Fixtures

Sizeable Double Gameweek a possibility if fans return to Premier League matches

Should it get the green light to go ahead, the planned return of fans to Premier League matches could have major repercussions for Fantasy managers.

Providing the United Kingdom government’s four-step roadmap to easing COVID-19 restrictions remains on course, each top-flight club will enjoy one game in front of a predominantly home crowd before the end of 2020/21.

This won’t happen before May 17th and, as things stand, only Gameweek 38 falls after this date.

And so, in order for all 20 Premier League sides to be able to welcome back supporters through their gates, Gameweek 36 and/or 37 will likely have to move.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

The current schedule is fairly serene-looking.

Gameweek 32 will see Tottenham Hotspur play twice, with Crystal Palace blanking.

Gameweek 33 will see Spurs, Manchester City, Southampton and Fulham all blank, thanks to the clash with the EFL Cup final.

Only two previously postponed matches remain outstanding: Southampton v Crystal Palace and Aston Villa v Everton.

WILL GAMEWEEK 36 OR 37 MOVE?

This is where it starts to get complicated.

As it stands, Gameweek 36 is a midweek round of fixtures, with Gameweek 37 scheduled for a weekend.

Above: Gameweeks 35-38 as it stands (graphic courtesy of Legomané)

Martin Ziegler of The Times initially reported that the 36th round of matches would catapult into the free midweek after Gameweek 37.

The Athletic have since suggested that rounds 36 and 37 would each simply shuffle forward a few days, with Gameweek 36 taking place on the weekend of May 15/16 and Gameweek 37 in the following midweek.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 35?

SouBur Sunday

Whichever of the above scenarios pans out, a free midweek will suddenly appear after Gameweek 35.

That gap could be used to incorporate Southampton v Palace and Villa v Everton, for starters.

Those two matches could theoretically be absorbed after Gameweeks 33 and 34, of course, but UEFA Champions League and Europa League games fall within those weeks and – generally speaking – the respective competitions tend not to clash.

A BIGGER DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 35…?

It doesn’t end there.

The FA Cup final will involve Chelsea and Leicester City and clashes with – as it stands – the Gameweek 37 fixtures.

If things stay as they are, then any affected Premier League games would very likely move back a few days to the free midweek and still fall within Gameweek 37.

But in any of the two scenarios above involving Gameweek 36/37 shifting, then the postponed league matches would seemingly also have to be swallowed up by Gameweek 35.

And so, up to eight teams could potentially have a Double Gameweek 35 and up to four teams could potentially have a blank in Gameweek 36.

Moderator Legomané has represented the two possible scenarios below in ticker form to give an idea of what Gameweek 35 and beyond could look like.

CHIP STRATEGY

The current world number one answers your questions

Much talk has raged this week of the ‘Wildcard in Gameweek 31’ approach but another Double Gameweek would put the cat amongst the pigeons.

An eight-team Double Gameweek is Bench Boost or Triple Captain territory, with a Wildcard potentially used in Gameweek 34 to plan for it.

The problem is: it’s all theoretical at this stage and subject to change.

Confirmation is still awaited not only from the Premier League shareholders but also the UK government, with any setback in the roadmap to lifting restrictions meaning that the notion of fans returning would be shelved.

Then there are the fixtures themselves, with none of the eight double-headers shown in Legomane’s graphic particularly appealing, other than perhaps Crystal Palace’s.

It’s all (educated) conjecture at this point but, with Friday’s FPL deadline approaching, many Fantasy managers will face a chip-related dilemma or two ahead of Gameweek 31 without knowing the full picture beyond it.

798 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mason

    1. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still find it hard to get my head around Mount being any good at football.

      By the way, love the Saints - good to know there’s at least one other on here.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He's by far Chelsea's best player, crazy isn't it!

        Haha cheers mate, dissapointing season in the end unless we win the FA cup of course

        1. space mercenary
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Of course he is. He is from Portsmouth :-).

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He's showing remarkable consistency, and his all round game is coming on leaps and bounds.

        Very excited about his prospects, a Chelsea legend in the making.

  2. FootballDog
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick 1.... For -4 Raphinha to:
    A. Sterling
    B. Neto
    C. Salah
    D. Save and play him

    1. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It’s time to go back to Salah.

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

  3. SuperG
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GundogMillionaire or Ihanatcho for this weekend - I’ve got both but an struggling to know who to play.

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gund

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help me set a WC 31/BB 32 team?

