Fixtures

FPL festive fixture schedule: When might Premier League sides rotate the most?

The first of nine Gameweeks in the space of 36 days takes place this weekend and we’re readying ourselves for the festive fixture frenzy ahead of Saturday’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline.

Visits from the extended family, a Mrs Brown’s Boys special, bin collection day mayhem: there’s lots to dread about the Christmas period and top of the naughty list for FPL managers is rotation.

This is traditionally the period when starting XI changes ramp up a gear, with the matches coming thick and fast not just in the Premier League but also in cup competitions at home and abroad.

We’ll be looking at which players stand the best chance of avoiding a benching or two in a separate piece but it’s the fixture calendar itself that we’re focusing on here.

We’ll assess the clubs with the tightest and most generous turnarounds in this article, using moderator Legomane’s rather excellent ‘Fixture Crush’ matrix.

Our thanks go to him for allowing us to use this graphic as the focal point of this feature.

FPL FIXTURE OVERVIEW

(click the above image to expand)

CLUBS WITH THE MOST MATCHES FROM GAMEWEEKS 13-21

Chelsea, Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United12 (nine league matches, two European ties, one EFL Cup quarter-final)
Manchester City, Manchester United11 (nine league matches, two European ties)
Arsenal, Brentford10 (nine league matches, one EFL Cup quarter-final)
Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Southampton, Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers9 (all league matches)

CLUBS WITH THE TIGHTEST TURNAROUNDS

In this table, we look at the clubs who have the highest number of ‘tight’ turnarounds from the Wednesday before Gameweek 13 onwards. For this, we’re taking tight to mean two recovery days or fewer (eg Saturday-Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday etc).

West Ham United7
Chelsea, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur6
Burnley, Manchester United5
Brigthon and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Watford4
Arsenal, Everton, Leeds United, Norwich City, Southampton3
Aston Villa, Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers2

It’s no surprise to see the clubs involved in European competition up there at the top, with West Ham United leading the way – a bit of a concern for owners of Michail Antonio (£8.2m), perhaps, although David Moyes can at least afford the luxury of resting him in the Europa League with qualification to the knockout rounds assured.

Manchester United’s non-involvement in the EFL Cup means that they have a full seven days of rest in between Gameweeks 18 and 19, which represents the longest recovery time given to any top-flight team throughout the period studied.

Tottenham Hotspur, by contrast, don’t have more than three days of rest, playing Thursday-Sunday for the next month and then having an EFL Cup clash with West Ham ahead of a three-game week between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Aston Villa, Brentford and Wolves have been dealt the best hands if we follow the table above, with the Bees even afforded an extra day of rest between Gameweeks 19 and 20 (more of which below).

Arsenal deserve a mention, too: they might be in EFL Cup quarter-final action in between Gameweeks 18 and 19 but they have been gifted a home draw against League One side Sunderland, so there’ll surely be a few breathers handed out to some key personnel in that tie.

TIGHTEST TURNAROUNDS FROM GAMEWEEKS 19 TO 20

The tightest of all the tight turnarounds comes between Gameweeks 19 and 20, with FPL managers faced with two deadlines in the space of 48 hours.

The clubs’ recovery time in between these two Gameweeks are detailed below (hours are given between full-time and kick-off, rounded up to the nearest half-hour):

TeamHours between GW19-20
Arsenal43.5
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers46
Watford48.5
Leeds United, Leicester City51
Liverpool53.5
Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United69.5
Brentford, Manchester United70.5
Chelsea72
Manchester City75.5
Everton98.5
Burnley99.5

Arsenal are the worst hit: they are in action at the traditional 3pm kick-off time on Boxing Day and then have a lunchtime match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 28.

Seven clubs’ fixtures kick off at the same time, two days apart, in Gameweeks 19 and 20, affording them less than 48 hours of recovery.

Burnley and Everton are on easy street by comparison, with matches on Boxing Day and December 30.

Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs also get off relatively lightly, with around three days of recuperation time in between their respective games.

CLUBS WITH SUCCESSIVE ‘RED ZONE’ TURNAROUNDS – AND WHEN THEY FALL

The below table looks at when Premier League clubs have successive ‘red zone’ turnarounds – that is, when there are only two recovery days between matches.

The game ranges in italics indicate that one of the three consecutive fixtures is a cup tie, so rotation could theoretically be more widespread outside of the league matches involved.

For example, Liverpool have three fixtures between December 1-7 – but the last one of those is a Champions League against Milan, so with qualification for the knockout rounds assured, Klopp may look to rest some key players in Italy.

Manchester United have also secured top spot in their Champions League group, so the home fixture against Young Boys in between Gameweeks 15-16 allows whoever is in charge to run wild with the starting XI alterations and focus on the four Premier League matches around it.

