Frisking the Fixtures

Who has the best fixtures in FPL over the Christmas period?

Our regular frisk of the fixtures sees us assess the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) clubs and players with – in theory – the strongest run of league matches over the festive period.

We’ll take a glance at those with less favourable schedules in a follow-up piece.

Generally we take a look at the next six matches in this article but we’ll extend this to seven Gameweeks here, which takes us all the way to the New Year’s Day set of fixtures.

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 even set your own difficulty ratings, should you disagree with our own.

We’ll also point you in the direction of our look at the turnaround times between the December matches below:

BEST FIXTURES

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ralf Rangnick couldn’t have timed his arrival much better in terms of giving himself the best chance of handing Manchester United a new manager bounce.

Stiffer tests against Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are now out of the way and United now remarkably don’t face another ‘big six’ club until Gameweek 28 in March, when they visit their cross-city rivals.

All of their opponents from now until the end of 2021 are, at the time of writing, in the bottom half of the table, too.

Crystal Palace, who provide the opposition in Gameweek 15, looked like being a tougher test a fortnight ago but injuries to Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) and James McArthur (£4.4m) have slightly derailed the Eagles of late and Joel Ward (£4.5m) will be suspended at the weekend.

In terms of FPL transfer targets, that’s more difficult, as we’ve yet to see what shape and personnel Rangnick favours. Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m) was benched in Gameweek 13, for example; was that Carrick’s decision alone or was, as some conspiracy theorists suggest, the veteran German pulling the strings already?

Jadon Sancho (£8.9m) is certainly garnering a bit of interest, given that he seems to have the attributes to thrive in Rangnick’s set-up, but we may have to wait a game or two to see just who looks like flourishing in a new-look United side.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pinpointing the best City assets is tricky for a different reason, as we enter the time of the season when Pep Guardiola’s starting XIs become even harder to second-guess.

Still, we’re not likely to be selling the likes of Joao Cancelo (£6.7m) even if the odd rest might be forthcoming in December.

City also have the advantage of a Champions League dead rubber on December 7, in between Gameweeks 15 and 16, and a full week of rest in between Gameweels 18 and 19, when seven other Premier League clubs are in EFL Cup quarter-final action.

As for the league fixtures themselves, some porous defences (Watford, Newcastle and Leicester have just one clean sheet between them this season) will provide inviting opposition for the likes of Ilkay Gundogan (£7.3m) and, if fit, Phil Foden (£8.2m), while Wolves and Leeds are hardly firing on all cylinders at the other end of the pitch, averaging less than one goal per game at the time of writing.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

The jury is still out on Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur, at least ahead of Thursday’s clash with Brentford.

Still, that encounter with the Bees is the first of three meetings with newly-promoted clubs between now and the New Year, while Leicester’s leaky backline – who haven’t kept a clean sheet since the opening day – means that the Gameweek 17 encounter at the King Power Stadium ought to really be a bluer shade on the ticker for the likes of Harry Kane (£12.3m) and Son Heung-min (£10.4m).

We might also have a juicy-looking Double Gameweek 21 for Spurs, should certain events in the EFL Cup quarter-finals transpire.

Gameweek 16 might still be a jumping-off point for many Fantasy managers in order to fund moves for Manchester United’s premium assets, as the backlines of Brighton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace (at least from open play in the Eagles’ case) have been three of the better-performing rearguards this season.

ALSO CONSIDER

Lukaku on target as Chelsea assets prosper at Arsenal 4

The Gameweek 21 clash between Liverpool (wol | AVL | NEW | tot | LEE | lei | che) and Chelsea (whu | LEE | EVE | wol | avl | BHA | LIV) is the primary reason why these two title challengers don’t feature higher up the Season Ticker in the period studied but reduce the lookahead to six Gameweeks and the outlook is rosier.

Back-to-back home matches for both clubs in Gameweeks 16 and 17 certainly catch the eye, albeit that does come after a tougher test for the Blues away at West Ham on Saturday.

