Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 1
No pressure! Here I am with the first of the ‘traditional’ articles run at FF247, at a time where there is still great upheaval from the ‘C’ word – by ‘C’ word, I, of course, mean Covid-19 and not the politician who first comes to your mind! However, at least we have the benefit of the return to three substitutions, along with a more normal-looking – albeit delayed – calendar. That is great news to me anyway, as that crazy period when the league restarted, where I was also on holiday and had less FPL focus, saw my rank plummet to the worst finish in seven years.
So, looking ahead – as we particularly must do at the moment – I trust you are all ready for the rollercoaster that will no doubt be the season?! Not that there has been much of a wait! There may still be no fans in the grounds, however it will be great to be keeping an eye on the price rises, joining in the chat on the forums here and pondering for hours over who stays on your substitutes bench, who is captaining who and which teams have the finest fixtures, on paper at least, to try and make the most of. That leads me on nicely to present you the good, bad and ugly – along with a duo of teams you ought to keep on the radar.
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
But first up that all important Fixture Tracker itself…
The Good
Arsenal – Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Liverpool (A)
As the first match of the season will be the Gunners versus the Cottagers, as the West London side makes its return to the Premier League after a one-year absence, it makes sense to mention Arsenal first. Before we even focus on their fixtures, you are reminded that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been on fire in the preseason, as his two goals in the 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa were on the back of 70 scored in his first 109 appearances for the North Londoners. In addition, this will be the first full season Arteta has been at the helm. The Spaniard will be eager to properly make his mark and the new signings of Gabriel and Willian, along with seven others, will no doubt help that vision to finish higher than eighth as the Community Shield and FA Cup wins have been set as a foundation stone.
Scott Parker’s side, meanwhile, have only made three signings ahead of the season this time, perhaps learning from the mistake of signing half the market and then wondering why the new personnel didn’t gel when they were last promoted. Aston Villa almost had the same conclusion after doing the exact same thing. Ahead of this weekend’s game, the lads in white have lost 39 of their 57 meetings with Arsenal, of which the last five have been straight defeats – conceding 15 in that time. The previous factors mentioned make you think that Saturday could be the sixth consecutive loss, with the average of three goals conceded also kept intact. Not quite the open-armed welcome to the Premier League Fulham would like. Not that open-armed welcomes are appropriate at the moment, I suppose.
Back to the Emirates, Arteta and his team will go for a fixture against West Ham, a team that appears to be in a bit of chaos if the Mark Noble tweet is anything to go by. Looking back over the last 10 games across all competitions, it’s been two draws and one win for the Hammers as the Gunners have come away victorious in seven, netting 23 over the entire period. Liverpool will then be a tough challenge for Arsenal and so that could be a chance to decide if the Gunners assets are bringing in the points or may need to make way for someone else from the likes of Man United or Man City.
Spurs – Everton (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H)
Whilst I have a bit of a soft spot for this side, they’ve been off the radar for me over the various drafts of my FPL team. That was until I started to research in preparation for this article – whilst I was on holiday in Dorset – and, suffice to say, the latest version now has Son sat in midfield!
Before the season has begun, the North London side has had a mixed time of it recently, having lost 2-1 to Watford but also having beaten Ipswich, Reading and Birmingham City 3-0, 4-1 and 1-0 respectively. Their transfers have, as usual, been few and far between, as a load of players have been released and the trio of Matt Doherty, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joe Hart have been signed.
So, looking to the fixtures and it’s Everton who first visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this campaign, as the Toffees have also seen a whole load of players leave the club with just one signing so far made. As good as Carlo Ancelotti is as a manager, he will need fresh talent to at least offer competition for places, so their current situation isn’t particularly great. The Merseysiders don’t exactly have the best record when it comes to away days at Spurs either, as you have to look back to 30th November 2008 for the last time they travelled back up north with a win from there.
Southampton look to be a more formidable side nowadays, as they finished the last campaign 11th on the back of four wins and three draws. Spurs’ record against them has also been quite mixed recently, however Newcastle’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could bring in the goals as Mourinho’s men will go into the match having scored 19 in the last 10 times they have faced the Magpies.