TeamSuccessive ‘red zone’ Gameweek turnarounds
Manchester CityGW13-15 (plus UCL after GW15)
GW19-21
Manchester UnitedGW14-17 (UCL in between GW15-16)
LiverpoolGW14-15 (plus UCL after GW15)
GW17-18 (plus EFL Cup after GW18)
ChelseaGW13-15
GW17-18 (plus EFL Cup after GW18)
Leicester CityGW13-14 (plus UEL before GW13)
GW17-18 (plus EFL Cup after GW18)
West Ham UnitedGW13-15 (plus UEL before GW13)
GW16-18 (plus UEL before GW16)
Tottenham HotspurGW17-18 (plus EFL Cup after GW18)
ArsenalGW17-18 (plus EFL Cup after GW18)
Newcastle UnitedGW19-21
Crystal PalaceGW16-18
Brighton and Hove AlbonGW16-18
BurnleyGW13-15, GW16-18
WatfordGW13-15

Manchester City, Chelsea and West Ham are three of five clubs who play Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday in Gameweeks 13-15, which may set alarm bells ringing for FPL managers who own players from any of those teams. Burnley and Watford are the other two sides with the same schedule.

The Hammers have exactly the same timetable in Gameweeks 16-18, along with Crystal Palace, Brighton and Burnley.

The spectre of Pep rotation then rears its head again from Gameweeks 19-21, when the Citizens once more have to negotiate league fixtures on the Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Newcastle United are also on a tight turnaround from December 27 to January 2 inclusive.

Ready those FPL benches…

1,097 Comments Post a Comment
  1. It’s A Joke
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Is Chilwell definitely knackered?

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Like a chicken asking Colonal Sanders for a job.

      1. It’s A Joke
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ha ha ha

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Seems it!

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

    Best ST for 7.7m or under?

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

      I'm looking at Saint Max

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

        To my earlier post, would 1 be better than 2 if it was ASM instead of Hwang?

        Jota + ASM (-4) or B Silva & Antonio?

  3. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed. Need to start one of

    A) Livra (v Liv)
    B) Benny (v City)

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      not sure Benny is but probably him still

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ha - Benrahma

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

    Manquillo, Gray + Antonio to James, BSilva/Jota + 4.4m -8pts?

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hell yeh!"!

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      What’s the rest of your team? Are you able to navigate this gameweek with subs?

      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Sanchez Foster
        TAA Rudiger Cancelo Livra Manquillo
        Salah Son Gallagher Gray McAurthur
        Vardy Antonio Toney

        Only 1FT + 1m ITB. Really dont want to go without James again

        1. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          I see your dilemma… Ideally all 3 of them need to go. I would probably bite the bullet and go with the -8 then. Should be worth the risk.

          1. jonnybhoy
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks for the advice mate

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

            Jota or Bsilva?

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Any update on Jota?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Was on the bench today so fit to play is what I gathered.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Think he’s good to go for the weekend

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers both

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Fine, I believe.

  6. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Play 1 pls

    A. Antonio v MCI

    B. Duffy v Leeds

    Cheers

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Good one.
      In my Brain I feel the Spam Citeh game could be a Mammoth.
      I really do feel a 4-2 3-4 kinda scenario.
      Really looking forward to the game.
      A.

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Same dilemma. Currently on B but I’ve switched around numerous times!

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    5. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

  7. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    If you have Foden would u sell him ?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I don't but I would hold.

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Is he fit ?

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Any help :/

    3. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I am switching to Jota

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Tough decision - guess you have seen latest comments - I am going to wait few days but if out might sell

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Would you lose Mbeumo for a hit this week? For any 10.0 mid? Except Jota & Raphinha!

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      No Everton are rank right now so perfect game for him to haul finally

      1. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        And we keep hearing this lol “perfect fixture”

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Cornet for me!
      But I'm smitten.

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      That's tough, possibly but I probably wouldn't.

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      If it's for free than yeah. I'd probably punt on Gundogan.

  9. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Safer option to bring in for next GW?

    A) Reguilón
    B) Alonso

    Cheers!

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Safer option clearly Reguilón if that's the criteria

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso all day

    3. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

  10. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    In DRAFT, would you remove any of these for Alonso?

    Robertson Laporte Reguilon

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Robbo

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

    Get Cornet or Jota ?
    PS: have Salah & TAA

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Jota

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  12. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    On WC:
    A. Keep Antonio, benching for harder matches
    B. Antonio > Benteke (double up with Gallagher)
    C. Antonio > Jiménez

    Watford strikers tempting but though next 3 fixtures so not ideal

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

  13. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Get Whom First
    A- TAA
    B- James
    Instead of Chilly

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Honestly B atm

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A first, home to Soton and Azpi may start ahead of James against Man Utd

    3. FITZ-G
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Got to be A. Rested in Champions League and plays against Southampton at home.

  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Foden injured or just rested tonight?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      From reading the comments from pep sounds like minor injury so guess risk doesn’t play at weekend

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Picked up a knock against Everton (partly why came off on 57th minute I presume)

  15. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Will obviously wait till all Foden information is available, but with the onslaught of fixtures, it shouldn't be understated how important it is to pick robust players and a strong bench.

    Injuries and rotation will only allow you to make reactionary transfers

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death
      I shall fear no evil
      I shall fear no evil

  16. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Better move?

    A) Chilwell + Gray -> Alonso + Gallagher (Exact funds, double up with Rüdiger)
    B) Chilwell + Gray -> Reguilón + Gallagher (tentatively leaving 0.6 itb for Rüdiger -> James next week)

    Cheers!

