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. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys , will u wc for gw19. If lets say u need -8 to get the ppl u need?
    I wanted to use bench boost but realise i dont have mostly players playing dgw

    For eg dcl kane saiss

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

      Yes, my rank is horrid and this is the biggest upside for me

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't use a wildcard to save a - 8, its worth more than that.

      You don't need a full 15 of doubles for the bench boost. Kane will outscore some of the doublers.

      Save the BB if you want. Still more opportunities to use it down the road.

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

        Totally agree with this comment. I was always planning on using BB in 19, but due to a few injuries I also need to take a hit to get the team I want. Not definite, but saving the BB is looking more likely now.

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

    Mané looked sharper than Salah tonight- need to lose one for KDB. But Salah possibly better option for double. Which would you take out?

    A Mané
    B Salah

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane b/c Salah has pens

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        sorry - Mane

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They both looked ordinary I thought, Mane to make way for mine.

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

      Mane was awful. He benefits by having Robbo, Salah is being neutered by TAA being awful.

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

    Anyone beat 23 points on their bench?
    I did it from just 3 players.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Amateur... one dude in one of my ML has Cresswell, Soucek, Grealish and Forster on the bench...that's 35 pts right there... 🙂

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

        Wdym amateur?

  4. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling or Salah in dgw?

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

      Sterling.

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

    Repost*

    SAlah, Lamptey, James > KDB, Stones, Dias/Cancelo for - 8?

    Not got a free hit so would give me 3 players for 18 assuming Lamptey isn't back by then. Undecided on who between Dias or Cancelo.

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

      Or might wildcard

    2. deshawn7
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a fan of tripling up but if it's only - 8 I would save your WC

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

    I might use my wildcard in the double gw19 and I quite like this team but wondering if the defence is strong enough for the coming gameweeks?

    Martínez
    Dallas, Walker-Peters, Coufal
    Son, Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish
    Bamford, Ings

    Button, Mitchell, Davis, Douglas

  7. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah -> KDB tonight?

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

      Not tonight unless you are priced out which I doubt you are.

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

      Man City have 2 games before the next game week

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True thanks both

        I would be priced out though

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

      Yep. Otherwise most likely to be priced out to buy Salah back.

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

      dont think prices will change tonight id wait

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

    What option do you prefer on FH?

    A. Son & Saka
    B. Rashford & El Ghazi

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

      Aa

      1. anish10
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Aaa

  9. anish10
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How’s this FH

    DDG
    KT Cancelo Stones
    KDB Son Fernandes ESR
    Kane Lacazette Martial

    4.0 // Yedlin // Mitchell / fodder

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

      Saka over ESR imo

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

    DDG or Darlow who scores more next gwk?

    1. anish10
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG, think SHU might get their first win

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

        they're due I guess

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

      Darlow and 0.3.

  11. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I can get this team below for GW18 without using FH by dropping Robbo and 3.8 non-playing defender for a -4, thoughts?

    Formation 3-3-2

    x
    Cancelo - Dias - 5.3 defender
    KDB - Bruno - Dale Stephens
    Kane - Brewster

  12. Puncheon Guly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This article is why I've decided it's mad to play WC and BB on DGW19. there'll be so many DGWs this year, spending 2 chips on one is a massive waste.

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How can u use wildcard and bench boost tgt?

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or the fact the fixtures for this one is too good to ignore if they go ahead?

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

    When was the last time when all the big teams had dgw and yet people opt fh rather than wildcard&bb to load their teams with Manc,Manu,Pool,Chelsea,Leeds players.

    Could be huge swings in gw19

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly this!

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I pre-loaded on GW16 WC.

    3. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      big teams playing double doesn't make the BB more appealing.
      It is all about your bench.

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

      ^This

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

    Who scores more this week?

    A. Rashford and Ramsdale/any other keeper with a game
    B. KDB

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

      B

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

      So basically do I get a keeper and play 11 players... Or...
      Do I get KDB for Rashford and play 10 players with no keeper.

  15. deshawn7
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have only 6 players for BGW now that Bissouma is suspended. Already got in Saiss for RJames. Planning to BB in DGW19 to max out the double hitters

    Good idea to take a - 8 hit for
    Salah > KDB
    Justin/Dallas > Stones?

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would. KDB (c) could get you the hit plus profit back potentially.

  16. Canarinha
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thiago...that man is definitely NOT Liverpool calibre, he is not fooling anyone with those flashy flicks, the energetic midfield is what gave Pool the league,
    he is slowing down the game way too often and oh my word the side-to-back passes dont even get me started, he is quite frankly playing like a real P.U.S.S.Y.

    Fraud!

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

      Best passer in the league. Not used in the best manner tonight mind, made every pass look effortless.

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

    Are people doing Salah to KDB for a hit?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For free on wc

    2. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't but it's easy for me to talk cause I'm on a WC.

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

      Doing 2 transfers - so count it as half a hit

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

    Current bad BGW team (jealous of all the FHs):

    Martinez
    Dier Mitchell Webster
    Bruno KDB Grealish Saka
    Kane Brewster

    Forster Salah Coufal Bamford KWP

    I had mentally planned KWP to Cancelo (or Dias/Stones) to get 11. Didn't like Soton's CS prospects away to LEI+LEE followed by ARS, AVL, MUN.

    But is it worth just doing Webster to Cancelo instead? Means having only 10 and I guess benching Dier in the DGW vs. Sheff Utd.

