Managers in Fantasy Premier League they should factor in the Blank Gameweek 18 tournaments and next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Asian Cup when planning their festive transfers.
Manchester City’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup next week means Erling Haaland (£14.0m), the most popular player in Fantasy, is without a game in the Premier League in Gameweek 18.
The same goes for his teammates Anderson (£5.5m), Kyle Walker (£5.3m) and Julian Alvarez (£6.9m), who are also among the top five most-owned players in their respective positions.
Meanwhile, AFCON and the Asian Cup will heavily influence the midfields of FPL managers.
of Liverpool Mohamed Salah (£13.2 million) and Tottenham Son Heung-min (£9.6m), the two highest-scoring players in Fantasy, could be absent from domestic action from Gameweeks 21-24, depending on the progress of their respective nations.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m) and Wolverhampton Wanderers Hwang Hee-chan (£5.8m) will also feature in the Asian Cup. They belong to 22 and 12 percent of the groups respectively.
Essentially, then, Fantasy managers now have four free transfers in the next five weeks to prepare for the departures of Salah and Son.
Furthermore, Haaland’s foot injury and his absence from Gameweek 18 may require two transfers – selling him and then bringing him back later this month. More than 410,000 have already sold Haaland before kick-off Deadline Friday 18:30.
When these factors combine, it highlights the importance of Fantasy managers making long-term plans and ensuring they don’t waste valuable transfers on luxury, short-term moves.
By evaluating clubs’ schedules, managers can target the best players to bring in for a number of Match Weeks.
AFC Bournemouth: GW17-19
Matches against Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Fulham in the next three Matchweeks have made AFC Bournemouth Dominic Solanke (£6.6m) Haaland’s replacement.
The Cherries forward has won over 345,000 new owners with four goals in his last five outings.
Mark Senesi (£4.4m) also offers promise as a budget rotation option in defence, with two goals and three clean sheets in his side’s current five-game unbeaten run.
Bournemouth’s next three games
GW | Opp. | FDR |
---|---|---|
17 | LUT (H) | 2 |
18 | NFO (A) | 2 |
19 | FUL (H) | 2 |
*Installation difficulty ratings (1= easiest, 5 = hardest)
Newcastle GW17-19, GW23-32
Despite being suspended for Gameweek 17, Kieran TrippierHis later schedule (£7.0m) suggests owners should consider him a long-term hold.
Each of Newcastle United’s next three games sees them score two at FDR, with home games against Fulham and Nott’m Forest giving Anthony Gordon (£6.2m) the opportunity for more runs at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s side have a three-game Test run during Gameweeks 20-22, but after that their schedule is excellent: eight of their 10 games in Gameweeks 23-32 have scored just two.
This could also promote the idea of a doubling in defense for the Magpies once their injury situation is cleared up.
Spurs: GW17-32
Pedro Poro (£5.4m) has emerged as the must-have defender for Gameweek 17, attended by over 250,000 managers.
The Spaniard has also been one of the most consistent defenders in 2023/24, returning either defensively or offensively in 10 of his 15 outings.
The Spurs’ long-term schedule means Porro could remain on Fantasy teams for the next few months.
According to Match difficulty ratings (FDR), only one of their next 16 games scored more than three.
Richarlison (£6.6m) could be a handy option as son’s temporary replacement if he continues up front, although James Madison (£7.8m) will be heavy favorite again when fit.
Chelsea: GW18-24
Mauricio Pochettino’s side may have the games but a lack of form limits options Cole Palmer (£5.5m) for now.
The midfielder has averaged 5.5 points per game since making his full debut in Game 7, thanks to five goals and three assists.
Seven of Chelsea’s next eight games score just two, which could bring elements such as Malo Gusto (£4.1m) and Christopher Nkunku (£7.3m) into contention as soon as he is fully fit.
Chelsea’s next eight games
GW | Opp. | FDR | GW | Opp. | FDR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 | SHU (H) | 2 | 21 | FUL (H) | 2 |
18 | WOL (A) | 2 | 22 | LIV (A) | 4 |
19 | CRY (H) | 2 | 23 | WOL (The) | 2 |
20 | LUT (A) | 2 | 24 | CRY (A) | 2 |
Aston Villa: GW18-30
If you don’t own Ollie Watkins (£8.5m), now is the time to get him. Along with Haaland, he is likely to be a key asset when Salah and Son depart for international duty.
Although their Blank Gameweek 18 home clash with Sheffield United is the immediate draw, Aston Villa’s generous long-term schedule allows them to offer options at every Fantasy position.
in the back, Emiliano Martinez (£5.0m), Pau Torres (£4.7m) and Diego Carlos (£4.4m) offer safe routes into one of the tightest defenses in the league.
Leon Bailey (£5.5m) and Douglas Louise (£5.6m) provides further midfield options below £6.0m, with the latter available from Blank Gameweek 18 after serving a one-match ban.
Arsenal: GW19-22
Arsenal’s schedule after Blank Gameweek 18 reinforces the appeal of big investments in their key options.
While Bucayo Saka (£9.0m) already owned by 58 per cent of teams, Martin Odegaard (£8.3m) could prove a useful replacement for Salah or Son against West Ham United, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nott’m Forest.
William Saliba (£5.5m) is the safest defender for Mikel Arteta’s side, while Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.2m) boasts greater upside for offensive returns and bonus points.
Arsenal fixtures GW19-22
GW | Opp. | FDR |
---|---|---|
19 | WHU (H) | 2 |
20 | FUL (A) | 2 |
21 | CRY (H) | 2 |
22 | NFO (A) | 4 |
Man City: GW19-27
The champions’ good upcoming schedule shows why Haaland’s sellers will be quick to return to him.
Only one of Manchester City’s next 10 matches score more than three in the FDR, which includes clashes with Everton, Manchester United and Burnley in three of the four Gameweeks immediately following the 18 Gap.
Phil Foden (£7.6m) and Jeremy Doku (£6.7m) could come into contention as short-term replacements for Salah or Son.
Brighton: GW21-28
Managers should watch the Seagulls for signs of form ahead of their opponents’ run of form.
From Gameweek 21 onwards, seven of their eight games have scored just two at FDR, boosting their prospects at both ends of the pitch.
With Roberto De Gerbi’s side yet to keep a clean sheet, attention must be focused on attack for now.
Extreme Simon Andingra (£5.0m) should remain a safe option in Mitoma’s upcoming absence, while João Pedro (£5.4m) could be a handy third striker.
Check out all the latest FPL tips ahead of Matchday 17 in the Fantasy Premier League