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. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hang on. Did white get injured too?

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

      He did

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Oh bum cheeks.

        Vardy, Raphinha.

        Could be WC time.

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

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

      Arteta said he was not feeling well- illness bug so he was taken off

  2. dabber7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry didn't see the game ...

    just noticed that Alonso and Chilwell played the best part of the last half an hour on the pitch at the same time. Where did they each play and how did they do?

    Many thanks

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

      Chilwell played in either RW/LW when he came on.

      1. dabber7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Many thanks Zebestee

        That's really, really interesting, would love to hear Tuchel's thought process on this ... is there a chance that he's considering depolying Chilwell as an attacker in future league games, I wonder?

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Chilwell played RWB. not LW/RW.

          1. dabber7
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Ah right, cheers Hazz, so where did Reece James play?

            Thanks

            1. dabber7
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Think I've worked it out, Ziyech went off and Hudson-Odoi moved further forward with Chilwell replacing him at rwb ... is that right?

              Cheers

  3. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Maybe this is the week Alonso gets a start

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

      Told myself that last GW, never happened

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

      Might be

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        It would be the perfect conclusion of my relationship with him……Wildcarded him into the team GW7……0 points and dropped 0.2 in value……..now he’ll probably score 21 points against Newcastle

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

    Wonder if Sky reporter will ask Bielsa about Raphinha when interviewing him after the current ad break

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Blah, blah, blah, evolution…

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

      Did he?

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

        No but reported elsewhere that Leeds expect him to be ok for Sunday

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

          Hope so, 1 less fire to extinguish

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

    1FT. 1.0m in the bank. 2 yellow flagged players (Raphinha, Vardy), 2 definite no-shows (Raya, Emmanuel Dennis).

    Getting Raya out should be the priority, correct? Considering Mendy, Ederson or Guaita.

    Raya / 4.0
    TAA / Cancelo / Rudiger / Duffy / Livramento
    Salah / Havertz / Raphinha / Gallagher / Benrahma
    Vardy / Antonio / Dennis

  6. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bielsa suggesting Raphinha will be fit for the weekend

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

      Really? That's great news! When, where, source?

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

        Beren Cross on Twitter

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Before limping off around 58 mins.

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

      GREAT NEWS!

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

      Praise the lord

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He’s ruining raphinha’s health out of pure desperation

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

    Bottomed last page but Chelsea play Malmö a week tonight- is there chance of Havertz being rested v Newcastle and if so who would take his place assuming Lukaku and Werner still out ?

  8. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    https://twitter.com/sr_collings/status/1453105163112157184

    Raphinha likely to be fit!

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

      Lovely news, especially after opting to sell Benrahma over him for this week!

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Noice

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

    Thomas Tuchel is hoping Cesar Azpilicueta will be fit to face Newcastle United.

    https://twitter.com/AbsoluteChelsea/status/1453105709244198912

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If he was hoping he wasn't, that's be news.

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

    OMG

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

      Ole Muller Gone-shire?

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

      Old Mans Gonads??

    3. banskt
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Oceans Melting Greenland.

  11. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy as Raya replacement? Not too keen on going back to Sanchez tbh.

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

      Always had Raya. He had to get injured just before his favorable fixtures! I am also considering Guaita or Fernandez.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I only just got Raya for Sanchez too, but surely best option is to go back.

  12. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just sold Raphinha for Foden. Uh oh.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why so early?

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Had exact money. If Foden had risen tonight which he may well do I wouldn't have been able to afford it.

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

    White had a bug and feeling unwell so Arteta took him off

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

      Was it not a hamstring??

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

        Not according to Arteta in post match interview

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

          Really? Nice,schooldays fit for the weekend then..

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

            Auto correct *schooldays* for *should* WTF

  14. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso owners what are you doing? We think he gets a game this week?

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

      Doubt it. He's untrustable.

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sold for Chilwell

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

        Same

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

        Thinking of doing that tonight. We comfortable Chilwell starts every week?

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

          Yep.

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

      You’ll feel better once rid, I know I do, the hope that kill and so on

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

      Just sold for Chilwell…….I’ve ruined it for everyone

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I sold for Chillwell. He better not play this weekend

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

    James owners, what are you doing with him if Azpi is fit?

