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. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    A. Madrid do not how where or when with the attack down LFC's right side.

  2. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Bobby still paining to find his feet.. these type of games are boosters for form. Hopefully they regain their confidence.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Firmino is still the water carrier.

      Best front 3 in world football hands down.

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Lol

      2. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Rubbish

  3. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    *know*

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      I suspect Klopp will switch it to the left side second half with the right side still punishing them.

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Currently got 6 BGW31 players, with 2FT. Perez out can easily make it 7.

    FH WC BB all available. Would you FH, or try to field as many as possible with a -4 by the 31 deadline?

    Salah Mane TAA Boly Jimenez Taylor are my current guys

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Lo Celso is well under the radar but I feel he has a haul incoming and I like that fixture to carry through to 31.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Will you be happy with that team in GW32?

    3. AC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      I really wouldn’t think too much beyond this week. By the middle of next week games could be postponed would hold off on any decisions until then.

  5. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Evening fellas, would you target:

    A- Mount

    B- Sarr

    Thanks

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Sarr, plays up top.

    2. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      B

      Mount doesn’t play gw 31

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Tricky

      Both potentially great picks but team form make them uncertain. Mount I suppose - - no 31 but DGW - and well Chelsea are obvs the better side and could be coming into form

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Mount - 11 attacking returns in 2296 minutes.

      Sarr - 9 attacking returns in 1221 minures.

      Choose wisely.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        One plays Villa?

  6. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    KDB to Alli

    Then Alli to Fernades for GW 32

    GW31

    GK Pope
    DEF TAA, Saiss, Cathcart, Doherty
    MID Salah, Alli, Mane, Saiss
    FWD Ings*, Jiminez

    Subs Auba, Barnes, Williams

    Ings becomes Deeney or Wood probably for GW31

    Doherty becomes Alonso further down the line

    FH 34, WC 35 or 36, BB37

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Saiss in mid is Saar ffs!

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      You don't think that he will start v Burnley?

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        I dont think city give a feck about the league, pep has basically said so. I think he gets some time off the bench

  7. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Might just captain Vardy, at least we will be sure of his game going ahead

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Thinking about VVD > Alonso this week to enable Mane in for 31?

    Means going with 8 instead of 9 in 31 due to the Liverpool personnel switch.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Getting rid of Virg is serious. gl.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Not worth it to get Liv double attack in 31?

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Virg is an Eagle on corners. 🙂

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Firmino is awful. Worst player tonight. Subb him off Jurgen

  10. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Time to bring in origi

  11. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Shoot Ox Shoot

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Give it a boot

  12. mg12
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Any chance that Rico will get any time?

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    GTG? On a -4

    Henderson
    TAA B.Williams Cahill
    Mane Salah Bruno Sarr
    Jiminez Auba Jota

    Bench:McCarthy,Boly,Fleck,Lascelles

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Looks good. Not tempted to start Boly over Cahill?

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Not sure bwilliams starts given spurs recent defensive record. But it is an away day vs spurs. Just hope it's not a 1 pointer

  14. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Sad story here about former FPL legend Michu and how an ankle injury ruined his career.

    Requires a subscription or using their free trial.

    https://theathletic.com/1658793/2020/03/11/michu-swansea-aston-villa-erling-haaland/

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    What a miss by robbo

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      🙁

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Credit for getting in such a great position.

  16. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Ffs subb of Firmino Klopp !!!

  17. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Extraordinary that Bobby hasn't got a league goal in Anfield all season. Curious to only have 1 booking in 3 years. Is he too passive?

    1. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      His role is quite different. He plays really well at his role but needs to score when he gets the chance as well.

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        He's making Giroud look good, disappointed in him.

  18. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Attack after attack after attack 😀

  19. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Oblak gotta be the best goalkeeper right now.

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      On another level to premier league keepers. Even commands a box on set pieces

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      They have a habit of producing world class keepers

  20. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    that atletico defence is quite something..

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Maybe it's down to the keeper being very good.

  21. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    How has Liverpool scored just 1 goal?

  22. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Any suggestions lads? Probably FH in 31. Got 1FT and 0.3 itb.

    Foster
    TAA Gomez Bashan
    Salah KDB Bruno Sarr
    Auba Jimenez Jota
    (4.0 Soyuncu Cantwell Kelly)

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      I’d save and not FH in 32, you have 7 already

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        My decision to FH is largely due to a H2H rival who will probably FH that week

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Wouldn't free hit tbh.
      The fixtures aren't super appealing.
      Still 2 dgw likely. I'd fh in 1 of those and TC the other.

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        See above - FHing mostly due to a cash Head to Head league where my GW 31 rival will likely FH. If I don't match him it's almost a guaranteed loss.

  23. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Kevin to Fernandes (c) worth a hit?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Nah KdB Burnley at home next!

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Suppose, only do it if pep hunts Kev won’t play

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Yeah maybe then

        2. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          *hints

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Liverpool will concede soon unfortunately

  25. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Really need Dortmund to score really

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Really?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Dortmund my bet for the champs league

        1. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Just joshing around mate. How is that game? I'm watching Pool for my sins.

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 18 days ago

            Not watching! Haha

  26. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Robbo is a level below Trent

  27. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Firmino is awful

  28. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Hate burning a FT, any ideas please peeps?

    McCarthy
    TAA | Pereira | Lascelles
    Salah | Mane | KdB* | Maddison | Cantwell
    Vardy | Ings

    Button | Greenwood | Williams | Hanley

    2FTs, 0ITB

    Thanks

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      FH in GW31

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Lots of options, I’d prob go Ings to jota

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Don’t hate KDB to Bruno

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Yeah could be, KdB is so good though...

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        Thanks, could be. My wish list consists of:

        Jota
        Jimenez
        Alonso
        Grealish
        Lundstram (Maybe)

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Maybe just one of the first 2

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 18 days ago

      Maddison out. Maybe even to Barnes, leaving you some funds to play with.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 18 days ago

        I just know what will happen if I take him out

        1. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 18 days ago

          Mate he's so bad I ditched him for the Villa game and didn't think twice about it

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 18 days ago

            I don't get what's happened, he looked like fpl perfection before Xmas!

  29. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Come on Atletico!!

  30. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 18 days ago

    Keep seeing on social media that all premier league games will be postponed this weekend. Surely not? Must be all games or none?