Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best and worst upcoming FPL fixtures?

Our regular frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Premier League clubs and players with – in theory – the strongest and weakest runs of league matches over the coming weeks of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

The primary focus in this article will be on the next six Gameweeks but we will scrutinise the longer-term prospects where appropriate.

Our colour-coded Season Ticker is the primary source for this piece; using this tool as a Premium Member, you can sort by difficulty, rank by attacking and defensive potential or find budget rotation pairings. You can also set your own difficulty ratings, should you disagree with our own.

BEST FIXTURES

CHELSEA

Saturday’s comprehensive 7-0 win over Norwich City brought a hat-trick from Mason Mount (£7.5m), who had lost 390,000 owners since his previous start in Gameweek 5, rather than the much-bought Kai Havertz (£8.1m). The German was the only Chelsea starter to blank – a beautiful summarisation of what FPL is all about. However, those new owners could still benefit from Romelu Lukaku‘s (£11.5m) injury if Havertz delivers the goods against Newcastle United – a side yet to keep a clean sheet.

The Blues then face Burnley at home, completing the sequence of facing relegation zone sides. After that are two games that seem difficult at first but, looking deeper, still present strong attacking fixtures. Leicester City haven’t kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 1 and conceded twice in each of the four games preceding Sunday’s 2-1 win at Brentford, whilst Manchester United have let in 11 goals from their last three matches in all competitions.

Six clean sheets have been kept from nine attempts. Although their three goals conceded is the league’s lowest, Chelsea are bettered by several sides in terms of shots conceded, shots conceded in penalty area and expected goals conceded (xGC). The other defensive issue is guessing who will play for Thomas Tuchel. Only Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) and Trevoh Chalobah (£4.9m) have started the last two league matches, with Marcos Alonso (£5.8m) and Andreas Christensen (£5.1m) waiting to step in.

BRENTFORD

Another side facing the bottom three in succession is Brentford. The newly-promoted side have impressed many over early matches, despite the last four fixtures being against teams from last season’s top six. Before that, the Bees won two and drew two of the first five and many FPL managers will be hoping that Ivan Toney (£6.5m) is joined by Bryan Mbeumo (£5.6m) in attack, should the Frenchman recover from the hamstring issue that forced his half-time withdrawal at the weekend.

Mbeumo is a cheap midfielder, playing as a striker. his expected goals (xG) tally of 3.47 is the best of all sub-£7.5m players and only beaten by six of any price. Only two goals have been scored, although an incredible six shots have hit the woodwork. Toney only has an assist from the past four gameweeks but is on penalty duty.

Burnley (a), Norwich (H) and Newcastle (a) present three of the four worst xGC numbers, conceding a total of 434 shots so far – an average of 16-per-match. Norwich have only scored twice, with them and Burnley having the lowest team xG numbers of 7.29 and 8.78, boding well for Ethan Pinnock (£4.7m) and Pontus Jansson (£4.7m). Beyond that, Everton have just conceded five times at home to Watford, Tottenham have let in 13 from their last six and Leeds United’s defence is the only one competing with the bottom three for worst back line.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Kane and Wilson enter FPL differential conversation ahead of Gameweek 9 5

Between defensive woes, two successive defeats and the drop in form of Harry Kane (£12.1m), Tottenham’s imminent clash with Man United will be an interesting battle to see which club is most in crisis right now. For owners of Kane and Son Heung-min (£10.2m) – who is still managing to have a good season – the fixture defies its red colouring on the ticker. Then it’s a trip to Goodison Park and a stretch of fixtures that exceeds the four shown in blue above. Between Gameweek 12 and Gameweek 22, Spurs only face one of last season’s top four.

This gives an opportunity to those with plenty of money in the bank from selling Lukaku or Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m), as the temptation to get either Son or Kane strengthens. Defensively, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men started the season with three clean sheets but have none since, yet the cheap prices of Eric Dier (£4.5m) and Sergio Reguilon (£5.1m) could persuade FPL managers to grab one for these opponents.