Chelsea – Brighton (A), Liverpool (H), West Brom (A)
Frank Lampard has been the most high-profile when it has come to signings before the new season has started, with Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner joining the ranks, as Pedro and Willian have been the most well-known departures. It’s very much the feast after the famine of their transfer ban, you could say, while Christian Pulisic will also available once he has recovered from that hamstring injury. Indeed, Frank’s team will need a turnaround from the losses in the FA Cup final and Champions League against Arsenal and Bayern Munich respectively, along with a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Talking of the Seagulls, that is the very team the Blues will be facing in their first game of the new campaign. The south coast side has itself brought in a fair few players, and Adam Lallana is arguably the most high profile. As for their record against the West Londoners, it’s not exactly a long one with just 14 to look through. Of the six of those that have been this century, the 1-1 tie on 1st January is the only game that hasn’t been a loss, as 13 goals have been scored by Chelsea in the other five.
Liverpool’s visit back at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile, will be a big tussle – especially as it will be so early in the season and there will be the new players to bed in. The previous round will have no doubt seen Leeds try to make a good account of themselves at Anfield in their first Premier League game in 16 years, however the Reds versus the Blues will, on paper, be Salah and co’s first real challenge. It’ll be interesting to see how Klopp and Lampard greet each other after their bit of bickering in the last encounter! After that, a trip to the Hawthorns beckons, as part of West Brom’s baptism of fire into the Premier League. The Baggies will no doubt try to prevent a fifth straight defeat to Chelsea, with nine goals conceded across those four previous losses.
The Bad
Brighton – Chelsea (H), Newcastle (A), Man United (H)
Having mentioned their fixture against Frank Lampard’s side, it’s no doubt unsurprising that Brighton are within the ‘bad’ section. That’s further compounded with trips to Newcastle and then a return to the Amex to face Man United who could well be as lethal as they were at the end of last season – Messrs Martial, Fernandes and Rashford, among others, are no doubt ready to hit the ground running from Gameweek 2.
Leeds – Liverpool (A), Fulham (H), Sheffield United (A)
Sport can be so cruel. Sixteen years Leeds have been out of the Premier League and their return is marked by a trip to Anfield in what is, arguably, one of the most difficult games a team could face. They have, however, been busy in the transfer market with new signings including Helder Costa, Rodrigo and Robin Koch no doubt keen to make their imprint, but Gameweek 1 may be something to write off. Fulham, having played Arsenal, may want to then kick start their own campaign in Gameweek 2 in what may just be a close encounter at Elland Road, whilst a trip to Sheffield United – if they are anything like they were before lockdown – could also be tricky.
The next team Leeds will face after they have travelled to Bramall Lane? Man City. Ouch.
West Ham – Newcastle (H), Arsenal (A), Wolves (H)
As previously mentioned, it seems the Grady Diang transfer to West Brom – who may not be a million miles from West Ham in the table, come the end of the season – has not been popular with the Hammers players, Mark Noble in particular. Whether this is a one off or, more likely, the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how happy the squad is, it could be interesting to say the least on how David Moyes’ side begins the season.
Newcastle’s visit in the curtain opener could be the ‘easiest’, as they also haven’t been prolific in the transfer market yet at least, however it certainly doesn’t get easier as Arsenal and Wolves are then waiting in the wings.
The Ugly
West Brom – Leicester (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H)
Whilst Leeds and Fulham have tough first games to get past, the last of the trio of promoted teams, West Brom, have got a mountain to climb. First up will be a Leicester side who will be looking at Jamie Vardy to kick off the season in style and add to the five wins over the Baggies in as many years, whilst a trip to Goodison Park and then a return to the Hawthorns to face Chelsea will be ties that could well and truly test their resolve.
Worth the Wait
Not playing in Gameweek 1 has been very annoying for the likes of managers who want Man City and Man United assets in their squad! It’s up to you if you want to have the players sat on your bench or if you have a plan to then bring them in later on, as it could be as soon as Gameweek 2 for Anthony Martial and co and Gameweek 3 for the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. No doubt more will be covered when Jamesimmo sits in the fixtures hot seat next week.
Man United – BLANK, Crystal Palace (H), Brighton (A), Spurs (H)
Once the blank is out the way, it’s then Crystal Palace – a side the Red Devils have only lost against on one occasion out of the last 15 meetings. You’ll have also read that Brighton are not on the right side of the statistics in the game against Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men, whilst Spurs’ visit to Old Trafford could be quite the indicator of how the two sides have progressed. Head to head, too, the last five encounters in Manchester between the two teams have seen four wins and one loss for the home side.
