FPL Question Time – How to prepare for Blank Gameweek 31

Fantasy Premier League managers are starting to firm up their plans for Blank Gameweek 31.

With a minimum of just two free transfers between now and the depleted round of fixtures, many of you have questions about how best to approach Gameweek 30.

There is still plenty of preparation we can do this weekend, which is why we’ve put your queries to our panel…

Who’s on the panel this week?

Always Cheating‘s Josh and Brandon – Both halves of the USA’s most popular FPL podcast.

FPL Family – Husband and wife team of Lee and Sam, with popular YouTube channel and a long list of FPL Show appearances.

Question 1 – Brandon

FPL GUY: How many hits should I take for a Blank Gameweek like Gameweek 31?

Brandon:“In FPL, there is a school of thought that says a -4 points hit in a Blank Gameweek is only a -2 points hit.

“But what does that actually mean?

“Essentially, it assumes you’re replacing a player who will blank with a player who won’t. A guaranteed zero points player becomes one with two points, in theory.

“With that said, consider the teams that do play in a Blank Gameweek.

“Are they any good? Will the ceiling for points be high or low? Who are (or will be) the high ownership players who could impact the Gameweek points average?

“Looking specifically at Gameweek 31, Liverpool and Chelsea appear to be the only teams that could dramatically swing the points.

“Players like Salah, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Higuain, and Hazard will all have sizeable ownership and all have a notable FPL track record or points potential.

“These are the types of players who are worth -4 hits, whether it’s to gain a powerful differential or to make a defensive manoeuvre within your mini-league (read: what’s your mini-league rival up to?).

“Beyond that, transfers heading directly into a blank are largely punts.

“Considering attacking assets like Rondon, Barnes, Felipe Anderson, King, and the like: While some of those players might be in good form, it’s rarely advisable to burn points with the expectation of returns in merely one Gameweek.

“Your risk is high and your net gain will most likely be negligible.

“A clean sheet for West Ham, who host bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield in Gameweek 31, seems possible. However, consider a six-point haul for Fabianski against the -4 you took to bring him in. Is it worth it?

“In conclusion, I would advise just a single -4 points hit for a Blank Gameweek like Gameweek 31, but no more than that (if any at all).

“High-ownership players like Salah will be the likeliest to damage your rank.

“Otherwise, the odds suggest it’ll be a low-scoring week.

“It’s not vital to field a full 11-man squad when most managers will have eight, nine, or 10 starters strong (I’m aiming for nine at the moment).

“The main focus should be on the upcoming Double Gameweeks where the points potential is remarkably higher and your risk associated with points hits is remarkably lower.”

Question 2 – Lee

LeicesterNygaard: In view of the low scores that many of those near the top have got recently, is it time to discard the template and build a team of ‘differentials’?

Lee: “I think it depends on your team and how you are playing. I’m currently 180k in rank with a target to get inside the top 100k before the end of the season.

“So for me and the way I am playing, it probably is time to start taking a few calculated risks.

“Given that I also have a Free Hit chip earmarked for GW32 and a Wildcard in my back pocket, I can afford to take those risks, knowing I have something of a safety net.

“It also depends on how risky you want to be.

“Do you go all out and captain Peter Crouch at Anfield next week? Probably not.

“But could you take a calculated punt on a low-ownership player that’s either just returning from injury or just arrived in the January transfer window?

“Yes. I’m firmly in the latter bracket and am keeping a close eye on the likes of Manuel Lanzini (0.1% TSB), Josh King (6.1% TSB) and Miguel Almiron (1.2% TSB) – all of which play in Blank Gameweek 31 and could be register attacking returns.

“I was particularly impressed with how Lanzini dictated the play against Newcastle in Gameweek 29 and whose stats more or less matched those of Felipe Anderson but in fewer minutes.

“Watch out for the little Argentinian, with Cardiff and Huddersfield up next for West Ham, he could be a great differential.”

Question 3 – Josh

Jimmyabs1987: What’s your ideal front eight for Gameweek 31 and 33? I can only see Salah/Mane/Haz as the nailed options. What about the other five slots?

Josh: “Because Liverpool have set up on fairly conservatively on the road this season, my ideal Gameweek 31/33 team (I’ll focus more on Gameweek 31 here, as we don’t know exactly who will play in Gameweek 33) would have just one of their midfielders so I can double-up on their defence.

“In that case, I’ll go with Salah, despite his dip in form. Mane, of course, is capable of dips in form that last even longer than Mo’s.

“If you include Hazard, who I agree is a Gameweek 31 near-essential if you can afford him, that leaves three spots.

“I’ll add David Brooks – cheap, finally healthy, and likely to line up just behind Josh King – and James Maddison, who is overdue for a big match to deliver on his strong underlying stats.

“With the final midfield spot, I’d look to West Ham for their home fixture to Huddersfield.

“The forward line is a little easier to pick given the smaller pool of options.

“Ashley Barnes, five goals in six, including strikes in his last three home matches, Gonzalo Higuain, who may have finally discovered his form with a goal away to Fulham, and Josh King, who has four goals and one assist in his last four home matches.

“I’d love to have Arnautovic in this line-up but we need to see him start matches more regularly again before I’ll trust that he’s earned his spot back.”

Question 4 – Sam

Pras United: Is it really worth holding on to Felipe Anderson just because he is blank free?

Sam: “West Ham look like a perfect team to get you through the Blank Gameweeks.

“Not only are they present in both of them, their fixtures are favourable either side too.

“Their next three opponents are Cardiff (away), Huddersfield (home) and Everton (home).

“As a result, lots of managers understandably flocked to Felipe Anderson.

“However, with only one assist in the last 10 Gameweeks, and no goals, most of his owners are feeling a little frustrated.

“In Gameweek 29 he did not register a single shot against Newcastle, and over the last five matches, he has managed just two.

“That is a far cry from what we saw during his purple patch earlier in the season when he recorded four double-figure hauls between Gameweeks 11 and 19.

“For that reason, I believe he is not worth holding and I would rather move to other West Ham assets.

“Manuel Lanzini’s return from injury has seen him pick up from where he left off and whilst he hasn’t registered any attacking returns yet, he registered two shots against Newcastle and created a big chance.

“If that continues, with some improvement, the FPL points could be incoming for him.

“However, the Argentinian is not the only one worth considering for West Ham.

“Other options include Michail Antonio and even Marko Arnautovic now he is back from injury offer far more in terms of points potential.

“Therefore, if you’ve got the free transfers spare, I’d be inclined to move Felipe Anderson on for one of the more in-form West Ham assets for their nice run of fixtures over the Blank Gameweek period.”