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. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How bout this for a no Salah no KdB wildcard?

    Martinez Forster
    Rudiger Dias shaw Castagne Dallas
    Gundo son fernandes jota Maddison/lingard
    Kane ings vydra

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

      Looks good. I'm considering no Salah/Fernandes tbf myself

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

    Has Forster taken over McCarthy as starting keeper now for Southampton?
    Is it Forsters place to lose?

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think so. Hope so!

  3. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC team, chasing in my league. Will try to go without Salah. Also only Kane from Spurs, except Son maybe but if I bring him in it messes everything else. Any other changes here?

    Mendy 3.9
    Robbo Dias Castagne Coady Mitchell
    Bruno Jota Gundo Neto Raphinha
    Kane Vardy Lacca

    1m itb

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Spurs play twice in gw32 so I would get Son for that week.

  4. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will you wc this lot, have 2 fts this week

    Martinez meslier
    Azpi dias cancello Dallas coufal
    Salah gundo lingard fernandz son
    Bamford kane Brewster

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

      Think you're fine with two frees, could even take a hit

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How is downgrade cancello and gundo to jota

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

          Sounds alright but if I had Gundo I would start him this week. Think he is a don't buy, don't sell type of player this gw

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            He’s a captain player this week

  5. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso might come in this GW, rest Chilwell for Porto 2nd leg, but is it looking like Chilwell will be Tuchel's preferred PL LB now?

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

      They will keep rotating I think. Alonso has started vs easier opponents and Chilwell vs Pool, United and Leeds

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Whazza. Neither nailed for WC plans so. Have Mendy, might get a Chelsea CB but prob switch to Shaw cos I want a bit of attacking intent in defender.

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

          Agree! Thinking if I go Rudiger he would be cover for James/Alonso. Cheaper than Coady who doesn't fill me with confidence. Would also then start double CHE def over Shaw vs Spurs

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

      Possibly. However noone seems to be mentioning how awful alonso defending is. Bringing rudiger and Chilwell back clearly makes the defence better, tuchel might not want another horror shoe repeated, can see the same back 5 playing again this weekend.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hopefully Alonso and Zouma are kept out of the team for a long time.. they are both horrid at defending..

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Tuchel knows Alonso is limited defensively. Chelsea V West Brom were a tired team after international break and down to 10 men with an eye on Porto and West Brom rested and prepping for 3 weeks for it. Alonso's bad defending didn't help but he did put them on the back foot at times foraying up the pitch, got an assist. Did them a favour though, banished any complacency and great to see Rudiger and Kepa not being happy afterwards. Alonso will still get some games but difficult to know when. I thought he was a cert v Porto after Atletico. So now neither him or Alonso look nailed, 2 very good PL assets 🙁

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

    Bottomed, sorry:

    Best combo?:

    A) Salah+Ihenacho
    B) Jota+Vardy
    C) Jota+Ihenacho

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal got the best set of fixures for the remainder of the season and yet can find a single spot in the team.

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

      Yup! Still considering Leno.. Would be all over Holding if he was absolutely nailed

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Also cant find a single player i would want from their team

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

      Tierney would probably be popular was he not crocked

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

      Laca or no one for me. Tierney and Saka are injured, otherwise they would have been in consideration

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

        Saka is back

    5. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Saka is the obvious pick, but how do you find a spot for him with so many mid priced players. Assuming Jota becomes template I wonder if having Saka instead would pay off.

    6. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Their defence is poor and unlikely to get better if Tierney is out. Handy looking fixtures won't fix that. Midtable and not motivated.

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

    Bench which 3 this GW?

    Areola | Johnstone
    TAA Dias Shaw Azpilicueta Coady
    Bruno Son Lingard Jota Pereira
    Kane Iheanacho Lacazette

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      V tough!

      Maybe Pereira, Coady, Shaw

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

        On Iheanacho, Coady & Shaw right now..

