As we approach the hectic festive season for Fantasy League Managers, where fixtures catch out supersubs and matches can be split across Game weeks playing havoc with weekly scores, head to heads and European fixtures, we thought we would do a bit of prep for you all! It’s getting to that time of year when you’re looking to save your season or find an advantage your fellow managers do not have. The “double cleano express” can be your vehicle, it’s risky and you must keep on top of the upcoming fixtures.
Interesting matches abound in the coming weeks – the Merseyside (postponed) and Spurs v Chelsea London derby this week. Can DCL do the double again? Will Spurs keep Chelsea below double figures? El Sackicko on Monday night, sees the Hammers or Wolves lose their manager (or both?)
Following this is the Manchester derby, which could be a massive pointer for each team’s remainder of the season (and for their fantasy points value). While the Wolves V Ipswich could be the Doomsday Derby (or would that be Leicester v Wolves the following week, there’s a common theme!), and Villa v Man City looks tasty.
Boxing Day sees another potential relegation 6 pointer in Southampton V West Ham (El Sackico#2), and you’ll want your full Liverpool and Arsenal attacking quota options when the Foxes go to Anfield and Ipswich head to North London.
Managers planning ahead, watch the double game weeks in GW 20, (boxing day to 31/12) and be aware Brentford v Arsenal in that block slips into GW21 (and doesn’t count for December MOTM).
14 January to 20th is a double game week too (GW23)
At the time of writing, there are few very high profile injuries impacting selections, and indeed even fewer big name players that may have been binned that are due to come back, so a bit of fixture difficulty knowledge may be the key tool for success.
They’re a bit obvious, but of the choices for back 4 options, the following teams (and players) may be worth contemplating:
Chelsea– a bit easier to predict the line up than in previous years, many leagues will still have defenders and DMs in their pools, and their next 5 games look good for possible cleanos.
After the Spurs game, winnable matches vs Brentford Everton Fulham Palace and Ipswich follow before Bournemouth and Wolves clashes. All this points to a good run before Man City away at the end of January.
Free agent FBs may be at a premium (Gusto or gamble on Reece James getting and staying fit) but worth a risk at CB on Adarabioyo and Badiashile with Colwill’s ongoing battles and Disasi seemingly out of favour.
Those of you using DMs- Lavia and Fernandez may be even more profitable than Caicedo whose been filling in at FB.
Man City– yes them! A really nice run of matches to come before Chelsea and Arsenal matches at the end of January- and a smaller squad this year, so don’t abandon yet. Kovacic should return before Xmas and Ake (although he’s doubtful this weekend), and Lewis will be in many pools ready to be picked up.
Liverpool also have a great run, but its slim pickings from free agents (Bradley and Quansah potentially), so maybe take a bigger risk on Newcastle and an even bigger, if short-term gamble on Wolves. The Toon have Brentford Ipswich Leicester then Villa at home, and shortly after new year (if you ignore Spurs and Man u) meet Wolves Bournemouth Southampton and Fulham. Botman and Lascelles should be back in January (but we thought that before!) while Hall Livramento and Trippier are in many free agent pools. Definitely worth giving yourself at least one defender/DM in the squad, especially if you can leave them on the bench for the trickier games. Wolves is a much bolder call if you need to find points against those above you in your league- but consecutive matches with Ipswich then Leicester may be worthwhile for a couple of games-think Ait Nouri or Tito Gomes, plus Lemina as DM, you may not get much competition in the sealed bids so its a likely a shot to nothing.
Teams to avoid during the run for defenders – Arsenal (yes I know-with White out which is very Christmassy of him- Calafiori, Kiwior and Timber are the options, but the Gunners look more solid with Big Ben in the side), Fulham, Forest, Palace, Brentford and Everton all look to be struggling to pick up cleanos in this period.
And if you were thinking of picking up Forster with Vicario out for 3 months or so like White, think again as Spurs run looks even less likely to produce cleanos than normal.
Up top, by this stage of the season most of the pearls have been acquired so you’re forced to consider players coming back from injury or benefitting from other injuries. Igor Thiago at Brentford (although Schade seems to have been woken up by the threat!) now finally fit Armando Broja and Patson Daka may go under the radar.
So Good Luck in the Festive period but mostly, have a great Christmas, thanks for all your support and we hope you continue to enjoy the game, Fantasy League, it belongs to the players
