The start of the Premier League season is broken up into three 4-week segments. In between each segment is an international break. Currently, we are almost finished with the second international break of the season, which means that “Segment 3” during this first phase of the season is about to begin.
The fixture list during Segment 3 looks like this:
October 20-22: PL/FPL Gameweek 9
October 23-25: Champions League/Europa League (ARS, CHE, LIV, MCI, MUN, TOT)
October 27-29: PL/FPL Gameweek 10
October 30-November 1: League Cup Round of 16 (ARS, BOU, CHE, CRY, FUL, LEI, MCI, SOU, TOT, WHU)
November 3-5: PL/FPL Gameweek 11
November 6-8: Champions League/Europa League (ARS, CHE, LIV, MCI, MUN, TOT)
November 10-11: PL/FPL Gameweek 12
Before we even look at the Premier League fixtures during this segment, make note of the four clubs that will play 7 total matches during this period.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham are still in the League Cup and either the Champions League or Europa League. Now, obviously, these clubs are as equipped as any other to handle this. However, your rotation radar should be on alert when these clubs’ lineups are announced.
With that in the back of your mind, let’s take a look at the four Premier League fixtures themselves. Below are the 20 clubs and their Segment 3 fixtures. I have ranked them from easiest to hardest, in my opinion, with a short rationale to prove my point.
Disagree with my rankings? That’s what social media is for! Here we go:
Newcastle (v. BHA, at SOU, v. WAT, v. BOU) - When your schedule is murder for Segments 1 and 2, this is what you get for Segment 3. With three matches at home, it literally gets no better than this. The only question is whether or not Newcastle can recover from that wretched (but predictable) start.
Brighton (at NEW, v. WOL, at EVE, v. CAR) - This schedule is pretty appealing, but stop for a second and realize that this is Brighton. Maybe Glenn Murray is a good third forward option.
Liverpool (at HUD, v. CAR, at ARS, v. FUL) - Remember how #ARSLIV always seems to end 4-3? The defense is only better, and that’s the only bad thing you can say about this schedule.
Watford (at WOL, v. HUD, at NEW, at SOU) - Remember when Watford were good, but I was saying that they were bad. I said, “I’m not wrong; I’m just not right yet.” If Watford are going to prove me wrong — actually wrong — then this is the segment for them to do it.
Bournemouth (v. SOU, at FUL, v. MUN, at NEW) - You have to like this schedule. Even Manchester United at home feels like a points opportunity.
West Ham (v. TOT, at LEI, v. BUR, at HUD) - Things definitely get better as the matches go by for the Hammers.
Chelsea (v. MUN, at BUR, v. CRY, v. EVE) - There’s not much that scares you away here. Chelsea is only ranked here because United at home still deserves a little respect; however, if you own a Blue, you are licking your lips over this next month.
Leicester (at ARS, v. WHU, at CAR, v. BUR) - These might be the four worst defenses in the league. It’s balanced a bit by the Arsenal attack, but seriously, you should not be scared of your Foxes when setting your next lineup.
Fulham (at CAR, v. BOU, at HUD, at LIV) - Holding onto Mitrovic or Schurrle but not sure why? Maybe these next few fixtures will help to remind you.
Southampton (at BOU, v. NEW, at MCI, v. WAT) - The only reason the Saints are here in the rankings is because of that City match. This might be the time to take a chance on bringing in (or keeping) that Saint.
Tottenham (at WHU, v. MCI, at WOL, at CRY) - None of these matches are a guarantee, which seems like the most obvious thing to say after seeing how many people got burned by captaining Kane against Cardiff and getting a big fat 2.
Arsenal (v. LEI, at CRY, v. LIV, v. WOL) - They have 3 out of 4 matches at home, but the competition is not easy. Liverpool will present an FPL challenge, and Leicester and Wolves are not much simpler. If you don’t have that Gunner yet that you are looking at, you might want to keep looking.
Cardiff (v. FUL, at LIV, v. LEI, v. BHA) - The schedule is starting to get better. Not sure that matters much, but I guess it’s something.
Huddersfield (v. LIV, at WAT, v. FUL, v. WHU) - Sure, they have three of four at home, but can you see where they will earn more than one point across all four fixtures?
Everton (v. CRY, at MUN, v. BHA, at CHE) - Those midfielders you like might not be terrible options, but you certainly didn’t pick them up for this segment.
Wolverhampton (v. WAT, at BHA, v. TOT, at ARS) - I know, you will keep playing your sexy Wolves players for a couple more matches. After that…decisions, decisions.
Manchester United (at CHE, v. EVE, at BOU, v. MCI) - The Jekyll and Hyde club has a tricky fixture list. I don’t know who you own right now, but this group of matches cannot increase your trust level in them.
Manchester City (v. BUR, at TOT, v. SOU, at MUN) - Yes, absolutely, it’s Manchester City. You still never know about a Manchester Derby. Toss in Spurs, and success is not guaranteed.
Burnley (at MCI, v. CHE, at WHU, at LEI) - Three matches are away, and those first two matches require you to stay away. This is not good for Burnley.
Crystal Palace (at EVE, v. ARS, at CHE, v. TOT) - Just when you thought Burnley’s schedule couldn’t get worse. Wow.
Sure, fixtures aren’t everything, but they do matter. While some players are fixture-proof, you will want to use this list before you use your free transfer. After all, you’ll thank me if you are considering a Wolves defender or Toffee midfielder.
Enjoy the return to Premier League football!
