Welcome back to another edition of Fantasy Premier League Forecasting Bad Fixtures, in which we dwelve into which teams have a rather unfavourable run of matches heading into the last several games of the season.
It was an extremely hectic time for many Fantasy managers this past week, with a big chunk activating the second wildcard of the campaign in preparation for the Bench Boost in Gameweek 34.
However, after the results from Gameweek 33, we learned a few things… and one of them is that even with a single game, some players can outscore those even with an extra 90 minutes of action.
And that’s where the catch is, with many already falling for the double gameweek trap by ditching quality for an additional fixture. So ahead of Gameweek 34, we look at which teams you should avoid buying players from as we come to the tail end of the campaign.
Crystal Palace
Before the previous gameweek, Crystal Palace players were in high demand because of two double gameweeks in succession, with the first of the two against Norwich (Home) and Everton (Home).
They kept a clean sheet against the Canaries and still have the Toffees to play on Wednesday, but after this Alan Pardew’s men face Arsenal and Manchester United (both away) in the double before a blank gameweek 35.
Whatever the result against Everton, many managers are set to sell their one week gambles such as Yannick Bolasie (6.0) or Jason Puncheon (5.5), and hope that if their Arsenal and Man United assets draw blanks, they have it leveraged with cheap Palace defenders.
Everton
Everton were named as a team with favourable fixtures last week, with the Toffees, like Crystal Palace, playing four games in the space of just two double gameweeks. However, after another timid display against Watford in a 1-1 draw, their assets could already be sold unless they produce big-time against Palace this Wednesday.
But it is the injury to club captain Phil Jagielka (5.1) that will cause the biggest concern, as clean sheets will now be even harder to come by against in-form Southampton and Liverpool in Gameweek 34’s double. Then after that, Roberto Martinez’s men have a week’s rest during a blank 35.
With Merseyside rivals Liverpool’s schedule looking more enticing by the minute, don’t be surprised if Romelu Lukaku (9.0) was sold for the likes of Daniel Sturridge (9.9) or Divock Origi (5.4).
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are in nothing short of free-fall at the moment, and despite spending £80million on new players this year, are looking likely to go down to the Championship next season.
They have lost six out of their last seven games, many against fellow relegation battlers, and will face in-form Swansea (home) who’ve won four in six matches, Manchester City (home), and then Liverpool (Away) in gameweek 35.
Even though their fixtures ease up afterwards, by then Rafa Benitez’s men could well be far off the safety zone, and every clash will just be a kick-about for their expensive players, who could also be subject to rotation with youngsters.