Pro Pundits

Why Liverpool and Leicester are key to my FPL Gameweek 31 Wildcard

FPL BlackBox co-host Az discusses the merits of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Kelechi Iheanacho, James Maddison and others as he spotlights Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers’ sides.


I’ve been waiting for this week for a while, looking forward to the opportunity to rejig my squad and target what look like some favourable fixture swings for a couple of teams.

I won’t present my Wildcard draft here; there’ll be enough of that on my video with Andy, which you can watch below.

Instead, I’ll be giving my views on two key teams and considering some of the players that we should all be looking at, regardless of whether your Wildcard is being played or not.

Liverpool

We’ve been here before. A good performance from Liverpool and suddenly a season of real mediocrity is all but forgotten.

But it’s hard not to get excited, as the Reds were superb against Arsenal. Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) was looking hungry again, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) was whipping in great balls all evening and the introduction of Diogo Jota (£6.9m) saw the opportunities they were creating finally being converted.

During Gameweek 30, Liverpool created a chance every 5.9 minutes. Arsenal may be struggling defensively (they have no clean sheet in their last 13 matches) but they have had some good results against “top” sides this season. They were poor, but Liverpool were in full swashbuckling mode.

My Double Gameweek plans and why the Wildcard/Bench Boost tactic has its downside

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

252 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If you're going triple Liverpool on your WC (like I am), including Sterling and captaining him fulfils 3 purposes:

    1) Hedge your risk against a Liverpool no-show when you have three Pool assets
    2) Sterling is a massive differential and will have an EO of something like 10-15 percent
    3) Bet against Bruno when his EO is going to be close to 100 in a tough fixture against Spurs

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’m doing KDB to Sterling(C) this week. City and Leeds will be a goalfest and he’s guaranteed to start. Bound to be involved. I think Liverpool will struggle at Villa this weekend. Madrid game next week will be the focus. Wouldn’t be surprised if Trent and Jota are rested

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I agree.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Including him instead of Bruno? One week punt? For me, if getting someone for one week I'd wanna move them to Son afterwards but wouldn't want any funds tied up and don't like the look of anyone at his price.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It all falls apart when punting against Bruno points.

        1. DannyDrinkVodka
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I'm still considering whether I forgo Bruno or Son in GW31, no money tied up in Bruno and for whatever reason I feel like Spurs are going to do well

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't Newcastle just have an xG of about 4 against Spurs?

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am doing Bale to Razz C to try & claw back last weeks Son C horror!

    5. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Spurs are a tough fixture?

  2. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 ft what to do with this team?

    Mendy, meslier
    Stones, rudiger, Digne, shaw, alioski
    De Bruyne, Bruno, Gundogan, jota, lingard
    Kane, Bamford, Calvert lewin

    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably transfer Stones out.

    2. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Save ft

  3. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Son + TAA
    B) Bruno + 5.4 defender (not Shaw)

    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B with Coady maybe?

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd say A. Spurs with the double and great fixtures after their blank. Taa with great fixtures till the end of the season. Mind you I would want Bruno for 32/33 as well

  4. afsr
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team definitely needs improvement, do I get someone for a hit?
    Only chip left is WC, need to plan for getting Son in GW32

    Lloris
    Rudiger - Shaw - Digne
    Bruno - KDB - Jota - Mount - Lingard
    Kane - Bamford

    Martinez - Antonio* - Targett - Tierney*
    0FT, 0.7 ITB

    Thinking of 2 possible transfers based on injury information:

    A - Antonio/Bamford -> Iheanacho/Vydra
    B - Tierney -> Phillips

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both are viable. I prefer A - injured Antonio -> Iheanacho

      KDB -> Son gw32 is the obv 1 move transfer

  5. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed is Masuaku?

  6. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any love for Lloris on the wildcard. Fixtures look good till the end of the season.

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Okay so if you want Lloris that means you need a cover for 33. That's probably Sanchez as Forster doesn't play that week.

      So you're spending 10.1 on keepers, only players with over 106 team value are going to entertain this.

      Most wildcarders don't have this, hence the lack of interest as no one likes wasting transfers on goalkeepers.

    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Plus can you really see Spurs keeping many clean sheets between now and the end of the season?

      I had entertained the idea of Reguilon but quickly scrapped that idea when I saw how poor they looked at the back against NEW.

      1. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Another very good point.

        1. Sickboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Well that’s pretty unequivocal, cheers.

    3. Werder Bremner
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      To answer for some balance in the argument, I am taking Lloris and Sanchez. Although I have pretty high team value so happy to do so

      Out of the spurs assets he is projected as third best scorer, is 100% nailed and will get save points.

