Fantasy Football Fixtures Game-week 32
What was I to do? The wife was going to be out of town all week, leaving me at home with our two young boys. I was housebound for a whole week of evenings and I needed a plan. So I made a list. Idea number one – “Buy a workout DVD”. Maybe one of those intense P90X ones. Yeah, that’d be great I thought. I could lose a load of flab, and maybe even rediscover a noticeable boundary between my chin and my neck. But wait. What was I thinking? I live in Texas, and so even at an “obese” BMI by UK standards, I was still the skinny one in my new home. Yep. Exercise could wait. I needed to be more creative…
Idea number two – “Write a book”. In a week? Ok, too ambitious. “Read a book”. In a week? Good point, I’m too slow a reader and continually have to reread pages due to my lack of a short term memory. “Read a book” In a week? Wait. Have I said that already? “Watch a TV series”. In a week? No, I fall asleep too easily. “I know!”, I finally typed, “I could see if my friends at FF247 need a break from writing, and maybe I could fill in”. Yeah, great idea. I could do Captains Picks again. Find a random subject to waffle on about for a few paragraphs, then hit ‘em with my randomly generated captains suggestions, supported by some made-up stats. (97% of people never even check to see if quoted stats are real or made up). It’d be great. So that’s what I did. And here we are. (Idea number three was to play out an entire World Cup – including qualifying rounds – with Subbuteo. So that’ll have to wait for now. )
So… Not ‘Captains Picks’ – those of you still paying attention will have already noticed – but ‘Fixtures’. Wow. One of the flagship weekly articles. With NiN sized shoes to fill too. Exciting times! And then I looked at the fixture tracker. Shit. Loads of decent teams have nice fixtures. A load of teams play four times, and two teams play five times! In three frikkin game weeks. Ridiculous. How was I ever going to compare one team’s fixtures to another?! How does a crap team playing five times compare to a great team playing three times in the same number of game weeks?! Now I see why NiN was so keen to take a week off. The fecker.
And then I remembered. I’m the guy that survived a whole day in a parallel FF247 universe, on my own. I’ve been struck by lightning and survived (obviously). I’m capable of waffling for an entire… wait for it…. nearly there… BOOM!… an entire page of A4 in size 14 font without really saying anything other than that I’ll be writing the article this week. Which was probably apparent by my name being at the bottom of the page. Yep. I can do ANYTHING!! So let’s set about proving it….
Favourable fixtures:
Everton – Man Utd (A), Watford (A), Palace (A), Southampton (H), Liverpool (A)
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[/three_fourth]We simply had to start with Everton. Despite the fact they are floating in mid table obscurity (12th in the league) with only three wins in their last ten games, and the added distraction of a FA Cup Semi Final, they play five times in the next three game weeks (as those of you planning a wildcard are no doubt already aware) and that was just too much to ignore. On a point’s per game basis, Everton’s leaders of Barkley and Lukaku are both top 10 for their position. Multiply that by five games and you’d be hard pushed to beat it from a team playing three or even four times.
It’s also worth noting, so I will, that only one of Everton’s five games are to be played at home. That shouldn’t put you off. On the contrary. The Toffee’s home form this season has been nothing short of atrocious. Only one home win against a team outside of the bottom three (versus Chelsea, in September!) and they’ve lost four of their last five in front of their own fans.
The five game marathon starts with a trip to Old Trafford to face a team that beat them 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, but a United team that are also facing a period of fixture congestion themselves. This is the only game Everton play in GWK32. After that, it’s back to back doubles.
The GWK33 double starts with a trip to play Watford. A team who, virtually safe from relegation with an FA cup distraction looming, should present a great opportunity for goals and a win. Watford have only one league win in their last five (skillfully ignoring mention of their win against my Arsenal in the cup) although they did manage a 2-2 draw when these sides met in the season opener back in August. It’s although worth pointing out that this match comes immediately after Watford play Arsenal in the league. A game that will surely see Arsenal completely batter the hornets as revenge for the FA cup embarrassment.
Yep. This will be a thoroughly demoralized Watford side by time Everton get their hands on them. #calledit
After seeing off Watford, Everton travel to Selhurst Park to play Lord Pardew’s Palace. The only team in the league with zero wins in their last ten games. Surely an Everton win to finish off the DGW.
GWK34 consists of a home game against Southampton and a derby match against Liverpool. Not easy games by any stretch, but Everton did put three goals past Southampton in the reverse fixture (Lukaku scoring twice) and drew the previous Merseyside derby at Goodison park (Lukaku on the scoresheet again).
Just play the law of averages. They’re gonna get it right at least once in five games.
