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. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Salah was crap. Again

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      His general all round play has never been great but those moments of brilliance make up for it

      For long periods it is like playing with 10 men

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

      As long as he's good at the weekend I don't care

    3. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      He caused Lodi all sorts of problems over the 90 minutes, end product wasnt great but he certainly wasnt crap.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        He's a forward. End product is very important!

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      He's not a total footballer. Scores a few goals now and then.

    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      My captain this weekend 😎

  2. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    After careful analysis involving hours of work I have discovered there is a proportional relationship between those who believe the Premier League will be cancelled and those that don't. In a nutshell 93.7% of those who believe the League will be cancelled are, to use the scientific term, doing rubbish in the FPL. 😉

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Correct 🙂

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

      And non-liverpool fans.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        lets qualify this with non-liverpool fans who... are jealous and can't be happy for them to finally win the league for the first time in 30 years.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      According to my study this has something to do with the fact that they... How can I write this without offending anyone?

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I'd be doing a bit better if my Auba TC had not been cancelled .... it's going to take a while to get over that one

  3. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Trippier must regret leaving spurs.

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Atleti vs City.

    Make it happen!

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Yes please

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

      Pep's farewell.

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

    Meanwhile, Barcelona are still waiting for that corner to be taken...

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

    To be honest...there was a bit of disrespect towards La Liga here few weeks ago... the fact that Real and Barca are not at their best, doesnt mean the league level is that bad...

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      People here think England are #1 for everything.

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

        We are #1 at thinking we are #1

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

      Atletico probably the best in the world at defending and absorbing pressure, and have been for a while now.

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

        Agreed, their survival skills are amazing, still remember a game against Pep's Bayern in Munich few years ago...

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Mostly pool supporters pretending the PL is the best in the world to up their achievements, when in fact the PL is at its weakest in decades.

  7. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    "Our people will be ready. WELCOME TO ANFIELD!"

    - Klopp, February 2020

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Middle aged men from the 70's

      Probably well past their bedtime explains the flat atmosphere

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

    I gotta say, as the last football match in Europe, this one is totally worth it.

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

    Poor Adrian a scapegoat again after only the first goal was his obvious error. He made some incredible saves in their game against Napoli in case people forgot.

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      *escape goat

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

      Better than Karius and Migs to be fair.

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

      The 1st goal changes everything.

      Help needed if you can’t see that.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Game should have been won in normal time but then you play the position you’re in.

        That mistake was vital.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      The goal that meant Pool would have to score two more? In fairness it's harsh putting all the blame on Adrian, Pool had enough chances to win easy. Not clinical enough.

    5. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      ADRIAN STILL AT FAULT.

      FIRST GOAL COST LFC EVERYTHING, ATLETICO DIDN'T HAVE A SNIFF.
      SECOND AND THIRD HE WAS BEATEN WHEN TOP GOALIE LIKE ALISSON WOULD HAVE SAVED.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Best not to have a sniff in the current climate.

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

        Imagine expecting him to be as good as Alisson lol

  10. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    This Liverpool pl title will have about as much significance as the one Blackburn won. 'Dynasty' they said xD

  11. 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..

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

    Grow your own vegetables and don't rely on the supermarkets.
    And wipe your arse with organic cabbage leaves.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Should they be boiled, steamed or pickled?

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Wipe, rinse, eat. Multi purpose is the best for ecological living

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Don't think much of your life hacks

    4. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Or just use water.

    5. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Real men use nettles.

      1. Calderano FC
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Real me men use self grown chilli leaves

    6. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Keep you cabbage leaves separate from your nettles

  13. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    So Liverpool will go for the highest points total now and probably won’t rest many players

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      They played better tonight going forward than they have for some time in the games I've seen.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Absolutely, time to chase records.

      When them games are played are the real issue...

    3. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      LOL

      Which games?
      Cancelation incoming

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        You do realise that in China right now, life is getting back to normal in areas like Wuhan. In other areas, life is normal. Just feels different cause of what’s going on in the media. And many people are being brainwashed into thinking all 1.3 billion there are quarantined in their homes

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          If there are postponements, games will be played in the summer perhaps. Who knows what will happen.

          1. Jebiga
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Euro 2020 will be played then 🙂

            1. Qaiss
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              easier to postpone that till next year rather than cancel the PL

  14. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Oh,what a night!

    🙂

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Late December back in 63

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

        Was it December?

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

      Late September

  15. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Iličić yesterday and Oblak masterclass today. Superb players!!

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Yep, Slovenians

  16. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Imagine the scenes if PL got cancelled the same week Liverpool got knocked out of the CL

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Well, average team who can do nothing without VAR in PL 🙂

  17. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Rugani tested positive on Corona. Does that mean all europe leagues will be canceled ?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Eh?

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Juventus will be in carantine for sure, that cancel Seria A.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          and again?

          1. Jebiga
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            That means French championhip will be canceled as well 🙂

            AND after that, who knows 🙂

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Suspended there anyway.

  18. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    All those who had minicash leagues, have you decided something If they suspend rest of season? Refund money back for all participants? Of course its a big IF.

  19. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddrrrrrriaaaaaan

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

    Michael Owen

    "Atletico players will sit in that dressing room and say wow what did we just come against today, that team was incredible, they played us off the park. Atletico have never come up against a team like this"

    😆 😆

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      He talks such sh*te.

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        This

    2. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Mighty Atlético

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Weird for a Man United player to give Liverpool such praise.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Michael should stay away from the drugs.