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Nacho on form vs a leaky WHU def though!

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

            Bench Jota then?

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              No chance!

  9. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rudiger the best Chelsea def taking price into consideration?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nailed?

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You not think he is?

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

      I think he's becoming undroppable for Tuchel

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      For at least next few yes

    4. BucketHead
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Consider james

  10. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo looks best on WC?

    A) TAA, Son, Fofana, Iheanacho, Vydra
    B) Phillips, Sterling (then switch to Son in 32), Dias, Iheanacho, Vydra
    C) TAA, Maddison, Dias, Iheanacho, Wood
    D) TAA, Jorginho, Dias, Vardy, Davis (No Son)

    Mendy, Forster
    XXXX, Rudiger, Shaw, XXXX, Coady
    Salah, Jota, Lingard, Bruno, XXXX
    Kane, XXXX, XXXX

    E) TAA, Sterling (change to Bruno in 32), Son, Iheanacho, Davis, Dias, Holding - no Coady or Bruno from skeleton squad above

    Cheers!

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

      I’m on B due to team value

      It’s A or B: basically. TAA & Fofana vs Philips & Dias. Think I prefer A if funds allow

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate. You don’t think any MCI attack needed this week then?

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

    Schmeichel has slightly more owners than Mendy, I'll be damned

  12. Rash
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    RMWCT

    Mendy forster
    Azpi Creswell holding Phillips rudiger
    Salah bruno lingard jota son/9.6 place hold
    Kane laca Davis

    Hit the button before I'd seen this article but to be fair my team needed major surgery..

  13. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Have made 13 changes on my WC, anyone with better numbers?
    (only kane and son have made it through)

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

      14 here, Bruno the sole survivor

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        haha nice

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Beats me ... currently on 11

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

    Is James better option than Alonso ( and save cash) as second Chelsea defender on WC? Can afford either and bench can cover benchings/rotation

    TAA Shaw Rüdiger Holding James/Alonso

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      James is probably 'safer' but Alonso does have a higher upside.

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

      Could be, can see more minutes + 0.7 is quite a big price difference. Depends how punty you are, both certainly excite me more than Rüdiger

    3. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Better option than say Castagne?

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

        No Castagne in my thinking too with great fixtures, no midweek games and top 4 to fight for

  15. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Latest WC draft - thoughts appreciated!

    Mendy - Forster
    Rudiger – Phillips – Shaw – TAA – Coady
    Lingard – Jota – Bruno – Maddison – Son
    Kane – Iheanacho – Ings

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Salah has got to be in there with those fixtures imo

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

      Envious because is that good

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d be wary of double LIV defence on a WC personally

      Otherwise v decent. Obv no Salah could hurt

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

      Ings is an interesting pick. Three tough fixtures and a blank after WBA - expensive bench option...

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well rested and looking to impress Southgate, while Calvert Lewin is surely not impressing Southgate.

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

      Like it and nice differential with Ings and like Maddison pick. What’s plan for Ings from 32?

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I am hoping Jimi will be an option by then or look at DCL maybe. Will have more info by then to make a pick.

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

    Best cheap defender for the run in, not being Phillips?

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

      Holding who should be safe for as long as Luiz out.

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

        Will holding even start

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

          ?

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

          Should do reading Arsenal fan forums and he is only recognised right footed central defender

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

            Had a chat with Deulo on here (big Arsenal fan) anyway he said Chambers can also be used as RCB. Looking likely Holding is the starter though but he was terrible vs Pool

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lascelles. Expect what you pay for.

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

        No chance to go lascelles

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Am going with Ward to be on the bench and only to be used for BB35 with CPY likely playing SHU and SOU

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

        Hmmmm.... maybe one of the CBS instead because of the goal threat?

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Cahill?

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

      Amartey?