Man City – BLANK, Wolves (A), Leicester (H), Leeds (A)
As previously mentioned, the Wolves game could actually be one you wouldn’t rush to bring in any Cityzens as their record against Nuno Espírito Santo’s men in recent times has been rather eye opening, with two defeats in the last duo of Premier League games, going down 2-0 and then 3-2. Leicester and, in particular, Leeds in Gameweeks 3 and 4 could, however, see Pep’s men show their teeth. We may even have a better idea of who will be in their starting XI as well!
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 1. This article was written by Swirly
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Which of these would you prefer in your 11?
1) Mitrovic & Ziyech (with Lascelles on the bench)
2) Havertz & Tierney (with Davis on the bench)
Still torn between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3!
2
Davis will be leaving in a matter of days. Almost certainly to a Championship club.
2 but with Brewster as the 4.5.
Thanks guys. Here’s the 4-4-2 (with the Brewster change). Thoughts? FYI I am ignoring the Manchester problem and focusing on GW2 onwards. I’ll probably start with Auba & Jimenez in place of KdB & Martial.
Yeah I really like that
Looks good banjo but I’d trade Button to Walton or Ryan to Johnstone to ensure you have keeper cover.
Haha good spot GP! I thought my bench keeper was the Brighton sub.
Didn’t realise Brighton had a new 4m option – woop!
I assumed that’s what you were going for banjo :good:
Similar team to mine banjo but have Wilson instead of Jiménez and Egan instead of Tierney
With a bench of Nyland Stephens Mitchell and Brewster.
Hoping Brewster will get a loan.
So I like your team :dance:
No Aubameyang only one that worries me
I think Brewster must be running out of loan options. Villa signing Watkins, Palace signing Bats and Newcastle signing Wilson
Wouldn’t surprise me to see him a Bournemouth
Finally I have started tinkering my team (as I always do only in the very last week). I must say, I do not remember last when I need to do so much decision making in Gw1. There is a high chance that I will not pick the right team and forced to do a WC early. I generally do it during 1st Int. break, last season did it during 2nd int. break. Couple of questions:
(1) Anyone planning to go without Salah/Mane? Or, sell them in Gw2/3 to get Bruno/KDB etc.?
(2) How open are you to WC early? I see thoughts of holding it late (also due to Covid uncertainty). But I am not sure even if you hold till Gw16, what benefits it can reap. Any thoughts?
Just try to remember GM, pick a squad for the season not just Gameweek 1.
I don’t have Salah or Mane but I do have TAA & Robertson. I will hold my WC just due to the uncertainty with the world right now. Not there are guaranteed benefits to doing that, more that I would see me NOT wildcarding early as a sign that things are going well.
GM, I’ve been planning 1, since they announced the schedule without United and City. Most likely I will try to get the strongest starting 11 and the weakest bench for GW 1. Get the points and then regroup with a WC for GW 2 including the missing first round players. That will save me worrying should I have non players benched and how many hits I need to waste to bring the big hitters. Let’s face it, more than half will go for WC in GW 3 or GW 4 latest, as usual. A lot of people think that keeping the WC till late is a must due to the uncertainty we are living in. If, God forbid, there are some disruption again no WC would help, it will be just another messy affair. Currently I am working around a team like this…
The benefits of having a wildcard would not be if football is stopped Ivan you’re right. There’s none.
It’s if a handful of teams have individual matches or a couple of consecutive matches postponed whilst the remainder of the league continues. These teams may then have early DGWs etc. “May”
The transfer window closing at GW5 is one that I think a lot may miss – that’s a milestone I’d like to also pass but you could lose players through that or even have a few more superstars join the league.
All hypothetical I know but those are just my two cents.
GP, good point about the transfer window, that is the only thing which can stop me going for it. In ideal world, without the pandemic, the windows should have been closed before the start as per rules. Then again, nothing is ideal anymore. Three more days to go, I might drop my plan at the eleventh hour
1) I’m not but I don’t think he’s essential. If City and United has a game I might have considered it.
