Fantasy Football Fixtures Game-week 31
Here we go again, another week of fixture fun as the race for glory in the world of fantasy heats up another notch. The points continued to flow last game-week, at least for those of us paying attention anyway, and whether you fell into the Aguero trap again or made the smart choice of going after Villa by picking Harry Kane as your capo for the week, it seems most of us navigated the first blank week of the season quite well and can now look forward to a few straightforward weeks of FPL action. No blanks, no doubles. Yet. The story of the week has to be the eventual, and somewhat inevitable sacking of Steve McClaren. A truly woeful effort at steadying the ship, the ex-England boss has been replaced by none other than Rafael Benitez who not long ago was working with the likes of James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. Begs the question; if he cant get enough wins with a team like Madrid’s then what on earth is the poor sod going to do with Newcastle? Who knows, but it sure will be interesting to find out! Anything is better than Steve. So, with our squads (hopefully) full again and a new game-week to look forward to, lets have a gawk at the weeks ahead and see if we can spot a point source of two, as well as some wagons that may need to be abandoned…
***STOP THE PRESS – DGW’S ADDED!***
The Tracker…
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FAVOURABLE FIXTURES
Leicester – Crystal Palace (A), Southampton (H), Sunderland (A)
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One wagon that most certainly wont be abandoned is the Leicester one. Predictably, the Foxes scooped all three points on Monday against Newcastle although the scoreline was a lot closer than we would have liked, and the fourth time in five weeks that Leicester have failed to score more than one goal. Still the wins keep coming though and Leicester remain one of the form teams in the league, sitting third in that particular table with four wins and just the one loss to Arsenal from the previous six and a comfortable five points clear of Spurs, with no Arsenal or City in sight, the Foxes are well set to pull off the unthinkable. With no cup competitions to be dealing with, these next few weeks are crucial for Leicester and nine points from these winnable games would go a long way to securing the title as their run-in sees them meet sterner opposition, when the pressure will be on. Still, for the time being, we’ve got a few fixtures that should see the wave of FPL points continue to flow from Leicester so lets take a look at what lies ahead. They’re on their travels this weekend..
Yep, no home comforts this week then but an away day at Palace isn’t the worst either. The Lord has been having a hard time of it recently with injuries mounting and a not too large squad to begin with certainly not helping matters. We have to go back as far as a game-week seventeen clash with Stoke to find Palace’s last league win and that horrid run doesn’t look like ending this weekend against Leicester. Whether it’s another tight affair or Leicester decide to turn the screw a bit remains to be seen but it’s an away win all the way here. Next up is Southampton and they’ve had a bit of a wobble recently and continue to struggle for goals. Graziano Pelle actually bagged a couple last weekend but having not scored since game-week eleven, that may say more about Stoke’s downturn than anything else and its highly unlikely that the Italian will trouble Leicester one bit. The Saints defence is capable though so another 1-0 or maybe even 0-0 scoreline is more than possible in this one but we’ll shade it for Leicester. Rounding us off then is a humdinger in the fantasy world, and one Leicester should breeze through. We give you, Sunderland. Admittedly, the Black Cats have improved a touch under big Sam’s guidance but the quality just isn’t there this time around. Level with Norwich, eight points adrift of Swansea, Sunderland are well and truly in the relegation battle and coming up against Leicester is not what the doctor ordered. Full steam ahead for the away side and anything more than a consolation goal for Sunderland in this one will be a big surprise.
Manchester City – Manchester United (H), Bournemouth (A), West Brom (H)
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Oh City. City, City City, where did it all go wrong? Looking unstoppable at the start of the season, the blue half of Manchester have gone from champions elect to fighting for a Champions League place in no time at all. The announcement of summer changes to the management has done no favours but, still, all things aside, City should be blowing the likes of Norwich away with ease but, not for the first time, Kun and co have failed to deliver the big numbers we expect against weaker opposition. Still, with the quality they have on-board, these next few weeks should, should, see City get back to winning ways and at least attempt to salvage some sort of positive for the years work by finishing strong and applying pressure to the leaders. This weekend’s game is, if ever there was one, a game to get the juices flowing and it’s followed by two very winnable games. Three wins from the next three is a must for City or the title will be well and truly gone for another year.
