The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 34

As we lay ourselves at the mercy of the double Gameweek 34, we can take some comfort from the fact that we’ve all been here before.

Almost a year ago to the day, I took time to analyse our thought processes prior and following a double Gameweek.

This is perhaps the key quote from said article…

“…those who have experienced the pains and rigours of previous double Gameweeks will somehow have mysteriously forgotten the agonies involved and often dive headlong into this latest possibility with familiar enthusiasm.”

It continues to ring true. This morning, we sit scanning the fixture list, picking out double Gameweek targets with wholehearted belief that we will be rewarded with one of our biggest points hauls of the season.

There’s a myth that women are biologically programmed to forget the pains of childbirth. Similarly, there’s something in the make-up of the average Fantasy Premier League manager that makes us overlook how a double Gameweek can slap us in the face. Unless you’re Granville; he never forgets.

You can’t blame us for being optimistic. Christian Benteke and Charlie Austin have shown the way back in Gameweek 31 and there’s an obvious reluctance to doubt double Gameweek rewards as a result.

Looking back on last year, while there were obvious concerns surrounding double fixtures for City, Everton, Palace and Sunderland, such rewards did arrive: Jason Puncheon’s delivered two goals, six bonus points and an assist over his two matches.

In many ways, our chances of finding this year’s “Puncheon” are stronger. This new Gameweek 34 looks to have fallen beautifully for us.

With Liverpool and Chelsea devoid of striker options, the talent pool has been narrowed to make decision making that bit easier. Leicester’s form has handed us viable budget options that we can snap up without fear, knowing that the bench can beckon for them when their two fixtures pass.

That said, the fixture list ensures that, even if our investments fail by Wednesday’s final whistle, they have the match-ups to immediately compensate us in Gameweek 35.

Our biggest decision appears to be Jordan Henderson vs Philippe Coutinho and amongst the variables and dilemmas that a double Gameweek normally hands us, that’s not a bad place to be.

We can make that choice in the Liverpool midfield, slap the armband on Eden Hazard and sit back and watch while Leicester’s men continue to outperform their price tags and the likes of Raheem Sterling and Cesc Fabregas warrant the transfer hits. The Gameweek 34 script is written and it’s pretty convincing.

A double Gameweek can be our bundle of joy. Despite the cynicism, this FPL manager is expecting nothing less.