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Manchester City – Bournemouth (A), WBA (H), Chelsea (A), Newcastle (A)
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[/three_fourth]Only the four games for City in the next three GWKs. But before you rejoice at the thought of those fresh city legs, wait. Firstly, because you should never rejoice at the thought of a footballers legs, no matter how fresh they are. But mainly because they won’t be all that fresh. City play PSG twice in this stretch, meaning six games in an 18 day period. Ouch.
Add to that, the thought that City have only one win in their last six league games (including a recent loss to their Mancunian neighbours) and you’ll start to wonder why they’ve even made the Favourable fixture list. Well let me explain…
City need to get back to winning ways, and fast. They now have no cushion between themselves and the chasing pack for that 4th champions league spot. They also have the FPL advantage of not having a blank in GWK35, and play against some fairly average teams before then. If you take City’s next four games and add together the scores from the respective reverse fixtures, City come out on top with a ridiculous winning score of 17 -2. #DaretocaptainKun
The only game that they should have any concern over, is the away match against Chelsea to start their DGW in GWK34 (which falls four days after the second leg against PSG). The others; away to Bournemouth, home to WBA and away to Newcastle should all present Kun and Co the chance to get back to winning ways in style.
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Manchester United – Everton (H), Spuds (A), Villa (H), Palace (H)
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[/three_fourth]Buoyant from their win over City, United enter into the next four games / three game weeks knowing that a return to Champions league football is within reach.
Complicated by their run in the FA cup, and a difficult match up against the inform Hammers, United need to navigate five games in an 18 day stretch. They might even need to rotate their squad to the point Fellani gets another day release.
The run of games starts with a home tie against the aforementioned Everton, who they swept aside 3-0 in the game earlier this season at Goodison. Next up is a tough encounter with the Spurs, who surely must be getting close to the point of the season where they remember who they are and start losing games for no apparent reason. I can dream.
The double game week in GWK34 sees possibly the most attractive set of fixtures available. Home ties against Championship bound Villa, and the free falling Palace. If Rashford gets his homework done on time, he’ll be licking his prepubescent lips about that one.
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Arsenal – Watford (H), West Ham (A), Palace (H), WBA (H)
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[/three_fourth]Another team with some decent match ups and a DGW in week 34. My Goonies were back to winning ways last time out against Init’s Toffees’ and need to be targeting a big points haul over their next four games if they are to stay clear of the scrap for their 4th place trophy.
A revenge mission at home against Watford kicks things off in a 3 game week period that see’s the-only-team-in-North-London play four times. Something close to a repeat of the 3-0 demolition job at Vicarage road will be expected there, before a second London derby revenge mission in a row when Arsenal travel to the shitty east end to match up against an in form West Ham team that beat them 2-0 earlier in the season.
The DGW34 see’s perhaps the second juiciest set of match ups available, with home ties against Palace and WBA. Now, clearly Tips aren’t my thing. But… If Giroud can get his starting place back at some point then he might be worthy of your consideration. He’s already scored against Watford, Palace and WBA this season.
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Teams worthy of a mention:
Liverpool – Spuds (H), Stoke (H), Bournemouth (A), Everton (H)
I thought about including Liverpool in the “Favourable fixtures” section, but in the end couldn’t quite bring myself to do it. Clearly the games against Stoke and Bournemouth are nice match ups, but the Spurs game will be tough, and even with the FA Cup distraction, the Mersyside derbies are always tight affairs. Add to that the fact that it’s late, and by tagging Liverpool on as an afterthought means that I don’t need to go through each of their fixtures in turn. Plus, leaving them out might upset Kop and Elleffcee. So really, it’s a win win win.
Crystal Palace – West Ham (A), Norwich (H), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Man Utd (A)
Yes, Palace are crap. Yes, they play some tough teams. But they play five times. Five! That’s a lot of opportunities. A lot of consolation goals. Probably a lot of defeats, so maybe steer clear of their defenders. But surely, a punt on a Bolasie or a Cabaye or a Wickham isn’t too out of the question? It is? Fine. Do what you want.
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“Be wary of” (Avoid):
Norwich and Aston Villa – It (H), doesn’t matter (A) cos (H), they’re crap (A)
Honestly. If you need this article to warn you off players from these two teams, it’s too late for you. Go into your garden. Dig a hole. Sit in the hole. Wait for winter to take you.
West Ham – Palace (H), Arsenal (H), Leicester (A), Watford (H)
Ok, I’m not saying they aren’t going to score well over the next few game weeks. I’m just advising a note of caution before jumping in on a high flying team with a DGW. In between the apparent walk-overs of Palace and Watford, they have the much more challenging Arsenal and Leicester. Both teams fully focused on chasing a big finish to the season.
