FPL Fixtures Gameweek 18
No sh*t, Sherlock
Writing this so early may yet prove to be folly, and no doubt the second it is published the PL will announce a circuit breaker and B(lank)GW18 will become B(leak)GW18 and we shall be back into the territory of adding ‘+’ symbols to GW’s again. But just in case we somehow avoid the above doomsday scenario we have decided to break the upcoming week’s down into words. You could always just look at the Fixture Tracker but sometimes it also helps to have the lay of the land spelt out in simple terms.*
*On the above, and to confirm what BoJo said on Monday evening, as far as he is concerned he is happy for it to continue. But that does of course depend on Covid cases within clubs not escalating and the players behaving responsibly.**
**Gulp
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
But first up that all important Fixture Tracker itself…
FIXTURE TRACKER LINK
For those who would like to make their own copy to play with;
Observations on GW’s 18 to 23
We thought we would begin with a quick overview of what lies ahead, as a few obvious things jump out here;
GW Proximity
The first thing which strikes us (other than the obvious blank and double) is that the fixtures pile up pretty quickly after GW18;
GW18
Begins: Tues 12th
Ends: Thurs 14th
GW19
Begins: Fri 15th
Ends: Thurs 21st
GW20
Begins: Tues 26th
Ends: Thurs 28th
GW21
Begins: Sat 30th
Ends: Sun 31st
GW22
Begins: Tues 2nd
Ends: Wed 3rd
GW23
Begins: Sat 6th
Ends: TBC
That’s potentially 7 league games in less than 4 weeks for some teams. Not to mention some FA Cup games and Milk Cup semis too. And you thought rotation at Christmas was bad…
A list of teams
In essence the following is just that. We did say we would keep this simple though! But if you look more closely you will see that it is a list of teams split by how they transverse both BGW18 & DGW19. And hopefully it may be one to refer back to in the next week or so as it splits them all down into who has what over the ‘rather difficult to naviagate’ BGW18 & DGW19.
Teams with 3 games over both
The following play in 18 and then back that up with a double in 19;
ASTON VILLA
BURNLEY
MAN CITY
MAN UNITED
Teams with a Blank 18 then a Double 19
CHELSEA
FULHAM
LEEDS
LEICESTER
LIVERPOOL
SOUTHAMPTON
WEST BROM
WEST HAM
Teams with a game in both (i.e no blank or double)
ARSENAL
BRIGHTON
CRYSTAL PALACE
EVERTON
NEWCASTLE
SHEFFIELD UNITED
SPURS
WOLVES
Blank GW18 Fixture Strategy
The above list(s) should give you a bit of a guide as to whether or not you need to ship or buy a player. And it is very objective. If we are to jump to the exact opposite for a moment then here is quick subjective guide to 18:
Originally it looked very difficult to play both 18 & 19 without using some sort of a Chip. Since the PL added a few loose fixtures to both 18 & 19 it now looks a tad easier, albeit not ideal.
We have had a fair few questions on site in relation to the ‘minimum’ number of players one would dare approach BGW18 with. The consensus seems to be that 7 would be borderline, 8-9 would be more ideal and anything in excess of that would be perfect.
Our answer would be that it depends on your team and who that 7/8/9 actually are. If they are all good players with decent fixtures then crack on. Just bear in mind that most us carry 3, 4 or even 5 players who get us a point or two every week, and we play them knowing they will do just that. Your BGW18 strategy may simply come down to what balance of those you have in relation to the aforementioned point scorers.
Double GW19 Strategy
As we see it you have multiple plays here. If you can build a 15 man squad that you are happy with then a Bench Boost may be in order.
If you have a weak bench then perhaps deploying a Triple Captain could be the way to go, but just bear in mind rotation is very likely.
The alternative is to do neither and wait on future DGW’s, the likelihood of which grows with every Covid postponement.
Free Hit Strategy
If you find yourself with less than desirable numbers / the wrong players in BGW18 or simply fancy chasing DGW19 with similarly more suitable assets then playing the Free Hit could be the ideal solution. It may sound simple but here are the basics once more, just in case you are confused on any aspects of it;
- In essence it simply means that you can change your entire squad for one week and have it restored to its former glory for the beginning of the following GW.
- Any transfers or point hits taken in the same GW that the FH is activated will be cancelled.