    Dias Shaw Coady Phillips* Amartey*
    Bruno Son Lingard Salah* Saka*
    Kane Iheanacho Richarlison*

    OR

    Dias Shaw Coady TAA* Azpilicueta*
    Bruno Son Lingard Jota* Pereira*
    Kane Iheanacho Lacazette*

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Check the article and forget BB now. Not even Dias is nailed.

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Just want to get rid of the BB, WC already activated.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Okay. Sorry that I haven't thought about WC 31 and can't therefore help. I might prefer thst cheaper ARS def over Coady.

          1. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            No worries

  5. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy Forster
    Shaw TAA Rudiger Holding Lascelles
    Salah Fernandes Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

    0.0 itb

    Lascelles can become Veltman if Son and Veltman drop in price...

    Thoughts please??

    Thanks

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks great! But will you actually need Vydra or is it better to go for Brewster/Davis + 0.5/0.6M?

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate, well if I went Davis I could do:

        1. Lascelles >> Coady
        2. Lascelles >> Veltman (save 0.4)
        3. Hold with Lascelles Vydra

        What do you think?

  6. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mount on WC this week only then transfer him out for son DGw32?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Personally I think Son straight away and save the FT. 2FT will be nice for BGW33

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeh thabks maybe that is more sensible

      2. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

  7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Mendy
    Dias Stones Azpi Lascelles
    Gundo Bale Lingard(c) Bruno
    Kane DCL

    Bench: Martinez Raphinha Bamford Konsa
    0 FT, 5.5m ITB

  8. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cheers for this. Hoping fixtures get confirmed at a decent time unlike the last DGW

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      "It's like solving a Rubik's Cube that's fighting back".

      My pleasure 🙂

  9. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Cancelo & Jota
    B) Trent & Neto

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think A

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who do you prefer on wildcard please?

    A....lingard and vydra (fodder)

    B....Mount and davis

    Thanks

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      So Lingard or Mount. Lingard

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would prefer A.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks

        1. Corona is not good 4 U
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          No problem. Hopefully it will help.

  11. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this horror show?

    Pope (Sanchez)
    Dias, Digne, Coufal (Targett) (Dallas)
    Fernandes, Gündogan, Lingard, Son (Raphinha)
    Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Lacazette

    1 free transfer and 0.4 in the bank.

    Thank you!

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Your team is good especially for this week. Mendy for Pope?

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you!

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd be saving and doing a big shuffle next week, something like laca, raphinha, digne to davis, salah and rudiger

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you!

    3. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Save

  12. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2G? Still have WC but don't really see a need to use it this week

    Forster
    Dias Phillips Lascelles
    Bruno Son Salah Gundo Jota
    Kane DCL

    Martinez Bamford Dallas Struijk

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yea. Quite close to mine. WC may become handy later.

  13. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gundogan + Bamford to Lingard + Iheanacho? Yay or nay

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just Nacho in now.

  14. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    should I bring back Jorginho? he looks promising.

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Waste of a midfield spot

  15. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How many CS for Villa do you see for the rest of the season? Fair to assume 3 maybe 4?

    liv MCI WBA eve MUN cry tot CHE EVE

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wow. Contemplating getting rid of Martinez. The extra fixture is tempting but they're baaad

        1. jonnybhoy
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Deffos better options gw31 onwards

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wba and palace

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      3/4 looks ambitious to me.

      They've conceded to Newcastle Fulham and Sheffield United recently and have a wretched cs record against top 8. Bubble burst?

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Perhaps I'm just having a hard time getting rid of Martinez. This helps though!

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Reasonable chance the DGW will fall when other keepers get a double too would sway it for me. Even if cup doubles don't happen then there's a chance that Forster gets a DGW in 35 including Palace.

          Have Emi and will play him in 33 but that's about it for me.

          I guess if you got him for 4.5 it's worth a hold as Villa could turn it around in defence and there are all those save points. he was only a couple off he cs keepers last week for instance.

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            No don't change my mind again 😆
            Similar thoughts with Forster, there's the risk of him losing his place to McCarthy but I think I need to take it at 4.0!

            Martinez replacements are hard though: Could make a case for any of Mendy, Leno, Schmeichel, Lloris or Rui Patricio

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              He's pricey of course but I have Ederson.

              I rationalise it as just thinking of my keepers as part of the defence budget. He matches Dias - who is common enough - and is uber nailed and plays for the best defence and has better fixtures than Chelsea.

              1. Whazza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                He's great but problem for me is he blanks 33 as Forster.

  16. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On wildcard. Any players you think I should get in to fill the gaps. Contemplating a few options upfront like Lacazette/Leicester forwards/Everton forwards too.

