Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were sent scrambling on Friday morning following the announcement of Double Gameweek 25.
Up to six teams could be involved, but the final lineup depends on the results of next week’s EFL Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool v.s. Spurs
- If Liverpool reach the final, Liverpool and Aston Villa will have a Double Gameweek in GW25 but blank in GW29.
- If Tottenham progress instead, Spurs and Fulham will double in GW25 and blank in GW29.
Arsenal v.s. Newcastle
- If Arsenal beat Newcastle and book their place in the final, Arsenal and Chelsea will also double in GW25 and blank in GW29.
- If Newcastle progress, their postponed fixture against Crystal Palace is yet to be rescheduled, but given their lack of European commitments, it should be easier to slot in later.
We expect Liverpool and Newcastle to make it through to the final – that’s what the bookies think and we trust them because they make money by being right more often than wrong.
Double Gameweek Fixtures
That would mean that the double gameweek fixtures are:
- Liverpool: WOL + avl
- Aston Villa: IPS + LIV
However if Spurs win then you would have:
- Tottenham Hotspur: MUN + ful
- Fulham: NFO + TOT
And if Arsenal win you would add
- Arsenal: lei + CHE
- Chelsea: bha + ars
Assistant Manager Now The Better Option
Assistant manager now seems like a much better option for the next two gameweeks because you should be able to get 5 games out of your AssMan. As a reminder, this is how you score points:
- Team win = 6 points
- Team draws = 3 points
- Goal scored by team = 1 point per goal
- Clean sheet from team = 2 points
- Table bonus: If your chosen manager faces a club ranked at least five places higher in the Premier League table at the start of the Gameweek, you get an EXTRA 10 points for a win, so 16 in total, or an additional five points for a draw, so eight in total
If you only have two Liverpool assets
Simply get Slot. You get 4 good fixtures in the next two gameweeks and then you can either keep him for the City game or move him on with a transfer.
If you have three Liverpool assets
I still think it is okay to triple captain Salah but I now think using assistant manager is better.
Why? Well, I wasn’t super enthused about the fixtures from a pure attacking standpoint. I think Pool will win but they are both away games against reasonably tough defences. I trust Mo to return in basically any game but I’m not sure he has a mega high ceiling.
On the other side we have a chip that plays out over multiple gameweeks. Its like it was made for a double double.
Do you sell a pool asset to get Slot?
I would sell Konate or Alisson for Mykolenko or Pickford. Both seem relatively sideways moves.
I would not sell Gakpo or Trent (or Salah Obvs!).. I think their ceilings are much higher.
Luis Diaz sits somewhere in the middle of these two.
I don’t think I would take a hit to sell anyone and bring in Slot.
Can you get Moyes and transfer to Emery/Ange/Silva/Arteta/Maresca instead?
Yes. I think this is the best call if you already have three Liverpool.
The prediction tools we have seen show Slot on 14 points and Moyes on 11. So, it does not seem like it is worth a hit.
BUT, it is close and obviously will cost you a transfer next week.
Why Might You Still Triple Captain Mo Salah?
If, like me, you play in a head to head league then you may want to continue to triple captain Mo Salah so that you can play your assistant manager chip in the crucial playoff window (GW36-38).
This was my original plan because it was a guarantee of extra points in the playoffs at the cost of only one chip (in previous years I have used more than one chip as have my opponents).
Will There Be Other Double Gameweeks?
Yes. Ben Crellin says there will be another 1-3 doubles in 33 and 1-4 doublers in 36.
Is There A Chance We Have Lost Our Minds In AM Moyes?
Yes. There hasn’t been a lot of time to process this all (obviously) so the risk of errors is higher than usual.
If on that basis you want to continue to triple captain Mo I think that is perfectly legitimate.