Could there be a Double Gameweek 27?
The FPL community was sent in to a stir when Leicester City were knocked out of the FA Cup and Ben Crellin and Legomane suggested that this could set up a Double Gameweek 27.
Current Gameweek 27 schedule
As it stands, Gameweek 27 consists of just 8 fixtures.
With Chelsea playing Liverpool in the EFL Cup final they are unable to play in the Premier League that weekend. The knock-on effect is that scheduled league opponents Leicester and Arsenal will also blank.
However, if the rumours are founded owners of James Maddison and other Leicester assets may still see their Foxes’ in the Premier League after all.
Midweek potential?
The FA Cup fifth round matches are scheduled to be played in the midweek between Gameweeks 27 and 28. There have been 11 Premier League teams already eliminated from the FA Cup and this means that there could be an opportunity to reschedule postponed games.
With the European commitments for Leicester they are restricted in how many midweeks they could have matches rescheduled during. This means Crellin believes Burnley v Leicester is likely to be rescheduled in this week.
There is also a chance that Wolves v Watford and Leeds v Aston Villa could be rescheduled in this week too. Seeing these matches appear would be a relief for FPL managers who were worried about covering the blank gameweek with their squads.
FPL Impact
Currently Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will all blank immediately after Double Gameweek 26. Alongside them Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, will all fail to feature in Gameweek 27.
This means across the community there was a begrudging acceptance that a Free Hit chip may be needed. This is especially true for these holding Leicester assets too.
Now, those who also have Leicester assets may feel a combination of transfers and the substitutes bench can help navigate Gameweek 27 in a satisfactory way with 11 or even ten players.
As Burnley also play twice in Gameweek 26, the prospect of a double-double will surely add appeal for Maxwel Cornet, defensive coverage and new forward Wout Weghorst. Targeting these players could mean FPL managers can hold their Free Hit chip for Blank Gameweek 30.
If other players like Raphinha, Ollie Watkins, Lucas Digne, Phillippe Coutinho and Rayan Ait Nouri get a second fixture, things could quickly get very interesting.
