This week’s domestic cup clashes have significant implications for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers as they strategize for the upcoming Blank Gameweeks 29 (BGW29) and 34 (BGW34).
To clarify, a Blank Gameweek is characterized by fewer than 10 matches played, meaning that some teams will not have a match scheduled that week.
Midweek sees the EFL Cup semi-finals scheduled, with Arsenal hosting Newcastle United on Tuesday January 7, followed by Tottenham Hotspur hosting Liverpool the following day.
The return matches will take place a month later, with Newcastle facing Arsenal on Wednesday February 5, and Liverpool taking on Spurs the following day.
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The winners of these semi-finals will face off in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 16, which could result in a BGW29 for two of these four teams.
Currently, up to four matches could be removed from Gameweek 29 if the EFL Cup Final affects their fixtures:
- Arsenal vs. Chelsea
- Aston Villa vs. Liverpool
- Fulham vs. Tottenham
- Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace
If Arsenal triumph against Newcastle, their next home match against Chelsea would be removed from the Gameweek 29 schedule, leading to a BGW29 scenario for both clubs and big repercussions for fantasy managers.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£11.4m) is particularly popular with FPL managers, being the second most capped player this season with a percentage of 68%. Arsenal’s David Raya (£5.6m) holds the top spot among goalkeepers, making up over 30% of teams. Additionally, centre-backs William Saliba (£6.3m) and Gabriel (£6.4m) have also emerged as favourites, featuring in over 29% of teams.
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On the other hand, if Newcastle emerge victorious, their clash against Crystal Palace would be the omitted match from Gameweek 29, significantly affecting fantasy managers who have signed Alexander Isak (£9.3m), the most popular striker with a 53% ownership rate.
Isak isn’t Newcastle’s only prized asset, as Lewis Hall (£4.9m) and Anthony Gordon (£7.5m) are also attracting significant investment, with over 645,000 managers snapping up these players ahead of schedule. January 14 deadline.
In their respective clash, Liverpool’s resounding 6-3 victory over Spurs in Gameweek 17 suggests they are favorites to win both matches. If their predictions prove correct, a BGW29 would emerge for Liverpool and Aston Villa. The crucial issue here would be that the famous Mohamed Salah (£13.6m)—the most owned player in the game—would be absent.
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The situation is further complicated as Liverpool also have to reschedule their derby against Everton, emphasizing the potential of two Double Gameweeks later in the season.
A Double Gameweek implies that teams have two matches scheduled in a single Gameweek. Salah’s stellar form, with 18 goals and 13 assists in 19 matches under Arne Slot, positions him as a prime candidate for the Triple Captain chip should Liverpool indeed have a Double Gameweek.
Conversely, if Spurs secure a win, the impact on the FPL managers’ squads would be considerably less, resulting in a BGW29 for Spurs and Fulham, with Emile Smith Rowe (£5.3m) being the most capped player at both clubs , appearing in more than 10.6% of teams.
Additionally, all four clubs reaching the FA Cup semi-finals this season could face a BGW34 as the matches coincide with Premier League fixtures.
Two significant Premier League encounters in the third round are scheduled: Aston Villa hosting West Ham on Friday night, and Arsenal clashing with Manchester United on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Clubs eliminated in the early rounds will miss out on a BGW34, provided their scheduled 34 opponents also fail to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Traditionally, managers have reserved their chips to skillfully manage Blank Gameweeks or maximize their reward during Double Gameweeks. However, with BGW29 approaching, fewer Blanks and extended Double Gameweeks are expected this season, likely reshaping managers’ strategies.
Historically, postponements of FA Cup quarter-finals have led to the biggest Blank Gameweeks in past campaigns; last season saw just four Premier League matches played.
However, a restructuring of the football calendar for the 2024/25 season means the quarter-finals will now take place on a weekend in late March with no Premier League matches, reducing schedule congestion.
With the Assistant Manager chip also available from Gameweek 24, the tactical opportunities for managers are set to expand, ushering in new strategies for the remainder of the season.
