Fixtures

When will the next FPL Double Gameweeks take place this season?

Fantasy Premier League managers should expect an abnormally high number of Double Gameweeks this season.

And keeping an eye on when these might crop up is important for those looking to make the most of their chips – especially the Triple Captain.

As a result of the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 2020/21 campaign is the most compressed in modern memory.

Due to a later-than-usual start, there is more pressure on the clashes between league and cup commitments for top-flight teams. This has given schedulers less time to fit in the usual postponements and, of course, we have seen COVID-19 itself put paid to several additional fixtures too.

But when will these inevitable Double Gameweeks surface? And, more importantly, is there anything Fantasy managers can do to pre-empt them and take the rearrangements in their stride?

In this article, we will look at the three specific Premier League clubs involved in the EFL Cup semi-finals, considering the possible scheduling headaches in store for each of them.

Before dive in, it is worth pointing out that these scenarios are not predictions. In each case, they illustrate the fixture pile-up that would result from continued success for each team on all cup fronts in Europe, the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

This should help clarify where Double Gameweeks could feature, as things stand. Further opportunities may open up, depending on the configuration and timing of future Cup defeats though.

The most recent rearrangements involved Burnley v Manchester United and Manchester City v Aston Villa, which have gone into Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 respectively.

There are currently a further four matches awaiting date reassignments, each of them postponed because of COVID-19 outbreaks.

  • Aston Villa v Newcastle (Gameweek 11)
  • Everton v Manchester City (Gameweek 16)
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham (Gameweek 16)
  • Burnley v Fulham (Gameweek 17)

Barring coordinated early FA Cup exits or some scheduling wizardry, it is unlikely that any of these fixtures will be reassigned before Gameweek 23.

Manchester City

Matches to be rescheduled:

  • Gameweek 16: Everton (away)

Future possible Cup-related postponements:

  • Gameweek 29 (FA Cup quarter-finals): Wolves (home)
  • Gameweek 32 (FA Cup semi-finals): Aston Villa (away)
  • Gameweek 33 (EFL Cup final): Southampton (home)
  • Gameweek 37 (FA Cup final): Brighton (away)

On the assumption Manchester City continue to progress on all fronts this season, there are currently five available midweek slots to accommodate any rescheduled matches. These are Gameweeks 24, 26, 27, 32 and 37.

Gameweeks 32 and 37 look unlikely to become a Double for Pep Guardiola’s men as both the Aston Villa and Brighton matches can drop into the immediately subsequent midweek slots if rearrangements need to happen.

We will know whether or not Manchester City are competing in Gameweek 33’s EFL Cup final a few days after Gameweek 17.

The midweek following the final is set aside for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. 

Given the last-sixteen ties will only be completed during midweek of Gameweek 28, any postponement for Southampton’s league trip to the Etihad Stadium fixture would likely be arranged early to form either a Double Gameweek 24, 26 or 27.

Gameweek 29 is scheduled to coincide with the FA Cup quarter-finals and immediately proceeds the March international break. 

As the quarter-final ties will be determined following the fifth-round matches during the midweek of Gameweek 23, any rescheduling of Manchester City’s home game against Wolves in Gameweek 29 could drop into Gameweek 26 or 27.

The postponed trip to Everton from Gameweek 16 should also feature in either Gameweek 24, 26 or 27.

As a result, continued progress on all Cup fronts could result in four Double Gameweeks for Manchester City between Gameweeks 19 and 27.

This possible scenario illustrates how little room for manoeuvre there is for schedulers. A further COVID-19 postponement for Guardiola’s men could foreseeably force a compressed midweek Double Gameweek toward the end of the campaign, or even delay the end of the season for some clubs.

Manchester United

Fernandes scores again as new Pogba role pushes Rashford to the right

Manchester United matches to be rescheduled:

  • None (at time of writing)

Future possible Cup-related postponements:

  • Gameweek 29 (FA Cup quarter-finals): Crystal Palace (away)
  • Gameweek 32 (FA Cup semi-finals): Burnley (home)
  • Gameweek 33 (EFL Cup final): Leeds (away)
  • Gameweek 37 (FA Cup final): Fulham (home)

On the assumption Manchester United continue to progress on all cup fronts, there are just three available midweek slots to accommodate any rescheduled matches. 