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      He should stick to his usual boring non-opinions...

    6. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      "Wow what did i just come up against today - that team was incredible, played us off the park..." - Oblak 2 mins ago

    7. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      lol. Well done Atlético

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        +1

  21. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    There's an alternate universe where Liverpool actually choke their pl lead

    I hope it's this one

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

    35 shots for Liverpool. Damn.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      How many were clear chances though. Simeone Masterclass

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yep!

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Ah a lot of clear chances

  23. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    If PL gets postponed indefintely, do we think that the fpl season will be over or would it just get postponed indefinitely as well? Is there any guidance on this?

    With the number of cases increasing exponentially and the amount of travel involved in football, it seems highly likely that a PL player will catch it eventually and at that point not sure whether PL can justify to go on with the league and manage all the postponements.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      A PL player probably already has it, just not showing symptoms yet

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

      Seeing FPL points are earned from PL games, yes.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      If season is suspended it will restart again whenever the all clear is given, unless football wants years of years of billion pound lawsuits.

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

        It's highly unlikely PL wouldn't be contractually protected against potential lawsuits in case of extraordinary circumstances for which they have no control over.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          CAS would have a backlog of cases about 10 years long and everything would just grind to a halt. Or, they could just restart the season when the virus blows over. Tough choice.

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

            We are talking about a theoretical situation here and I am not an expert on the UK law regarding the matter but even significantly more minor organisations are contractually protected in such cases, definitely not a case for CAS as PL teams can't/won't sue PL over something that ultimately is decided by the government.

            Yes restarting the season is an option but if the situation goes on for more than a few months, it makes next season's calendar pretty much unmanageable as well.

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              The government wouldn't decide if the season is abandoned, only when football should stop. The season would be finished after any postponement. Its a no brainer. Next season could be shortened if necessary. I really don't see this season just being abandoned as if it never happened, though feel free to say "I told you so" if it does happen! 🙂

    4. Queens of the South Age
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Just cancel it and hand out the prizes. 🙂

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

        Nah! It's like saying Hadrian's Wall had no meaning.

        I've built many walls and they all mean something.

  24. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Daniele Rugani of Juventus tested positive for cronovirus. Damn

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Hopefully whole Europe leagues will be canceled soon. We will see...

  25. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    How does a club as wealthy as Liverpool end up with GK who was benched by Joe Hart just a couple seasons back.

  26. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Proper frustrating but full credit to Atleti. Adrian has cost us big time though.

    I think Man City win it from here to be honest

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I honestly can’t stand the way Atleti play football. I know it works often but it’s awful.

      And yes ... Adrian.... as far away from my Xmas card list as you can get

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        It's awful to watch but it sounds like a poor excuse to mention it when we lose. We did enough to win, Adrian dropped a clanger and we are out. That's the margins in top flight footy.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Anything will seem a poor excuse from us as fans now. Everyone will just sing the praises of a “Simeone masterclass”.

          Adrian joining the hallowed ranks of GK clangers for us. An illustrious history with such rich characters as Loris Karius.

        2. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          I’m a united fan and I actually felt bad for you for about a second. I’ve never watched a team play so well and a team receive such a battering and still go through in a long while.

    2. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Yes and i suppose Adrian knocked you out of the Fa Cup. Probably ended your unbeaten PL season too

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Olympiacos.

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Nice to see you back the day Liverpool lose 😉

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Truly Blessed day. Happy Birthday Andy Robertson too

    3. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Lol, with fernandinho as cb? 🙂

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Don't you mean Ota/Stones? Fernandinho is top quality. Plus Laporte will be back for QFs.

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Nah, only sane can do something, others are trash currently

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

          Fernandinho is far from top quality as defender.

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      All depends on KDB for city against Atletico

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Still fuming but just to take my mind off the actual result, I’m making myself angry about the 100s of Madrid fans that have been allowed out of a locked down city to come to Liverpool to watch a football match. Insanity. Expect a big jump in cases as a result. Joke

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      My word keep this coming - you're literally crying salt.

      No tears, Just Salt

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        The pain is glorious.

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        You’ve been a stranger about these parts recently mate. Found a new hobby?

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      there's no point in taking precaution unless it's too late .... I'm having a quick Covid check tomorrow and if I am clear, am off to Wuhan for some sightseeing

      Tell me how all these teams going of and playing around the world (cricket and rugby too) any different

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Depends where the teams come from though doesn’t it. It was more a point as Madrid being locked down was all over the news today

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Well incubation time is usually 3-5 days so probably they will still play on Monday again.

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

      With that logic, the match should have been played behind closed doors as there are plenty of cases in the UK as well.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Tbh football bitterness aside I’ve no idea what the right approach is with this thing. Total lockdown seems over the top for now but we just don’t know how far it’ll go.

  28. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Euro 2020 must be the tournament most at risk.

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

      100%

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Euro 2021 incoming

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Wouldn't surprise me.

        Surely hosting the tournament all over Europe couldn't be better designed for passing it on.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Yep. And also perfectly designed to be nudged for 12 months.

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Panini album in tatters.....

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Keep it in mint condition - will be a collectors item worth thousands in the future!

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        That is a possibility. But if people are stuck in self isolation in their homes, they are bored and need something entertaining. So empty stadions is another possibility imo.

  29. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    It’s good for fpl at least that Liverpool are out. I know that no Liverpool supporters want to read this.

  30. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    What score did City/Arsenal end?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      -44 for me 😉

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Nice try

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

      massive rank drop with all the subs that came on for other teams 🙁