    Mendy Forster
    Philps Rudiger Coufal Holding Stones/X
    Salah Bruno Son Lingard X
    Kane X X

    1. dynamike
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota surley

  17. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team GW 31 or 33?

    1 FT 1.3 ITB

    Johnstone McCarthy
    Stones Cancelo Targett Dallas Mee
    Raphinha Neto Son Gundogan Salah
    Bamford Kane DCL

    1. MidTableFantasy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would do it now to capitalize on the points. Leeds have it tough next few weeks, Neto needs to go, Stones/Cancelo not guaranteed starters, GKs could use changing.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry but "Neto needs to go" is nonsense

        1. MidTableFantasy
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Waste of money if he's going to sit on the bench with that squad. Might as well get a fodder to upgrade the GKs.

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I understand you better now. However it's hardly a must, nice to have a decent player coming on if Gundo or someone misses out.

            1. Jones Kusi
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              What do you think? I could transfer out Gundo for Jota and maybe even take a -4 for Dallas > Coady.

              In that case i’ll start with Stones, Cancelo and Raphinha and in worst case if the City boys doesnt play ill get Mee in.

  18. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    In which gameweek will the double game week take place?

    Thank you!

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      35

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you!

  19. Pandastar5
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What's the consensus on bringing in Wolves players for the upcoming gameweeks? Is it worth taking a shot on Neto for the attacking returns and someone like Saiss for clean sheets?

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was dead set on Coady / Saiss but form isnt great for clean sheets

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      wolves have a very bad record in CS in recent games. probably Neto.

    3. MidTableFantasy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would consider a defender. Neto looks good but in my opinion too inconsistent for FPL.

    4. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think they are good picks for their prices, but I have no room for Neto even in a 5 man midfield.. Coady most nailed Wolves def but doesn't excite me, good first sub imo

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't know. There is hardly any now. I believe they are trap with current form and injuries.

  20. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Article: "Sizeable Double Gameweek a possibility if fans return to Premier League matches". The proverbial elephant in the room ... 🙂

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think I'm going to go without Salah on wc. Let's me go fun elsewhere!

    Ederson forster
    TAA alonso shaw dallas coufal
    Bruno son jota lingard gundo
    Kane nacho mcgoldrick

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Interesting, will you FH33? No keeper if no

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Oops you are right! Maybe just go with mendy then

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Seems the go to pick, but there are many contenders for that spot imo

  22. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bench order & C correct ?

    Mendy,
    Rüdiger, Shaw, Dias,
    Son, Sterling C, Lingz, Jota, Bruno,
    Kane, Bamford,

    Martinez, Watkins, Cresswell, Dallas,

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d start Watkins over Bamford

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ta

  23. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What's the best pair?:

    A) Salah+Ihenacho
    B) Jota+Vardy

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota and nacho 😉

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  24. leocarter27
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best combo on WC please?

    A) Dawson and Bamford

    B) Azpi and Vydra

    Thanks

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      hard call but B looks reasonable.

  25. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    who else is benching bam bam?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Me

    2. MidTableFantasy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      First on bench for me

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Unsure on him or Watkins?

  26. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Areola
    Digne Shaw Stones
    De Bruyne Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha Lingard
    Kane Watkins

    Martinez Bamford Dallas Burn
    2.6m 1ft

    Chasing 33pt deficit, no wc.

    A) KDB and Raphinha to salah and Jota (iheanacho for Bamford next week)
    B) KDB and Bamford for Jota and vardy (son for Gundogan next week)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Time for a few differentials?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That’s why I’m thinking vardy

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yes, defo rank killer

  27. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick one:

    A) Jota (have Salah and TAA)
    B) Lingard
    C) Maddison

    1. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Diogoal

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Very tricky

      Lingard I think just. 33 is a poor fixture of course but I'd need to see Maddison play and perform before picking him. Think the prime Liverpool ones start in 33 and even then they have United in 34.

  28. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Outside of Martinez/Mendy which goalie do you prefer alongside Forster between

    A Leno
    B Schmeichel
    C Patricio

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      My exact problem!

  29. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son dropping again 2night. Do ppl not realise he has a dgw coming up?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's been on the verge of dropping for a whole week and has at time gone well below 100. May hang on yet.

    2. MidTableFantasy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Shhhhhh let it happen lol

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe people opting for Lucas?
      (i got nothing by way of an explanation)

    4. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I've got him and obviously I'm keeping him for the double but 1 solitary goal since the New Years Day fixtures just doesn't cut the mustard hence the sales.

  30. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Excellent job Mason, now please do that again this weekend 😉

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm sure someone wearing that shirt will score 🙂