Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best and worst upcoming FPL fixtures?

Our frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Premier League clubs with the strongest and weakest runs of league matches over the coming weeks – in theory, at least.

Our primary focus in this article will again be on a six-Gameweek lookahead but we will scrutinise the longer-term prospects where appropriate.

Just what constitutes a ‘good’ fixture is open for debate in 2020/21, with the proverbial freak results seemingly happening on a regular basis.

We will also be discussing teams with Double Gameweeks and teams that play in Blank Gameweek 29.

THE STRONG

SOUTHAMPTON

Next six: shu | mci | BHA | BUR | wba | CRY

Put simply, Southampton are in wretched form. Since defeating Liverpool in Gameweek 17 they have lost their last eight games in nine, conceding 28 goals in that time.

But the Saints have a near-perfect run of fixtures to rediscover their early-season form.

Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side sit top of our Season Ticker from now until Gameweek 32, with games against Sheffield United, Brighton, Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace along with a trip to Manchester City.

Other than their clash with the league leaders, Crystal Palace are the highest placed team the Saints will face in their next six, and their recent performances have been far from convincing.

But with Brighton, Burnley, West Brom and even Sheffield United fighting for their lives near the bottom, these games will be far from easy.

Southampton face a Double Gameweek in 27 but have no games in Blank Gameweek 29, so any Fantasy managers unconvinced by the Saints could take a short punt on the likes of Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) and ditch them if they fail to convince in three games.

The Saints are also one of four teams to blank in Gameweek 33 as well, so a short-term punt may be the best option.

Fantasy managers yet to use their Bench Boost could be tempted by Fraser Forster (£4.0m), as the keeper looks to have regained his place in the team at the expense of Alex McCarthy (£4.5m).

NEWCASTLE

Next six: wba | AVL | bha | TOT | bur | WHU

Newcastle look to be in a similar situation to Southampton, having won twice in their last 14 games.

The next six games for the Magpies will likely decide their season, with matches against relegation struggles West Brom, Brighton and Burnley.

But they will likely head into these games without their three top attacking players.

Both Miguel Almiron (£5.6m) and Alan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) will miss their first three games at least, joining striker Callum Wilson (£6.5m) on the treatment table.

It remains to be seen how Steve Bruce will adapt a system so reliant on Almiron and Saint-Maximin, but it could mean more game time for Dwight Gayle (£5.9m), Andy Carroll (£5.1m) and Ryan Fraser (£5.6m), who has created an impressive number of chances and assisted Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m) in the 1-1 draw against Wolves.

The Newcastle captain looks to be a decent cut-price option in defence, with West Brom, Brighton and Burnley producing some of the worst attacking numbers in the league this season.

But with Bruce hardly known as a master tactician, the best option may be to wait at least until the West Brom game to see how he adapts his line-up.

ARSENAL

Next six: bur | TOT | whu | LIV | shu | FUL

Arsenal face a mixed bag of fixtures over their next few games, with some decent away trips and tough home ties.

Two meetings with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are followed by a home game against Liverpool, which represents a tricky run. But either side of this run are matches against strugglers Burnley, Sheffield United and Fulham.

With their top four dream all but over, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted their focus has now turned to the Europa League.

This was evident in their Gameweek 26 win over Leicester, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) were left on the bench.

In their place, two players who have come in for criticism this season, Willian (£7.5m) and Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m), delivered double-point hauls against the Foxes, so Arteta could have good rotation options going forward.

Both of Arsenal’s games against London rivals come three days after their Europa League fixtures against Olympiakos, so we could expect rotation to come into play here.

MANCHESTER CITY

Double-figure returns for Dias and Stones ahead of second Double Gameweek 26 fixture

Next six: MUN | SOU | ful | lei | LEE | avl

With or without a good set of fixtures, most FPL teams are full of Man City players.

Following the Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola’s side face struggling Southampton and Fulham, then a Leicester side beset by injuries.

They also face games against Leeds and Villa, who have shown weaknesses in defence over the last few Gameweeks.

Like Arsenal, City are competing on multiple fronts, so rotation is bound to come into play.

26% owned Joao Cancelo (£6.2m) missed out in their last game against West Ham, and other than Ederson (£6.1m) in goal, Ruben Dias (£6.1m) looks to be the safest route into the City defence.

Returning stars Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) also muddy the waters for popular FPL assets.

In De Bruyne’s last two starts, popular midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m) has only managed two attempts on goal, and created no chances, so the Belgian’s return could seriously blunt his attacking output.

And Aguero’s return to the City attack could lessen the minutes of Phil Foden (£6.1m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.6m), none of whom started the West Ham game.

ALSO CONSIDER

Rüdiger forcing way into Chelsea picture ahead of appealing fixtures

Chelsea seem to have had a good run of fixtures all the way through Thomas Tuchel’s tenure, and this looks to continue.

After somewhat tricky games against Everton and Leeds, followed by a blank in Gameweek 29, Chelsea face West Brom, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

With Tuchel appearing to enjoy rotation as much as Guardiola, Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) is one of very few players to have missed just one game.

