Pro Pundits

The best FPL players to buy ahead of Blank Gameweek 31

Six-time top 5k finisher Utkarsh Dalmia – aka Zophar –  highlights some of the leading Fantasy Premier League candidates for a Free Hit squad.


Fantasy Premier League managers are just picking up the pieces from what was supposed to be a Double Gameweek 29 but we can waste no time brooding, with the season-defining run-in approaching and Blank Gameweek 31 looming large.

I’m not going into chip strategy too much in this piece, with that topic having already been discussed in a recent article.

Instead, I’m focusing on players who I believe are good picks for a Free Hit squad in Gameweek 31 or for you to acquire now.

Most of you will know this by now but the Premier League fixtures going ahead in Gameweek 31 are:

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Bournemouth
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Burnley vs Watford
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham

First off, let’s have a look at the xGOT (expected goals on target) non-penalty data from the last four Gameweeks to see which of these teams are showing form in attack:



In terms of my own team, Ayoze Pérez (£6.2m) is likely to make way for Sarr ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

I’m unsure if I’m going to use the Free Hit chip in Gameweek 31 as I only have four active players right now (Alexander-Arnold, Salah, Doherty and Jimenez) but with the Sarr transfer this week, I can get to seven by subsequently transferring in Jota and Mané for a hit.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.1m) are the candidates to drop out.

The only players I would likely miss out on would be Pope, Antonio, Wood and another defender, so that’s a decision I’ll be making closer to the date.

Hope you enjoyed reading and good luck with whatever strategy you decide.


An FPL veteran of 10 seasons, Utkarsh Dalmia has been a member of the site right since 2009 and has finished in the top 5k in six of those campaigns, with a best finish of 17th in 2010. A Chelsea fan based in India, he relies heavily on statistics for his FPL decision-making process.

1,044 Comments Post a Comment
  1. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    TAA masterclass

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      C'monnnnnn! 😆

    2. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      A Liverpool 3-1 win please.

  2. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Gw31 think to bring another two and have 9 players to play so;

    Kdb to alli
    Ings to Wood/deeney

  3. Nas
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Trippier looks so lean and mean. Looks a lot tougher than I remember him at spurs

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    I'm not a massive follower of football, but watching a few games...Mané is a much better player than Salah at this game. Or am I wrong? FPL aside...

    1. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      You are correct. Salah just a premium Wayne Routledge

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Not a massive follower of football? What insanity is this? 😀

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Ha! No I really enjoy it. Just that I don't really follow closely. Started playing fpl a few years ago with mates at work, and since then I watch games when there is no rugby on 😉

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Good for you - as long as you as enjoy it, happy days. The banter on here is worth the addiction

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Of course. He is the African player of the year; the other one is a runner-up.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Sensible

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I think both have their attributes: it's just a shame they can't find a way to love each other and create lovely little rainbow coloured unicorns.

      They should be sent on paintball bonding sessions imo.

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Mane is not better than Salah. Salah is not better than Mane.

      If you had to ask me who I would buy in real life, I would line up for Salah, everytime.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I wouldn't ask you that, we earn ZAR 😆

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Yes, of course ha ha. I am just saying if I had to choose between Salah playing for LFC or Mane, Salah wil be my choice.

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            I don't know. Might have to debate over a double brandy and coke

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              I will finish 5 bottles of eish's and still give you the same answer 😀

              1. Steve The Spud
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 17 days ago

                Mane is arguably a better player

                Salah is a better goal scorer

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 17 days ago

                  Arguably better in what sence?

                  Elaborate.

                  1. Steve The Spud
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 17 days ago

                    More well rounded, better dribbler, better in air

                    But as above, who’d I have in my team? Mo!

    6. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Mané is more of a fighter and play simple. Salah is more of luxury and like to confront opposition defence.
      Those who like fighters will prefer mané but this will be an ongoing drbatr, just like Messi vs CR7.
      Salah is a better scorer but never go to battle.. Mané will break his neck for the team but often misses sitters.

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Reece James rested or dropped last GW?

    Looking for a 5.2m defender punt this GW? Before FH31 and WC.

  6. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Cavani horrible miss

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Actually a brilliant save I see on the replay. Goalie just got a toe to it

  7. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    KDB, Robbo > Salah, Boly for 2 FT?

    Gives below:

    Hendo
    TAA, VVD, Lundy
    Salah, Martial, Rich, Maddo
    Vardy, Jimmy, Ings
    (McCarthy, Boly, Adama, Taylor) +1.1 ITB

    Ings > Wood FT next week gives 8 GW31 starters (no hits)
    Maddo > Bruno GW32 (If we’re all still alive by then)

    Triple pool defence went pretty well, but now looks like as good a time as any to divest with Allison gone

  8. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Is this sensible?

    Contemplating rolling a FT and fielding ten - thinking the extra FT is more valuable in 32 than the full eleven in 31

    Pope
    TAA Kiko Taylor
    Mo Mane Sarr
    Jim Jota Ayew

    * may pay for this but jntentionally took Ayew over Wood. Thinking the extra itb valuable and he is just one point behind DCL and hot!

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      10 is A.OK

      I’m pretty ok with going with 8, one of whom is Adama who may not even start

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Ty Max

  9. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Neymar G

  10. Nas
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    This joao Félix doesn’t offer much. I know atletico aren’t the most attacking team, but he can’t hold up the ball, he isn’t running with the ball, he isn’t taking up spaces to launch a counter attack, he isn’t even pressing hard. I’m not sure what he is doing here. Every time he gets the ball he gives it away without much fuss

  11. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Any auba goals yet?

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Dont mess with that he was my TC xhxh

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Lucky man, you had double the points Mane gave me when I played my TC.

  12. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Is Liverpool Atletico worth watching? I am always in doubt when Atletico play because they are so boring to watch

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      They are boring but liv are adding the spice to make it brilliant

  13. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    What’s the score? Didn’t have any dgw’er so was too scared to check

  14. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Auba sleeping tonight.

  15. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    That was close from mane.

  16. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Decent save Oblak

  17. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Thinking about maybe avoiding hits, and fielding just seven players in GW31, but which positions should I target?

    - Defence (the easiest solution)
    - Midfield (requires downgrading elsewhere to make any move /alt. dropping KDB)
    - Attack (dropping Ings and/or Auba)

    Henderson
    TAA - Doherty - Stephens
    Traoré - KDB - Fernandes - Salah
    Jiménez - Ings - Aubameyang
    (McCarthy - Stevens - Fernández - Hayden)

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Ings > Wood & McCarthy > Pope are nice transfers after this week

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Those moves are definitely transfers I'm considering. Might just have to give Ings this fixture, even though I'm tempted to just make the switch to Wood (or Deeney).

        Not completely sure I want to make a GK transfer though, but I guess Southampton's fixtures turn a bit going forward.

  18. EDUARDO DA SILVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Ref must be l'pool fan

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Oh no player down with a broken leg. Stands up and walks casually.

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Liverpool look like scoring?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Superb timing, even if I do say so myself lol

  21. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    WIDGNELDIMmmmmmmmmmm

  22. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    GINIIIIIIIII

  23. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    What a header

  24. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Its THAT guy!!
    Wijnaldum...

  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Gini goal

  26. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Comeeeeee onnnnnnnnnn !!!!!!!!!

  27. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Ox like a man possessed tonight, having a superb game. When he’s on form he’s a quality CM

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      He hasn't completed 90 mins since his injury I don't think. Hopefully that will change tonight.

  28. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    PSG 2 up

  29. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    What a header from Gini. One of the most underated players.

  30. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Never seen many diver in one club like Atletico