Fantasy Premier League

How fixture postponements affect FPL managers in

By The Scout 20 Feb 2017
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool

As cup matches force changes to Gameweeks 26 and 28, The Scout lists Fantasy absentees and offers advice

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As we near the latter stages of domestic cup competitions, Fantasy Premier League managers must be wary of the impact on our squads due to the changing fixture schedule.

See: Focus moves to bench and chips after Man City v West Ham postponement

This weekend, there are two postponed Gameweek 26 fixtures due to Sunday's EFL Cup final.

With Southampton and Manchester United meeting at Wembley, their planned encounters with Arsenal and Manchester City respectively will take place at a later date, which is yet to be confirmed. 

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That leaves eight remaining matches in Gameweek 26, with FPL managers losing assets from four clubs: Manchester United, Manchester City, Southampton and Arsenal.

There is a full programme of fixtures in Gameweek 27. But, following that, Gameweek 28 will be affected by the FA Cup quarter-finals.

There are currently only four confirmed fixtures certain to take place over Gameweek 28.

AFC Bournemouth v West Ham
Everton v West Brom
Hull City v Swansea City
Liverpool v Burnley 

Liverpool v Watford
Liverpool are one of eight teams currently guaranteed a fixture in Gameweek 28

Arsenal's home match against Leicester City will join this list if the Gunners suffer defeat to Sutton United later this evening.

Likewise, Manchester City's meeting with Stoke City would also go ahead if Pep Guardiola's side lose their FA Cup fifth-round replay with Huddersfield Town, which takes place on Tuesday 28 February.

As things stands, the following four fixtures are postponed, with eight teams missing Gameweek 28.

Crystal Palace v Spurs
Middlesbrough v Sunderland
Southampton v Man Utd
Chelsea v Watford 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Man Utd
FPL's most popular player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will miss Gameweeks 26 and 28

Those matches will be moved to new dates, yet to be announced.

When dates are confirmed it will likely create a scenario where the affected teams will be handed two fixtures in a single Gameweek - or a "double Gameweek".

This is particularly significant for FPL managers still clinging on to their chips.

With two fixtures in a single Gameweek, some teams will offer assets that could potentially provide huge returns from the Triple Captain and Bench Boost chips.

Managers yet to play their second Wildcard may also look to keep this in reserve until the fixtures have been rescheduled and we know the dates of any double Gameweeks. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
FPL managers yet to play their chips should watch out for confirmed double Gameweeks

For now, we should pay close attention to our squads ahead of Gameweek 26 and 28.

Free transfers can be used to fill the void created by missing players, while it may also be wise to use extra transfers - costing four points apiece - to re-stock.

Players who start a match and complete 60 minutes will earn a minimum of two points if they avoid a yellow card or similar points penalty (for conceding goals, scoring an own goal or missing a penalty).

Managers with big gaps in their squad could, therefore, consider using extra transfers and spending multiples of four points in a bid to get closer to fielding a full XI, with each new signing potentially repaying two points merely by completing 60 minutes.

See: FPL fixture schedule

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