It's game week 24 in the Hive H2H league with 7 Premier League matches to take place on Saturday and the remaining fixtures spread across Sunday and Monday, there is lots for managers to take stock of.
Rather than going through an analysis of the matches again (you can see our GW previews and reviews for that) lets take a look at the divisions themselves as we approach the final 3rd of the season.
Division 1
Shamzy FC took advantage of other sides slipping up last week to reestablish a 6 point gap at the top. In fact, of the sides in the top half, only Whyte FC and Yagman FC alongside the league leaders got a win in GW23!
It means that the chasing pack remains very congested with just 6 points seperating 3rd place from 12th place.
If we continue to assume that 50 points is going to be the minimum requirement to avoid relegation then it seems unlikely that any of the sides in that top 12 will be dragged into a battle at the bottom but where they actually end up finishing is anyones guess!
In regards the relegation battle itself, wins for all the teams from 18th to 11th place last week didn't really help anyone out! What it did do is confirm that the 2 sides right at the bottom are very unlikely to be playing in Division 1 next season sitting 16 and 10 points adrift of safety respectively. Baring one of the sides in mid-table having a shocking finish to the season, it is therefore looking like a battle between 6 teams to avoid the final 3 relegation spots.
Division 2
As for who is coming up to Division 1, I think we can safely assume that Skander TN will be in the top flight next season. Don't feel too bad about getting battered by this guy, he should have been in Division 1 this year but missed the deadline to join and he is ranked 3020th in the FPL game overall! That is an incredible achievement.
However, which 4 teams join him in going up is anyone's guess! 7 points seperate 2nd and 15th place but to be honest, I wouldn't rule out any of the top 25 sides from making a late charge for promotion, it really is all to play for.
What I might do in a future post as we get towards the very end of the season is to focus on the fixtures that the teams in Division 2 have left. There are by my reckoning 7 'dead' teams in Division 2 who haven't made an update since the turn of the year so sides who still have a number of fixtures against those teams could easily make a late charge up the table.
While it's a shame to see a handful of sides no longer actively competing in the league, the engagement we've had more generally this year is way higher than it was last season when we had just the classic league running. The H2H league providing both regular reminders and weekly incentives to keep your your team ticking over is definitely a major factor in that regard. Also don't forget that we still have the Hive Cup to come later in the season, another chance to win Hive and of course the glory of an FPL title!
GW23 Results
Prizes for winners of last week's head to head matches will be sent soon.
Division 1
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legion Fc | @b0s | 90 | 55 | Augment Fc | @vickoly |
| The Amirians | @amirtheawesome1 | 83 | 87 | @BlockchainFPL | @blockchainFPL |
| YAGMAN FC | @yagman01 | 68 | 62 | Likodra FC | @teofilex11 |
| thoth442FC | @thoth442 | 75 | 85 | Hiveheadz | @borran |
| Shamzy FC | @shamzy | 90 | 53 | Nonz FC | @nonsowrites |
| Suffragette City | @talesfrmthecrypt | 81 | 73 | FC McKane | @McKane |
| Content Creators | @pvmihalache | 64 | 67 | WhyteFC | @Ipalibo |
| Izanagi FC | @belemo | 60 | 56 | Creekside FC | @pappyelblanco |
| I Feel Qatari | @deniskj | 68 | 44 | Hungry Lions | @GvKanten |
| Espada Numero Uno | @elmose | 77 | 65 | Lazz | @Martinlazizi |
Division 2
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folox fc | @thelonegreywolf | 79 | 57 | MUFC | @tiyumtaba |
