***GAMEWEEK 30 DEADLINE: SATURDAY - 11:00 GMT***
We’ve now had a whole week off FPL to process it. But I still can’t believe it actually happened. It’s a real possibility that we will never again see a Gameweek as bad as Gameweek 29. It was a record for the number of teams taking a Free Hit, so obviously it was also a week for some absolutely mind-meltingly low scores. If you got in the 20s, you did good. Obviously, Reguilon decided to pick the only week where everyone went for him to pick up his frost red card of his Prem career. He, and this Gameweek, will go down in FPL folk law. The one upside for Free Hitters is you probably saved yourself some -4 points hits, but let’s just never talk about it ever again.
The big news now is that we have some big Double Gameweek info and many will be hovering over the Wildcard but, often with good reason. Let’s back back into it.
Got a transfer dilemma? Have Free Hit envy? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
Gameweek 34 Double: it’s all about Liverpool
They’re here! The Gameweek 34 Double Gameweek fixtures are out, and there are more of them than we thought. That’s because of Liverpool and Wolves unexpectedly losing in the FA Cup. The big impact of that is it means that Liverpool and Arsenal both Double, which is obvious huge. Salah looks a must and we’ll want three Liverpool by Gameweek 34. It means we should be prioritising them this week - they play Brighton this Gameweek, then Sheffield Utd.
The Bournemouth Double Gameweek isn’t easy (Villa(a), Wolves(a)), but it is very helpful to anyone who still has Bournemouth players after their recent Double Gameweek.
Spurs and Chelsea throw a spanner in the works
The most unexpected thing from this Double Gameweek announcement was the fact that one team - Spurs - actually Blank. But as you can see from the above graphic, it looks like both they and Chelsea then have *two Double Gameweeks in a row*, so we’ll probably be loading up on them then. It means it’s very tempting to save the Wildcard until Gameweek 35 and load up on them. It makes sense, though it probably means going light on Liverpool and Arsenal, who have good final games, but we can look at that in future weeks. The other option is to Wildcard now or next week to get Liverpool in place…
A Wildcard draft
Lots will be looking at a Wildcard either this week or next. The choice basically boils down to whether or not you want to go early on Liverpool (Brighton this week), or wait a week. The other call is Watkins - if you Wildcard this week, he probably doesn’t get in, but he has Wolves at home this week which could be a good game for him. Also, waiting a week means you can hold on to Spurs players vs Luton when someone like Son will probably be the guy to go for Salah for a lot of people. As ever, if you’re not sure on tactics, go to the fpl.team website that allows you to see what your team looks like in future weeks.
Here’s a draft if you’re going this week - it is designed for someone planning to Bench Boost in Gameweek 34, as many would do. It really isn’t much different to a Wildcard draft for people planning to Bench Boost in Gameweek 37. NOTE: Nuñez is on eight yellow cards - two away from a two-game ban.
Cumulative xG: who are teams relying on?
This is such a helpful chart because it helps get clear in our heads that even if a less attacking team has a dominant player, they could have the best FPL option. This week, it also helps us prioritise Liverpool players that we’re targeting over the next couple of weeks. Salah, Nuñez, Diaz feels like the best attacking three. Isak also stuck out - he could end up being a good selection for Newcastle’s good run in.
Tactics for the home stretch
Now that we know the Double Gameweek 34 fixtures and the very likely Double Gameweek 37 (see above), we can sort our strategy. I think it really is a good idea to have a pretty clear idea now so you can maximise the run-in. A LOT depends on what chips you have left. It’s also about which Double Gamweek you prefer - you’ll notice that there’s no overlap in the teams that have two games in the Double Gameweeks, so a lot will come down to which you think is the best for points. If you still have a Bench Boost left, that should be played in one of the two Double Gameweeks, so think ahead on that. If you still have a Free Hit AND a Wildcard left, I would 100% use the Wildcard this week or next and just use the Free Hit in the epic Gameweek 37. A good rule of thumb guide below:
It’s Liverpool and Palmer to target this week
It’s Arsenal vs Man City this week - FPL kryptonite. Everyone’s teams will be hit by that game, but it doesn’t seem worth removing their players just to avoid this game.
Palmer looks a good bet for a free transfer and is a captain option vs Burnley, so if you took him out recently, it’s worth taking another look. As a non-owner, he’s been a punishing omission. His fixtures for the whole run in and you can’t argue with the value. Then it’s targeting Liverpool. Salah, Darwin are the obvious ones - then maybe wait on Trent’s fitness in future weeks.
Newcastle finish strong - & Lascelles is back
I already mentioned that Isak may become a thing as a differential given Newcastle’s good fixtures and Wilson’s injury. We now also know that Lascelles is now a super cheap option (£3.9m), because he’s likely to come in now that Botman is out injured. Gordon is still the No1 Newcastle pick, but midfield is a crowded market at the mo. Here’s a good “hop on, hop off” chart showing when teams have good fixture runs. Don’t be surprised when Man Utd players (Garnacho/Bruno) suddenly start appearing in teams.
There’s a new free FPL game…
Ah, just what we need, more FPL-related pain. FPL Towers have released a new free game. But there’s less stress for this one. No missing the deadlines here - just pick a team for that week and see how it goes. There’s a weekly prize. It’s the latest attempt to keep people interested after, say a totally disastrous Free Hit a week ago - but it’s probably their best attempt. Could be a bit of fun - there are weekly special rules to keep things fresh. Week One is Unlimited Funds..! PLAY HERE.
Please get in touch with any FPL dilemmas or general football internet gold. PS - I’m on Twitter here. Please help me grow FPL Is Life by sharing… thanks! Typos entirely deliberate, but thanks for noticing.