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.

We’ll extend our usual six-Gameweek lookahead and instead cast our eyes a little further until the end of the season, given that some managers will be looking at using their Wildcard in Gameweek 30 or 31.

THE STRONG

LIVERPOOL

Next nine: ars | AVL | lee | NEW | mun | SOU | wba| bur | CRY

Hints of a return to form for Liverpool could have come at just the right time for Fantasy managers.

Eight out of the next 10 fixtures for the Reds look like games they really should be winning, and you wouldn’t bet against them against Arsenal and Manchester United either.

Jurgen Klopp’s side sit top of our Season Ticker from now until the end of the season, with their last four matches against Southampton, West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace looking particularly appealing.

After a trip to the Emirates, they also have a tidy mini-run against Aston Villa, Leeds and Newcastle.

With the majority of teams in their 10-game run now “on a British beach” with only pride left to play for, the Reds could put together a serious winning run before the end of the campaign.

But their form before the win over Wolves, including four straight home defeats, has left the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) community undecided on whether to back them or not.

One player garnering interest is Diogo Jota (£6.7m), who has taken a place in Liverpool’s front three since his return from injury and scored against former club Wolves in Gameweek 28.

Despite Mohamed Salah’s (£12.4m) recent profligacy, Fantasy managers who have held on to the Egyptian can take some comfort in his recent stats.

Salah is second for shots in the box and receiving big chances in his last six outings and scored in the Champions League against Red Bull Leipzig.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) brought in all three bonus points in his last game against Wolves and has created the second-highest amount of chances for defenders in the last six matches.

One factor counting against Liverpool is the Champions League. With Klopp admitting it would be “almost impossible” that his side would qualify for the tournament next year through league position, expect them to go all out to win the competition itself this year.

This could lead to players being rotated and rested on the domestic front, something we did see a bit of at the back-end of their run to the Champions League final in 2017/18, when there was little to play for in the top flight.

WOLVES

Next nine: WHU | ful | SHU | BUR | wba | BHA | tot | eve | MUN

Wolves soon enter a run of five fixtures as good as you are likely to see in FPL terms.

After a tricky tie at home against West Ham, they then face five of the bottom six all in a row.

Games against Sheffield United and West Brom who are all but relegated bookend an appealing home tie against Burnley.

Matches against Fulham and Brighton could prove to be much trickier, with the Cottagers battling for Premier League survival.

Wolves’ results over this period will depend much on their own desire.

Safe from trouble but too far off to threaten the European spots, we have often seen teams go off the boil with nothing to play for.

But with key players returning to the team and spots in the Portuguese European Championship squad up for grabs, Wolves could put together a solid run of form.

Centre-back Conor Coady (£4.8m) has become an unlikely goal threat with the most big chances of all defenders in the last six matches.

Star striker Raul Jimenez (£8.1m) could even have a part to play this season with Nuno Espirito Santo revealing that special headgear had been made for him.

ARSENAL

Next nine: LIV | shu | FUL | EVE | new | WBA | che | cry | BHA

It looks to be a mixed bag of games for Mikel Arteta’s side, starting off with a home fixture against Liverpool.

But after this match, the Gunners enter a cracking little run, playing Sheffield United, Fulham, Newcastle and West Brom as well as Everton.

Arsenal have demonstrated perfectly in their last two games how they are this season’s Jekyll and Hyde, causing the FPL community to give them a wide berth.

In Gameweek 28 they were dominant in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, where the margin of victory could have been far wider.

Then in their next game, they went 3-0 down to West Ham before mounting a superb comeback to claim a draw.

With four goals in his last six matches, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) received backing before the Blank Gameweek 29 fixture, only to go completely missing against the Hammers.

And now that Arsenal’s attentions appear to be firmly focused on Europe, Aubameyang is a rotation risk going forward. He can also be shunted out onto the left wing, where he was anonymous against West Ham.

The performances of Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) since his return from injury have caught the eye and he should start more matches than not, but there aren’t many Gunners who will swerve a benching or two so long as they remain in Europe.