The clean sheet prospects for Reece James (£6.3m) et al look particularly bright in between, with Leeds, Everton, Wolves and Brighton all in the bottom half for goals scored over the last six matches. Steven Gerrard seems to be making Aston Villa more of a compact, conservative team, too: the Villans are second-bottom for both possession and expected goals under his rule.

Antonio the most-sold FPL player of Gameweek 13 as budget defender Ait-Nouri impresses 1

Gameweek 18 looks like a good time to be targeting West Ham United (CHE | bur | ars | NOR | SOU | wat | cry) players again after their tough recent run but there is also an appealing match against Burnley sandwiched by trickier-looking London derbies: the Clarets have kept only two clean sheets all season, and one of those was against Norwich.

Burnley (new | WHU | WAT | avl | EVE | mun | lee) themselves have some decent fixtures littered amongst some harder-on-paper tests and we know from past experience that Sean Dyche tends to eschew rotation even in busy periods, which is a selling point itself with benchings and breathers rife elsewhere. Crystal Palace‘s matches (mun | EVE | SOU | wat | tot | NOR | whu) actually rotate very well with those of Dyche’s troops over the festive season, giving a run of Newcastle (a), Everton (h), Watford (h), Watford (a), Everton (h), Norwich (h) and Leeds (a) through to New Year, should those with sizeable budgets have the cash free to consider to a not-exactly-cheap Maxwel Cornet (£6.1m)/Conor Gallagher (£6.2m) pairing.

And anyone with Ben White (£4.4m) and Tino Livramento (£4.5m) in their squads has a good stretch of games at their disposal from now until the beginning of January. The Arsenal (eve | SOU | WHU | lee | nor | WOL | MCI) and Southampton (BHA | ars | cry | BRE | whu | TOT | NEW) defensive rotation gives a run of Brighton (h), Southampton (h), Crystal Palace (a), Brentford (h), Norwich (a), Wolves (h) and Newcastle (h) up until Gameweek 21.

437 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bobby Digital
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wood a cheeky punt until GW20?

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why not. Forwards are all poor anyway

  2. Willco97
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'm going there, I think for GW15, but dead-ending my team for WC in GW16

  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Uniteds fixtures are seriously good. Shame they aren't.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thinking about getting De Gea or/and Sancho.

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

      I think DDG, Ronaldo, Rashford and Sancho are worthy of consideration

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They might get better though.

  4. Lord of Ings
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    With gundo out for today’s game possibly,makes him a great option at the weekend then!
    Not too disappointed I guess.

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What’s the news on him?

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably out for today’s game.

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

      Be wary, he could have a knock if the rumours are correct and hasn't travelled with the squad. Hope you're correct though!

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Unless it's COVID lol

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well can’t rule that out either 😛
        The no travelling part is what makes me suspicious.
        I would’ve been extremely glad if he was just benched or something

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

        Would be slightly ironic if KDB were to take his place back due to this reason

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

    Still time to hop on the Jota train ?
    Or better to get in early on City mids B.Silva or Foden ahead of good run of fixtures - and accept the rotation

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

      Ive made my bed with double Chelksi and double city def.

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

        I'm now on template 2xChelski, Cancelo, TAA and Livra, so room for one Citeh possibly also premium GK

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        5 at the back. Cool.

    2. POGON 1948
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not at all late on Jota. Get in tonight and he'll instantly rise 0.1 for you

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

        Might do that. Question is, downgrade Vardy or Antonio

  6. Amartey Partey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Good to see Antonio pictured here. Hoping his form changes with those good fixtures coming up for West Ham.

  7. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Don’t want to spend two transfers this week so won’t sell Mbuemo until I sell Kane after weekend

    So to avoid wasting one of my two FTs? How about Pukki to Armstrong?

    Then play

    Ramsdale
    Trent. Cancelo. James. Alonso. Livra
    Salah c. Jota. Raph
    Armstrong. Kane

    Foster. Antonio. Mbuemo. Brownhill

  8. Pukki Party
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    As a Kane captainer and with 3 playing options on bench i hope for mayhem

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I stand shoulder to shoulder with you!

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Let's go Kane. (Towards dissapointments, together.)

