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FPL Daily: Premier League set to continue despite Covid-19 outbreaks

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points of the day in FPL Daily, a series that will serve non-Premier League matchdays and days when we don’t bring you a team news/press conference round-up.

PREMIER LEAGUE SET TO CONTINUE

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 18: Tips, captains, team news and best players

Premier League clubs have rejected the idea of postponing Christmas matches, despite the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19, with the intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.

In a hastily arranged meeting involving all 20 top-flight managers, it is understood a large majority wish to play on, at least for now.

As a result, clubs have been advised if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games. The Premier League have also made it clear that they will be expected to use U21 players to make up the numbers, and that non-first-team matches, such as U23 games, should not be scheduled a short-time before a Premier League fixture, to ensure that as many players as possible are available for selection.

The FA is also considering scrapping third and fourth-round FA Cup replays, in an attempt to ease the pressure on Premier League squads, which could make room for some of the games that need to be rearranged.

So far, 10 Premier League matches have been lost to the virus across Gameweeks 16 to 18:

  • Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur (Gameweek 16)
  • Brentford v Manchester United (Gameweek 17)
  • Burnley v Watford (Gameweek 17)
  • Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Gameweek 17)
  • Aston Villa v Burnley (Gameweek 18)
  • Everton v Leicester City (Gameweek 18)
  • Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion (Gameweek 18)
  • Southampton v Brentford (Gameweek 18)
  • Watford v Crystal Palace (Gameweek 18)
  • West Ham United v Norwich City (Gameweek 18)

In a statement released this evening, the Premier League said:

It was confirmed at a Premier League club meeting today that while recognising a number of clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and challenges, it is the League’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.

The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority and the League will continue to monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution.

A range of issues were discussed at this afternoon’s meeting, including the adaption of the Premier League COVID-19 postponement process in response to the impact of the Omicron variant.

The League also confirmed to its clubs today that 92 per cent of players and club staff have received one, two or three COVID-19 vaccination doses, with 84 per cent of players on the vaccination journey. Players who have had one or two doses are required to wait for the appropriate time period before receiving either their second or booster vaccinations.

The League continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff, as well as promoting the Government’s public-health vaccination messaging to clubs and the wider public. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League, and player vaccination rates will now be publicly communicated at the end of each month, beginning in January.

Most Premier League clubs are due to play three times between Boxing Day and January 2nd, and despite the decision to continue as planned, there are surely likely to be more postponements in the weeks ahead.

Because of that, saving our transfers till as close to the FPL deadline as possible is of course advisable, as is bulking up our benches to hopefully cover for any unannounced absentees.

TOTTENHAM OUT OF EUROPE

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Tottenham Hotspur are out of the Europa Conference League after UEFA ruled they forfeited their final match against Rennes. The fixture – originally due to take place on December 9th – was called off following a Covid outbreak at the London club, with 13 positive cases reported. UEFA then said the match could not be rescheduled and passed the matter on to its disciplinary board. Now, they have handed Rennes a 3-0 win, which knocks Spurs out as they finished third in the group.

“We are disappointed by the ruling of the UEFA Appeals Body and the refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled. We have to accept this ruling, however, and our focus now turns to the competitions we remain in.” – Tottenham Hotspur

For FPL managers, it certainly boosts the appeal of Spurs’ Fantasy assets in 2022, as they will now be handed further rest and preparation time for Premier League matches once European competition recommences in February.

Antonio Conte’s side have won three and drawn two of the Italian’s five Premier League matches so far, scoring nine and conceding just three, with the likes of Sergio Reguilon (£5.2m) and Son Heung-min (£10.3m) thriving under their new boss.

FODEN AND GREALISH DROPPED FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS?

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As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier today, Pep Guardiola has suggested that some players did not feature in Gameweek 18 due to disciplinary reasons.

Phil Foden (£8.1m), Jack Grealish (£7.6m) and John Stones (£5.3m) were the three players that dropped to the bench following the midweek win over Leeds United, though the latter did make an appearance in the second-half at Newcastle United, replacing Ruben Dias (£6.1m) after 69 minutes.

Having been asked about the changes, Guardiola told 5 Live Sport:

“Not rotation, no. I decided for this team because they deserved to play, these guys and not the other ones. At Christmas time I pay a lot of attention to behaviour on and off the pitch. And when off the pitch is not proper they are not going to play. So, we have to be focused all the time because of distractions at Christmas time and everything that happens – you have to still be focused.”

That indicates Foden and Grealish may be the players omitted for disciplinary reasons, though it remains to be seen if the punishment ends there, or if they will miss further games over the festive period.

Guardiola was also asked about Kyle Walker (£5.5m) after the 4-0 win over Newcastle, and replied:

“He didn’t feel good today.”

