It’s a blank gameweek if FPL Gameweek 31 which is always a tempter to whip out the free hit chip, but it’s worth remembering the FA Cup Semi-Finals will likely have four Premier League teams in it, so perhaps worth saving it for that. If you have your wildcard up your sleeve though, that’s strongly worth considering this week. There are some tight fixtures, but that means there are big differential opportunities and that’s where you can make up ground in your mini-leagues.
FPL Gameweek 30 Team
GK: Petrovic (4.5m) – 6pts
DEF: van Dijk (6.2m) – 2pts, Hincapie (5.1m) – 4pts, Lewis-Potter (4.8m) – 4pts
MID: Salah (14.0m) (C) – 2pts, Semenyo (8.3m) – 2pts, Fernandes (10.1m) – 10pts, Damsgaard (5.6m) – 2pts
FWD: Ekitike (9.1m) – 1pt, Thiago (7.2m) – 6pts, Sesko (7.3m) – 5pts
SUB: Darlow (3.9m), Gudmundsson (3.8m), Maguire (4.4m), Wharton (5.0m)
TOTAL: 44pts
FPL Gameweek 31 Target Fixtures & Players
Fulham (vs Burnley, home)
Top team to target this week is Fulham who take on the league’s worst team on form. They have a number of enticing FPL options, and with a win against the Clarets, could throw their name into the ring for the European places come the end of the season.
Top picks:
Antonee Robinson (4.9m) – The top defender for assists the season before last, and looks back to his best.
Harry Wilson (6.0m) – A revelation in FPL this season, scored last week and keeps delivering the goods for the Cottagers.
Alex Iwobi (6.4m) – Another solid, consistent player with seven attacking returns in 24 starts this season.
Raul Jimenez (6.1m) – 13 attacking returns this season and the eighth best striker in the game on form, worth strong consideration this week.
Newcastle (vs Sunderland, home)
Newcastle will be hell bent on revenge against their local rivals and seem to have turned a corner in recent weeks. Sunderland seem to have run out of steam this season so the Magpies will fancy victory here and could make a late rally for Europe.
Top picks:
Sven Botman (4.9m) – A monster on his day and hit a double figure points haul last week against Chelsea.
Lewis Hall (5.3m) – Attacking full-back who offers routes to points at both ends in this game.
Anthony Gordon (7.3m) – Scored the winner against Chelsea and remains the Magpies’ most consistent attacked threat.
Harvey Barnes (6.1m) – Five goals this season and has a knack for coming up with them in big games, a Tyne-Wear derby fits that bill.
Manchester United (vs Bournemouth, away)
Another team to have turned a corner and look certainties for the Champions League now, which would represent a successful season. Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run at the weekend but the goals have dried up and United look like scoring every time they go forward at the moment.
Top picks:
Luke Shaw (4.5m) – Bournemouth have lost their scoring touch so a United defender this week makes sense. Shaw delivers a fine cross so offers attacking threat too.
Bruno Fernandes (10.1m) – The best midfielder at the game at the moment. Set and forget for the rest of the season.
Benjamin Sesko (7.4m) – Keeps on scoring after another off the bench in FPL Gameweek 30 so looks the best forward option this week.
Brighton (vs Liverpool, home)
FPL Gameweek 31 is one to take a chance on and Brighton are a solid option to upset a Liverpool side who are having a dreadful time of it. The Seagulls have a host of good value players in their ranks so worth looking at for the remainder of the campaign.
Top picks:
Lewis Dunk (4.5m) – Double figures last week and a strong chance for defensive contributions against an attacking Liverpool side.
Pascal Gros (5.5m) – Been electric since his return to the club, defensive contributions, assists, goals, a great all round option and value enabler for the rest of the season.
Danny Welbeck (6.1m) – Has ten goals this season, so a bargain at this price and looks a good option for FPL Gameweek 31 against a porous Liverpool defence.
Everton (vs Chelsea, home)
It’s a week to take some chances and with Chelsea in dire form and Everton pushing for Europe, the Toffees are a side worth gambling on this week. This is probably a must-win for David Moyes’ side if they are to realise those European ambitions.
Top picks:
Jordan Pickford (5.6m) – Second most valuable goalkeeper in the game and delivers save points even when Everton don’t manage a clean sheet.
Jake O’Brien (4.9m) – With James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite doubts for the game, O’Brien may be the best defensive option for David Moyes.
Iliman Ndiaye (6.2m) – Penalty taker and creative spark in a side missing Jack Grealish, makes Everton tick going forward and capable of those magic moments.
FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks
Bruno Fernandes (C) – One of the in-form players in the game who is capable of a haul against any opponent. Takes the armband with confidence this week.
Harry Wilson (VC) – Solid vice-captain material with a home game against the weakest team in the league.
Worth a Punt
Axel Disasi (4.5m) – Has been the catalyst for West Ham’s improved defensive performances and comes up against a sorry Villa side.
Alexis Mac Allister (6.3m) – Quietly been one of Liverpool’s best performers in FPL in recent weeks with 32 points in four games, and just 2.5% ownership.
Oscar Bobb (5.1m) – A real surprise to see Bobb leave City in January, he’s starting to show glimpses of his best in South West London.
Evanilson (6.8m) – Not scored for a while but a possible option in a tough gameweek for strikers.
FPL Gameweek 31 Team
GK: Pickford (5.6m)
DEF: Robinson (4.9m), Botman (4.9m), Shaw (4.5m)
MID: Fernandes (10.1m), Wilson (6.0m), Gordon (7.3m), Mac Allister (6.3m), Gros (5.5m)
FWD: Sesko (7.4m), Welbeck (6.1m)
SUB: Darlow (3.9m), Disasi (4.5m), Dunk (4.5m), Jimenez (6.1m)
TOTAL: 87.6m