The German offers an excellent-value route into a defence that has conceded just two goals in seven league games.

We’ve also seen Tuchel select Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) at left wing-back against teams lower down the table for his added attacking threat, with Alonso having the most attempts in the box of all defenders in the last six Gameweeks.

Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) regained his place for the game against Manchester United, but Alonso could well be rotated back in for the games against the bottom half sides, especially with Chelsea still in the Champions League and FA Cup.

Chelsea’s opponents in Gameweek 27, Everton, also have a decent mini-run of games.

Double Gameweek 26 Scout Picks built on Man City and Everton assets

After facing Chelsea, the Toffees play Burnley and Crystal Palace at home before a seaside trip to Brighton.

Following the Brighton game, Everton’s fixtures take a nasty swing, with games against Spurs, Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham.

But anyone thinking about selling Everton assets like Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) and Lucas Digne (£6.2m) for Blank Gameweeek 29 may want to hang on for another couple of weeks.

Wolves’ improved defensive performances are beginning to catch the eye ahead of some cracking fixtures.

If we cast the Season Ticker ahead to the next 10 fixtures, then Wolves sit top of the pile.

This is chiefly down to their run from Gameweek 31 to 35, where they play five of the bottom six.

Defensive stalwarts Conor Coady (£4.8m) and Roman Saiss (£4.9m) will be on the radar, as well as winger Pedro Neto (£5.7m), who has delivered impressive returns all season.

THE WEAK

FULHAM

Next six: liv | MCI | LEE | avl | WOL | ars

Fulham face an almighty fixture swing after a decent run of games, starting in Gameweek 27 with their visit to Anfield.

They then host table-topping City and free-scoring Leeds, before games against Villa, Wolves and Arsenal.

However, with Fulham fighting for their lives at the bottom you wouldn’t be surprised if the Cottagers got a couple of good results from these games.

And they have already proven capable of taking points from teams higher up the table this season, with wins over Everton and Leicester, and draws with Liverpool and Spurs.

Anyone who has brought in Fulham assets for Blank Gameweek 29 may fancy their chances against an up-and-down Villa team and Wolves.

Fulham’s goal is likely to be peppered with shots over this period, so Alphonse Areola (£4.5m), their most owned player, could still be capable of bringing in returns.

But any gambles on Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) and Josh Maja (£5.5m) look risky, with Fulham struggling to score goals all season.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Next six: mci | WHU | BHA | tot | BUR | lee

The old argument of form vs fixtures comes into play with Manchester United. The Red Devils have scored the highest amount of goals over the last six Gameweeks.

But Fantasy managers are not convinced, and there is even chatter about people moving on Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), this season’s top-scoring FPL asset.

The immediate future doesn’t look great for Man United, starting with the derby against City.

As we saw in United’s game against Chelsea, in big games they tend to play a cautious style, resulting in 0-0 draws against the Blues, Liverpool and Man City.

They then follow that up with a game against in-form West Ham, who proved to be no pushovers in their narrow defeat against City.

The Red Devils then don’t play in Blank Gameweek 29, so their immediate prospect for points isn’t great.

This improves from Gameweek 30, with games against Brighton and Burnley sandwiched between trips to Spurs and Leeds.

But a game against arch-rivals Liverpool follows this, so anyone with Red Devils assets could be tempted to sell.

Fernandes owners, in particular, could be tempted to hit the trigger, with the Portuguese international only scoring one goal against the traditional big six.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Next six: tot | WBA | eve | CHE | sou | lei

The news of Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) returning to training may dampen what looks to be an awful run of games for Palace.

Excluding their home game against West Brom, Palace face tough matches against Spurs, Everton, Chelsea and Leicester, all of whom are fighting for a European spot.

As well as having bad fixtures, the Eagles have been in poor form of late, having the worst expected goals rating (xG) of all teams in the last six Gameweeks.

Results in their last two games may have masked their poor form, with their 2-1 win over Brighton coming after they had two touches in the box, and a 0-0 draw with Fulham where they were second best for much of the game.

Other than relying on Zaha to hit the ground running, it is difficult to highlight a Palace asset for inclusion.

Budget defender Tyrick Mitchell (£3.8m) appears to have lost his place in the team, and is also suffering with an injury.

And Jean-Phillipe Mateta (£5.8m) may have added himself to the shortlist for the Puskas Award after his backheeled goal against Brighton, but he has struggled to adapt to the English game.

BURNLEY

Next six: ARS | eve | sou | NEW | mun | wol

Sean Dyche’s side have found themselves dragged into a relegation battle after a poor run of form.

Injuries have hit Burnley’s small squad, with first-team strikers Ashley Barnes (£6.0m) and Chris Wood (£6.2m) missing out through injury.

And their defence was uncharacteristically poor against Spurs in their weekend game, being torn apart by Gareth Bale (£9.3m) in a 4-0 rout.

This display will put most Fantasy managers off investing in their defence, with games coming up against top attacks like Everton, Man United and Arsenal.

But the Clarets have previously shown an ability to keep clean sheets against bottom-half rivals, so games against Southampton and Newcastle should not be written off.