The big one! What better way for City to get back on track than putting a few past old rivals, Manchester United? Both teams have failed to impress for large parts of the season thus far with City falling twelve points, albeit with a game in hand, behind Leicester and United being four points above Stoke. There’s a lot riding on this game and it’s hard to look past City, especially now that Vincent Kompany seems to be fit after his latest spell out of the team. How long he can stay upright remains to be seen. A trip to Bournemouth next then, the type of fixture we keep expecting City to coast. It hasn’t always been the case as we found out again last weekend as they stumbled to a 0-0 with lowly Norwich. Still, the gulf in talent is there and Bournemouth should not be getting anything from this game. Cue the 3-0 Cherries win, of course, such is this season. Lastly, another team who should be no match for attacking delights at City; West Brom. Despite a slight turnaround in fortunes in recent weeks, the Baggies essentially have no chance in this fixture, one that City favour, having won eight on the spin and ten of the last eleven meetings. Even when Pulis had his defence in mean form City were able to brush them aside on their own patch so this should be nowt more than a routine three points for the home team. Cue the frustrating as hell 1-0, of course, such is this season.
Chelsea – West Ham (H), Aston Villa (A), Swansea (A)
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It was always coming wasn’t it? Diego just cant keep his nose out of things for even a second. His latest ban for being Diego sees him miss the next two league fixtures at the very least and this may be increased as he has since been charged with improper conduct and this will undoubtedly hinder Chelsea. After all, the Spanzillian has been one of the more consistent performers since the managerial switch and Chelsea don’t really have a lot in reserve. Thankfully the fixtures are on their side for the time being and we fancy them to continue their good form, fifth in the form table with three wins and three draws from the last six. Seven points from these next three games would go a long way toward getting back into contention for a European spot and the full nine points should fire them up the league. Just the one home game in our featured fixtures but Chelsea should remain a good source of FPL points over the coming weeks…
Home to the Hammers, this could be a very interesting and entertaining game for the neutral. The Blues’ turnaround is there for all to see and the groove is slowly coming back as the weeks go by. West Ham have themselves a very dynamic strike-force in Payet and Antonio and will come to win as usual; fireworks aplenty! It’s a shame that Costa will be missing for this one, his snarl and drive add a different dimension to Chelsea but while he’s on the naughty step, Chelsea may struggle to score multiple times. Still, these derbies nearly always bring us good FPL points. From a game where Diego will be missed, to a game where they could play Hiddink up front and still win. A welcome trip to Villa Park is next for the blues for what will be, as per usual, a long afternoon for the Villa faithful, if there happens to be any left. Easy away win then. Staying on the road for game-week thirty-three, Swansea play hosts in our last featured fixture this week. In decent form themselves and enjoying the resurgence of Siggy, the Swans will be a good test for anyone on their day but we feel like Chelsea will have enough to get the win here with Costa possibly back in the team, provided he doesn’t go off on one in the mean time of course. All in all, a decent run of games where Chelsea can pick up some much needed points.
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BE WARY OF…
Manchester United – Manchester City (A), Everton (H), Tottenham (A)
They may have a double due at some stage but can any of us really put faith in United players just now? Recent weeks have seen losses to West Brom and Sunderland, suggesting United are in the same old pickle as most of this season; unpredictable but generally a soft touch. These next three fixtures are a nightmare, truth be told, starting off with the derby. We’ve covered that one already so next up is Everton. The Toffees have begun to pick it up in recent weeks and having netted eleven times in the previous five game-weeks, there’s every chance United get beaten here. Lastly, we’ve got title hopefuls, Spurs. This fixture, at this stage of the season, usually has big championship points at stake and this one is no different, except it’s Spurs who are title chasing this year, not United. How times have changed and we’re tipping Spurs to come away with the three points from this one.