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

      Webster to Cancelo is a good move regardless of the blanks and doubles

  19. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My probable team after using 1 of my 2FTs, 1.8ITB
    Sánchez
    Dias Dier Targett Lewis*
    Bruno Son Grealish
    Martial DCL
    (Johnstone, Bissouma Salah Bamford Dallas)
    (A) roll FT
    (B) Bissouma to McTominay/Højbjerg
    (C) Mo to Kevin
    (D) Bissouma to Saka, future bench headaches!

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

      Go for C
      But do it on deadline, anything could happen until there

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks and that’s the plan - not transferring any until after both sets of cup games!

  20. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just transferred out Robbo for Cancelo FT but have decided that I will actually now
    FH. Will I have Cancelo now at the start of next gameweek or Robbo?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Your team will be as in GW17 after GW18 finished -so Robbo would be back

  21. Mr.K
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ok, Salah convinced me to swap to KDB. I'm also convinced I'm going to regret this within a month but it is what it is.

    I'm on a WC with 3M in the bank and I'm wondering where to spend a bit of cash for upgrades. Would like to keep 1M for switching KDB back to Salah when I've noticed my mistake, but I have 2M to spend. I'm thinking of Mitchell / Saiss / Maupay maybe but would to whom?

    Team is:
    Randolph - Sanchez
    Holding - Mitchell - Saiss - Dias - Coufal
    Saka - KDB - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    Maupay - Kane - Wilson

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t you fancy a Spurs/MU/Leeds def over Saïss?

      1. Mr.K
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I do fancy Dallas but that would require me to play Mitchell next week. Might be worth it, I guess.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is that your wc team ? Not playing BB gw19 ?

      1. Mr.K
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I probably will but I'm not too greedy with DGW players. I think Son and Kane for example have a good chance of outscoring just about anyone. Might get two more in, spending a hit, but I'll see after next week.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          As you have kane I would consider rashford instead of son. I'd pick more players who have a dgw definitely. Gl

    3. deshawn7
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford and Cresswell are decent options if not priced out

      1. Mr.K
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bamford's a good shout! Not expecting much returns from Maupay next week anyway and Bamford is probably a better option going forward. I'm not entirely convinced Cresswell is worth his higher price tag over Coufal.

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

      Why not setup for the DGW bench boost as well with your WC?

      I'm on a WC too, we can easily do something like:

      Martinez - Meslier
      Cancelo - Stones - Lowton - (Coufal) - (Lowton)
      Grealish - Fernandes - De Bruyne - Son - (Soucek)
      Kane - Wilson - Watkins

      11 players in 18. In 19, FT Wilson to Bamford to bench boost with 13 dgw, Son and Kane. If you are short on cash, get El Ghazi instead of Grealish for example.

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

        Dallas instead of second Lowton XD

      2. Mr.K
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I see WC more as a stabilizing action during this crazy season, so I don't want to focus too much on the DGWs. Might be changes coming for that week as well and then my team is in shambles and I just spent my WC. I don't like Aston Villa's figures and think there's a good chance they won't get anything from City. Also a decent chance for that with Spurs but with that I'm less convinced.

        That said, Meslier is a great mention. I don't know why I didn't think of him at all!

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

          Fair enough, in my assessment my players have decent fixtures going forward (likely double gws soon, with all of City, Spurs and AVL being still a game behind after gw 19). Son, Kane, Grealish and Bruno are my season keepers anyway. Salah was supposed to be one too, but Liverpool is in shambles with the injuries and everyone being out of form at the same time.

  22. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 6m spot in my wc team?

    A foden
    B Bowen
    C jwp
    D Neto

    Thanks aymd gl

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

      D

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

        +1

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thank you

  23. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys if u use wildcard will u sell salah for kdb ? Because i dw sell kane against sheff.
    And cant fit salah bruno and kdb

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I mean for gw19

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will do yes

  24. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What one do you go without...

    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son, Grealish or Kane?

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Grealish.

      Son or Kane could outscore him vs SHU.

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

      I went without 4 of them and got over 80 points this week . Noone is essential..go for who you think will do best

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

      One of Son or Kane. Probably don't need both if you have the others.

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

        I don't have KDB atm. Would have to take a hit to get him in.

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

          Oh. I think I read the question incorrectly.

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

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

    no GK
    Targett, Kilman
    Grealish, KDB, Bruno
    DCL, Wilson

    2FTs, 0.3itb
    1) McC, Chilwell > Martinez, Cancelo
    2) Play FH anyway

  26. dogtanion
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do free hit transfers count towards boosting player value? If so the likes of KDB etc will rise crazily in the next week

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

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

      They will if they use normal transfers for now and only push the FH button later on

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

      I'm also suspicious of players like Soucek going up - maybe people are transferring him in with the intention of using FH, not realising that they lose the transfer once the FH expires

  27. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All set for GW18? Team built towards 18 + playing FH19.

    De Gea

    Dias, Dier, Holding, Mitchell

    KDB (c), Sterling, Fernandes, Son, Grealish

    DCL

    Subs: Button, Taylor, Brewster, Bamford

  28. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    United fans, best time to play Liverpool or worst? Or do we think form goes out of the window?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think form goes out the window but the Liverpool defence looks dreadful on paper and in practice

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

        Because they conceded a goal against Southampton (down to a singular player error)?

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

      Ole will play ten back and break. Depends if the bus holds out.

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

    Salah to Son or Sterling for blank ? Have Kane and KDB.

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      do you want Salah back for DGW?

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

        In two minds.

  30. PlayUpPompey
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which would you go for on a FH?

    A) DDG + KDB + Wilson

    B) Steffen + Rashford + Martial

    Already have Sterling and Bruno.