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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which WC plan please:

    1.
    Mendy Forster
    Shaw TAA Rudiger Holding Lascelles
    Salah Fernandes Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra
    0.0 itb

    2. Lascelles Vydra >> Coady Davis (0.0 itb)

    3. Lascelles Vydra >> Veltman Davis (0.4 itb)

    Thanks guys

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stick in Raz over Bruno for 1 week I reckon.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why does everyone believe Sterling is going to come back from the dead all of a sudden?

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

          I know, wouldn’t touch the guy... even when he scores he is absolutely the most frustrating player to watch from an FPL perspective

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What about Forster to a 3.9 then Lascelles to Masuaku or Alioski. Or just keep as is because Vydra is getting minutes and Lascelles is a guaranteed 90 min player

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

        Yes fair point... Son should drop which would allow Lascelles to become a 4.3

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1

  2. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would just be typical if Gundog cleans up this gw.

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

      yes it would, particularly as I have gone no citeh in my WC.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fully expect it

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably will tbh, just so hard to tell though with City

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

      Starting him but not captaining, despite the temptation.

  3. RichRover
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which Wolves player for the next few games?
    A. Neto
    B. Traore
    C. Different Wolves player
    D. Avoid Wolves

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d avoid myself but probably A if I had to have one. I considered Traore myself but just not sure he’s worth the extra .3 as neither Wolves mid seem very explosive so can use it elsewhere and just be happy if Neto would get at least 1 goal and say 2 assists over the 4 games

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

        Cheers

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      D

  4. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is it crazy to go with Kane as a sole striker and having Vydra and 4.2 as your forward line?
    With Antonio most likely injured, Bamford poor fixtures for the next few, C.Wilson possibly only back this or next week, also not keen on Iheanacho.
    There doesn’t seem to be as many options at that price range in attack. Would have to go up in price bracket to get a better forward imo but would rather a midfielder in the 8’s than Ings, Lacazette etc

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Need a better #2 than vydra. Donkey and Watkins have doubles if you doubt Antonio fitness; I expect him to play

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I worry about it not being strong enough but it would mean I can play 5 mids of Salah Son Bruno Maddison Lingard every week

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I want to see maddy healthy and what formation they play before investing. May ignore them altogether

          1. Thomas Magnum
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah this worries me also, wish Barnes was fit but no luck there. Could just downgrade Maddison stick with Raphinha and upgrade Davis (4.2)

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Yeah Raph fallback is a good one

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Antonio didn’t train though

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Raph Antonio > Salah Vydra -4? WC, BB available.

    Martinez
    Azpi Digne stones
    Bruno son gundo lingard
    Kane bamford Antonio

    Forster raphina coufal Dallas

    1ft, 6m itb

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota and no hit if WC intact imo

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

        Do you think Jota starts this week?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah but I’d take 30

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

            Thinking Gundogan to Jota. Risky. What do you think?

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I did Raph; I like Gundog still, especially as my 5th mid. I’ll buy Raph back later

      2. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. Was thinking the same earlier, but worried about his gametime. Would cap Salah if I got him, not sure about Jota though.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I’m going with Bruno this week personally

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I would too if I dont get Mo.

  6. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Saka is fit?

    You are sleeping WCers!!!!

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And rudi didn’t look great walking off late, something to monitor

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s fit yes but would rather say Raphinha (5.5 SV) at least I know Raphinha will start every week and won’t possibly play LB some weeks (Tierney injury)

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

        Aubameyang is LB!

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lol

        2. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah, he’s been left back in the change rooms

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

            I thought Arteta was punishing him expecting to track Trent. Not a happy player by any means

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I agree, but I’ve seen a lot of Neto’s and Neve’s out there lol

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Fixtures blinding people and pushing them towards them. To be fair there’s not exactly an abundance of options in the 6m and under price rangeb

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

            Pereira worth a punt. West Brom poor and he has been very inconsistent but Sam spent the week before and IB break on their attack and Pereira is central to that, on setpieces too.

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Due a pen too

            2. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              What about Diagne mate. Mid slots are precious

  7. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to go with on WC?

    A. Neto + Fofana
    B. Lingz + Holding

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lingz always

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  8. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale + Antonio - > Jota + Watkins (-4). Frees up cash as well to do DCL -> Vardy next week. Yay or nay?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yay, not sure about Watkins though

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Personally don't want to bring him in either, but can't see too many options in that price range. May be keep Antonio in the hope he starts
        and do the other mentioned transfers?

  9. Call of Guti
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Chaps/Chapesses

    Making a good crack of this season....any help on this WC team is a BIG help...

    Forster
    Coady/Shaw/Rudi
    Mo/Son/Bruno/Jota/Jlingz
    Kane/Bamers

    Martinez/Dallas/Vydra/Phillips

    Enough to get over the line with minimal tinkering?

  10. Pepe
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Spurs and Live both have quite good matchups coming, already have Kane, but what do u think, is it time to replace Son with Salah?

  11. Assist me a river
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A or B?

    A: Trent - Phillips - Dias - Rudiger - Holding 
    B: Azpilcueta - Dias - Castagne - Phillips - Coady

    Mendy in goal