Southampton – Liverpool (H), Leicester (A), Newcastle (H)
For a while there, the Saints were looking pretty good having welcomed back Fraser Forster from long term injury, as well as Ryan Bertrand and also capturing Charlie Austin in the January transfer window. Results have, however, tailed off in recent weeks. Last weekends win at Stoke was timely after losing to Chelsea and Bournemouth and failing, miserably, to beat Sunderland at home. Liverpool this weekend then and the scousers have found form again in recent weeks as Klopp continues to work his magic. Southampton will need to get their house in order again or this lot will put a few past them. Next it’s league leaders, Leicester. The goal gluts may be a thing of the past but the Foxes are still very hard to best in any given week and we feel like they will eek out the win in this one. Not the hardest fixture to finish off with against Newcastle, but if a few weeks without Steve McClaren doesn’t do this lot any good then Mr Ashley may as well just pack up now.
Bournemouth – Tottenham (A), Manchester City (H), Aston Villa (A)
In good form of late, the Cherries may have already secured safety, sitting eight points above Norwich and Sunderland going into this weekends action, a cushion they may well need over the coming weeks. White Hart Lane this weekend for Bournemouth; not an easy trip for any team to make this year and even with good form behind them, we feel like Bournemouth will struggle in this one. Manchester City then arrive at Dean Court in game-week thirty-two and with UCL qualification not necessarily secured for City, expect them to have their tails up in this one. Much like the previous section we finish off with a much softer fixture and one the Cherries will probably win, an away day at Villa. Their inclusion in this section is based on the other two fixtures of course and also what lies after Villa.
West Ham – Chelsea (A), Crystal Palace (H), Arsenal (H)
One thing is for sure, West Ham don’t have to travel very far over the next few weeks of league action! Sitting top of the form table this week, the Hammers are on a roll and having cover in our squads is more than acceptable. However, over the coming weeks, as DGW plans come to the forefront, it may be wise to leave adding any more West Ham cover for a few weeks further down the line as, starting this weekend, some tough games await. The Bridge to start then and having gone over this one before we’ll skim on to a home game with Palace. These derby’s can be surprising at times and although we favour the home side, it’s really what’s either side of this game that worries as Arsenal are the visitors in game-week thirty-three for what promises to be a great match. Arsenal seem determined to leave Leicester and Spurs to fight it out for the title this year but with the quality they have on show, we have to favour them against the Hammers. Just.
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ONE WEEK WONDERS…
This is our quick look at this weeks stand-out games in terms of chasing some easy fantasy points…
Swansea vs Aston Villa
The Swans have seen an upturn in performance levels in recent weeks and despite last weekends disappointing 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, the signs have been good under Francesco Guidolin. Gomis is nowhere to be seen, and rightfully so, after showing promising form earlier in the season and up has stepped Gylfi Sigurdsson. Seven goals, one assist and a steady thirteen bonus points over the last eleven league games is the type of form us fantasy folk like to see and with Villa taking a trip to the Liberty this weekend, there’s every chance the iceman will add to his tally. Naturally, with it being Villa, points should be coming from all angles in this one; boasting the weakest attack in the league so far (22 scored) and shakiest defence (57 against), any sort of cover in this game should go well.
Tottenham vs Bournemouth
White-hot Spurs just about sneak in this week despite being in good form of late. Four wins from six with a draw against Arsenal and narrow loss to West Ham is good going by all accounts, making the outcome of this weekends tussle with Bournemouth seem like a formality. The Cherries have picked it up in recent weeks but with the title in sight we cant see Spurs letting this one slip past them. That good form may even work to Spurs’ advantage; with Bournemouth being full of confidence having nothing to lose , they will be coming to win and an early goal for the home side may spark a high scoring affair. Things get a little trickier after this weekend for the Lilywhites with trips to Anfield, the Birttania and Stamford Bridge on the horizon.
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Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixtures Game-week 31 – Fantasy Premier League 2015-16. This article was written by NIN
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Vote on our Captain Poll Now
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Who should I replace Kompany with?
Other defenders are : Monreal, Williams, Targett, Futchs
Hi Snookie,
You could take your chances on a Liverpool defender. A double double, no blanks and have been known to keep clean sheets from time to time.
futchs for me
Nauj those are my other defenders not options I am considering
Gp Moreno or Clyne?