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

          Might mean more Kane C unfortunately

          1. Threat Level Midnight
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Salah will come on if hes benched. 100%

          2. SAUCY SALAH
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Salah will come on

    2. TyroneGAA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      As an Everton supporter I decided not to cap salah and went Kane.. gona be a long night lads

  9. squ1rrel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you do Jimenez + Saka -> King + Jota for 2 FT?

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes though would you have to play King this week?

      1. squ1rrel
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Have Livra, Williams, Allan as alternatives

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

      Yes

  10. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need Alonso to get at least 8 tonight to warrant me selling Raphinha to get him!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Oh Kaptain Kane.

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I know, annoying but it was always the plan to have both Chelsea wingbacks long term

  11. Lord of Ings
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Well if it’s a Gundogan no show will need a livramento cleansheet I guess
    No pressure..

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What's the Gundogan news?

      Any reason he won't play?

  12. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    SofaScore.com possible line up with Daka and no Vardy.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The Livescore one has Vardy, means very little.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, they're just guessing pre match.

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

      Reliable Leicester ITK has already posted the XI; Vardy apparently starts.
      https://twitter.com/SmuelMartinFPL/status/1466045954151403531

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers.

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He’s solid.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah I follow him too for Leicester City news.

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The Big Strong Leicester Boys:

          Schmeichel, Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas, Soumare, Ndidi, Lookman, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.

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

      So many guessing sites… we can also guess ourselves in our sofas

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sofascore is good for in game stats.

        But it's just a possible pre match line up.

  13. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2FTs, so need to spend at least 1, suggestions on who to sell/buy?

    Sanchez
    TAA, James, Rudiger, Cancelo
    Salah, Jota, Gallagher, Raphina
    Kane, Jimenez

    Subs: Steele, Broja, White, Sissoko

    0.9 in the bank

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jiminez to Armstrong / Wood

      Then Kane / Raph to lukaku / gundo?

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

        Thanks! Or get

        A) Lukaku for Kane
        B) Rudiger to Alonso
        C) Sanchez to Ramsdale
        D) Gallagher to city mid?

  14. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If city have no kdb gundo Grealish or Foden v a pumped up Villa …. Hmmm could be a tricky game for them

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It was always going to be a tricky game vs the new manager bounce with 2 wins on the trot.

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

      Jesus, Mahrez, Sterling with Bernardo and Rodri in midfield will still do the job

      1. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably !

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cancelo, Bilva and Jesus have been live wires this season too

      Zinch is arguably more attacking than Walker (if the lineup is true), so might make up for the missing attacking mid

      Mahrez has been more prolific than Grealish so far, and Sterling is in form

      Not exactly second team. Just not Pep's preferred XI for this season so far

  15. RogDog_jimmy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    going to log off until the games start to avoid lineup rumors

    hope today's games go great for everyone !

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

      It's not like we can change our FPL lineups 😀

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

      I take no (serious) notice of them really. It's past the deadline so not like we can change any outcome.

    3. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Indeed. Hit jackpot with Pukki and Raph yesterday so pleased with this GW so far

    4. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The day after a midweek deadline is always a sh1tshow on social media.

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

        Stones punt in draft failed...

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

          Same. And I also have Foden and Gundo…yikes

  16. OLA
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which is better options to go for you?

    A) White + Ronaldo
    B) Alonso plus Lukaku

    The ideal is Alonso plus Ronaldo I guess, but don’t have enough cash

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B is excellent

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      B

    4. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      How about Alonso plus a Man U mid?

      I don't trust Lukaku with the way Tuchel used him before his injury. I had him and it was frustrating to watch

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

        My target is Alonso - Sancho - Jesus for that axis

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

          Too risky to get United mid, unless mid is Fernandes. But I consider that options as well, yes

  17. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Random one … it POTY was selected now who would you suggest are the six candidates

    I would say

    Salah. Trent. Cancelo. Bernardo. Rice. Mendy

  18. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That Romero update could be bad for Reguilón owners

    They were already bad enough at defending. They have replacements, but it's easy to see why they got Romero

  19. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pulisic made off glass?

  20. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Brighton goal

  21. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Trent to Robbo, I've had enough!
    Superior value!

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

      Lol