What could the other FPL Blank and Double Gameweeks look like?
With a fortnight until the next FPL deadline, managers are awaiting all the information we’re about to receive on which teams will have blank and double Gameweeks in these final months.
It hinges on what happens in the upcoming EFL Cup semi-finals and FA Cup fourth-round action.
WHEN WILL THEY BE?
We know the two notable blanks. Gameweek 29 clashes with this year’s EFL Cup final and Gameweek 34 is the weekend of FA Cup semi-finals. Yet neither will be as big as ones in recent seasons, now that the latter’s quarter-finals have been given their own exclusive weekend.
However, we’re less certain about the doubles. Friday’s shock bombshell announcement of Double Gameweek 25 proves that, ultimately, content creators are still making educated guesses rather than knowing for sure.
Either Aston Villa v Liverpool or Fulham v Tottenham will be moved from Gameweek 29 to 25. Meanwhile, Arsenal v Chelsea will possibly do the same.
This handy graphic from FPL Mate breaks remaining Gameweeks into Friday to Monday and Tuesday to Thursday.
As we can see, the only clear gaps for placing these rearranged fixtures are Gameweeks 33 and 36. We’ll have to wait longer before discovering which Gameweek 34 matches get divided into both of these. Most other slots have European action, though Gameweek 37 could be used in an emergency.
WHICH TEAMS COULD BLANK + DOUBLE?
Should Newcastle overcome Arsenal in Wednesday’s semi-final, their home clash with Crystal Palace will likely move from 29 to 33.
By Gameweek 28, we’ll have the FA Cup quarter-finalists and by Gameweek 30 we’ll know which matches will depart Gameweek 34.
Three Premier League sides have already been eliminated. We’ll see at least four more depart by next Sunday, as this is the number of all-Premier clashes.
Perhaps Brighton v West Ham gets locked in as a definite for Gameweek 34, or the same happens for Bournemouth v Man United and Chelsea v Everton.
By the Gameweek 25 deadline, FPL managers can start thinking seriously about a chip strategy.