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

      I'd hold him if I owned him. No guarantees Azpi will walk straight back in..

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

        Tempting to switch to Chilly

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

          I swapped Alonso to Chilly on Sunday personally. But wouldn't transfer James for him..

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tempted to bench for Livramento it’s going to be a tricky decision

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

        Why didn’t we just get Chilwell in the first place argh

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

    Reckon Duffy & Marcal will start this weekend??

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

      Anyone any thoughts??

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure Marcal deserves his place back.
      Duffy was always likley to be a short term option, but can't say that I have any insight.

    3. LeytonOrient
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Potter said line up was to give more speed to manage city. I can see the same being used for pool.

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

        Aka no bueno for Duffy.

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        They conceded 4 I doubt he’ll want to do that again

  17. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who to get?

    A Jesus
    B Antonio

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

      B

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

      Surely A. Better fixtures

  18. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger nailed correct?

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

      As nailed as can be in the Chelsea defense.

  19. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mount off pens again then?

  20. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Tierney > Chilwell
    B) Raphinha > Mount
    C) Havertz > Mount

    Only C allows me to get both (until Havertz is sold)

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo James
    Foden Grealish Havertz Raphinha* ESR
    Vardy Jimenez

    Bachmann | Livramento, Tierney*, Edouard | 1FT. 2.5 ITB

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

      Tierney could be fit
      Raphina could be fit
      Havertz could easily haul

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

        ok
        tryin to improve my team

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

        Arteta on Tierney and Odegaard:

        "They are both out with two different injuries. They tried yesterday but they didn't feel great. Hopefully in the next few days they can feel better and be available for Leicester."

  21. LeytonOrient
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any updates on Lukaku? Tuchel said defo miss Nor and Sou. Any chance for the weekend?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Seems to have been no mention

  22. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Leeds were so bad tonight and I think Norwich will get their 1st win this week.

    Thoughts about Pukki?
    - nice fixtures next
    - nailed and he will play all the minutes
    - on pens

    I am between him or Broja.

  23. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bring in

    A) Chilwell
    B) James

    Already have Rudiger

    1. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any mention of Christensens teeth?

    1. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He's back in training on Thursday apparently. Should get a brace on Saturday.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ok nice so assuming he didn’t play tonight he should start the weekend hopefully

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Bravo

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

      he is ve-near full fitness

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Argh ok, as long as that’s the tooth then I’ll start him this weekend

    3. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It'll be a kick in the teeth if he doesn't play

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

    Obviously most will captain Salah but who's your VC?

    Mane was just rested, obviously. Hopefully Salah gets his game off tomorrow but still something to consider

  26. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Should I transfer Christensen or Ben White out for Chilwell with my FT? Other defenders are Trent, Cancelo and Livra.

    Swapping Christensen arguably a bit sideways but would give me more funds to beef up midfield (looking to move on Sarr and Benrahma soon). White is also a more secure back-up should Chilwell/Cancelo be rotated.

  27. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I wonder if Sarr starts for Watford. He got hooked and they scored 4! Dennis suspended so maybe he gets the nod.

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

      Sarr will start im sure.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Of course he does, doesn’t go from their best player to frozen out in 1 game, it was happenstance more than anything, he’s nailed for now.

    3. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Would be very surprised tbh. He's clearly their best player.

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

    did Tuchel say anything re Azpi ?

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

      Said he hopes he's back for the weekend. Was a minor injury.

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

    Thomas Tuchel:

    "Azpi injured his shoulder, let's see. We hope he will be fit, he is a tough guy. Maybe he will be fit Saturday. Ruben has a pain in his hip, in his joint. Andreas had surgery and should be fine to train Thursday."

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

      What about big Rom TT??

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

        I'll do some digging

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

      Thanks for this, sounds like a 50/50 call with Malmo coming up.

      Damn have enough money for Raph and Azpi to Foden and Chillwell tonight (for a -4), but have the Vardy dilemma, as well.

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

    Does it sound like raphinha will play c Norwich?

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

      Leeds expect he should be ok

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

        Cool cheers will
        Keep then