<p class="p3"><em><span class="s2">With the Premier League given the green light to restart on June 17th, where does this leave us with Sky Fantasy Football? Well it’s a case of crack on as you were. But how easy is it going to be to dust off the transfer plans? Can you even remember who’s in your team? How many transfers do you have left? Luckily former Sky winner and regular top 100 finisher <a href="https://twitter.com/dancox82">Dan Cox</a> will give us a quick Sky Fantasy restart refresher. </span></em></p>
<h3></h3>
<h2 class="p3"><span class="s2">Overhaul? </span></h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I’ve seen a few people asking for there to be another overhaul, or extra transfers. There isn’t going to be and personally I think that’s the right decision.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Let’s just remember there’s <strong>£50,000</strong> at stake for someone to win and I really don’t think it’s fair to be adding an overhaul despite the fact that it would benefit myself and many others greatly. I know many will disagree with me but that is my opinion. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I was more than surprised when I logged into my team for the first time in two months to see <strong>Danny Ings</strong> in my XI, plus I’m still carrying a crocked <strong>Ricardo Pereira. </strong>As I’m getting very light on transfers remaining now so an overhaul would have been ideal!</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">What’s going to be interesting is the spread of the games during the run in with so many being televised and spread out over the weekend and indeed a fair amount midweek. I already think that we are going to need a lot of transfers to successfully navigate our way through the game-days, certainly more than we would have needed ordinarily for the last ten or so groups of matches. Anyone who has a lot of transfers left (15+) has a big advantage and could really have a good end to the season. I think seven transfers or so would have seen you through to the end of the season normally but I definitely think we are going to need more than that now to attain a good finishing overall rank and I think it’s a real possibility that I’ll be going into quite a few days without a captain. It may even be a good idea if you are short on transfers to try and bring in players from different teams just to help with captaincy requirements. On the plus side at least there is no European action to add to the mayhem.</span></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>FA Cup</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">The FA cup is set to be completed, so that will cause a bit of a headache with the quarter finals taking place on the weekend of the 27th June and the semi finals on the weekend of the 18th of July. These weekends will have planned Premier League games so again we will have to factor in blanks for the teams involved and their opponents. There will only be four Premier League games over the weekend of the 27th of June and how the fixtures fall could prove tricky and we may well find ourselves without a captain. We also need to factor in that the games lost to FA Cup ties have been moved to the following midweek so again we will need players from these teams.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Once the fixtures are confirmed <a href="https://twitter.com/PlanItSky">Ian Parrin</a> will update his <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/ian-parrins-sky-transfer-toolkit/">Sky Fixture Planner</a> on the Hub and then we start to make plans. Same as always; plan for a captain each day and if you can take advantage of any 2-0’s or 3-1’s then do so. The problem we face as always, and will likely be even worse now, is rotation. Manchester City’s early 3-1 over most teams is<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>a great chance to get some extra points, but who from Manchester City is going to play two let alone three games back to back?</span></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2 class="p3"><span class="s2">Match Times</span></h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Another problem is with all these different match kick off times is that we are not going to get much information in the way of seeing line- ups before making moves and selecting captains. Even the opening night with Sheffield United v Aston Villa and Manchester City v Arsenal; would you feel comfortable captaining a City player without seeing the team sheet? It may well be worth going with a Sheffield United player at least knowing they will start. </span></p>
<h3></h3>
<h2>Navigating the fixtures</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I think it’s going to be a very tricky task to navigate our way through until the end of the season. Players will be well off match sharpness and with potentially five substitutes being allowed there is going to be a lot of players only playing 60 minutes or so. Throw in the fact that there must be an increase in minor injuries/soft muscle injuries after a lay off, and with the games being played behind closed doors and even at neutral venues, it’s all going to be a bit strange. There is also the potential scenario of players testing positive for Coronavirus and having to self isolate for two weeks!</span></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>My Thoughts</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I have mixed feelings about the Premier League restarting. The landscape has certainly changed significantly. I personally feel it should have just been curtailed and Liverpool given the title as that is an almost certainty. The bigger issue understandably is for everything else including relegation and European placings. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I would rather have cut this season short to start afresh again in August. When you see the devastating death toll from Coronavirus and the effect it has had on all our lives I can’t help thinking that it’s strange to be so desperate to finish the season, but we are where we are. If it’s not for you then I can understand leaving it for this season but with mini leagues at stake it’s not a possibility for me especially as I try to chase down another top 100 finish. </span></p>
<p>I still think there’s a distinct possibility that the season may not even finish despite the restart. If the rate of infection increases and causes a second wave it could bring a halt to the action; I know it’s something the Premier League have discussed. Where that leaves fantasy football is another matter. I have thought of trying to get as many points as I can over the next two weeks incase the season is then ended but I will play with the hope of every game being played.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Furloughed Time</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I decided to take a full break from Sky Fantasy and any football during the lockdown. I’ve been furloughed and just spending time with my wife and kids. Trying to be smart I’ve done so much DIY and stuff with my family that when football does return I’ll have a free pass to watch as much as I like from all the brownie points I’ve earned over the last couple of months! That’s why I didn’t choose to get involved with Fantasy Champ Man or Virtual FPL, or even the Bundesliga. Just a clean break, plus I thought this would give me an advantage as other managers would be concentrating on other games and taking their focus off Sky Fantasy, whereas I’ve just had three months off and am raring to go.</span></p>
<h3></h3>