WEST HAM

Next nine: wol | LEI | new | CHE | bur | EVE | bha | wba | SOU

West Ham have the advantage over Arsenal and Liverpool in that the Premier League will be their sole focus for the rest of the season.

With David Moyes’ men blazing towards a European spot, there will be no danger of them letting up before the end of the season.

And the Hammers have some kind fixtures before the end of the campaign, particularly on the road.

Visits to Wolves, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and West Brom are games where they will be expecting a win.

An end-of-the-season clash with Southampton also looks like a plum tie.

So the Hammers have the fixtures, and the players in form, to exploit this run.

Aaron Cresswell (£5.9m) is FPL’s highest-scoring defender this season, and has created two assists in his last six matches.

Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) is also in dazzling form since arriving from Manchester United on loan, and has had 11 shots in the box in his last six games.

While the goalscoring touch has evaded Michail Antonio (£6.7m) of late, he is still a key part of the Hammers’ attack, and laid on two assists against Arsenal.

ALSO CONSIDER

Manchester City‘s omission from this list is likely due to them not having a fixture in Gameweek 33.

But before and after that blank, they have games that could really hurt Fantasy managers who do not have any of their assets.

The Citizens are still yet to play Aston Villa, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Newcastle.

The spectre of Pep roulette looms over their end-of-season run, but players like Ruben Dias (£6.1m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) have shown they are more likely to play than others.

After matches against both Manchester clubs and Liverpool, the clouds part for Leeds.

Leeds sit top of the Season Ticker from Gameweek 34 until the end of the season, with games against Brighton, Burnley, Southampton and West Brom to come.

Holding onto players like Raphinha (£5.7m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) could be a wise move even during the initial difficult fixtures, with Leeds capable of nicking a goal or two due to their attacking style.

Chelsea assets step up ahead of favourable run of fixtures 3

Chelsea may be deep into the Champions League, but they have the squad capable of putting together a solid run domestically.

The Blues will play West Brom, Brighton, Palace, West Ham and Fulham, before their fixtures take a nasty turn in Gameweek 35 with a trip to the Etihad.

With Thomas Tuchel needing to keep players fresh for multiple competitions, rotation will definitely be a factor for Chelsea.

But players like Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) could see more Premier League game-time, particularly against some of the weaker teams, with the more defensively sound Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) saved for tougther opposition.

Fantasy managers who value fixtures over form and are looking for a short-term punt could go for a Southampton player.

In their next three games, the Saints face Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace before a blank in Gameweek 33.

THE WEAK

BRIGHTON

Next nine: mun | EVE | che | shu | LEE | wol | WHU | MCI | ars

Seagulls’ fans will be relieved that their side trounced Newcastle when they see their run-in for the end of the season.

In their next three, they face Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea, who are all gunning for Champions League places.

They will need to pick up points from the following three games against Sheffield United, Leeds and Wolves, as they then face West Ham, Man City and Arsenal to round 2020/21 off.

But Brighton have performed well in fixtures against clubs higher up the table.

They hold impressive wins over Spurs and Liverpool, and were unlucky to only claim a point in a 2-2 draw with West Ham.

And any FPL managers who brought in Brighton assets for last weekend could hold onto them for Blank Gameweek 33, when they face Sheffield United, before getting rid.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Next nine: eve | CHE | sou | lei | MCI | shu | AVL | ARS | liv

Crystal Palace’s combination of poor form and a tough run of games is enough to put off even die-hard Eagles fans from investing in their assets.

Palace sit bottom of the expected goals (xG) table for the last six matches, and second bottom for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the same period.

Southampton and Sheffield United look like winnable games for Roy Hodgson’s men.

But matches against Everton, Chelsea, Leicester, City, Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool could see them plunge down the table.

The return of talisman Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) to the team should help lift their xG.

But with a bounty of mid-price midfield options, it could be wise to avoid the Eagles for the rest of the season.

WEST BROM

Next nine: che | SOU | lei | avl | WOL | ars | LIV | WHU | lee

Let’s be honest, any fixture right now for West Brom is a tough game.

