Ready to dominate your Fantasy Premier League? Knowing which teams have the easiest and toughest schedules is your secret weapon. Let's dive into the next six Gameweeks and uncover the best and worst fixtures, helping you make those crucial player selections.
Who's Got the Golden Ticket?
Using the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), which rank each match's difficulty from 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest), we can pinpoint the teams with favorable schedules.
Chelsea: A New Dawn?
Under the new head coach Liam Rosenior, Chelsea's key players could be set to explode in Fantasy. With four out of their next six matches rated just 2 in difficulty, this is a prime opportunity. These favorable games are spread across Gameweeks 24-27, with home matches against West Ham United, Leeds United, and Burnley, plus a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Could Cole Palmer (£10.4m) finally become a must-have? Rosenior's tactics will be key. Keep an eye on Enzo Fernandez (£6.4m), who might shine in a central advanced role alongside Palmer. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (£4.9m) looks like a safe bet for defensive investment. Up front, Liam Delap (£6.2m), with his pressing style, could be a Fantasy favorite if he secures the lone forward spot.
Chelsea's Next Six Matches:
- GW 22: Brentford (H) - FDR 3
- GW 23: Crystal Palace (A) - FDR 3
- GW 24: West Ham (H) - FDR 2
- GW 25: Wolves (A) - FDR 2
- GW 26: Leeds (H) - FDR 2
- GW 27: Burnley (H) - FDR 2
Leeds, West Ham, and Crystal Palace: Hidden Gems
Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) also have attractive fixtures, with two matches in the next four Gameweeks rated just 2 in the FDR. Calvert-Lewin has been on fire, and Bowen's favorable matches could see his backers holding onto him.
Crystal Palace offers a fantastic mid-term schedule. With an average FDR of 2.7 over the next six Gameweeks, they face only one team currently in the top nine. The return of Daniel Munoz (£5.8m) could be a defensive steal. And don't forget Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m) when he returns from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Other Teams to Watch:
Everton's James Tarkowski (£5.7m) and Brighton & Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) are solid defensive options. Tarkowski's consistent performance makes him a valuable asset. Verbruggen has three home matches in the next four Gameweeks.
Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) or Omar Alderete (£4.1m) could be great rotation assets.
Clubs with the Best Fixtures, GW22-27:
| Club | No. of matches scoring 2 in FDR, next four GWs | FDR average | No. of matches scoring 2 in FDR, next six GWs | FDR average |
| :------------- | :---------------------------------------------: | :----------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :----------: |
| Chelsea | 2 | 2.5 | 4 | 2.3 |
| West Ham | 2 | 2.5 | 2 | 2.7 |
| Crystal Palace | 0 | 3.0 | 2 | 2.7 |
| Leeds | 2 | 2.8 | 2 | 2.8 |
| Bournemouth, Man City | 1 | 3.0 | 2 | 2.8 |
| Arsenal, Brighton, Everton | 1 | 2.8 | 1 | 2.8 |
(Scroll across to see the full table on mobile)
Who's Facing the Fixture Inferno?
Manchester United: A Tricky Patch
Manchester United faces a tough run, with an FDR average of 3.5 over the next four Gameweeks. The upcoming matches against Manchester City and Arsenal are particularly daunting. This might make you reconsider investing in Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) or Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m), although Fernandes' penalty duties could make him a fixture-proof pick.
Liverpool and Brentford: Potential Challenges
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) and Brentford's Igor Thiago (£7.1m) could see their attacking output limited. Thiago, despite being a popular buy, faces a challenging schedule, including visits to Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Newcastle, plus a home clash with Arsenal.
Clubs with the Worst Fixtures, GW22-27:
| Club | No. of matches scoring 4 in FDR, next four GWs | FDR average | No. of matches scoring 4 in FDR, next six GWs | FDR average |
| :------------- | :---------------------------------------------: | :----------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :----------: |
| Man Utd | 2 | 3.5 | 2 | 3.2 |
| Liverpool | 2 | 3.3 | 2 | 3.2 |
| Nott'm Forest | 1 | 3.3 | 2 | 3.2 |
| Wolves | 1 | 3.3 | 1 | 3.2 |
| Brentford, Newcastle | 1 | 3.0 | 2 | 3.2 |
(Scroll across to see the full table on mobile)
Final Thoughts
Are you surprised by any of these fixture ratings? Do you agree with the player recommendations? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!