| HighWay2Anfield | @kenechukwu97 | 74 | 50 | Michupa Brasil F.C. | @michupa |
| EVIAN CF | @nasfyneboy92 | 60 | 95 | Simcard fpl | @akomoajong |
| Satoshi99 | @kraken99 | 30 | 73 | Happy Fc | @Happy411 |
| Apples and Pears | @stuartcturnbull | 39 | 60 | Tequeños United | @aaalviarez |
| Rosh FC | @officialrosh1 | 35 | 54 | Unbothered | @Dapomolaaaa |
| Stevelight (Herbae) | @Herbae | 81 | 68 | Formidable Milano | @Damolexy |
| Samostically | @samostically | 99 | 81 | Roboski | @Gentleshaid |
| SOLAT | @reservedsingle | 55 | 42 | The Beast | @iamchuks |
| Mount Everest | @khaleesii | 80 | 56 | RHYDA1 | @rhyda1 |
| The inferno Squad | @jimah1k | 50 | 74 | valchiz fc | @valchiz |
| Stevenson FC | @stevenson7 | 31 | 55 | Diistroyers | @diikaan |
| Lens world fc | @Lensworld | 33 | 73 | Beyond Horizon | @beyondhorizonmm |
| Tengo Rangers FC | @tengolotodo | 62 | 49 | Praiz Empire | @praizking |
| Twycejoy | @twicejoy | 55 | 47 | adedayoolumide | @adedayoolumide |
| Uwabbs Fc | @uwabbs001 | 74 | 58 | Smiley Team | @carita-feliz |
| AVERAGE | N/A | 57 | 50 | Yahuzah | @yahuzah |
| Stom FC | @stomade | 74 | 70 | Testing FC | @sperosamuel15 |
| Hivetastic | @acidyo | 95 | 69 | legaliza | @legalizabrazil |
| Skander TN | @skanderh | 87 | 65 | HappyBoys FC | @Happyboy1 |
| rubilu | @rubilu | 72 | 65 | racibo | @racibo |
| George Of D Jungle | @George-dee | 50 | 47 | BLAngechys Matildas | @blanchy |
| Emeka4 | @emeka4 | 69 | 55 | abu78 | @abu78 |
GW24 Fixtures
Division 1
@gvkanten v @b0s
Legion FC got a massive win in GW23 to make it back to back victories for the first time in a while and ease any immediate concerns about slipping into the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Hungry Lions own winning streak came to an end last week with a disappointing tally, 13 points shy of the GW average.
There are plenty of differentials in this one particularly at the back where no players are the same. Hungry Lions certainly have the assets in that department to hit bigger points than their opposite numbers.
In midfield, Legion FC's 2 differentials are bang in form at the moment. Richarlison faces Brighton at home in a game that looks likely to bring more goals, while Phil Foden will get the chance to add to his tally in the early kick-off versus Everton. Hungry Lions will be hoping that Jota can continue his fine goal scoring form against a struggling Burnley.
@pappyelblanco v @martinlazizi
A massive fixture towards the top of the league with both sides suffering from poor form at the moment. Creekside FC in particular have delivered some fairly low scores of late and allowed Shamzy FC to reestablish a 6 point lead at the top of the league. For Lazz, anything but a win here would surely curtail their hopes of a league title.
Some nice select differentials between these 2 sides. The chance for big points from a defender rest on the shoulders of TAA and Estupinan respectively. You'd imagine Trent is more likely to get a clean sheet bonus from this week than the Brighton man.
Further forward and KDB, Jota and Gross all look to have good fixtures in which to get points on the board. Both sides will be keen to see whether a couple of their players are likely to start this weekend. Hee Chan has only just returned from the Asian Cup of nations while Gordon is nursing an injury.
@ipalibo v @elmose
Whyte FC broke their losing streak and took advantage of most of the sides around them failing to win last week to sneak back up to 4th spot. Meanwhile Espada Numero Uno remain one of the form sides since the turn of the year and themselves will be looking to join the chasing pack with a win in this fixture.
Both teams have some very attacking options in the back line but perhaps it's the return to form of Trippier that will be the key differential in this match.
