As we approach Fantasy Football Matchweek 20 of the Premier League, scheduled for January 4, to January 6 it’s essential for FPL managers to strategise effectively to maximize their points.
Fantasy football managers should remember that they have two Wildcards per season. The Wildcard chip allows FPL managers to change their entire squad with unlimited free transfers. The first Wildcard of the season was available for only the first half of the season. The second Wildcard is now available for use once from Matchweek 20 onwards.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad.
Fantasy Football Matchweek 20 Fixtures
The fantasy football deadline for this weekend is Saturday, 4 January, 11:00 GMT.
Saturday, 4 January
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United (12:30 GMT)
- Aston Villa vs Leicester City (15:00 GMT)
- Bournemouth vs Everton (15:00 GMT)
- Crystal Palace vs Chelsea (15:00 GMT)
- Manchester City vs West Ham United (15:00 GMT)
- Southampton vs Brentford (15:00 GMT)
- Brighton Hove & Albion vs Arsenal (17:30 GMT)
Sunday, 5 January
- Fulham vs Ipswich Town (14:00 GMT)
- Liverpool vs Manchester United (16:30 GMT)
Monday, 6 January
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)
Injury Updates to Note
- Jared Bowen (West Ham): West Ham star Jared Bowen sustained a foot injury during The Irons’ loss against Liverpool. He is expected back on February 3, 2025.
Top Transfer Targets
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle): Newcastle’s Lewis Hall (£4.8m) is a very affordable and in-form defender to strengthen your fantasy football squad. The former Chelsea player has registered at least six points and two assists in his last four fixtures. However, he is a risky choice as Newcastle are set to face Tottenham.
- Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford): Southampton are Brentford’s opponent this weekend, marking what is expected to be an easy fixture for Thomas Frank’s side. Bryan Mbuemo (£7.7m) is fifth on the list of the top scorers in the Premier League so far, presenting himself as a great choice for fantasy football managers this weekend.
- Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest): Anthony Elanga (£5.2m) is behind Nottingham Forest’s recent top-four charge in the Premier League. Having scored at least six FPL points in Nottingham Forest’s last four fixtures, Elanga is a suitable addition to any fantasy football squad as Nuno Santo’s side is set to face Wolves.
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City): While it may be too early to tell, Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland (£14.8m), may be on his way back to dominating scoresheets. The Norweighian scored against Leicester City in Manchester City’s first win in five league games.
Players to Hold/Bench
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa): The Aston Villa midfielder will serve a one-match ban in the fixture against Leicester City. Morgan Rogers will return for Villa’s game against Everton and may be worth keeping in the squad for then as he has been in form.
- Jurrien Timber (Arsenal): Another player who will be serving their one-match ban this matchweek is Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber. He will be available for picking in matchweek 21.
- Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace): Trevor Chalobah registered a goal in Cyrstal Palace’s win against Southampton, but will be unavailable for their fixture against Chelsea. The defender is on loan from Enzo Maresca’s side and is ineligible to face his parent club.
- Fabian Schar (Newcastle): One of the most in-form defenders in the league, Fabian Schar will be serving a one-match ban this weekend, making him unavailable for Newcastle’s fixture against Tottenham.
Players to Sell
- Matheus Cunha (Wolves): Matheus Cunha sustained an injury and was substituted at halftime in the match against Tottenham. He will serve a two-match suspension for misconduct, making him unavailable against Nottingham Forest this weekend and for their FA Cup third-round tie against Bristol City. He will be available for the Newcastle fixture, however, fantasy football managers may be wise to save their finances for another player as that will be the start of what will be a tough run of fixtures for Wolves.
Captaincy Picks
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah remains the most obvious pick for the captain role.
- Alexander Isak (Newcastle): Alexander Isak is another great pick for captain, especially for those who do not have Salah on their fantasy football team.
Strategic Considerations
Monitor Press Conferences: Last-minute injury updates and team news can significantly impact your decisions. Stay informed to make timely transfers.
By staying updated on the latest news and being strategic with your fantasy football transfers and captaincy choices, you can navigate the challenges of Matchweek 20 and boost your FPL performance.