With the quarter finals of the FA Cup over lets look at some of the scenarios for the resultant blanks in GW33 and DGW34.
fantasy premier league double gameweeks – a few thoughts on blanks and DGW’s upcoming
Background
After the FA Cup games the following premier league teams have qualified for the semi finals:
Aston Villa
Arsenal
Liverpool have play Blackburn in a replay on the 7 April (Between GW31 and GW32 for us)
The semis will be played in GW33 and postponements due to European games can’t be GW33.
The semis and blank GW33
As I said above the semis will be played on the weekend of GW33 and will likely see the postponement of Aston Villa and Arsenals games and if successful Liverpools game. There are 2 potential gaps for them to go into GW34 and GW37.
The postponed games would be:
Arsenal v Sunderland
Hull v Liverpool
Aston Villa v QPR
The potential DGW34
Leicester and Chelsea already have a DGW34
If the postponements are into DGW34 and Liverpool win the replay then the above teams will have double game weeks.
Arsenal would play Sunderland H and Chelsea H
Sunderland would play Arsenal A and Stoke A
Aston Villa would play Man City A and QPR H
QPR would play West Ham H and Aston Villa A
Liverpool if successful would play WBA A and Hull A
Hull would play C Palace A and Liverpool H
Leicester and Chelsea already have a DGW34
Chelsea play Arsenal A and Leicester A
Leicester play Chelsea H and Burnley A
What this means and some tactics?
As I’ve said while I’m a quite conservative player of FPL particularly around ownership, DGWs I believe are, subject to the specifics of each round, worth throwing the dice on and gambling. I generally look to use them positively.
The issue and what we saw in blank GW27 and DGW28 was teams having blanks followed by DGWs. Meaning to load up over and above your bench without a wildcard for the DGW would require a sacrifice of players for the blanks.
That isn’t the case for Chelsea and Leicester. They will play in GW33. Leicester playing Chelsea may dilute your interest in them. If you wish you can load up with both teams without worrying about the blank GW33. Add to that 3 bench players with a potential DGW34 game. Potentially then without a wildcard you could have 9 DGW players. In that scenario 6 would have to be from Chelsea and Leicester.
The tricky part of this will be to have 11 players playing for GW33 so look at players with gametime risk. For me Dier out of the GW33 players is my risk.
At the moment for me Bellerin, Van Aanholt, Sanchez and Giroud wont be playing in GW33 with Dier a potential gametime risk. Not too difficult to sort out with 3 out of the 4 ok to go on the bench. Only Sanchez has a significant difference between the sell and buy back price so he looks the obvious first to go on the bench rather than be sold.
If you have a wildcard then it’s all on for DGW34. With 8 teams potentially having a DGW34 you’re spoilt for choice. If the postponements go to this gameweek then thats where I will be using mine. You potentially will have 8 teams with a DGW34. Don’t just look at the DGW34 fixtures also think about the 4 after. A quick look at the GW35-38 4 fixtures show for example Chelsea’s as being good
Crystal Palace (H)
Liverpool (H)
West Brom (A)
Sunderland (H)
Leicesters are also ok from GW35-38
Newcastle (H)
Southampton (H)
Sunderland (A)
QPR (H)
Arsenals also okish GW35-38
Hull (A)
Swansea (H)
Man Utd (A)
West Brom (H)
Villas interestingly are ok GW35-38
Everton (H)
West Ham (H)
Southampton (A)
Burnley (H)
Liverpools are also ok GW35-38
QPR (H)
Chelsea (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Stoke (A)
So what do I do now?
Firstly remember that the postponements to GW34 aren’t guaranteed. Also you can’t take Liverpool beating Blackburn for granted. GW37 is also a possibility for the postponed games and we saw the FAs ability to surprise with the Chelsea Leicester game not being in GW28. Start thinking about getting rid of those that aren’t playing. No need to panic there are 6 free transfers before DGW34.
Think about what your GW33 team will look like. What are your views on Chelsea and Leicester for that and DGW34?
If you don’t have a wildcard think carefully about your bench for GW33. They will be crucial for your GW34. Especially think about your captain potential for GW33 and DGW34.
Here’s some players to think about with DGW34 in mind
Chelsea – Terry/Ivanovic, Hazard, Costa (8 yellows so be careful when selected)
Leicester – Schluup, Mahrez and maybe Kramaric
Arsenal – A defender, Sanchex, Ozil, Cazorla and Giroud
Sunderland – Van Aanholt, maybe Rodwell, Defoe
Hull – N’Doye
Liverpool – Sturridge, Sterling, a defender although tricky selection
Aston Villa – Benteke, maybe Sinclair
QPR – Austin, maybe Phillips
Remember the “ones to watch” articles will give you more detail and stats on players plus fixtures.
I hope that all makes sense and gives you some food for thought. If you think I have got anything wrong please tell me in the comments column.
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fantasy premier league double gameweeks
fantasy premier league double gameweeks