Snookie,
I might bring in Clyne myself. The return of Flanagan though is a spanner in the works.
I might go with Moreno, cheap and gets bonus if they manage 1-0 win atleast more than Clyne who doesn’t seem to be favoured for bps
when is the fa cup replay between man utd and whu is going to be schedule??
Nauj
Not announced yet.
will it be before or after gw 37? Is this blank gw sure for man utd and whu?
i mean the blank gw 35 for man utd and whu
That ones defo a blank as the were scheduled to play each other that week anyway so regardless of who wins the cup replay the 35 game isn’t happening.
They have to wait till ManU are in/out of Europa to decide the date.
Should be announced following day.
Putting this out there with a white flag ready in my back pocket, but would anyone consider a Newcastle defender in this week?
Good fixtures, double and no blank to think about.
Didn’t see the game but they managed to keep Leicester down to just one! haha
Okay, I’m already waving the flag, go easy hahahah
Yup can be a option and with Benitez I think defence will be more tighter than before, will see till before dgw to bring in or not
I’d think of that if Colo was available. Otherwise, while I don’t disagree with Snookie, seems to early to call.
I have Elliot as #2 GKP but even if didnt think there’s more likely a better choice among defenders.
It seems the prevailing wisdom at the moment (for those with chips remaining) is:
1. WC in GW33, loading up on DGWers for GW34
2. BB chip in GW34
3. Damage limitation in reduced GW35
4. TC chip in GW37
I see the logic behind this, but it has its drawbacks. I therefore feel there is a strong argument for the following strategy:
1. Bring in DGWers between now and GW34 using your remaining transfers (take a hit or two if you want)
2. TC chip in GW34
3. Much less hassle in GW35
4. WC in GW36
5. BB chip in GW37
Using just my free transfers, I could field 10 DGW players in GW34, when I use my TC chip. As far as I see it, this strategy will result in less imbalance to your team for the in-between weeks, allowing you to keep some crucial SGWers (Mahrez, Alder etc), therefore producing a stronger GW35 team. I’d then bring in 14/15 DGWers for GW 37 and use my bench boost, with only one more week to worry about.
Thoughts?
I will be doing the same thing, using wc in gw 34 will mess up the team and the following weeks will be even worse to get a balanced team back rather use it in gw 36, BB in 37 and have no tension of team balance and all that, will be going that way only and don’t see much rotation as teams will be pushing for top 4 excpet Leic and Spurs if the title is taken
Undercover
There are many ways to skin a cat as they say. I like your plan, particularly point 3 in your list
. I have no WC so I’ll be trying with free transfers and the odd hit, to get as many DGWers as possible for each GW. If I have anyone on a single during the DGW who plays in GW35, I’ll likely keep those. In other words I won’t chase too hard and then by decimated by GW35.
How I play the TC or the BB will be a personal feeling made right before GW34 deadline probably.
Undercover, I think you’ve just saved me a lot of heartache and a massive headache because this makes complete sense and it’s what I was trying to think of with actually getting there haha
you’re a life saver mate and this is probably what I’ll be (trying) to do 
I came up with this whilst lying awake in bed last night (let’s not all pretend we haven’t been there…). Glad it has some approval because I’m still weighing up the pros and cons myself. I’ll be saving my transfer this week so by the time I make my decision we will know the Europa League fixtures and hopefully when the Everton – Palace fixture will be. Going for this strategy will depend largely on the strength and shape of your team now, I think.
Personally, I think I can justify it.
Yeah I’ve already done my transfer this week to do Stanislas to Siggy and I’ve stuck the armband on him so I think it was worth it but u already have 3 City even though one is now injured but I don’t mind taking the odd hit to get to 10 DGWS as I can easily let go of a few of my Spurs and Leicester players.
FUcking Kompany killing my advantage. Why is this man made out of glass? Seriously, Arjen Robben is made out of diamant compared to this fellow. >.<
Now I will probably have to WC in GW33.