Incidentally, those walk-over victories might not be quite as straight forward as it seems… West Ham struggled to overcome Palace at Selhurst Park despite playing against 10 men for the entire second half. Eventually running out 3-1 winners thanks to two late goals. And they lost 2-0 last time out against Watford. They also have a blank coming up in GWK35. Be warned.
Southampton – Leicester (A), Newcastle (H), Everton (A)
No double game weeks. Two tough fixtures either side of adding another nail to the barcodes coffin. Do yourself a favour and leave them alone for now.
Bournemouth – Man City (H), Villa (A), Liverpool (H), Chelsea (H)
Looking at those fixtures, and especially given so many of you will be activating wildcards and playing BB chips over the coming weeks, you might be better shopping for your bench fodder elsewhere.
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One week wonder: Are you frikkin kidding me?! Now is not a time for crazy splurges on one week wonders. Now is a time for careful planning and strategic thinking. Maybe, dare I say it, a spreadsheet?
Good luck all.
The Tracker…
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Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixtures Game-week 32 – Fantasy Premier League 2015-16. This article was written by Chins and Bellies
Follow @chinsandbellies
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How’s those WC plans coming along then?
They’re a bleeding headache Cookie !! Currently debating with myself whether to have both Sanchez and Ozil or just have Ozil and keep Kane !!
Haha not easy is it? I reckon James has been raiding the bank to afford that team!
I think Kane is worth keeping tbh
Best player on a team in huge form and chasing the title hard.
If his form changes, you’ll have plenty of cash to spend.
That’s just me though.
I am thinking about keeping Kane now actually.Don’t really feel comfortable not having him,was thinking of bringing him back for gw35 anyway,so it would save me a transfer and can see him matching or outscoring the alternatives, which don’t really excite me ! (I’ll have Lukaku)
Good afternoon, so still planing my team for the double weeks. Need Arsenal defensive cover in here, what dou you think about Gabriel? Is he nailed on now or is it possible that he rotates with Merte?
Magpies, Gabriel seems to be in prime position, but I would be surprised if Mert didn’t play one of the 3 matches they have in 7/.8 days.
Thanks for the reply Cookie, i think the same. Don´t know if I should pick him and get away with the points… i think 2 Arsenal defenders until the end of the season is necessary..
Magpies, I think 3 Arsenal is necessary and I massively see the argument for 2 defenders, or 1 defender and Cech. If I were wildcarding now I think I’d get Alexis and 2 defenders, though Welbeck is making an excellent case for himself also.
Cookie
Re your question, I WCed!
Timing felt right – didn’t want to be priced out of this squad, (and will have more funds to spend on later GWs swaps) and wanted the option of treble cap’n in GW 33 in case I chose that over payet in 37!
Gives me 13 DGW players plus Kane and Simpson
And 11 for GW 35.
Plus all the DGW players for 37 I currently want!)
Anyway, what do you all think? Bin it and start again?!!!
Really like it James, probably the best I’ve seen so far.
From you mate, high praise!
How did you get 106.2m to spend???
Captain D
I always pay attention to squad value
Just watch the buy/sell trends
It’s a key part of the game IMO and makes a real difference at this point in the season
Cough cough
What’s your plan for 35?
It’s tough. I have a few options but il keep an eye on form / injuries till closer.
Logically it’d be nice to swap out some players who aren’t DGW in 37 for some players who are. (Not just who is playing in 35).
Like I said. Tough.
If I wanted that squad I’d be 1.7m short !!!
You could always go cheaper on one player
Plenty of choices
I’d rather have Mahrez in there somehow but it would probably mean you losing either an Arsenal defender or De gea ?
Brooke Boy
Yeah. I was planning to keep Mahrez but I can always get him back if his form returns.
I WC’ded early so I’d have cash to burn later, and an extra ft if required. .
Apologies. Autocorrected…
Meant BrookyBoy
You can go for Monreal in place of Bellerin !
To be fair, he never actually said he wanted the squad!
That wouldn’t save me 1.7m !!!
But I want it
James that’s a brillaint team mate, how about getting Fabregas for this week and doing Fabby->Coutinho/Firmino next week with the FT, I would fancy him against AV !
Nice pick this week
Need to check if that’d leave me one ft short for 35
Just doing this stuff in my head no spreadsheets!
James, I really like this squad and it’s close to mine. I like the double WHU midfield for the second DGW, but I wonder if you’d be better served with Lingaard for the first DGW? I know some of it’s up in the air with Rooney’s return, but I think I’d rather have Lingaard vs Villa and Palace, both at home, than Antonio in DGW 34. That’s just me though, Great squad!
