Tue Jan 07 19:52:46 UTC 2025: ## Fantasy Premier League Managers Face Crucial Decisions Amidst EFL Cup and Potential Blank Gameweeks

**London, UK** – The results of this week’s EFL Cup semi-finals will significantly impact Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers’ strategies, potentially creating Blank Gameweek 29 (BGW29) and impacting Gameweek 34 (GW34). The semi-finals pit Arsenal against Newcastle and Tottenham against Liverpool. The winners will clash in the final on March 16th, guaranteeing at least two teams will miss Premier League action in BGW29.

Depending on the semi-final outcomes, several popular FPL players could be sidelined. An Arsenal victory would leave Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (68% ownership) and Arsenal’s Raya, Saliba, and Gabriel at risk of scoring zero points. A Newcastle win would impact the highly-owned Alexander Isak (53%), alongside Hall and Gordon. A Liverpool victory would leave Mohamed Salah (highest-scoring and most-owned player) and Aston Villa players without a fixture. A Tottenham win would have a less significant impact, affecting only Spurs and Fulham players.

The FA Cup also presents a potential BGW34, as semi-finals are scheduled concurrently with Premier League matches. However, a calendar change eliminates the usual fixture clash from the FA Cup quarterfinals, minimizing the impact on later gameweeks.

The unusual circumstances this season, with fewer blank and double gameweeks anticipated, could lead managers to adopt new chip strategies. The availability of the Assistant Manager chip from Gameweek 24 adds another layer of complexity. Managers are urged to closely monitor the EFL Cup results to optimize their teams for the upcoming gameweeks.

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