With the final international break of 2024 now behind us, it's time to look ahead to the busy Christmas schedule and how we can maximise our points. The festive season is one of the most exciting yet challenging periods for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. With games coming thick and fast, rotation risks, injuries, and unpredictable lineups are common headaches. But don’t worry—this guide will help you maximize your points during the busy schedule.
Why Is the Festive Period Tricky in FPL?
Between December and early January, Premier League teams face several matches within days. Managers often rotate key players to manage fatigue, making it hard to predict starting lineups. To succeed in FPL during this period, you’ll need to plan ahead, make data-driven decisions, and be adaptable. Let's look at some FPL Christmas Tips to help you plan ahead.
FPL Christmas Tips: The Upcoming Schedule
The festive period in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is notoriously challenging due to fixture congestion, squad rotation, and injuries. To help you plan effectively, we’ve analyzed the fixtures for all Premier League teams over the next eight gameweeks (GW12 to GW19). This table provides a snapshot of fixture difficulty for each team, with a color-coded gradient ranging from green (easiest fixtures) to red (hardest fixtures). Here’s how to interpret the data and what it means for your FPL strategy.
Key Takeaways
Chelsea Leads the Pack with Favorable Fixtures. Chelsea tops the table with a total fixture difficulty score of 60, the easiest run of games during this period. Their fixtures include Leicester (GW12), Southampton (GW14), and Ipswich (GW19) – all coded green. However, they face Spurs and Brentford in GW15 and GW16, which are trickier matchups. Targeting Chelsea assets like Cole Palmer (£10.9m) and Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) could pay dividends, particularly for their more straightforward fixtures.
Arsenal and Brighton Offer Solid Options. Arsenal (61) and Brighton (61) are close behind Chelsea. Arsenal’s fixtures include Nottingham Forest (GW12), Fulham (GW15), and Crystal Palace (GW17), making their attackers like Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) and Martin Ødegaard (£8.2m) prime options. Brighton’s run of games, including Bournemouth (GW12) and Southampton (GW13), makes Danny Welbeck (£6.0m) and Joao Pedro (£5.4m) excellent picks.
Teams to Avoid. Everton (107) has the toughest set of fixtures, facing Liverpool (GW15), Arsenal (GW16) and Manchester City (GW18). Investing in their assets is risky unless you’re banking on a surprise performance. Similarly, Southampton (101) and Leicester (101) also face a difficult run, making their players less attractive during this period.
Liverpool's Mixed Bag. Liverpool’s fixtures (75 total difficulty) are a mixed bag, with easy matches like Southampton (GW12) and Leicester (GW18) but challenging clashes against Manchester City (GW13) and Newcastle (GW14). Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) remains a reliable pick, but consider supplementing him with assets like Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) when he's fit again.
Newcastle's Growing Challenge. Newcastle’s fixtures (73) start strong with West Ham (GW12) and Crystal Palace (GW13), but they face Liverpool, Brentford, and Manchester United later in the run. This mix makes Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and Lewis Hall (£4.4m) short-term options rather than long-term solutions.
Teams with Steady Difficulty. Teams like Bournemouth (72), Wolverhampton Wanderers (66), and Tottenham Hotspur (88) have consistent fixture difficulties throughout the period. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£6.8m) or Jørgen Strand Larsen (£5.6m) could be low-cost differentials, while Spurs’ Son Heung-Min (£9.9m) offers explosive potential.
How to Use This Data for FPL Success
Target Green Fixtures for Short-Term Gains. Teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Brighton have fixtures with multiple green-coded opponents. These games offer high potential for clean sheets and attacking returns. Consider doubling up on players from these teams.
Plan Around Rotation for Big Teams. Clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal will likely rotate heavily during this period due to the crowded schedule. Prioritize nailed-on players over rotation risks. For example, Salah for Liverpool and Erling Haaland for City remain key assets.
Prepare for Bench Contributions. The festive period often sees unexpected benchings, so ensure you have a strong bench with players likely to start. Cheaper options from teams with decent fixtures, like Brighton or Bournemouth, could provide value during this period.
Balance Fixture Difficulty with Form. While the table highlights fixture difficulty, player form and role in the team are equally important. A player like Salah can score in tough fixtures, while others may only thrive in easier matchups.
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