With United and Arsenal set to play the final clash of the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford this evening, we take a look at the possible fixture fall-out brought on by the last eight results.
Aston Villa
So far, only Aston Villa have managed to clinch a place in the semi-finals – which are due to take place over April 18-19, or the weekend of Gameweek 33 to you and I. Villa were pencilled in to play QPR at home on Monday April 20 but this fixture now needs to be rescheduled to another – as yet unconfirmed – date.
What compounds the issue is that UEFA regulations stipulate that domestic matches should not run concurrently with Champions League or Europa League fixtures. Given that the 21st and 22nd of April are taken up by Champions League Quarter-Final second-leg matches and the 23rd plays host to Europa League Quarter-Final second-leg matches, the Villa-QPR clash cannot be played over these days. Essentially, then, it has to be removed from Gameweek 33, handing both sides a blank that week.
The following midweek is free from European distractions, however, and could allow the Premier League to move the Villa-QPR clash into Gameweek 34. This scenario would see Tim Sherwood’s side travel to the Etihad on Saturday April 25 before hosting the R’s a few days later. QPR, meanwhile, would entertain West Ham at Loftus Road before making their way to Villa Park.
At present, this is hypothetical, though; the only thing we know for sure is that, unless the Premier League go against UEFA protocol, Villa and QPR won’t have a Gameweek 33 fixture.
Liverpool
As mentioned in this morning’s Scribbles article, the Merseysiders will have to wait almost a month before facing Blackburn in their last eight replay.
With European football scheduled for the next fortnight and an international break immediately after, Brendan Rodgers’ side are likely to make their way to Ewood Park on April 7 or 8 (midweek between Gameweek 31 and 32) as a result of yesterday’s goalless draw at Anfield.
In stark contrast, the replay between Bradford City and Reading has been scheduled for next Monday, just two days after both clubs face road trips in their respective leagues. It’s a less than ideal scenario and one that Rodgers believes is grossly unfair on the lower league bosses:
“I believe the replay is early April, the 7th or 8th. It is certainly not what it is for Reading and Bradford. That is unbelievable. I feel for them, having to play Saturday and again on Monday. It is incredible. It’s unfair for both clubs with so much at stake. I feel sorry for Parky and for Steve and for the players.”
Obviously, a win for Blackburn would ensure that Liverpool’s Gameweek 33 trip to Hull remains on the cards, though if the Reds manage to prevail against the Lancashire outfit, their trip to the KC would need shifting to another Gameweek.
Again, there’s a strong chance that it could be switched to Gameweek 34, thus handing Rodgers’ side back-to-back trips to West Brom and Hull. Frustratingly, though, whilst we already know that Villa are definitely through, the fact that Liverpool have to wait so long until their replay gives us far less time to plan accordingly.
Man United and Arsenal
Tonight’s encounter at Old Trafford has the potential to pose Fantasy managers the most problems, though. If Man United get the better of Arsenal, their Gameweek 33 trip to Chelsea will need to be rescheduled – the issue here, of course, is that Jose Mourinho’s side, along with Leicester City, are the only two clubs that currently have a double Gameweek 34 definitely confirmed.
Due to the above-mentioned issues with UEFA, this Chelsea/United match could not be rescheduled in either Gameweek 35 or 36, however, as both legs of the Champions League and Europa League semi-finals take place in midweek across that fortnight. The likeliest scenario would allow the clubs to move the fixture to Gameweek 37 – where Chelsea travel to West Brom and United host Arsenal.
Essentially, then, a cup win for United over Arsenal would mean a blank Gameweek 33 for the Red Devils and Chelsea. The Blues should then have two double Gameweeks (34 and 37) in the final five rounds of fixtures, with United playing twice in Gameweek 37.
A cup win for Arsenal over Louis van Gaal’s side would be a little more straightforward. The Gunners’ Gameweek 33 home clash with Sunderland could be moved to the following week, handing them back-to-back Gameweek 34 home matches, with Chelsea also paying visit to the Emirates. Sunderland, meanwhile, would hit the road twice, with a trip to Stoke also on their agenda.