2) Theres no problem to play it earlier. In fact I think I really need to play it earlier generally. However I don’t think it’s right to intend on wildcarding early. It’s there for when you need it and I’d certainly want to get past the transfer window closing
Indeed it’s there for when you need it, I wouldn’t plan to use it early. It’s also useful insurance if you want to be aggressive with transfers before price rises.
Planning on Salah to Bruno for GW2. I think there is better value in Che and Man Utd. But may as well cover GW1 jwith Salah. I have TAA, would love Robertson to as pool cover, but need to work on the funds.
1) That’s the conundrum, I don’t want Salah/Mane (I think) in my long-term team but I certainly do want one of them for GW1… Hence…
2) … I am very open to Ivan’s strategy above, WC in GW 2 to get the long-term team up and running with still having a great GW1 side as well.
But then again I hate the idea of planning your WC, I might still opt for a more flexible approach, doing things like saving 0.5m in order to get Martial for Ings for GW2, or even benching Martial in GW1 and playing a 4.0m defender who is very likely to start at least GW1, and so on, and then take it from there, whether it goes smoothly I might save my WC for a bit later, or if KDB and Bruno explode in GW2 and everyone starts drafting them in and their price is going to rise then I could WC them in without any hits, I am currently on benching one Manchester player and trying to get a few more in GW2, taking a hit if needs be, but we shall see, still plenty of days before it all starts again!
1) I’m going wih Salah from the get-go. 70-odd goals in the last few seasons etc. He plays for the current Champions and is generally their target man. Auba might be the one to go in my side to get KDB.
2) I probably won’t WC early unless things go absolutely awfully (injuries/suspensions).
LA, I am still not sure between Salah and Mane. On Saturday the latter at least scored while Salah couldn’t even manage an assist in 7-2 win 😯
He’s saving his epicness for the Leeds game 😎 .
But jeez… :blink: !!
Can’t exactly judge him on one friendly though can you
Well Smash, friendly or not, everyone else made an effort 😉
I am going for Mane.At least he looked lively and interested,but Salah looked lethargic.
He’s looked lethargic for about a year now. Relative to his old self anyway.
Villa finally adding to their forward line: the W of Brentford’s BMW, Ollie Watkins, is on the way.
Fee agreed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54069379
He will offer value if he’s cheaper/similar to Mitro
Yeah will be 6 like Mitro I’d expect
Hi FF People,
Hate this game, hate my team!!!
Ramsdale & Nyland
TTA, VvD, Doherty, KWP & Lascelles
Son, Havertz, Barnes, Pereira & Stephens
Werner, Martial & Ings
I am aware that I currently have no big hitters.
Jamie
Jamie
That’s not as bad as you’re making out.
Thanks GP.
Lots of solid players but nothing spectacular.
After seeing Havertz against Rangers and watching some of the Bundesliga, that boy is a star in the making.
Taking a chance that he hits the ground running.
Probably let the season settle down for a few weeks and if required hit the wildcard during the next international break.
Jamie
I have him as well sir.
Solid and steady wins the race :good:
I think we’re all getting weary with re-drafting our teams with seemingly no end in sight (but we’ve only got 3.5 days left :bop: ).
Your team’s a nice change – lots of people have Auba & Salah and to be honest teams without them look better-balanced.
My takeaways from matches:
(1) England: Sterling – decent, Kane – Ok, need more games, TAA – looked terrible, short of match fitness and will struggle vs Leeds for sure (but can’t help).
(2) Belgium: KDB – looked good, his usual.
(3) France – Martial looked decent, got 2 assists with 2nd one rebounded from post to hit back of GK to go in
(4) Portugal – Bruno – absolutely well oiled drilling machine, looking in good form (where he left). Bernardo Silva got injured and went off in 22 mins – muscle injury perhaps. This is not good for City right side, thankfully they have no Gw1.
I’m hoping TAA being back in his Liverpool shirt will somehow transform him :good2: !
The other Euro players seemed to have quite enjoyed themselves – even good ol’ Giroud!
Who’s the best 4.0 defender, Johnson or Mitchell, or someone else?
They seem to be a dying breed at the mo – probably Mitchell.
Mitchell. But it’s probably temporary.
Heard that Buur will start at RB for Wolves. As of now I have Mitchell.
Thanks guys.