      The fixtures are excellent (sanchez has she to cover blank) plus the switch from Lloris onto future doubles keeper is one move. Once the fixtures are announced it's easy to plan

      As an arsenal fan I cannot go for Leno. Its hard enough to have them concede every game without having him in my team. Although we did keep clean sheets in previous games against same opponents the same teams are now battling for survival

      Mendy is a obviously good pick on current form but I don't feel the fixtures are actually that good. 3 of the next 4 are sure but they also have Westham, Man City, Arsenal, Leicester and Villa.

      Main point for most though isMendy/Forster is 9.2 and Lloris/Sanchez is 10.1 so I understand.

      If you can afford it then it's a very good differential

  7. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which on WC?

    Jota or Maddison

    Own Salah and Iheanacho.

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Has to be Jota for me. Like Az outlines just get Maddison in 33

  8. Phlajo
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best defender for a max price of 4.5? Can't be Philips.

    Rest of defence:
    TAA Rudiger Coady Mitchell

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cooper if you can bench him for next 3 then have him for the run in

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Diop? Lascelles? Alioski?

  9. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 free transfer what to do with this team? I have bench boost left

    Mendy, meslier
    Stones, rudiger, Digne, shaw, alioski
    De Bruyne, Bruno, Gundogan, jota, lingard
    Kane, Bamford, Calvert lewin

  10. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    People with no chips, how prepared are you feeling for BGW33?

    I can get 11 out with a -4 with a bench of Davis/Kane/(Dias or Son).

    1. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not too worried. Have 2 spurs and 2 city currently but will take a -4 if need be to get rid of Son and Gundo, neither of whom I'm too bothered about owning for the rest of the season.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, similar here although I've got 3 City and will remove Gundo for Son in 32, giving me two of each. Then plan to take KDB and one of Dias or Son out for a -4 in 33, depending how Son looks in 32.

        Sadly, I don't have enough money to do KDB -> Salah without a downgrade elsewhere, so if I sell Son in 33 I won't be able to get him back. I'll have to do a Dias downgrade instead if I want Son for 34-35.

        1. Lemongrab
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Can't have them all. I'm happy with just Kane as Spurs cover after 32 is out of the way so Son to Bruno is my move in 33 and probably Gundo to Raphina

  11. Al-Chemy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If you're leading your ML and have a similar team to your opponent, would you wildcard this team?

    Sanchez (Martinez)
    Digne Cancelo Rudiger (Veltman Dallas)
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo Raphina
    Kane Watkins (Bamford)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Leading by how much? Enough to trust that blocking tactics will do the job?

  12. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo on WC
    A) Vardy+Phillips+Coufal
    B) Iheanacho+TAA+Fofana/Castagne

    Other defenders would be Rudiger,Shaw and Holding and I'll play 3 at the back most of the weeks

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B. Vardy hasn't shown hes worth the extra cash over Ihenanacho. Taa has a huge upside in attack compared to Phillips.

  13. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hypothetically, if gundo and sterling both started (no KdB), who would you prefer to have had as captain?!

    Looking for a 1 week punt this week.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling is the only realistic option, quite a punt but can pay off.

      Gundogan won't start in my view.

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I think gundo starts. He was benched V Leicester and Pep likes momentum and I’m sure gundo will have a rest later on as he just had one.

  14. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Fofana nailed for the rest of the season?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would expect so but not an inspiring pick.

      1. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Just need a circa 5m defender, Leicester fixtures are good. Was set on Coady but Wolves are a bit of a mess so I'll take some solid 6 pointers from Fofana.

  15. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current WC draft.

    Ederson, Forster
    Coady, Holding, Rudiger, Phillips, 4.9?
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Neto, Son
    Bamford, Kane, Iheanacho

    What are peoples thoughts on this?

    I have gone a bit cheap in defence but I would feel very uncomfortable going without Kane, Salah, Bruno and Son.

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The obvious move to improve the backline is to sacrifice Bamford.

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I can only get upto TAA if I have Mitchell and Davis up front. It would significantly weaken my bench and I still have my BB to play so really need a spread of funds.

    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You can ditch Son after the double IMO for Raphina and use that to upgrade Holding to Trent.

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Good idea. Not sure I'd want to ditch son for Sheffield United and Leeds though.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy over Ederson and upgrade defence

  16. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Fofana or Cedric on WC?