- You will emerge with only 1 free transfer the week after playing it, effectively meaning you would lose any previously unused ones that you would ordinarily carry over.
- You cannot gain from price rises whilst using your FH, so in this respect it differs from playing the usual Wildcard when you can play the market a bit.
- You will however lose value on a player if he falls in price.
Postponments
A quick final word on postponments. If, unlikely as it seems, ALL games in a GW are cancelled then any Chips, Wildcards or transfers made will be lost forever. And any hits taken will still be counted. All of which means it may be wise to delay pressing that confirm button on anything until the last possible moment. But obviously don’t forget to actually press it at some point!!!
All of which may leave you simply repeating the title of the article, but I thought it was worth going over again.
Thanks for reading FPL Fixtures Gameweek 18. This article was written by Inittowinit.
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL GW18
Init, this is superb. It’s doesn’t over complicate things and that’s the beauty of it.
I was all set to FH this week and now I find myself considering a -4 to field just 7 players!!
Thanks Kop.
What’s the reasoning behind that then? Have similar but I’m thinking of the FH. Then again I may just have the wrong 7, which I almost certainly have. Got two Palace at the back within that for starters…
My conservative nature says I might regret playing it!!
Pretty sure i’m saving my FH too and will field 8 players.There is only Kane really that i wont own that i fear.
Agreed Brooky. Obviously there are other players out there that could hurt me and I could pick some of those up on the FH but I think I’m willing to take the risk.
Its knowing which are going to be the right players ! I think there will be other opportunites to make big gains with the chip with the amount of potential upcoming doubles and blank.
+1
Made a basic error and mixed my “Tuesdays” and played the FH last weekend at a point of frustration (have had Salah captain 3 gw’s in a row). I think that was an error even if I like my draft
Interesting responses but as I say it probably depends on who you currently have as opposed to just how many. I’m ok ish with the latter but the former looks weak here.
Quality is certainly more important than quantity. My -4 will give me;
Lowton
Dias
Bruno
Son
KdB
DCL
Another City defender
I should also point out that I’ll take out Robbo & Salah on the -4 which means I’ll have neither for the double but on current form that doesn’t overly concern me.
I think I’m well set up to use the BB in 19.
Kop – who are you getting in for them?
KdB and either Cancelo or Stones.
I look at the template free hit side and it’s not far off my current side. I only fear not owning Son this week which is similar to Brooky and Kane. It’s got a few extra but they are not the most reliable players. I see it as I have the core players this week will I have the core players in the next blank
I’m just hoping Son isn’t widely captained – which he may well be, given his ownership and previous GW.
But we’ll see how it all pans out.
I am .1 short to get Dias for Taylor. No other FH.
How safe is Cancelo with Walker back? I have Stones. KWP, Saiss and Coufal.
Thanks!
Cancelo will always be open to the odd benching but he appears to be a favourite of Peps.If he he gets a rest at the weekend i’m pretty sure he will start next gw.
Is he back bees?
I have Cancelo. Not entirely 100% but you do have coverage in that defence long term.
Ah – see him on the bench ….
Just heard he made many mistakes in today’s game. Hope he won’t be benched next game. Unable to see the match.
havnet been watching long. He has looked good offensively in that time
Looked pretty damn good to me. Rested in the FA Cup and then he’ll be back, as Smash says surely 1st choice now in either spot.
Thanks guys
I think he’s first choice RB and LB on current form. Will be rotated the odd game
Pep will love that from Foden
Madness going on in the US tonight
Bonkers. You’d expect such scenes from a former Soviet state!
A near take over by the fascists. I didn’t think I’d see that. Thank goodness he hasn’t got more powerful forces on his side.
Nah…they won’t manage a take over. Just hoodlums egged on by Trump.
The real news is that the Democrats have taken over the Senate. This allows Biden to put thru his agenda. It is a huge win in a very Red state.
I am celebrating!
I’m pleased to see the trouble start to dribble away and brighter days ahead.
Startlingly few arrests, given the gravity.
Yes, it is pretty wild stuff Kralin. Everyone still in shock. Will see what happens over the next few days.
I think the cancelled games for the EFL final will move to midweek and stay in GW33 unless either team is still involved in Europe. It would be nice if it was the week later though DGW34 TOT v FUL & SHU, MC v SOT & BHA has a nice ring to it.
Unlikely