We are approaching crunch time in the Fantasy Premier League season with prizes up for grabs, competitions to win and bragging rights in mini-leagues at stake.
With only five gameweeks of the campaign remaining, FPL managers find themselves situated in one of two camps: there are those who will be looking to consolidate their positions in the upper echelons of league tables and there are others hoping to make a dramatic late surge for the title.
Transfer decision-making at this stage of a season is therefore likely to be more varied than at any other point, barring the opening weekend. For managers hoping to cling onto their ranks, playing the safe and sensible route is probably the way to go; those looking to make ground will need to take a risk or two in the hope that some differentials can come up with the goods.
Successfully navigating the upcoming double gameweeks will also be integral to ensuring a strong showing in the final weeks, with a number of clubs having spare fixtures to fulfil. Chelsea and Manchester United are the only clubs playing twice in Gameweek 34, although Chelsea will double again in 36.
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This week’s team costs £82.6m to assemble, just short of the £83m total budget:
Ederson (Man City)
The downside to selecting goalkeepers from top clubs – in addition to their steep price tags – is that it can block a future move to an outfield player from the same side. Managers should avoid signing Alisson or Edouard Mendy, for instance, as there is much more upside to having other Liverpool or Chelsea assets. That is less of an issue with Manchester City where rotation is rife and points tend to be shared. Ederson is nailed to start – particularly after Zack Steffen’s Wembley nightmare – and will expect to boost his clean sheet tally during a run-in that looks relatively kind.
Price: £6.1m Points: 130 Gameweek 34 fixture: Watford (h)
Reece James (Chelsea)
Thomas Tuchel’s comments about Reece James’ ability to play as a centre-back seem to have set off some alarm bells for FPL managers. “He can play both positions brilliantly,” Tuchel gushed after the FA Cup semi-final win against Crystal Palace. “I love him in both positions.” If James remains in the back three it will dent his attacking prospects, however, the flip-side is that his adaptability should increase his chances of starting multiple matches. Even if James only plays one of Chelsea’s two games as a wing-back, his track record indicates he is well capable of scoring big.
Price: £6.3m Points: 110 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): West Ham (h), Man Utd (a)
Joao Cancelo (Man City)
With Manchester City competing on two fronts, Pep Guardiola may opt to give some of his key players a rest and a home fixture against Watford represents an ideal opportunity to do so. However, Guardiola’s full-back options are limited at the moment with Kyle Walker struggling with an ankle injury which could be good news for Joao Cancelo’s owners. If Cancelo starts against Watford, chances of attacking and defensive returns are high given Roy Hodgson’s strugglers have conceded seven and scored once in their previous three away matches.
Points: £7.1m Points: 173 Gameweek 34 fixture: Watford (h)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Since Gameweek 26, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been rested twice and played six games apiece, making it easy to decipher who is in the better form. In terms of FPL points, Robertson has been superior, earning 49 to Alexander-Arnold’s 41. However, with the exception of actual assists, Alexander-Arnold tops all of the key underlying metrics including chances created (15-14), shots (5-4), big chances created (five to two) and expected assists (2.51 to 1.55). Both are superb options but if you can only afford one Alexander-Arnold still just about shades it.
Price: £8.4m Points: 197 Gameweek 34 fixture: Everton (h)
Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
Although Tuchel may be less inclined to rotate with Chelsea out of the Champions League, his squad is a strong one and it therefore makes sense for FPL bosses to prioritise those who are most likely to play in both matches. Antonio Rudiger ranks top among the whole squad for appearances and minutes played in the Premier League this season and is the safest pick as a result. He also poses a reasonable attacking threat too; only Cancelo and Alexander-Arnold have had more shots amongst defenders.
Points: £6.2m Points: 131 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): West Ham (h), Man Utd (a)
Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Write Mo Salah off at your peril. Following a run of six games in all competitions without a goal and no goals from open play in the Premier League since Gameweek 26, FPL managers might have felt inclined to take a gamble and sell the game’s highest-scoring player. Big mistake. Salah offered a timely reminder of his qualities on Tuesday, scoring twice and registering an assist to rack up a 19-point score during Liverpool’s hammering of Manchester United. Next up is Everton, who he scored twice against earlier in the season.
Price: £13.2m Points: 249 Gameweek 34 fixture: Everton (h)
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
It is equally difficult choosing between Chelsea’s array of midfielders and attackers, but using the Rudiger principle, Mason Mount appears to be the most assured starter at the top end of the pitch. Although Mount may not seem as exciting a pick as Kai Havertz (who is playing out of position in attack) or even the revitalised Timo Werner, he is an excellent FPL asset in his own right and in great form. Over the past four gameweeks, Mount has returned a 13 and 19-point haul and has scored four goals in his last three games in all competitions.
Price: £7.6m Points: 144 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): West Ham (h), Man Utd (a)
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Raheem Sterling (Man City)
Raheem Sterling’s stock in FPL has fallen over the past couple of years to the extent that he is only owned by 2.4 per cent of managers at the time of writing. But if you have space for a premium midfielder this week and are looking to make ground on mini-league rivals, he could prove to be an exceptional differential option. Why? Well, because he always scores against Watford, of course. Sterling has netted 11 goals in only nine meetings with the Hornets, including eight in his previous five.
Price: £10.5m Points: 126 Gameweek 34 fixture: Watford (h)
Dejan Kulusevski (Spurs)
Tottenham suffered disappointment in their previous game against Brighton but they will have been boosted by seeing both Arsenal and Manchester United slip up since. Dejan Kulusevski endured a frustrating afternoon against the Seagulls and was fortunate to not be sent off for an elbow on Marc Cucurella, but he has been a revelation since joining, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 12 matches. Brentford will be without first-choice left-sided centre-back Ethan Pinnock due to injury which could work in the Swede’s favour.
Price: £6.4m Points: 67 Gameweek 34 fixture: Brentford (a)
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Anthony Elanga (Man Utd)
Only two Manchester United players amassed more than four points across both matches of Gameweek 33: Cristiano Ronaldo with 17 and Anthony Elanga with 12. Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Norwich inevitably stole the headlines, but Elanga’s two assists offered further proof that he is becoming an increasingly important member of the side. Investing in United assets after Tuesday’s abject surrender against Liverpool seems a rather unpalatable prospect but at just £4.8m, Elanga represents a low-cost, low-risk punt for a double gameweek.
Price: £4.8m Points: 46 Gameweek 34 fixture(s): Arsenal (a), Chelsea (h)
Teemu Pukki (Norwich)
There has been such a dearth of good strikers to pick from this season that only six of the 65 players to have surpassed the 100-point mark in FPL are forwards. Surprisingly, given Norwich City are set for a swift return to the Championship, Teemu Pukki is one of them. Pukki hasn’t recorded a single double-digit haul yet but has quietly ticked along recently, scoring four goals and providing two assists in his last six games. Norwich have a decent run of matches to close out the campaign and with the pressure off, Pukki can continue his hot-streak.
Price: £6.0m Points: 124 Gameweek 34 fixture: Newcastle (h)
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