387 Comments Post a Comment
  1. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Oh he's left out Reguilon but Kane, Son and Bale all play?

    Of course. Obviously. What a stupid week.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Well Son and Kane were guaranteed. Reggie still being eased back after injury?

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        yeah was a risky pick , was looking at 29 and a possible haul so got it in part , no complaints

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Yeah, not surprising though. Nobody could pick a Spurs defender.

      1. faux_C
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Just so irritating after the Cancelo and Sterling benchings as well.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          yep but many suffering similar so no major for me

          1. faux_C
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            I'm obviously cranky since I don't own Kane and I am afeared.

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              Ha , I sincerely hope you will be afraid 🙂

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Yeah it’s been pretty brutal.

    3. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Atleast you don't own dier on a BB sigh

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Unlucky mate.

      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        exactly there's always worse to endure

  2. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Get those sofas ready lads, it’s about to get MESSY

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      In all seriousness I actually find getting hyped up before a match and then seeing a 2 pointer afterwards quite funny

      1. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Kane hatty incoming!

      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        yeah same , have to laugh

      3. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Get ready to laugh then 🙂

  3. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Are we in for much of the same tonight ? last night Bruno boys on about an easy haul, tonight it's time for us Kaners gimme 5 Harry !

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I’d love a haul from him. I’ve never had a triple captain success.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        GL Rupe !! only Cpt here

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      This

  4. richarlison2348
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Kane army rising up!

    1. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Here LOL

  5. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Predictions for Fulham Spurs? I’m going 1-2

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      0-1

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      1-1

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      1-2

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Bale and Alli?

    5. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      1-0

    6. richarlison2348
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      6-2, mark my words except if I'm wrong

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        And second set?

  6. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    F off Murinho

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Regulion owner spotted

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        You got that right 🙂

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          How do you think I feel as an Aurier owner !

      2. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Lol

      3. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Lol

      4. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        You got me LR

      5. gonzalocampos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        LOL

  7. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    At the rate this gw went,
    I gladly take 1 goal or even 1 assist from Kane.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      1 assist Im happy , more ecstatic

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Tc or regular C?

  8. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Need 22 points from Richarlison, Kane and Keane to hit 100.

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Need 34 from Kane (tc), Salah and Johnstone.

      1. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        You are more likely to get there tbh

  9. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Hearts will be broken

  10. JohannaAdams10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    A) captain Sterling

    B) Sterling to KDB and captain (minus 4)

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      A

  11. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Unfortunately it's DCL that will haul not Kane, rival has him

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Fingers crossed!

    2. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Hopefully

  12. Liberate HK - antichinazi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Chances of AMN getting a 21-pointer?

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Fairly slim, I'd say

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      0,21 promils

  13. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Forster ¦ Martinez
    Cancelo Reguilon Stones
    Bruno Gundogan Son Saka
    Kane Ings Bamford
    | Rashford Holding Coufal

    Start?
    A) Forster
    B) Martinez

    1. Saka
    2. Rashford

    TIA!

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Saka.
      and I went Forster myself, but I own Targett as well. In your case maybe safer Martinez.

  14. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    West Brom bad defence.
    Fulham good defence.

    Now can you please live up to your reputation!

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Sort of game West Brom will turn up for and Fulham will revert back to who they were last season.

  15. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    You just know that Ali will score tonight and Jose will big him up after the game, when really everyone is scratching their heads why he left it this long to play him in PL. score tonight and no doubt he is back in starting 11 for the next few games at least

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      He’s fought his way back in to the team. Jose likes that fight.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Done nothing of the sort..Jose for some reason dropped him for most of the season then decided to play him again recently now he is flavour of the month with Jose until he throws his toys out again and drops him or bale after singling them out for critiscism

    2. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Not totally accurate. He will score, then start the next two games and continue to score. Then we will all get him in, then Mourinho will bench him.

  16. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    C'mon Ri(c)harlison!

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      You had your fun last game, now let DCL shine!

  17. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    1 goal from Kane and 6 saves from Areola please.

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I don't own Areola but would be okay with this

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I own both so would very much appreciate this.

        Preferably Areola saves a Kane penalty and Kane scores the rebound.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Not against that either.

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Right. Expecting big things here today with Kane(TC) Son Digne DCL and then Salah later.

    It’s not gonna go well is it

    1. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Lol exact same here. It's not gonna go well.

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Much to look forward too. Best assets to own for tonight!

  19. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Sonny to the left Bale to right , stuck in the middle with you !! Get in Harry i

  20. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Kane goal and Fulham win.

  21. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Kane Triple Captainers how many points would you take right now?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      A goal is fine. Anything more a bonus.

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      5

  22. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Why has Kane not scored yet?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Hurricanes take a while to form.

  23. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    I don't have Kane. I should be in hiding.

  24. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    OMG Son to Kane, huge miss

    Of course I own both and have TC on Kane

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    C'mon DCL and Son, do something!!

  26. buttsy9
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Chasing in my league, 0ITB and only FH chip left.

    Pope, Meslier
    Lowton Stones Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Bruno Salah Barnes Smith-Rowe Gundo
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Barnes obviously has to come out but who else?