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Thanks to a double gameweek 33, six sides will not score any points in gameweek 34, creating a headache for plenty of Fantasy Premier League managers.
Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds and Manchester City are the six clubs in question – so how can you navigate it?
Expert Holly Shand and members of the FPL podcast team discuss some key players who can help you make the most of a tricky blank gameweek.
- Listen: FPL podcast – Bunk beds, headbutts and haircuts
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Holly: Fernandes stands out as the best captain pick, having produced goal involvements in seven consecutive games. He has five double digit hauls at Old Trafford since Michael Carrick took over. He continues to dominate for key passes (109), as he looks to break the Premier League record for the most assists in a season.
Statman Dave: Fernandes has 93 points since Carrick took over, 11 more than any player. He would be my obvious captain, especially against Brentford given he has four goals and an assist in his eight matches against the Bees.
Gabriel (Arsenal)
Holly: Arsenal have a leading tally of 15 clean sheets this season, with Gabriel the top performing defender in the game. He has eight goal involvements in this campaign, including a goal in the reverse fixture against Newcastle United back in gameweek six. He’s averaged six points per game in the past four gameweeks.
Statman Dave: If you’re looking at a free hit this week, Gabriel, [David] Raya, [William] Saliba could be a brilliant combination. At the moment, they are in my free hit team.
Igor Thiago (Brentford)
Holly: Igor Thiago is the highest-owned forward in the game with a fixture this week. He has scored three goals in the past four gameweeks, taking him up to 21 goals for the campaign, just two behind Erling Haaland. Two of those goals came in the reverse fixture against Manchester United, which Brentford won 3-1.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Holly: With no fixture for Erling Haaland, there’s an opportunity to redirect those funds to midfield, with fellow premium Mohamed Salah. He has scored in consecutive games for Liverpool and remains on penalties. It is a key period for Liverpool as they look to secure Champions League football, while the curtain closes on Salah’s time at the club.
Statman Dave: I believe Salah would be a differential in terms of his ownership. The problem with that is that a lot of managers who aren’t playing any more will still have Salah as their captain from the start of the season so the data is a bit skewed.
Former England captain Steph Houghton looks elsewhere in the Liverpool squad: I was looking at Virgil van Dijk. I was thinking longer term with the Champions League race, picking from those top teams. I know that Liverpool generally concede but from a corners perspective, he is always a threat – and you know he is always going to play.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Statman Dave: Watkins would be the only player I pick from Aston Villa at the moment, with three goals and an assist in his past three games.
Villa are playing in the Europa League and playing their best 11 there; they are slightly rotating in the Premier League, so that is something to consider. With Morgan Rogers, you have that rotation risk whereas Ollie Watkins is flying at the moment and should be starting every single week playing 60-odd minutes. I'd say if you're chasing, go with Ollie Watkins.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
Holly: West Ham have another key fixture in their fight for survival as they take on Everton at London Stadium this Saturday. Captain Jarrod Bowen is becoming a popular pick for those on a free hit, with a lack of forwards to select from. He has produced four assists in the past four gameweeks.
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