Which isn't all that bad. Still have 3 chips and I think we really need to use them.
On that note, planning ahead only works when the players you try to plan in don’t get injured! >.<
Raz which defender are you thinking to get?
I actually might just play vDijk versus Liverpool instead of Kompany versus United. VDijk might actually have a better chance of a good score. I don’t see any transfer being worth it. Something in me hopes the Kompany injury will be fixed before GW34, but I doubt it. And if so, I doubt he’ll play both games, which also takes away the advantage.
Think I might WC in GW33. We have to use it at some point and with just a few GW’s to go.
Disappointing Raz mate.
He was stacking points for me.
Same, and if he was fit I’d have 4 players for the DGW already. Now just 3. I got 2 FT’s, which makes it 5. I’ll get to use 3 more extra FT’s which will bring the total to 8 DGW players without a hit. If I’m lucky the Kompany injury is just a minor one, do I doubt it, since it’s his fucking calf. WTF is up with Pellegrini though? He should’ve been rested yesterday, the game was already played. >.<
Scratch that, with Olsson I’m on 4. If I had Kompany I’d have 5 (Ozil, Kompany, Olsson, Kun, Payet). With the 2 Ft’s that’s be 7, with 3 more GW’s that would be 10. 10 without taking a hit, I had it all planned out. Sighs.
And now? >..<
Raz,
It is his fourteenth calf injury since he arrived at Manchester City which is a weakness in his own body and probably something he nor Pellegrini could be blamed for. It looks like he will always be that one twist, turn or stretch away from pulling it again.
Thing is on his replacement, I don’t fancy anyone else in the City backline with him injured. He is a colossus for them.
In reply to Undercover (didn’t want to make a huge thread on one post):
I was going to make a similar post but have a little to add which probably adds to the headache (sorry!). My main worry with the GW36 strategy is wasting the BB for it only takes a few rotated players to completely waste it.
Use of it a GW33 could work in your favour if:
– You have very few (maybe 3 or less) DGWers currently; if you have 5 or so it will leave about an equal amount of DGWers over both DGWs.
Method:
Stack your team high with Arsenal, Liverpool, City (Newcastle and West Brom) players and around 4/5 from the other DGWers in GW33 and use BB GW34; that way you won’t be screwed for the blanks GW35 and will be able to field around 9/10 players with DGWs (inlcuding Liverpool and a few transfers) in GW37.
Very similar but potentially safer if managers rest players in GW37. Still undecided about which way to go.
AT
Good addition and adds something to the debate for sure. One other school of thought is don’t worry about trying to second guess managers on gametime – that will send you cuckoo! It really all depends on what is still at stake come GW37. If there is a league, CL places etc. still to be sorted, I’d wager the managers will still be playing their strongest teams.
I agree with you there GP.
Off to do some more stat crunching, will be back in a bit with more headaches! haha
AT!! My headache is back now!!! Haha
you and undercover both make some great points and I can see the benefits in both options I’m just so unsure which one is best for my team anyway. I’m loaded up currently with 3 City,3 Spurs,3 Leicester, 1 Stoke,1 Bournemouth,1 Southampton,1 West Ham,1 Swansea and 1 Palace filler so I’m so confused haha 
Unfortunately there is no right answer, but I suppose that is the beauty (and torture) of FPL. It has to boil down to what feels right for you at the end of the day. I’ve come with this approach as I’m chasing in my ML and feel I need to come up with something slightly different. If I had a healthy lead I’d probably go with AT’s advice (I still might!). The overhanging cloud of rested players in GW37 is undoubtedly a headache for my proposed strategy, so I’ll be hoping the title and European places are still up for grabs by that point. Could really do with Leicester dropping a few points!
Haha yeah I’m not really chasing my ML I’m only 9 points if 1st so I think I just need to make some smart moves or even the right captain and the right time. I’m thinking the rotation won’t really become a factor I think the European places will be up for grabs till the final day so the teams should remain strong. Like Liverpool are only 7 points off 4th with a game in hand and they’re about 8th so it’s all still up in the air in my opinion anyway.