After careful analysis I have 4 nailed GW18 starters , so that 2FT leFt

    I have to FT ?

    Dog poo

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

      That free hit I mean

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I only have 4 1/2..
      I don’t think I can count Brewster 😆

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

        What’s the strategy SIR?

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I’ve outlined my plans above mate.

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

    Would you save a FH with this? 8 in total but Taylor is a doubt

    Taylor* Holding
    Bruno Grealish Saka Bissouma
    Kane Watkins

    Could also take a hit to bring in Stones bringing the total up to 9

    Thoughts?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Try to make FH team draft,compare two teams and see how much points can you get more. Of course it's a prediction but it helped me to decide

  10. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Bruno or Son?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

      I’ve got it on Son, Bruno vice

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

        Spurs not won in last 4 abs son has blanked

  11. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2 ft
    1) kdb to son
    2) dcl to vardy
    3) kdb + dcl to son+ kane
    4) taylor + dcl to lowton + kane

  12. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Raphina or Welbeck ??

  13. DOCLES
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Hause first choice CB for Villa now? Great value and started a couple in place of Konsa before Mings red card

    1. Boyd to Sven
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely not. He started while Konsa was injured, he'll be back out and first sub once everyone is available again.

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

    So we wont hear from Dyche before the deadline? Great

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

      🙁

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

    Play Rodrigo or Holding?

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

      Always the attacker. Holding owner here.

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

    Play Coufal vs Everton or Ampadu vs Palace?

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

    Was all set to FH 18 but not I think I might just do Salah to KDB and try and get away with this team...

    Martinez
    Maguire Canelo
    KDB Bruno Son
    DCL

    Reckon it’s enough? Or still worth the FH?

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

      I think thats decent. Not worth to FH. Maybe take one hit if you feel like it.

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

        Thanks, appreciate it.
        Don’t wanna break my team too much though as I’m all set for the BB in 19.

  18. giroudsgirlfriend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one

    A: Zouma (MCI)
    B: Kilman (bha)
    C: Dallas (tot

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

      C

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

    Pressers to decide last minute transfers...have a Matip/Taylor problem.

  20. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I was going on DGW19 without any single player of City.. Should I change this strategy?

    Do we know which City player get the covid?

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you can do it for free then yes, include them. I don't think we know for sure who the players were, but people have made some educated guesses.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City do have a couple of nice home games GW19, should all go ahead...

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

      1:30 Pep presser, not sure it will tell us anything though

  21. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All set for today? Bench order right? Captain right?

    Martinez
    Robbo . Justin . Taylor
    Soucek . Salah . Son(vc) . Bruno . Raphina
    Vardy(c) . Bamford

    Mccarthy. Coufal . Dallas . Brewster

  22. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am i safe here . Need 3 to start.

    Cancelo PVA Dier Dallas

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah they all start imo

      1. Whiskerz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh read cancelo as coufal. The other 3 start though

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

    Which GK starts? Think Big Sam will be looking to tighten up WBA after the last mauling and can Liverpool blank two games in a row?

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

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  24. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Taylor replacement:
    A) Balbuena
    B) Lowton
    C) Other

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

      C) I’m looking at holding

  25. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So... what's todays twist then?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Things to go smoothly

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

        That would be the ultimate one 😆

  26. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 3 of my defence should I play?

    A) Cresswell
    B) Mitchell
    C) Amartey
    D) Dias
    E) Taylor

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

      DE plus Mitchell if you think he starts, otherwise A

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

    Quite a lot of options for that 4.5 defender spot. Best one? Doesnt need to have a double 19 as i have 3 playing that week already.

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

      Whats your current lot?

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

        Lewis Taylor Robbo Cancelo Ayling

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

      4.5m is tricky. Alioski & Lowton/Pieters (in absence of Taylor) would be my shout. Holding too perhaps.

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

        Holding has a good fixture this week and a good tun after 19 too.

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

    Who to captain?

    A - Bruno
    B - Son
    C - Kane

    Have a hunch that Spurs will score a few.

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B or c. I'd probably go kane if I had them both.

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

    Argh I hate this City twist for dgw19.

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

    Who is more important (have bamford)
    1. Raphina
    2. Rodrigo

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

      1 as more template