NORWICH CITY

Top of the fixture ticker are Norwich, although with an asterisk that they’re bottom of the league, winless and with only two goals so far – it would an incredibly maverick move to go for forward Teemu Pukki (£5.8m). A decent £4.5m bench option could be Mathias Normann who, since his Gameweek 5 debut, comes top for goal attempts (11) at his price point. Their defence did keep consecutive clean sheets against Burnley and Brighton, before returning to normality with the 7-0 crushing at Chelsea.

Whilst one perspective is that Leeds (H), Brentford (a), Southampton (H), Wolves (H) and Newcastle (a) are good fixtures for Norwich, the other is that managers should target assets from these five teams because they are about to have a very promising opponent.

WORST FIXTURES

WATFORD

Is now the time to sell Everton's value-for-money FPL midfielders? 1

Just when it seemed that Watford’s early mid-table position was about to collapse, new manager Claudio Ranieri watched his side overturn a 2-1 deficit at Everton into a remarkable 5-2 win inside the last 15 minutes. The Hornets are now in 14th place and will be thankful for a six-point gap over the relegation zone, knowing that the home match against Southampton is followed by Arsenal (a), Man United (H), Leicester (a), Chelsea (H) and Manchester City (H).

Some of these sides’ weaknesses were mentioned above but, make no mistake, they will still be tough challenges for Watford. Emmanual Dennis (£5.2m) delivered 12 points in his 26-minute cameo but is suspended for Gameweek 10, whilst Joshua King (£5.5m) added a hat-trick to his brilliant record versus Everton to bag his first goals of the season. Star man Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) wasn’t involved in any of the five at Goodison Park and his price drops are expected to continue when FPL managers see these fixtures. At the back, Watford join Newcastle in still not having collected any clean sheets.

WEST HAM UNITED

Vestergaard injury latest as Antonio and Benrahma haul again 2

The time might have felt right to ditch Michail Antonio (£8.1m), having blanked in consecutive matches and with Liverpool (H), Man City (a) and Chelsea (H) on the horizon. Then the striker netted the winner against Tottenham to join Jamie Vardy on 57 points as the joint-second highest FPL scorer behind Mohamed Salah (£12.9m). Many managers have other fires to put out right now, with Mbeumo, Jamie Vardy (£10.8m) and Raphinha (£6.7m) potentially injured and Ronaldo losing form, meaning Antonio’s goal should see him survive a cull.

However, team mate Said Benrahma (£6.5m) may be one of those fires. After delivering a goal, an assist and 12 points from the first pair of matches, he he since been involved in one goal from seven. It isn’t for a lack of trying – his four games since scoring in Gameweek 5 have amassed 16 shots, a number only topped by Salah throughout the league.

Again, the Mbeumo and Raphinha situations could spare him an abandonment, but patience must surely be thining amongst his 33.7% ownership. Defensively, the Hammers have followed a leaky start by keeping two successive clean sheets. Aaron Cresswell (£5.5m) added an assist on Sunday. However, it’s ill-advised to purchase one with these upcoming fixtures.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,574 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Perfect. White, my 4th potential injury!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Raphinha, Mbeumo and White here!! DCL, Bamford, Rudiger, Doucoure and the above 3 now all injured in my team since gameweek 4!! It’s never ending!!

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Lukaku, Raph, Mbeumo, White and Christensen here. Five, I should have said.

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      4th for me too. And I just WCd last week

  2. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Pepe assist...

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Motivated by FFS Comments

  3. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso worth a punt? Or shall I just play it safe and get Ben White?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He went off injured

  4. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A. Play Livramento and save FT

    Or

    B. Armstrong > Toney and bench Livramento

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Load up on norwich players. sergeant triple c

  6. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Another one 🙁

  7. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have 5 players flagged already and WC used...This is getting ugly

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Time to WC

    2. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Use Freehit and then play Triple Captain the week after and like that you won't fall behind on points

  8. Louis99
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed... (sorry to be that guy)

    Thoughts on this first WC draft?

    Sanchez - Foster
    TAA - Chilwell - Cancelo - Livra - 3.9
    Salah - Son - Foden - Havertz - ESR
    Antonio - Hwang - Toney

    0.2ITB

    Maybe Havertz > Mount and upgrade elsewhere?