Further forward and both sides look to be tied to the fate of a couple of clubs. Whyte FC have 3 Man City differentials alongside Jota while Espada Numero Uno have hitched their wagon to Spurs and Arsenal players. The availability of Son for the game against Brighton on Saturday could be a key factor in determining the outcome of this one.
@mckane v @deniskj
I Feel Qatari got a much needed win in GW23 to ensure they don't get cut adrift towards the foot of the league. FC Mckane went from captaining Foden in GW22 to leaving him on the bench for GW23, a decision that ultimately proved fatal.
I Feel Qatari certainly have a greater number of premium defenders to help their points tally this weekend. By contrast, Branthwaite faces a trip to the Ethiad and Lascelles has been relegated to the bench with the return of Newcastle's first choice options.
Further forward it's a fairly even battle but with Foden and Richarlison in prime form and enjoying home advantage in fixtures that should produce goals, you'd say that FC McKane just edge it. I Feel Qatari left Barkley on the bench last week but he could be a key player for Luton in what is a massive fixture at home to bottom club Sheffield United this weekend.
@nonsowrites v @belemo
Neither side enjoyed a stellar GW23 but for Inzanagi FC their win was priceless in continuing to ensure that they could hold the teams below them at arms length.
Interestingly in this one, more of the differentials come in forward positions. Both sides will be looking to Tottenham fullbacks to do some damage at home to Brighton. With the imminent return to fitness of Andy Robertson, is it time to say goodbye to Joe Gomez?
Inzanagi's options in the midfield may be limited depending on the availability of Gordon and Hee Chan. If one or either isn't able to start then it would certainly give Nonz FC the edge especially with KDB, Richarlison and Haaland all playing in games where you'd expect a good points haul.
@borran v @pvmihalache
Content Creators need a win and they need one now but it doesn't look likely to be an easy task against a Hiveheadz team that has outscored them in recent GWs
At the back, Content Creators will be relying on Ederson and Trippier. Despite City's recent dominance, clean sheets are still something they are struggling to come by but Trippier's recent returns of 7 and 9 points are very welcome for those who kept faith in the Newcastle man.
Further forward and Hiveheadz certainly have the advantage with all of their midfield differentials looking like good goal scoring options this weekend. Upfront, Solanke is a guaranteed starter for Bournemouth but can the same be said of Alvarez now that everyone is back and fit for City?
@teofilex11 v @talesfrmthecrypt
This should be an interesting match between 2 sides whose points tallies have ranged quite dramatically in recent weeks and with a good variety of players across all areas of the pitch it looks likely to be one of those fixtures where someone wins fairly comfortably.
At the back, Likodra have a range of high priced full backs to draw upon but Suffragette City have the likes of Udogie and Doughty who themselves are also having fine seasons.
In midfield, the return of players from international duty might have a significant impact on Likodra FC. Hee Chan should be available for Wolves while Jarrod Bowen will look forward to the return of Kudus in attack for West Ham. However, there are some question marks as to whether Kulusevki will start for Spurs against Brighton with the return of Son and the availability of other players.
Suffragette City will be hopeful that Phil Foden can carry on this fine form while they are also looking dependent on Brighton to continue were they left off against Spurs following the 4-2 just 6 weeks ago.
@blockchainfpl v @shamzy
Both these sides enjoyed big points hauls in GW23 with Shamzy FC taking full advantage of most other sides in the top half slipping up last week to move 6 points clear at the top.
The biggest differences in the current squads come at the back. Shamzy FC will be looking to double up on City defenders, in theory not a bad ploy but then the reigning champions do have a habit of conceding late goals. Otherwise, they'll be looking for offensive output from Estupinan and Poro in a game where you'd certainly not be banking on a clean sheet bonus.
If Shamzy FC hold a slight edge in defence then you'd fancy that BlockchainFPL have the better players further forward. Foden and Haaland look like good bets to get points on the board at home to Everton while Ivan Toney has hit the ground running following his return from suspension with Brentford travelling to a Wolves side who have conceded 6 goals in their last 2 matches.
