The March International Break on the Horizon
February is winding down, signaling the impending March international break. The Dream Team will pause for World Cup qualifiers at the end of March, but managers have three crucial Gameweeks to navigate before then. It’s essential to assess the fixture schedules to maximize points before the break. Some teams have lighter workloads, while others face a busier schedule. Let’s break down the teams and their fixtures.
Teams with Light Fixtures
Six teams—Crystal Palace, West Ham, Everton, Southampton, Brentford, and Leicester—have just two fixtures each over the next three Gameweeks. Crystal Palace, for instance, faces Millwall and Ipswich, which are relatively favorable matches. However, fans of players like Daniel Munoz (£5.1m) and Eberechi Eze (£4.5m) should be cautious due to their blank in Gameweek 28. These lighter schedules can be a double-edged sword, offering fewer opportunities for points but also reducing the risk of player fatigue and injuries.
Teams with Three Fixtures
Several teams have three fixtures to play before the international break. Manchester City faces Plymouth, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton, a mix of challenging and favorable matches. Newcastle and Brighton also have three games, including high-stakes matches against each other and Liverpool. Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Fulham join the list, with varying degrees of difficulty. For example, Nottingham Forest plays Ipswich twice, providing a good opportunity for points. However, the absence of European fixtures for Manchester City means players like Erling Haaland (£8.1m) and Phil Foden (£6.3m) will have fewer opportunities to score points.
The Impact of European Fixtures
The Champions League and European fixtures will significantly affect player availability and performance. Six English clubs—Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester United—will have additional midweek fixtures in the Europa League and Conference League. This means players like Chris Wood (£4.2m), Alexander Isak (£6m), and Matheus Cunha (£5.2m) could have more chances to rack up points. However, managers should be cautious about overloading their teams with players from these busy schedules.
Teams with Four Fixtures
Four teams—Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Tottenham—face a busy schedule with four fixtures each. Liverpool’s double header at Anfield in Gameweek 27, including matches against Southampton and PSG, looks particularly appealing for stars like Mohamed Salah (£8.3m). Arsenal, facing PSV and Manchester United, also has a promising schedule. Aston Villa, however, will have a blank in Gameweek 28, with four games packed into Gameweeks 26 and 27. Tottenham, currently 13th in the Premier League, has several standout players like Son Heung-min (£4.8m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m) who have excelled in Dream Team this season. Their Europa League matches against AZ Alkmaar could provide additional opportunities for points.
Manchester United’s Busy Schedule
Manchester United stands out as the only team with five fixtures over the next three Gameweeks. This includes matches against Fulham, Real Sociedad, Arsenal, and Leicester. Despite their recent unconvincing performances, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m) remains a standout player, having amassed 271 points. Fernandes’ form and favorable fixtures make him a must-have for Dream Team managers. Other Manchester United players like Alejandro Garnacho (£3.1m), Noussair Mazraoui (£3.1m), and Diogo Dalot (£2.7m) are also worth considering, but managers may be hesitant to rely on them given the team’s inconsistent form.
Strategic Considerations
Navigating the upcoming Gameweeks requires a balanced approach. Managers should focus on players with a busy schedule, particularly those with multiple European fixtures, as they offer more opportunities to score points. However, overloading on such players can be risky due to the potential for fatigue and injuries. Teams with light fixtures, like Crystal Palace and West Ham, can provide a stable base, while Liverpool and Manchester United offer the highest potential for points. Balancing these factors will be key to success in the Dream Team before the March international break.