Honestly, I get the fixtures argument but form wins out this time
I did take a look but…
Antonio is averaging 3 times the points Lingard is. (6 vs 2)
He’s had 4 double digit scores this season to ling’s 1.
His last one was against Spurs (3 games ago). Ling’s only one was against West Brom. Way back in GW 12.
Only 5 other mids have more points per game, and of them, only Mahrez is within 2 mil of Antonio.
Honestly? I don’t get why anyone wouldn’t have him in their team.
Plus, as you suggest, Lingard could easily lose his place.
I wouldn’t
You won’t be alone mate.
Far from it in fact. 4% ownership only!
James what’s your overall rank mate ?
Brooky
Nothing special this year mate.
Bad start (wasn’t focused on it properly and didn’t really get my approach right)
My best year so far was 2014. Ended up at 1,400, but was at 300 not far from the end.
Lots of good suggestions from the long term guys on here
Sorry. Didn’t answer. Around 150k
But going to rise!!!
Yeah I remember a couple of years ago you doing really well.Intrigued me why your team wasn’t linked ! You’re still well placed to shoot up the rankings with a good wildcard and your chips still to play.
James – Not bad mate, I can do the same but would have 0.2 leftover, wouldn’t feel comfortable with Mahrez being out of the team, you sure firmino will out score Coutinho?
Sure? No. Not sure at all.
But I feel it’s a reasonable bet to make based on what I’ve seen of both of them.
Plus a bit of a differential in the making.
Personally I could see him coming back from his time out and featuring teams again – and he’s had enough time off, he could start both games.
Meanwhile cout has been working hard and may get a rest for one game.
Which would catch a few people out.
Time will tell of course…
At mitro
I may still change my mind on that one.
Could use some injury news!!
James – I will be activating mine next week and I’m not looking forward to the head fuck it will give me, I have 16 screen shots saved on my phone for potential line ups! Still havent worked out what to do about this palace/Everton DGW!
Thanks for the article Chins & Bellies – excellent stuff.
I said I would update on my GW32 wildcard. Draft #8 is my current favourite (below). Allows me 2 transfers for GW34 getting rid of thePalace players for Elliot & Flanagan if he’s looking nailed on.
12 DGW players (which should be 4 or 5 more than my ML leader, 1 transfer needed for a full team in GW35, which I’ll decide coming out of the DGW depending how the ML situation looks.
Might yet change my mind depending on how Sturridge looks tonight!
Feedback welcome – chances are any suggested changes will be somewhere amongst drafts #1 to #7 anyway B)
Brave going without Kun! May be a masterstroke.
Does your ML leader have Kun?
Yes he does, but as I’m almost 100 behind I need some differentials…can only hope that as Kun has mostly away fixtures then it’s worth the risk. The next 4 GW’s will make or break me.
How many chips does he have left red?
No wildcard, still has BB and TC same as me.
I would feel a lot more comfortable having Sturridge in GW37 but I can see why you are doing it!
Yeah, have nothing left to lose Mitro. I’ve not got anywhere with template plus a couple of differentials so might as well go for an almost completely different line up since it doesn’t look like he’s planned properly for all the doubles.
Fingers crossed you have some big weeks -Good luck mate
Initially i planned to bring cresswell for toby but butland is now injured ….so my plan for next 2 gws are:
1. Bring Gabril/Koscielny for toby and Adrian for butland for gw 32
2. Bring Lukaku and lennon for kane and antonio
I have 0.2m ITB and 1FT left and no wildcards left though all the other chips are still unused. Any suggestion regarding my team, starting XI and cap are very much appreciated.
forgot to post my team 😛
Play Vardy instead of Firmino. Capo your choice of course, but Payet is in great form. I think I’m correct in saying that Antonio’s home stats are better however.
my transfer plan is ok ?? i am also thinking of giving cap to antonio
Not sure I’d lose Antonio for Lennon to be honest.
Agreed cookie
Evening all!!
So how was everyone’s first day back at work? Mine was a killer..!!
Anyway on to the important stuff, who should I bring in for butland? I’m WC’ing next week so I’m not to fussed on who it is – just need a cleanie
I have £1.5 ITB
Is Cech back? If he is then I think him for sure.
Otherwise Adrian or Courtois.
I think Arsenal, WHU, and Chelsea have the best CS potential this GW.
I’m hoping cech is back but Adrian and courtois are great shouts! Cheers
Courtois made 3 brilliant sabes tonight against Portugal suggestions is In form.
*saves and *suggesting. Freaking autocorrect