Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best and worst fixtures over the Double and Blank Gameweeks?

It’s been a while since our last “frisk” of the fixtures.

A succession of back-to-back Gameweeks, last-minute postponements and a drip-feed of rearranged fixture announcements have made the winter a tricky period for Fantasy managers.

Reacting to the very next Gameweek has been a challenge, never mind planning further ahead.

But following last Friday’s beautifully timed press release from the Premier League, we now know when the bulk of the outstanding matches will take place.

Aston Villa v Everton and Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton are the only two remaining games without a new date, with the former a possibility to be added to the pre-March international break calendar.

And it’s this period in particular that we’ll be addressing in this article, given that it includes two Double Gameweeks (potentially three, if Villa v Everton gets added to Gameweek 28) and one Blank Gameweek.

We’ll also have a cursory look at the calendar beyond this point, at the foot of this piece.

NEXT FOUR GAMEWEEKS: THE BREAKDOWN – AS IT STANDS


2 x fixtures in Double Gameweek 26, 1 x fixture in Blank Gameweek 29Spurs, Fulham, Aston Villa (3)
2 x fixtures in Double Gameweek 26, 0 x fixture in Blank Gameweek 29Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Sheff Utd, Man Utd, Wolves, Burnley, Chelsea (10)
2 x fixtures in Double Gameweek 26, 2 x fixtures in Double Gameweek 27, 0 x fixture in Blank Gameweek 29Man City (1)
1 x fixture in Double Gameweek 26, 2 x fixtures in Double Gameweek 27, 0 x fixture in Blank Gameweek 29Southampton (1)
1 x fixture in Double Gameweek 26, 1 x fixture in Blank Gameweek 29Arsenal, Leeds, Brighton, Newcastle, West Ham (5)

Spurs, Fulham and Aston Villa are the obvious teams to target for those Fantasy managers wanting a player with two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26 and an unaffected game in Blank Gameweek 29.

Players we don’t already own from Arsenal, Leeds, Brighton, Newcastle and West Ham are low down the priority list this week but will become appealing again in the lead-up to Blank Gameweek 29.

Manchester City have back-to-back doubles starting from this weekend, while those holding onto Southampton assets have already begun a rollercoaster schedule that involves two Double Gameweeks, two single Gameweeks and a blank.

BEST AND WORST FIXTURES OF DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 26

Those who use our Season Ticker will have spotted that the new fixtures were added shortly after Friday’s announcement, with a rejig of the difficulty ratings following suit.

All of which leaves Everton (SOU | wba) at the top of our ticker if we look at Double Gameweek 26 in isolation, which those of us on a Free Hit will be doing.

The leakiest defences in the top flight await the Toffees over the next week, with Southampton and West Bromwich Albion the worst two clubs for goals conceded in 2021.

Even discounting the 9-0 thrashing at Old Trafford, Saints would still languish in the bottom three for that stat.

Those two teams, along with Everton themselves, it has to be said, have just one clean sheet apiece to their names this calendar year.

Tottenham Hotspur‘s (BUR | ful) brace of games perhaps looks better from a defensive perspective than it does attacking-wise.

Fulham and Burnley actually have the division’s joint-second-best defences over the last 15 Gameweeks, even if Nick Pope‘s (£5.6m) recent clean sheet record – four in 13 – is unremarkable.

The two sides may be capable of conceding, but they seldom get turned over.

Leicester City (ARS | bur) also face the shot-shy Clarets and an Arsenal side who have largely struggled for goals against the Champions League-chasing elite.

How Aston Villa fared without Grealish ahead of Double Gameweek 26

Aston Villa‘s (lee | shu) double-header is among the most appealing, not least because the Villans have excelled on the road this season.

An injury to Jack Grealish (£7.7m) looks like it may deprive Fantasy managers of the opportunity to field the Villa talisman against two suspect backlines, with Sheffield United’s defence injury-hit and out of form (one clean sheet all season) and Leeds’ own rearguard capable of self-combusting in any given game.

At the other end of our Season Ticker, Chelsea‘s (MUN | liv) defensive solidity under new boss Thomas Tuchel will be put to the test against two of the ‘big six’, while Pope may be relying heavily on save points in Burnley‘s (tot | LEI) two Double Gameweek 26 matches.