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Probs B just

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  17. Men in green tights
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Already taken a hit this week , so got Havertz injured is it worth another hit or let my first sub Gilmour come in . Toying with the idea of a massive put of Barnes .
    Any thoughts

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Gilmour

      1. Men in green tights
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  18. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Which one then?

    A) Jota
    B) BSilva

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Jota

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      J

  19. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    It really sounds like 50:50 whether foden play so guess in order of replacements (already got jota) it’s 1, silva 2. Gallagher 3. Cornet ?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Cornet

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ok thanks

  20. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Into the top 1k !! But in UCL fantasy …

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Keep dreaming and the cream will rise to the gold top when sexy Suzy opens the door in her Anne Summers while her hubby does the dustbin run.

  21. DameCorp
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What are Ronaldo owners doing?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping for his run after Chelsea. No other forwards jumping out and don’t seem to need the money elsewhere at the moment

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      “Suuuuuuiiii” -_- and it’s so annoying

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

      I sold before Jimenez rise but will bring him back in a few weeks — maybe at GW15/16

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Holding, of course.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This.

  22. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Mbeumo, Havertz & Eduoard to Jesus, Bernardo & Jota for -4?

    Foster
    TAA James Cancelo
    Salah(C) Son Raphinha Mbeumo Havertz
    Toney Eduoard

    Raya Duffy Livramento Davis

    2 FTs 3.7 ITB

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Mint

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good to me

  23. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Evening all, any thoughts on any of these potential -4s?

    A) Duffy + Foden + Antonio > Alonso + Son + Dennis

    Ramsdale
    TAA James *Alonso Cancelo
    Salah *Son Raphinha ESR
    Ronaldo Toney
    Foster *Dennis Livramento Brownhill

    B) Duffy + Brownhill + Antonio > Alonso + Jota + Davis

    Ramsdale
    TAA James *Alonso Cancelo
    Salah Foden *Jota Raphinha ESR
    Ronaldo
    Foster Toney Livramento *Davis

    C) Duffy + Foden + Antonio > Reguilon + Jota + Jesus

    Ramsdale
    TAA James *Reguilon Cancelo
    Salah *Jota Raphinha ESR
    Ronaldo *Jesus
    Foster Toney Livramento Brownhill

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

      It really depends on Foden news. If not fit A otherwise B

  24. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Chilwell and Foden to Alonso and Jota for a -4?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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

    Thinking Chilwell Mbeumo to Alonso James for -4 and this team

    A Yes
    B No

    Guaita
    TAA James Cancelo Alonso
    Salah (c) Raphinha Jota Gallagher ESR
    Kane

    Foster Antonio Livramento Scarlett

    1. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Might need to elaborate mate coz Mbeumo is a mid…

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Go for it, that team looks incredible

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

        Thanks!

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

      Aargh! Alonso Jota ( not James)

  26. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    No hit to just change Chilwell to James or a -8 (needs to be that now) to get Jota. Still have the WC if that makes a difference.

    1. Chilwell-> James with FT and be done.
    2. Chilwell/Benrahma/Anto -> James/Jota/King. -8. Sets me up for the next few weeks including Southampton at home for Jota this GW.

    Sanchez.
    TAA, Cancelo, Rudiger, Chilwell**.
    Salah, Raphinha, Gallagher.
    Vardy, Jimenez, Antonio.
    Bachmann, Bissouma, Benrahma, Livramento.
    1ft, 0.4m ITB. WC available.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      1

    2. Haa-lala-land
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Defo not -8!
      I think you should either WC now, or do 1 but have a plan by looking at the fixtures for when you plan to want to WC, as there's not long left to use it by!

  27. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bloody Nora!
    Just realised we've all forgotten about Zaha!!

    He ain't been mentioned in like 200 pages so I have to inform you wooly ones that he is a better option than Gallagher. innit.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I got him before the city game 😎

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        😆 the time is nigh.

  28. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on these 2 FTs?
    Ronaldo + Williams - > Benteke/6.4m + TAA + £ITB for son?

    Team at the mo:
    Steele
    Rudiger James Cancelo Livra
    Salah Jota Foden
    Jimenez Antonio Ronaldo

    Sanchez; gray, Williams, sissoko

  29. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Gundogan vs Bernardo last 6 matches

    xG - 2.63 vs 2.25
    xA - 1.27 vs 0.95
    Shots - 16 vs 12
    SIB - 12 vs 8
    Corners - 23 vs 7

    Gundo has better stats than Foden as well. He hit the post vs PSG tonight. If I'm going for a City mid now, I'd go Gundo.

    1. JUNITED
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      You should go with the one who is likely nailed on.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        With KdB sidelined with COVID I honestly think they're both nailed on.

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I think I'm doing Raph to Gundo this week.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I have to deal with Chilwell but Raph > Gundo is my target for GW15

        1. Haa-lala-land
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Gundo could be on pens - he went to set it up on the spot before it got overturned Vs Everton

  30. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    A. Antonio > Jiménez
    B. Antonio > Benteke
    C. Keep Antonio