But any Baggies fans hoping for a reprieval towards the end of the season won’t be getting one, with them playing Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham in a row.

Their final game of the season before dropping down to the Championship will be a trip to Leeds, who beat them 5-0 in the reverse fixture.

Sam Allardyce has failed to work his magic on West Brom, despite their xG and xGC showing signs of improvement in recent games.

And any backers of Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) swayed by his impressive stats have had no attacking returns to show for their faith.

LEICESTER

Next nine: MCI | whu | WBA | CRY | sou | NEW | mun | che | TOT

It’s the classic ‘form versus fixtures’ argument where Leicester are concerned, with the Foxes playing some cracking football of late.

But for anyone looking to invest in Leicester players, it may be worth waiting until after their games against Manchester City and West Ham.

From Gameweek 32 onwards, they face West Brom, Palace, Southampton and Newcastle in a cracking run before their schedule turns difficult again.

In Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) the Foxes possess one of the most in-form strikers in the league.

The frontman has got on the end of an incredible seven big chances in four games, the most in the league by far, and ties Harry Kane with 15 attempts.

As the FA Cup tie showed against Manchester United, Iheanacho is capable of scoring against the top teams – as are Leicester themselves.

220 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Klich tests positive..

    Seriously everytime there is an international break there's a mini surge in the number of cases!

  2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    You can get Portugal at 10/1 to win the euros at the minute really really like the look of that

    Considering England are 5/1, Portugal’s value looks insane

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      *Disclaimer: FFS have not paid me any money to encourage gambling!!!

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        They have a class squad on paper, id definitely have them ahead of England thats for sure!

        Belgium have great squad as well, but are managed by martinez.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          The Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo spine looks tailor made for knockout football

          Loads of quality around them in Cancelo, Bilva, Jota, Moutinho, Joao Felix, Neto, Raul Neves etc too

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 days ago

            When you look at it like that it’s frightening

            My biggest concern would be everything being unbalanced by Ronaldo - it’s a big ego to contain and can he cope in a system where it all doesn’t revolve around him? Played at Real so perhaps yes

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          The Belgium squad contains two Palace centre forwards - doubting their strength in depth 🙂

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 days ago

            Well Portugal's first choice partner for Dias is 38 y/o Pepe. They're not particularly blessed for depth either.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 days ago

              True that

    2. ANGRY PERSON
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Portugal and France are the two clear favourites

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      I think there are only maybe 5 teams that can win this.

      France, Portugal, England, Belgium, Germany.

      Of those, France and Portugal are certainly the most in-form.

      1. SchluppsIDidItAgain
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        England?! No chance!

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        If England can win it (and obviously they technically could) that list needs to be expanded to about 15 teams

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 days ago

          I actually do think they have a chance. A better chance than in any of the last few major tournaments

          This team has better fundamentals, real talent in the attacking slots and the only thing it needs is a formation that is understood and suits the players.

          If England find personnel to fit the 3 atb formation that Southgate wants to adopt, they have a real chance I think. Not just individually, I think the team mentality is stronger now under Southgate than in any of the past campaigns as well. That matters.

          Furthermore, the other international teams with maybe the exception of France who are producing world class talent at every position, have shriveled. Germany are in transition as are Spain and only Portugal have improved noticeably. Belgium's golden generation were stronger 2 years ago with prime Hazard now their defense is aging.

          This is England's best chance to win since Euro 96 imo.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 days ago

            They always have a chance to be fair - they just (nearly) always bottle that chance and are hyped up to boiling point before they even kick a ball by the press

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 5 days ago

              Personally haven't been impressed by them under Southgate at all - they had such an easy run of games in the World Cup, it would have made any side look good

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 5 days ago

                But every dog has it's day and they're definitely in the running - the bookies prices are just reflecting punter sentiment rather than footballing ability

                1. Camzy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 5 days ago

                  I agree on the odds. England at 5/1 is an awful price. Would never take those odds. But I do think they are among the top 5 teams in the running.