    Thanks!

    1. Original Sin
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Havertz to Mount and upgrade 3.9 to a playing defender at least.

      1. HeDoesntWantIt
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I prefer Havertz to Mount. I’m just a little worried that he won’t play next game considering he’s playing tonight and Tuchel likes to rotate. I’d take Broja over the Wolves guy up top.

  9. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers only 4.2 but surely too risky ?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Before the Arsenal physios even look at White, yes.

      Holding probably ahead of him too...

  10. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Raph + Benrahma > Mount + Brownhill -4

    a. Yes
    b. No

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      b. No

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Nice to Havertz return for his owners

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      *to see

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Too soon 🙁

    3. demob
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      KANCELLED

  12. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Strange ESR started tonight isn’t it?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mind you Leno has too tbf

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

      Oedegaard not even on the bench

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Strange

    3. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He's seen as irreplaceable perhaps.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe

    4. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ESR is fixed as playmaker for Arsenal. Odegaard not up to it, not sure why they bought him

  13. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Leeds are trash. Anyone hoping Raphinha going to carry that shambles...

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Was about to say they need their most important player back, but he’s playing

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Meslier?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Phillips

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      LEE needs investment in the team, and the James/Harrison transfers were a total flops

  14. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chamber of secrets is on itv2

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      🙂

  15. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any Pukki owners around?

    GW10 could be a good one.

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Great fixtures

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I would have him vs this Leeds team.

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

      Pukki has more FPL points than Ronaldo this season

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Been there done that got the t-shirt.
      Never again

    4. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Don't do it to yourself, it'll end in tears

  16. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Will Jesus start vs. Palace? Need a Werner replacement for 8.6m.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If rested of limited mins tomorrow

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Other idea is Toney

    2. mattyb09
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I have Jesus, plan on getting Toney in vs NOR

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yea will probably go Toney.

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

    Team, did Bielsa give any raphinha updates?

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

      No- might say something after game I guess

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

      All he ever says is "depends on evolution of the injury" anyways

  18. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    For those of us who bought Raya on wild card what's the best play? Think I'm just going to have to play Foster for now, too many other fires.

    1. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Watford playing Southampton so decent cleansheet odds for Foster this week at least.

  19. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chilwell injured yet?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That will be on Friday, after everyone has got him in

  20. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Um is Alonso playing LW now?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      LWB. Which, in Alonso's eyes, is the same thing so yes.

      Chilwell on the right

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Chilwell on the right wtf haha

        CHO in the front 3 then?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, he's at LW.

          Little surprised we didn't go TSilva and move the CBs along one (ie James RWB) but maybe they're just being careful with him.

  21. footballfreak
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mbeumo vardy marcal raphinha and now white also injured........

    1. syke63
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy, Lukaku, White, Raph, Raya, Christensen here.

      1. King Carlos
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Holy c*ap, Batman!

      2. Eagleowl
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Is Christensen injured as well?

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Werner Raph Pinnock

    3. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mbuemo, Tierney, Raya and Vardy here.

    4. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Replace Marcal with Tierney and that's my team

  22. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi has not started today as well. Is he injured? Or rested again for the weekend? Should I keep him or move him to Chillwell?

    1. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Shoulder injury apparently

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

    ESR off for a rest

  24. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    ESR hooked & healthy on 72'.

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thank goodness ESR is off safe with all these injuries

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Probably a bad toothache

  26. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Eddy Nketiah very fortunate with that goal. Thought he was going to miss in real time

    1. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm still waiting for it to cross the line, lol. 🙂

  27. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Remember when Kalvin Phillips was player of the tournament in the Euros? Feels like it was five years ago

  28. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    If the Chelsea game stays level, does it go to extra time or straight to penalties?

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

      penos

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ta. Was hoping Alonso would end up playing 120 😆

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

    Great so now James plays 120 mins ugh

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

      Oh actually it’s right to pens isn’t it

  30. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    If Fodens benched tomorrow think I might move Havertz to Foden this week. Are Havertz owners here keeping?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Has he done anything?

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Scored a header.. not much else.