BEST AND WORST FIXTURES OF GAMEWEEKS 26-29

Those clubs with an extra fixture will naturally gravitate towards the top of our Season Ticker anyway but Aston Villa (lee + shu |WOL | new | TOT) and Spurs (BUR + ful | CRY | ars | avl) do have decent runs regardless, with ragged defences in Newcastle and Palace awaiting after Double Gameweek 26.

All of Leicester‘s next four opponents (ARS + bur | bha | SHU) are in the bottom half for goals scored in 2020/21, meanwhile.

Assets from these three clubs may well form the backbone of many Gameweek 26 sides, given that they tick multiple boxes: an appealing double-header in the coming Gameweek, attractive fixtures immediately after, and, in Spurs and Villa’s case, the bonus match in Blank Gameweek 29.

West Brom’s post-Double Gameweek schedule (BHA + EVE | new | CRY) is also positive-looking, for those considering a differential Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) pick.

The West Ham (mci | LEE | mun | ARS) love affair might be temporarily over in FPL, as they are among the six teams without two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26 and have some iffy upcoming matches in terms of difficulty.

Their next three opponents, including runaway leaders Manchester City, are all in the top five for goals scored in 2020/21.

Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) and co will be back on the menu and dusted down off benches in Gameweek 29, however.

A clash with Palace is the only real favourable fixture for Manchester United (che + cry | mci | WHU) over the coming three Gameweeks, meanwhile.

Trips to two of the division’s most in-form defences sandwich that match against the Eagles and Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) didn’t score in any of the reverse fixtures of his three games in Gameweeks 26 and 27.

Chelsea‘s (MUN + liv | EVE | lee) next four games are all against teams in the top half for goals scored in 2020/21: should they emerge from that period with a couple of clean sheets or more, then their in-form defenders will be high on the priority list for Gameweeks 30-34.

EUROPEAN SCHEDULES

Image

Just to further complicate matters, European football has recommenced over the last week.

Moderator Legomane has produced a matrix above which illustrates when the other, non-Premier League fixtures will take place over the coming month.

Manchester City are playing twice a week, every week, until the March international break, while Spurs, Leicester and Manchester United will follow suit if they continue to progress in the Europa League.

Expect a spot of rotation from these teams (among others), with Pep Guardiola indeed saying after Wednesday’s win over Borussia Monchengladbach:

GAMEWEEK 30 ONWARDS

It’s worth a brief look at the schedule beyond Blank Gameweek 29, as some Fantasy managers will be “dead-ending” their squads for that decimated, four-match Gameweek and activating their Wildcard straight after.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal sit towards the top of the Season Ticker from this point.

Wolves’ run from Gameweeks 31-35 (ful | SHU | BUR | wba | BHA) stands out, while Arsenal face the bottom five and Crystal Palace in the run-in.

The problems when we get to this time of the season, of course, are motivation and distractions elsewhere.

Wolves will likely be solidly mid-table and in “on the beach” territory, while Arsenal’s primary focus could well be on the Europa League, which probably now represents their best chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Liverpool‘s final seven fixtures (lee | NEW | mun | SOU | wba | bur |CRY) look pretty good, too. Given that they might still be scrapping for a top-four finish by that point, perhaps the Reds’ assets who have so underwhelmed in 2020/21 will have one final big say in what has been a turbulent FPL season.


1,223 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BST
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dilemma:

    Bb26 and fh 29 is the plan. I’m unlikely to start even 2 Leeds players up until 29.

    Martinez (Pope)
    Shaw stones Dias Mitchell (Dallas)
    Gundo Barnes salah bruno (raphinia)
    Dcl Bamford (ings)

    Do I...

    A. Ings to Kane (-4) - I do kind of want to keep ings for 27...)
    B. Bamford to Kane (-4) - Bamford a better fixture in 26 and 27 than ings? Assuming ings doesn’t score against city...
    C. Ings to Kane and Dallas to Digne (-8)

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  2. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This week smells like prime Sonny boi. Blanks for many weeks and appears to be out of form. Then hits you with the mega haul RKO outta nowhere

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hope youre right

    2. Wheyyyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Please no

  3. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When will price changes happen tonight

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1hr and 45mins

      Check the old hot topic price change to confirm

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's at 01:30, not 01:45.