This reduced number compared to their City rivals is due to the extra knockout round the Europa League features over the Champions League. 

The available midweek slots in question are in Gameweeks 26, 32 and 37.

Therefore, progression on all fronts for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s in-form squad will likely lead to a compressed Double Gameweek toward the end of the season, perhaps in Gameweek 37.

Tottenham Hotspur

Kane and Son proving difficult to sell ahead of Double Gameweek 19

Spurs matches to be rescheduled:

  • Gameweek 16: Fulham (home)

Future possible Cup-related postponements:

  • Gameweek 29 (FA Cup quarter-finals): Southampton (home)
  • Gameweek 32 (FA Cup semi-finals): Everton (away)
  • Gameweek 33 (EFL Cup final): Fulham (away)
  • Gameweek 37 (FA Cup final): Aston Villa (home)

Like Manchester United, Spurs’ involvement in the Europa League could hamper their domestic scheduling. 

And with their Gameweek 16 match also requiring rearranging, the result could rise to five rescheduled fixtures, with only three remaining midweek slots to accommodate them: Gameweeks 26, 32 and 37. 

This is another scenario that could lead to a compressed midweek Double Gameweek toward the end of the season.

I hope these example scenarios have whetted your appetite for future Double Gameweeks. 

It must be said that Premier League schedulers have their work cut out for them right now and will have even more on their hands in the coming weeks and months. 

The question some Fantasy managers should be asking themselves in light of this information is: will you still be playing your Triple Captain chip in Double Gameweek 19? 

It is clear that 2020/21 has the potential to feature more Double Gameweeks than any other previous season. The chances of the perfect moment to deploy the Triple Captain arising at some point between now and the end of the campaign are certainly high indeed.

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1,577 Comments Post a Comment
  1. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    7 point lead in cup before this match..
    I had Salah to his bednarek..
    On paper easy win but phew narrow win by 2points...

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 point lead for me, he had KWP and i had Salah, Robbo, McC and Adams. I'm out. Livid.

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

        Ouch!

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

        That's pure unlucky.. esp..mccarthy
        ..

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

    I brought in Johnstone for Forster cos Ederson got Covid. I’m also a Liverpool fan. At least I didn’t captain Salah, but that’s clutching at straws for a silver lining - I hate FPL today

  3. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    41 points

    50k to 200k

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

      🙁

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

      Mark got 27.

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

        40 with subs

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shouldn't gamble.

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

      83 pts 48,000 to under 40,000 i hope

    5. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      92k to 38k after a 86 point haul

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

      Told you 🙂

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I feel the same.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might go sterling over salah in 19

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

        Slaha looked knackered

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

          Salah #

    4. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Difference is both games at home, he's a different beast at Anfield & I can see him at least scoring against Burnley, United maybe

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, the crowd will nail it

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lol, at least TC Salah is off the table

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      These cowards...

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

      I do.

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1101 points exactly.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow 99 points more than me

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As opposed to 1101.5.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly Lol.

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

      Got me by 4!

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The curse of the Zambian witch continues!

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

      Is it two more blanks to come? Fittingly the DGW 😆

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bednarek should keep his one bonus right? Bertrand/KWP don't seem close enough to snatch it, that 1 point could ensure a H2H win

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

    Cup opponent played BB: Walton, Henderson, Davis, Egan. 55 points. Beats my team with 15points. What a joke.

  8. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am out of the cup. Beaten buy a bloke that captained Holding. Fair play

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No complaints. What a guy. I hope he wins the whole thing

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          So many times I’ve been knocked out like that!

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hope he’s Holding his own to the end

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    99 all out
    We move

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends what you move to

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Amazing.

  10. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Blackbox to be cancelled then this week I guess?

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

      They will ruin their FH chips this week

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Blackbox exempt from lockdown restrictions.

  11. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Palace game was clearly an anomaly. It probably says more about Palace than LFC.