The club later clarified that he was ill and had been since last week, though they did refuse to comment on whether his absence was Covid-related, on the grounds of medical confidentiality.

820 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Would you start Smith Rowe or Dennis?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Smith

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one, would probably want to play both. Likely will be game(s) called off so both will end up being in your team

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      ESR. He’s scoring every game. Dennis with tough fixture.

  2. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Playing WC next week so best one week punt for striker £7.6m or less?

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Already have Dennis, Laca and will ship out Wilson

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Wood or Maupay

    3. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      De ja vu

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

      Jimenez

    5. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      How much is DCL? Poor side but fixtures look good

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

      Jimenez

  3. Bocaginge
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why was Semedo not in the squad against Chelsea?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He had semedo do?

  4. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    More injuries to Nigeria's strikers ahead of the AFCON... surely Dennis will get a call up.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/59726571

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Surely Denis’ form would put him as first name on the team sheet?

      Or is he a Shelvey type player for the national team?

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Do Nigeria still have the manager that hates him?

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

        No, he got fired

        1. Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Didn’t he get fired but is refusing to leave?

  5. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Do you guys know if Van Dyke will be out of Covid Sunday next. Should be wuld be my guess

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Should be out of isolation, Lilly will come down to whether it has impacted his health

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        *Likely

  6. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bring in Dalot or will he be rotated with Shaw?

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Right back rotated with left back?

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

      Sorry rotated with WanB.

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Difficult to know if he is nailed, formation United play suits him. Expect rotation at Christmas

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I reckon he will be rotated with AWB when there are DGWs.

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

      Have Dalot in my squad but worried he might get rotated with AWB who appears to back from injury.. will wait to see who starts against Newcastle (most likely Dalot, but guessing AWB will get some minutes)

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Dalot should start against Newcastle. Although we don’t know who has covid at United.

  7. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Esr to start surely already? Come on arteta stop benching him

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He’ll start….in the cup…

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He’s been great as an impact player so why change a good thing? I don’t think he’ll start unfortunately

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yup, he’ll be starting again soon I reckon.

  8. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso
    Salah Jota Foden Saka
    Laca Antonio

    (Gunn Gallagher King Livra)
    1 FT & 0.7m

    Thinking Alonso to Reguilon if Chelsea vs Villa match is postponed otherwise save FT.

    Thoughts?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Team looks solid yeah

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I’m planning on moving away from the double Chelsea defence

  9. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So apparently 17% of the top 10K have used +2 chips (including WC).

    Does anyone know the percentage for top 100K?

  10. Misunderstood Genius
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Morning all. Still haven't used my first wildcard. Does anyone know when the first WC expires?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Check the rules

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

      28th GW20 @ 11am

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Would you WC this week or next? 1FT. 0.8itb

    DDG
    TAA. Alonso. Cancelo. White
    Salah(C). Jota. ESR. Foden
    Lacazette. Antonio
    (Foster. Raph. King. Livra)

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Next week. Buys some time incase we get DGW announcements.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, although it only gives me 2 days to play it haha. Not even sure who I will target, any suggestions?

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

      Next GW. WC for DGW21 and DGW22. Then use new WC to get Liv, ManC and Chelsea back in.

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        If we know more about the DGWs of course.

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for the double gameweek announcements. Could be a manic WC if it falls next gameweek!

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

      I am waiting for week 20 hoping to have news on any doubles in 21/22.

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Want to bring in Son for Dilva after gw19. May have to go with Dier over Regulion due to pricing.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      you have been treading water since gw 7....tough going up the rankings

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Last season after gw19 I was at 17k. Not that badly off at 45k now. Need to get a little aggressive as I have been about the same spot for ages as you say.

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          *after gw18

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

      Dilva?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Dernardo

    3. Steevo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      3.3m itb & 1FT.

      A) Mount -> Son
      B) ESR -> Foden

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

        A

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        A

      3. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        A

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

        A

    4. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      DDG (Bach)
      TAA Alonso Cancelo (Livra, Amartey)
      Salah Silva Foden Jota ESR
      Watkins Dennis (Broja)

      1FT, 2.9ITB

      What would you do? Foden to Son or other?

    5. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Put Foden in last week, should have known better after he took himself out of his own team last Monday night 🙂

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Was that widely publicised? Did you know beforehand?

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

        Can you let us know if he still hasn’t selected himself this week please?

    6. GunnersQ
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling => Son

      A) FT
      B) Save

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

      Could Foster be back by GW21?
      2x DGWs with TOT/BUR and NEW/CRY is pretty tasty particularly when Ramsdale has MCI and TOT/CHE in the same GWs...

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ramsdale to De Gea!

    8. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry, I was being facetious 😉

    9. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Start ONE - White, Dalot or Dennis?