                2. Riverside Red
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 5 days ago

                  We have one of the strongest squads for many years..but our manager Southgate is the weak link

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 5 days ago

                    They've had far, far stronger squads & teams in years gone by imo

                    Clasic example is always when they scored 5 goals against Germany in 2001 with the likes of prime/young Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, Owen, Rooney, Beckham, Scholes on the books

                    1. Riverside Red
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 5 days ago

                      Don't agree with you Max on lots of other squads being stronger..although the one you quoted should have achieved more..what went wrong there

                    2. Riverside Red
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      2 years, 8 months ago

                      Max,
                      Do you still think this team is weaker than the supposed golden era squad..it looks to me as if we have that many good players that even Southgate can't mess it up.

                  2. Ruth_NZ
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 5 days ago

                    More like a missing link than a weak link.

                    He's yet another in a succession of mediocre managers appointed by the FA primarily for their ability to avoid offending anyone and embarrassing the FA hierarchy. Seems like an under-achieving, poorly selected and poorly coached team isn't one of the things the FA finds embarrassing though. 🙄

                    I have long since given up on England and don't even watch their games any more, haven't since Hodgson was appointed. The only thing that might make me watch would be if a few Chelsea players were involved. Otherwise I'd rather watch the Chelsea youth teams.

                    International football has lost all spice anyway because FIFA and UEFA persist in creating ever-bigger and more multitudinous tournaments and creating slots for dumbass friendlies. Who cares? All it does is to get in the way of proper football. The top club teams are of a way higher standard than the top international teams nowadays.

                    Football has become a money trough and every pig wants their snout in it. That's FIFA & UEFA in a nutshell and the top clubs are increasingly going that way too.

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 days ago

            My worry is that so much rides on Kane - there must be good odds on his breaking down between now and then.

            Yes there is other attacking talent but he’s a class above and 100% talisman. Lose him and where’s the leader?

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 days ago

              Henderson. He's arguably the better leader anyway.

              I also think Calvert Lewin is good enough to lead the line for England if Kane is injured.

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 5 days ago

                Good point on Henderson

                DCL could come good but he's a couple of classes below as someone you can rely on to stick the ball in the back of the net when it matters.

                I'd put more weight on either Sancho or Foden becoming "shooting stars" more or less as Rooney did in his breakout international season. They're both on the cusp.

                International tournaments can produce big breakthroughs. They feel more likely to me.

              2. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 5 days ago

                Should add here that I value a proven international goal scorer really highly in tournament football.

                At some point every team is going to face a moment when they need to conjure a goal up. Lineker was the ultimate tournament footballer here for England. Neither 1986 or 1990 would have happened without him. Ditto Shearer in 1996.

                I still think that poorly timed injuries to Owen and Rooney put the kibosh on England in previous tournaments when they might have had a good chance.

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        Will confess I haven’t been paying much attention at all to international football.

        Where do Italy stand? They have been known to do rather well when they look complete rubbish.

        I assume they’ve qualified

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 days ago

          They're even longer odds than Portugal - rough order seems to be:

          England 5/1 favourites (which is just the most mental of mental mentalnesses considering their track record & pedigree of bottling every possible situation in a knockout tournament)

          France 6/1, Belgium 7/1, Germany 8/1, Spain 9/1, Portugal 10/1, Holland 11/1, Italy 12/1, anyone after that minimum 40/1 (including Croatia interestingly)

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 days ago

            Honestly - laying England on the exchanges looks like the real value move there - can't believe the amount of money that must be out there on them to drive a 5/1 price

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 days ago

            Yep

            I tend to put a disproportionate amount of weight on national track records - feels illogical but some nations just seem to do these things better

            I suppose France and Spain came up trumps in the end but that was on the back of some almighty teams/talent - Dugarry notwithstanding:-)

    4. niaz1982
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 days ago

      Portugal have to get out of a group with Germany and France in first!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 days ago

        I'd say that's a big factor in why they're that massive 10-1 price

        Win their first match, and/or qualify from that group & the 10/1 would drop a lot I'd imagine

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 days ago

        4/6 3rd place teams will qualify for the knockouts

  3. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 days ago

    Looking good for Maddison, really missed him in my team....

