It’s rare to come out of a 90 point gameweek feeling disappointed but that was the main takeaway from our Free Hit squad this week. 42 points were left on the bench as Morgan Gibbs-White hit a hattrick for 20 points, Jan Paul van Hecke hit double figures and Karl Darlow outscored starting keeper Djordje Petrovic by six points. Still 24 points above average though, so hardly a disaster, so we turn our attention to a reduced FPL Gameweek 34 due to FA Cup Semi Final weekend.
FPL Gameweek 33 Team
GK: Petrovic (4.5m) – 2pts
DEF: Guehi (5.1m) – 8pts, Senesi (5.2m) – 6pts, Bijol (3.9m) – 10pts
MID: Palmer (10.5m) – 2pts, Gomez (4.9m) – 1pt, Semenyo (8.3m) – 5pts, Okafor (5.5m) – 16pts
FWD: Haaland (14.4m) (C) – 26pts, Welbeck (6.3m) – 8pts, Evanilson (6.7m) – 6pts
SUB: Darlow (3.9m), Williams (4.7m), van Hecke (4.5m), Gibbs-White (7.4m)
TOTAL: 90pts
FPL Gameweek 34 Target Fixtures & Players
Arsenal (vs Newcastle, home)
The Gunners title push is now in all or nothing territory, with only a 100% record and greater goal difference than Manchester City guaranteeing them the title. They need goals and can start here against a poor Newcastle side, who look desperate for the season to finish.
Top picks:
- William Saliba (6.1m) – With Gabriel losing his cool up against Haaland, Saliba looks a safer pick in a reliable Arsenal backline.
- Eberechi Eze (7.2m) – Almost scored against City and looked good on the left of the forward line.
- Martin Odegaard (7.8m) – Returned from injury last week and put in a great shift. Could have had two assists and has low ownership. Looks to be a key player for the Gunners in the final weeks.
- Kai Havertz (7.3m) – Scored against City last week, could, and probably should have had two others, and has just 0.7% ownership. A value differential play if ever there was one.
Liverpool (vs Crystal Palace, home)
Palace have little to play for and may be more focused on their European challenge now. Liverpool are looking to give Mo Salah the send-off he deserves, and will have been lifted by Sunday’s Merseyside derby victory.
Top picks:
- Virgil van Dijk (6.2m) – Got the winner against Everton, van Dijk produces attacking returns and defensive contributions on a regular basis.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (7.1m) – A FFS favourite, who knows where Liverpool would be without the Hungarian this season?
- Mohamed Salah (14.0m) – Finishing with a flourish and has 18 points in two games, expect more of the same from the FPL king.
- Alexander Isak (10.3m) – Maybe a slight gamble as he returns to fitness, but Liverpool create plenty and we remember the old adage ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.
Manchester United (vs Brentford, home)
United picked up a crucial three points against Chelsea last week and are now a shoo-in for the Champions League. Next challenge is confirming what would be a remarkable third place finish, and they can start to press for that with a home game against Brentford.
Top picks:
- Senne Lammens (5.1m) – Finally looks the man to be the long term no.1 at Old Trafford, should be a lot more than 5.0m at the start of next season.
- Matheus Cunha (8.0m) – The Brazilian got the winner at Chelsea and is one of United’s most dangerous outlets.
- Bruno Fernandes (10.3m) – Player of the season contender who continues to deliver in the real game and in FPL week after week.
West Ham (vs Everton, home)
A massive game for West Ham but they look defensively solid with four clean sheets in their last seven games. They’ve got some great attacking talent too, while Everton’s thin squad is starting to appear stretched and tired at the worst possible time in their European push.
Top picks:
- Axel Disasi (4.5m) – The defender who revitalised the Hammers defence and looks the best 4.5m defender in the game currently.
- Crysencio Summerville (5.5m) – Exciting creative player who has scored plenty of big goals already this season.
- Jarrod Bowen (7.7m) – A 14 points haul last week justified his selection in our team and he looks to carry West Ham to safety with a favourable home fixture here.
Aston Villa (vs Fulham, away)
Aston Villa are finishing the season with a flourish and their big hitters are worth consideration for this week’s trip to Fulham, who look like they can’t wait for the season to end.
Top picks:
- Ezri Konsa (4.4m) – Hard to believe he’s decreased in value this season despite amassing 96 points. Looks the best option in Villa’s defence.
- Morgan Rogers (7.4m) – One of the top performing midfielders in the game, has carried Villa at times this season.
- Ollie Watkins (8.7m) – Two goals last week show the Englishman is very much a man in form and one to consider for FPL Gameweek 34.
FPL Gameweek 34 Captain Picks
- Bruno Fernandes (C) – One of the most reliable players in the game and with Manchester City not playing, seems the most obvious captaincy pick.
- Mohamed Salah (VC) – Salah got the first goal in the Merseyside derby last week and plays at Anfield for one of the final times, so you’d expect him to do well against a Palace side with little to play for.
Worth a Punt
- Ayden Heaven (3.7m) – A massive display from Heaven against Chelsea last week. Harry Maguire is back, but based on that performance, Heaven will be hard done by to be dropped.
- Xavi Simons (6.5m) – Deserved to be the match winner with a great goal against Brighton last week, and Wolves away presents a real chance for Spurs to kick start their survival bid.
- Enzo Le Fee (4.8m) – One of Sunderland’s heroes this season and a real value enabler. Sunderland will fancy their chances against Forest at home.
- Igor Jesus (5.8m) – Scorer in Forest’s win over Burnley last week and is proving a real handful as his side look to avoid relegation.
FPL Gameweek 34 Team
GK: Lammens (5.1m)
DEF: Saliba (6.1m), Van Dijk (6.2m), Disasi (4.5m)
MID: Fernandes (10.3m) (C), Salah (14.0m), Eze (7.2m), Summerville (5.5m), Rogers (7.4m)
FWD: Bowen (7.7m), Havertz (7.3m)
SUB: Kinsky (3.9m), Heaven (3.7m), Toti (4.2m), I.Jesus (5.8m)
TOTAL: 98.9m