    1. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cedric?! As in Arsenal's Cedric? Not him haha Saka might get shunted in at LB and their defence is awful at the moment.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not spoiled for choice below 5.0 for defenders though. Best of a bad bunch

  17. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed do people think Nacho is going forward? Worth the risk as a 7th attacker?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nailed until Barnes is back

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        And as we saw with Justin/Perreira - a Leicester play can be "coming back" virtually all season long so id sign Nacho and worry about it later

  18. RUDE DIGGER
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    any thoughts on this WC?

    Mendy, Forster
    Shaw, Dias, Rudiger, Phillips, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Lingard, Gundo, Raph
    Kane, Vardy, Antonio

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Too much West Ham. Vardy rubbish.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't be on Gundogan or Dias this week given a choice.

      Not sure about Rudiger too with Champions League etc.

  19. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2g??

    Mendy
    Rudiger TAA Castagne
    Maddison Salah Jota Neto
    Kane Nacho Ings (c)

    Forster Son Shaw Coady

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not convinced by Rudiger or Jota this week.

      Questions over TAA too.

  20. Laurel and Vardy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lingard (great form) or Neto (great fixtures) on WC?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fixtures always

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I was on this choice and went with Lingard.

    3. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rather Lingard

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      lingz.
      Prob on penos now that Rice is out

  21. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on wildcard draft?

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Dias, Shaw, Rudiger, Coady
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, Lingard
    Kane, Inheancho, Vydra

    1. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Super, just like your name.

      You must have a nice team value as I've a very similar team but have Davies instead of Vydra.

      1. Super John McGinn-
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers was originally on Davis but having Son Kane and Dias in 33 would rather Vydra starting over Davis for the blank

        1. King of Kings.
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Reply fail sorry!

    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Need some help please:

      A - Dias, Amartey, Davies
      B - Coady, Fofana, Davies
      C - Fofana, Veltman, Vydra

  22. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC Team

    Mendy, Forster
    Trent, Shaw, Coady, Coufal, Rudiger
    Salah, Bruno, Jota, Neto, Lingard
    Kane, DCL, Iheanacho

    0.0M ITB

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      now City vs Leeds?
      Wow.

  23. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC Team

    Mendy, Forster
    Holding, Veltman, Phillips, Sanchez, Coufal
    Salah, Lingard, Son, Fernandes, Jota
    Lacazette, Iheanacho, Kane

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who did you sell?

  24. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Have some dilemmas on WC:

    - Jota and Nacho - traps or gold?
    - Salah or KDB, or both over Bruno?
    - Defs along Shaw and TAA? Alonso, RJames, Castagne, Dias?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Salah over Bruno who is over KDB. KDB might only get 1 start or even just 1 cameo in the next 2 league games. Salah Has the best fixtures and might only have the league games left soon. Bruno and salah both have an extra game over KDB and both will start every remaining game if fit. (Barring any irrelevant fixture at the end of season)

  25. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Surprised to see no Saints attackers in WC teams. They have scored 2 at Etihad, a comeback win vs Brunley, and they always try to get forward and score goals, big games suit their style as well.

    WBA next, followed by poor Spurs and then a likely double in 35, with Leeds later on.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Seems playing a WC this week is actually limiting in a sense...everyone steering away from City who has the best fixt.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's not that easy though is it? No one has a clue who will play for City apart from Sterling and possibly Jesus, no one knows what line up it'll be or how good/fluid they'll be, I'm actually more worried about losing my Leeds attack for that game than my 3 City.

  26. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cresswell or TAA?

  27. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi guys, WC team below and starting line up gtg? 0.0m itb (BB in GW 32)

    Mendy
    Rudiger Stones Phillips
    Bruno Son Jota Salah (c) Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho
    (Coady, Shaw, Vydra)

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger being benched twice in last 3 concerns me. As he is a starting defender for you, I think you could get someone safer. You also own Mendy so are doubling up on a team that got beaten 5-2 by WBA.

  28. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I think Gundy plays VS Leeds.

    He has played 0 mins in the last 2 prem games and last nights game he got his 90. 3 full days rest.

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Agreed

  29. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pope (Forster)
    Stones, Rudiger, Cresswell (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Salah, Lingard, Gundo (C), Bruno, Mount
    Kane (VC), DCL (Bamford)

    Does this squad seem adequate for the upcoming GW?

    Was considering Dallas/Stones > TAA and DCL > Vydra for -4, but could also leave that until next week to do both for free and maybe even a third transfer for -4 (Mount > Jota/Maddison)

  30. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How come team value drops during a Wild card. Mine was 106.5 end of GW30. So i activated my WC and did some transfers and now the total value is 104.3 + 1.1 ITB

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Because you only get half of the increase over your buying price.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      you sold someone who you had lots of money/value tied into
      😆

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        WC has nothing to do with it.

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      player price vs selling price
      Old TV vs new TV

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I get it. So effectively, everybody's TV declines a bit when you sell some assets. Thank you.