@vickoly v @thoth442
With the unavailability of a lot of big name players in recent weeks, we've seen sides forced into being a little more creative with their captain picks but not Augment FC who have stuck rigidly to Kevin de Bruyne for the last 3 fixtures, a move that paid dividends up until GW23.
Thoth442FC have a little bit of selection crisis brewing with Guehi definitely out, Gordon very likely out, doubts around Charlie Taylor (although you'd not expect him to get many points away at Liverpool) and the likes of Archer and Strakosha unlikely to make the starting XI for their respective sides. It does mean that baring the use of a wildcard this side pretty much picks itself.
That being said, thoth442FC still have some strong differentials with Foden, Haaland and TAA all enjoying home advantage against bottom 3rd opposition this weekend. By contast, Udogie and the 2 West Ham midfielders do play at home but in tougher looking fixtures while Hojlund faces a difficult away trip to Villa.
@amirtheawesome1 v @yagman01
Having had a bit of a mid-season wobble, Yagman FC have come back strong of late with 3 wins in a row. It's worth noting that their total score is still the 3rd best in the division and while it's difficult to see them mounting a challenge for the title, a top quarter finish is very achievable. Meanwhile the Amirians can feel somewhat hard done by with their score of 83 last week failing to give them a much needed win. That total was 15 points higher than today's opponents managed, although prior to that Yagman have been comfortably outscoring them.
The Amirians also face some selection problems with Salah, Gordon and Colwill all unlikely to play. With Matty Cash also not a guaranteed starter for Villa these days, it does mean that their options all across the pitch look limited. By contrast, Yagman FC are just looking for a replacement for Joao Pedro following the news of his hamstring injury.
The Amirians will be banking on Foden and Alvarez getting them ahead in the early kick-off today but with Jota and Saka up their sleeve, Yagman FC will fancy that they can close any gap later on.
Division 2
| Team | Hive Account | Team | Hive Account | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folox fc | @thelonegreywolf | v | Rosh FC | @officialrosh1 |
| Stevelight (Herbae) | @Herbae | v | Apples and Pears | @stuartcturnbull |
| Samostically | @samostically | v | Satoshi99 | @kraken99 |
| SOLAT | @reservedsingle | v | EVIAN CF | @nasfyneboy92 |
| Mount Everest | @khaleesii | v | HighWay2Anfield | @kenechukwu97 |
| The inferno Squad | @jimah1k | v | MUFC | @tiyumtaba |
| Stevenson FC | @stevenson7 | v | Michupa Brasil F.C. | @michupa |
| Lens world fc | @Lensworld | v | Simcard fpl | @akomoajong |
| Tengo Rangers FC | @tengolotodo | v | Happy Fc | @Happy411 |
| Twycejoy | @twicejoy | v | Tequeños United | @aaalviarez |
| Uwabbs Fc | @uwabbs001 | v | Unbothered | @Dapomolaaaa |
| AVERAGE | n/a | v | Formidable Milano | @Damolexy |
| Stom FC | @stomade | v | Roboski | @Gentleshaid |
| Hivetastic | @acidyo | v | The Beast | @iamchuks |
| Skander TN | @skanderh | v | RHYDA1 | @rhyda1 |
| rubilu | @rubilu | v | valchiz fc | @valchiz |
| George Of D Jungle | @George-dee | v | Diistroyers | @diikaan |
| Emeka4 | @emeka4 | v | Beyond Horizon | @beyondhorizonmm |
| abu78 | @abu78 | v | Praiz Empire | @praizking |
| BLAngechys Matildas | @blanchy | v | adedayoolumide | @adedayoolumide |
| racibo | @racibo | v | Smiley Team | @carita-feliz |
| HappyBoys FC | @Happyboy1 | v | Yahuzah | @yahuzah |
| legaliza | @legalizabrazil | v | Testing FC | @sperosamuel15 |
Good luck in your head to head matches this week!