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers hazz. I checked the hot topic after and was going to say I'm wrong

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            No worries 🙂

            1. kennethrhcp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Rarely up this late on here:)

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If UK based: 01:30

      Same as every day till the clocks go forward & then it becomes 02:30.

  4. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Jimmy Dunne (£3.8m), Rashford, Bamford -> Reguilon, Barnes, DCL for a -4? On a bench boost.

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      100%

    2. BST
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can you do Bamford to vardy instead?

      I’d be nervous about taking a hit to get Rashford out, even for Barnes. If he gets one or two returns (very likely) it won’t be worth it

      1. BST
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        For the record think dcl is a better bet than vardy though

      2. Villa Velour
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that's the thing but I've considered the next 4 weeks and I'd prefer Barnes anyway. Think I could cash out now on Rash. Especially if it means getting DCL in.

        1. BST
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Makes sense then. Certainly if you have bruno, wouldn’t want him and rash after 26

    3. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Might just be boring and do Jimmy Dunne and Ben Mee -> Burn, Aina (£0.1m off Burn & Dier)

  5. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure best option - already used free hit on Ings to DCLand team below - no BB or FH left and 1.2m in bank

    A WC
    B Further -12 to get Kane (TC) Barnes and Dias for Bamford Sterling Tarkowski
    C Transfer Tarkowski to Digne-4
    D Play team below
    E Any inspired suggestions welcome

    Martinez
    Cancelo Tarkowski Shaw
    Salah Bruno (TC) Sterling Gundogan Raphinha
    DCL Watkins

    Pope Bamford Dallas Coufal

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m in a similar position but have Kane, not DCL. Would need -8 to get DCL and much as I’d like him, Ings to Kane for free seems the percentage play

  6. Matsy123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best striker under 6.8 to bring in? Have Kane and bamford.

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins 6.5 isnt he?

    2. Lionac
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins or take a punt with Diagne

    3. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maja if you're feeling brave.

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GW30 looks horrible for benching decisions.

    Not in you still have BB by then.

    1. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is GW30 a double GW??

  8. LiamK17
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Watkins & Dier
    B) Reguillion & Diagne

    1. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A) gives you the potential for one more player in GW29

  9. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any hunch on any 4.9 mil defender?

    Dier? Konsa? Keep Lowton? already have Target

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With FT?

      How are you set for 29?

      1. FPL Bargain
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah a free transfer. I have 8 for GW29 so far

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sorted so! You can use the other 3 fts to get to 11 if you want

          Dier has good fixtures

          1. kennethrhcp
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            And spurs play in 29

    2. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dunk?

      1. FPL Bargain
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you. Kennetrhcp. Yeah Dunk a week or two after to make it up to 10 for 29

  10. adidasOriginals
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What 3 City players is everyone going with this dgw then?

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

      Stones Gundogan KDB

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The 3 I already have. Stones dias gundogan

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo cancelo Dias most likely .... have Dias and Gundo currently

    4. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The three I've had for months: Ederson, Stones & Gundogan.

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Presently have Cancelo Gundogan and Sterling and not sure taking hits worth changing it.

    6. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With pep saying he will rotate between 5 and 7 I'm gearing myself up for heartbreak

  11. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Kane will rise? Cheers

    1. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. FPL statistics.co.uk has him at 86% of what he would need to rise

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don’t think he will rise tonight ... only sitting at about 45%

      1. Winners900
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        appreciated guys

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The prediction sites can be wrong

  12. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison to Barnes for -4?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm considering for minus 8

  13. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play:
    A) Burn > Digne [-4]
    B) Raphinha

    Is Burn likely to retain spot? Everton DGW28 likely, or have to wait for Europa League Draw?

    1. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A but i do think Burn keeps playing

  14. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do we make of Cancelo playing a whole game last night? Best to go for Stones instead?

    I could also downgrade Raphiha to Lookman to get Dias.

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So did Walker so one of them plays with Zinchenko on the other side. I think Cancelo will play - does not seem to need rests but only Pep knows....

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He will always favour Cancelo that's for sure but does he start both games? That's my only concern

  15. adidasOriginals
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which defender would you transfer in for the upcoming please??