  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 days ago

    Looks like Bale will never play for Spurs again after this now 😆

    https://twitter.com/FFScout/status/1374694418469560323

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      It was never about fitness after the october, imo. Mourinho just refuses to play players that don't want to commit to the cause. Similar thing as with Eriksen last season, "I know you are professional, but you are not here (makes a hand gesture near the head)" . Just in this case I don't think Mourinho takes Bale in that high regard. 🙂

  5. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 days ago

    Thought about an Auba punt to be "explosive" and try and hit a big haul. Instead got Veltman for the benefit of Brighton defense who outscored him by 8. Not sure what the lesson is here

  6. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 days ago

    Ignoring double gameweeks that are yet to be announced, these are my thoughts on the best captaincy options for the rest of the season:
    GW30 - Bruno (BHA)
    GW31 - KDB (LEE)
    GW32 - Bruno (BUR)
    GW33 - Salah (NEW)
    GW34 - Kane (SHU)
    GW35 - Kane (lee)
    GW36 - Salah (wba)
    GW37 - KDB (bha)
    GW38 - Salah (CRY)

    What do you think?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      Haven't checked fixture list for variants but Leeds away is not that great a fixture. Spurs haven't been scoring much away and Leeds are consistently better home than away

      Also I wouldn't by choice captain away to Brighton unless nothing else was on.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 days ago

        Lots of options in 35 as of now. 37 looks a tricky one.

        Both could yet be DGWs - that'd be my hope for 37 anyway

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      Looks good, Vardy (CRY) GW33 could be differential for those on FH. Raphinha (WBA) GW38 is also intriguing. These two GWs you called out Salah [C] but for some they may not bring Salah back to the team.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      With the fixtures as they are now, you are essentially targetting the whipping boys SHU, WBA and NEW.

      There is a few on your list I don't agree with.

      GW30 - Bamford/Raphinha (SHU) or Kane (NEW) or Havertz (WBA)
      GW31 - KDB/Gundo (LEE) or Auba (SHU)
      GW32 - Iheanacho/Vardy(WBA) or Lingard/Antonio (NEW)
      GW33 - Salah/Jota (NEW)
      GW34 - Kane (SHU)
      GW35 - Iheanacho/Vardy(NEW)
      GW36 - Salah/Jota (WBA) or KDB/Gundo (NEW)
      GW37 - Lingard/Antonio (WBA)
      GW38 - Bamford/Raphinha (WBA)

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 days ago

        Proper captaincy matrix that is!

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 days ago

        Also pick players from teams that have something to play for like LEI, WHU, TOT and to a certain extent Leeds that haven't changed the way the play all season. The GWs where City are one of the best picks will be difficult if they have the league wrapped up early and prioritising cup comps

  7. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 days ago

    Chelsea, Brighton, Villa and MCity with blanks in GW32...

    Is this certain, or can they reschedule the games midweek?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      Reschedule midweek. Go check out Ben Crellin on twitter

  8. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 days ago

    Does anyone have a side they believe doesn't look so great for this week? Feels like everyone is confident about having a good week, which means nobody will be having a good week.

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      Bale and third defender (Cancelo/Stones, I believe they will concede) are dodgy, otherwise good team. I believe Reguillon and Bamford are fine. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with one FT. Triple Spurs (I could do just Bale to Son), triple Leeds, DCL, Lingard/Gundo (headache!), Martinez, I could also bring Che def. I am confident, even without KDB for eg.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 days ago

      I wouldn't say confident but when I look at my team and who they are playing against on paper, you would hope for a decent return.

      Bale will stay on my bench after the team Mourinho put out in the last game and Bale's latest comments. Difficult benching Cancelo and Cresswell when Dallas and Digne have good fixtures but I've been fed up with Digne for a while!

      WC31 FH33
      1FT 5.5itb
      Martinez
      Dallas Digne Stones
      Raphinha Son Lingard Gundo
      Kane Bamford DCL
      (Fabri Bale Cancelo Cresswell)