<h2>Stats</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">It’s well worth looking through the player <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a> just to remind ourselves of the top point scorers in each position. Here is just the top three in each position and some bonus points. I had briefly forgotten how much <strong>Bruno Fernandes</strong> was smashing in the points before the outbreak, how much <strong>Jack Grealish</strong> had been a thorn in my side and the devastating <strong>Jamie Vardy</strong> brace in Leicester’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa just before the lockdown. There will be no form as such to go on at the restart so it will just be a case of assessing as we go along. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">There’s also players returning from injury with Sky darlings such as <strong>Marcus Rashford</strong> and <strong>Harry Kane</strong> now coming back into consideration after looking like they would be out for the season.</span></p>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Goalkeepers </span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="height: 167px; width: 243px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Henderson</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">168</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Dubravka</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">161</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Pope</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">158</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Defenders</span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="width: 243px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Van Dijk</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 36px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">210</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Alexander-Arnold</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 36px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">199</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Pereira</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 36px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">175</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Midfielders </span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="width: 243px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">De Bruyne</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">200</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Richarlison</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">170</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Mahrez</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 37px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">136</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Strikers</span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="width: 242px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 203px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Salah</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">195</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 203px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Mane</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">191</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 203px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Vardy</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">188</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Tier Two Passing (times achieved)</span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="width: 240px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Van Dijk</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">16</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Fernandinho</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">13</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Rodri</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">11</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Jorginho</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">9</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 201px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Joe Gomez</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 33px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">8</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="p3"><span class="s2">Tier Two Tackles (times achieved)</span></h3>
<table class="t1" style="width: 238px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Wan Bissaka</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 32px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">8</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Pereira</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 32px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">7</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Guilbert</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 32px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">6</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Aurier</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 32px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">5</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" style="width: 200px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Ndidi</span></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" style="width: 32px;" valign="top">
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">5</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">From next week (when we have some fixtures to work with) I will be writing my usual Diary article exclusively for Hub members. There are rumours of fixtures landing on groups of two weeks in advance which would make things a lot trickier to try and plan ahead. We are going to have to be pretty flexible and accept that we aren’t going to have a captain every day. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Obviously injured players will need to go. But then we just get our heads back into the season and remember the players that we are going to need and have been doing well up until now. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">It may well be a case of seeing who has the most to play for. <strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong> has been quoted as saying he is treating the run-in as a pre season. With just two victories needed to secure the title are <strong>Mohamed Salah</strong> and <strong>Sadio Mane</strong> going to see their minutes managed? </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">It may be best looking at teams fighting relegation like <strong>Watford, Villa, Bournemouth</strong> and <strong>West Ham</strong> as they have it all to do and you’d imagine will be playing their best players week in, week out as they fight for every point. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Like I always say, use your own judgment. I’ve looked at the remaining games for each team and on paper <strong>Liverpool</strong> have a really good run in, but that’s no good if your players aren’t playing. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">I hope you’ve all been well as best as you can through these very difficult times. And let’s enjoy this feast of football. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Dan</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sky Fantasy Podcast</h2>
<p>Don&#8217;t forget to tune in live with me, <a href="https://twitter.com/paulmcanulty1">Paul McAnulty</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Fergi222">Andrew Ferguson</a> this coming and every Sunday evening for the remainder of the 19/20 season at the new time of 9pm. We discuss everything <strong>Sky Fantasy</strong> with tips from three of the top managers in the game. Make sure you subscribe to our <strong>YouTube</strong> and preferred <strong>podcast</strong> channels below:</p>
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