  17. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2G here or anything pressing to deal with. Got £3.5m ITB

    Johnstone
    Rudiger, Creswell, Dias
    Jota, Bruno, Son, Gundo, Lingard
    Antonio, Kane

    Martinez, Veltman, Bamford, Konsa

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

      I would not be surprised to see your team ending without 11 playing players

    2. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Antonio won't be playing, but I don't think Bamford against anyone is bad back up option. Leeds will attack no matter who they play.

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

    Thoughts on this WC draft please? 0 ITB

    Mendy / Fabri

    Coady Dias Phillips / Shaw Dawson

    Lingard Salah Jota Fernandes Son

    Iheanacho Kane / Bamford

    Thanks

  19. JB_FC
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Final decision on wildcard, who would you choose?

    A) Phillips, Rudiger, Bamford
    B) TAA, Holding, Davis

    Mendy, Forster
    Veltman, Shaw, Dias, XXXX, XXXX
    Salah, Jota, Lingard, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Iheanacho, XXXX

    1. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  20. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Stones to holding or phillips? needs some funds. thanks and gl 🙂

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Phillips should outscore Holding over the final 8 games I would think

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        cheers.

  21. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Dias, Maddison
    B) Rudiger, Son

    1. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      For long term

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      has to be b

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    4. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

    Would be nice to have a player in the only Friday fixture FUL-WOL 😀

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Areola 🙂

  23. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really struggling to find an Antonio replacement if he is out. There's no one I want.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      play 5 in mid ?

      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I still have bb so need a third striker who will play. Will likely play 5 in midfield most weeks.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          i m going Iheanacho as a dcl replacement next gw if that helps

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

      Ye the striker bracket is dead

      Watkins terrible fixtures
      Bamford terrible fixtures next few
      DCL useless

      It’s got to be Iheanacho - should be great for next 4-5 weeks minimum

  24. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Forster
    Alonso Dias Stones
    Auba Lingard Raphina Bruno Son
    Antonio Kane
    (martinez watkins burn struijk)

    1FT 1.2ITB NO CHIPS

    Any suggestions?

  25. HaveYassineChikhaoui
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one of:
    A) Maddison (whu)
    B) Iheanacho (whu)
    C) Jota (AVL)

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ouch, A for me but only just. Reasoning being he is just back from injury and might not make 60 minutes. He might.. but the doubt is there

      1. HaveYassineChikhaoui
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Had the same thinking, I have a hunch that Jota won't be getting 90 mins either, but he's shown he doesn't need that to haul.

  26. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    *not on WC

    To go with Vardy for the run in or Bruno is killing me tbh. Vardy is going to bang it’s so very obvious with them fixtures also he’s a huge differential. But going without Bruno for Burnley and Leeds is suicide. Thoughts?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      bruno i think. you can get leicester "coverage" elsewhere imo

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Very true. But the difference between Vardy and the rest of them is huge

    2. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nacho has better stats than Vardy. So you can "cover" a bit. There is no covering Bruno.

    3. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you think Vardy is going to go off then you have already made your mind up. Don't let anyone else sway that feeling.

    4. HaveYassineChikhaoui
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bruno's EO will remain high till the end of the season, so go with him if you're looking to maintain rank, otherwise go with Vardy if you're trying to go a bit different and rise the ranks.

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

    Sufficiently WC template, except maybe def?
    Lead in my ML and have BB left.

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Rudiger, Coufal, Holding, Struijk
    Bruno, Lingard, Salah, Son, Jota
    Kane, Vydra, Iheanacho

  28. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    play areola or martinez ? thanks

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Areola

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        cheers

  29. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help with bench needed, would you star Son over Vydra and Shaw over Coady?

    Mendy
    Rudiger TAA Coady
    Sterling (c) Salah Jota Neto
    Kane Nacho Vydra

    Forster Son Shaw Cahill

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      son 100%

      possibly shaw

  30. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Reading articles like this, with all the connotations involved, makes me realise, I really have little to no passion for this game anymore...