    A - Dier or other TOT?
    B - Digne or other EVE?

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

      B

    2. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A - At the moment it looks like Spurs have more fixtures because of 29. At the moment it looks like Everton don't double in 28

  16. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton to who for a FT?

    A) Dier
    B) Konsa
    C) Holgate
    D) Keep Lowton and the transfer

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

      Dier

      1. FPL Bargain
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah. I'm hoping he is gonna keep his place and play both. Sanchez didn't make the Europa cup squad this evening though. Anyone know why?

  17. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gents Maddison to Barnes/Jarod for-4 ???
    Have Grealesh also

  18. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start:

    A) Mee (double)
    B) One of Raphinha/Bamford

    1. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm starting Raphinha and have Bamford as my first sub.

    2. Going To Win This Year
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This is the Q. Currently thinking - 4 for target or reggie

  19. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think all those who jumped on the Barnes train might end up being disappointed with Maddison all but confirmed out.

    1. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do we likely know if he's out before deadline??

      1. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Rodgers: "We don’t believe he needs more surgery. It’s irritable where he’s had the issue before. He’s been to London yesterday with our club doctor and he is there today getting another opinion. We are just having to get a specialist’s opinion on it to formulate a plan for his recovery. We’ll look to be pretty flexible, we have other players with other attributes. We’ve had injuries all season and the beauty of this team and squad is they are quite flexible and they are very adaptable."

        https://www.teamtalk.com/news/brendan-rodgers-james-maddison-leicester-injury-update

      2. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And he’s now down to 50% chance of playing

  20. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope (McCarthy)
    Stones Lowton Targett (Coufal Dallas)
    Sterling Gundogan Bruno Salah (Saka)
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    Thoughts on Saka and McCarthy to Barnes and 4m Gk for a 4 pointer? It would allow me to bench Antonio this week and play him next week v LEEDS

    1. Going To Win This Year
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds good. Barnes will smash it. You gunna Tc?

      1. Ninjaa
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Undecided so far on the TC

  21. Going To Win This Year
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah, brewster, nyland to vardy, Barnes, areola for -12 to enable a BB.

    Or just TC Kane /Bruno for 0 hits

    Current team
    Martinez (Nyland)
    Dias Cancelo Shaw Mee (Dallas)
    Salah Son Gundo Bruno (Raph)
    Kane Dcl (brewster)

    Thank you

    1. Ajaxeeding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would not take a -12 for a BB. Seems like it could negate any upside.

  22. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A or B? Any help appreciated

    A) Pope/Mee/Ings > Martinez/Digne/Watkins (-8)
    B) Mee/Son/Ings > Pereira/Barnes/Kane (-8)

  23. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who you like more ???
    A Pereira
    B James Rodriguez
    ??
    Thanks

    1. Ajaxeeding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  24. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On a wc, best trio?

    A) Dias Cancelo Son
    B) Stones Cancelo Vardy
    C) Stones Konsa KDB

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A or B - too close to call

      1. tinear
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

    3. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all.

  25. Eightball
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm on wildcard. Thoughts on what to do with the Maddison money?

    My team is

    Martinez - Fabri
    Burn - Digne - Struijk - Stones - Dias
    Maddison - Barnes - Salah - Gundogan - Fernandes
    DCL - Bamford - Kane

    0.3m in the bank so gives me 7.5 million to play with if I get rid of maddison.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neto

  26. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lads I think LDB is a good shout after being rested in Champions League, no?

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB*

    2. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ye

  27. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For Double Game Week 26?

    A) Kane and Barnes
    B) Kane and Son

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. tinear
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma. I’m on A atm.

  28. Ajaxeeding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I get Konsa (4.6) or pay .3 more for Targett (4.9). While Targett gets forward more, I’m leaning towards Konsa because it gives me enough to do Barnes to Grealish for GW29. I would get rid of KWP and currently have .9 ITB.

    Pope, McCarthy
    Cancelo Dias, KWP, Lowton, Mitchell
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Gundogan, Barnes
    Bamford, DCL, Ings

  29. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you take a hit for Ogbonna->Keane/Shaw and start him over Dallas?

  30. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Barnes going to be less effective with Maddison likely to be out?