    Why can’t Liverpool’s front men perform away from home?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Performance anxiety?

    2. Naby K8a
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lack of a No.10. Teams know all the creative play comes down the flanks.

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I mean it was 8 SOTs, 7 goals. Sometimes the top teams just have days like that.

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think they have been found out. Close down both flanks and Liverpool is less effective or creative

    5. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Never heard Firmino's name mentioned once in that game - other than when commentators mentioned that firmino has done nothing

  12. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only needed 7 points from Salah and Robbo to progress in the FPL Cup! Well done SOU

  13. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah out?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends

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

    Mark's 3rd gameweek of the season below 6 million rank. Ouch!

  15. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I had Bednerek on my starting team until 5 minutes before the deadline when I decided to play Dallas ahead of him. Lost 6 points that could have taken me to 101 points

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

      nicer problems to have eh

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

    Salah to Kdb donezo

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

    Any reason not to do Salah > KDB for free now?

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

      Nope

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Covid

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

      Easy move

    4. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The semi final on Wednesday?

  18. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taa->Cancelo in gw19 for a hit?

    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not for a hit.

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

      For free definitely but for a hit is suspect

  19. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Baps final? Bednarek should hold onto one bonus?

  20. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One of those gameweeks that start with a bang, you expect so much and end up with a 25k gain.

    God I love FF.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s the problem with the games being spread out....rollercoaster gw

    2. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      was up to 20k when Justin was on 8 points mid game . Cue 1 minute later plus a few having Soucek come off bench and now 38k

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

    Won Cup game by 3 points. Opponent had a -4 transferring in Burnley defender who didn't play due to game postponed.
    Probably my luckiest ever FF moment, hell for him.

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

      I did a -8 got 87 pts in the end and now I'm ranked under 40,000. Hits works sometimes salah, TAA & Wilson out soucek Cresswell and kane (cap ) in

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

        In a normal situation yeh,, but getting knocked out the Cup due to a postponed game making it a hit you never needed to take is gotta hurt

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

    Wish I could do Salah to kdb now but on a FH... looks like I’ll lose atleast 0.4 in value there. Thinking Salah, Lowton to KDB, Stones (if McCarthy and Adams fit for dgw)

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

      It's a risk when there is almost 2 weeks before you get your team back

  23. mr. inconspicuous
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So I finish on same points as my cup opponent, does anyone know what happens?

    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Goes to whoever did fewer transfers.

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

        False

    2. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Then virtual coin toss.

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

      Goals scored
      Goals conceded
      Coin toss

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

      1. Points
      2. Most goals scored
      3. Least goals conceded
      4. Coin flip.

      Other answer is incorrect

    5. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If a cup match is drawn, then the following tie-breaks will be applied until a winner is found:

      1. Most goals scored in the Gameweek
      2. Fewest goals conceded in the Gameweek
      3. Virtual coin toss

      1. mr. inconspicuous
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We have the same points, same goals scored but I conceded more with double Chelsea coming off bench

        1. mr. inconspicuous
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Looks like I’m out ha

          1. Sheffield Wednesday
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Welcome to the club

  24. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A certain 4.0m goalkeeper with a crazy stat: 5 clean sheets from the last 6 games against Liverpool for Frasier Forster.

  25. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah + Robbo 3pts leaves me out of cup with 67pts. At least I wasn't up against a zombie team.

    1. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      RIP

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

    Will McCarthy and Adams be back for DGW?

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

      Adams just a concussion/rest, McCarthy covid, if he has no symptoms he should be back in time

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Most probably

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

      Adams probably maccarthy doubtful

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

    Any idea when McCarthy and adams are back?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GW19 probably.

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

    Liverpool missing Jota??

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

      They are. Noone to challenge Mane or Salah. So, they can keep playing no matter what. And noone to impact off the bench as well. Origi, Shaq are nowhere near what Liverpool need.

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

      Good thinking. I think so. They're not burying chances at the moment. I can't see it lasting long though.

  29. Sean
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My entire bench needed to be used this week, GW19 BB certainly not as appealing as it once was

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep think I might use TC instead if city look back on form