Pro Pundits
29 April 2025 207 comments
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With the next Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline this Friday, we’re getting articles and team reveals from our panel of Hall of Famers and guest writers. Here, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman talks through his team and the transfers he has lined up.


There is still one match to go in Blank Gameweek 34, as Nottingham Forest take on Brentford on Thursday, but for the majority of managers who played their Free Hit chip, myself included, it’s probably been a successful one.

Focus now quickly switches to Gameweek 35, however, and with just four rounds remaining, transfers must be high impact choices. In this piece, I’ll highlight three players I’m eyeing up for the run-in.

BRYAN MBEUMO

With a good home fixture and a near guaranteed start, Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m) looks blindingly obvious this week.

Upcoming opponents Manchester United will rotate, given that the fixture is sandwiched between two huge UEFA Europa League semi-final matches against Athletic Club.

Ruben Amorim made several changes in preparation for Lyon in the quarter-finals, with his rotated side thumped 4-1 by Newcastle United.

Then it’s Ipswich Town, who look vulnerable to Brentford and Mbeumo’s style of play.

Over the last six matches, no club has allowed more chances to be conceded from their left flank (39) than Kieran McKenna’s side.

The Tractor Boys have serious issues defending set pieces, too, with 10 goals conceded from such situations since the turn of the year, the most of any team.

Mbeumo takes corners and free-kicks, plus penalties, another string to his bow in Gameweek 36.

207 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pep bites Kun
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 10 days ago

    You boys certainly churn out a lot of good content on a frequent basis. Kudus!

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      Bowen?

    2. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      7 months, 10 days ago

      I prefer Mbeumo. 🙂

  2. Tommy Template
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 10 days ago

    Re Tom's bus team - Can you imagine if in GW1 you'd been told your team for GW35 would have no Salah, Saka, Palmer, Haaland

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      It's a good observation. I need to be pragmatic for both ML's and OR, which way I manage the run-in. ML's are close and I need to be totally clear/honest about teams/player points (rather than nostalgia teams/players I like) that will carry this season over the line.

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 10 days ago

        *Substitute 'favour' for 'like'. Tnxs

  3. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 10 days ago

    Raya
    Muñoz Gvardiol Virg
    Salah Saka Eze Rogers Merino
    Isak Marmoush
    Sels Livra N.Williams Evanilson
    1ft, 2.2itb

    A) Evanilson to Wissa
    B) Evanilson to Cunha
    C) Merino to Mbeumo
    D) Saka, Evanilson to Mbeumo, Wissa/Cunha (-4)

    If I do D, do I bench boost?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      D.

      BB no - possible another chance with DGW possible in GW36

  4. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 10 days ago

    In which order would you drop these strikers, assuming no doubles?

    A) Mateta
    B) Isak

    And which order would you rank these alternatives?

    1) Wissa
    2) Watkins
    3) Cunha

    I think my order is as above. I have Marmoush but he's not going anywhere

    1. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      AB, 312

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      Difficult in some respects looking at the remaining gw's

      AB, 321, but I'm not against 312

      1. Tommy Template
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 10 days ago

        Definetly A, mainly based on mins rather than anything else but also Palace's main focus will become that cup final. I like all of 123 but strongest gut feel for 2 who has always delivered in FPL when he gets good minutes.

        1. Tommy Template
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 10 days ago

          Reminds me actually those 3 striker spots are probably the most intriguing bit of the game left assuming no more doubles/blanks. Could see some real variety and lots of them could go well, inevitably a few wont. Could make or break these next few weeks

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            I agree. Watkins has been vocal and now has the chance to put his money where his mouth is. Cunha I wouldn't bet against with the fixtures. Would I want Wissa for a hit, if I had to bring in Mbeumo? Probably not

      2. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 10 days ago

        I'm honestly surprised at Cunha being first choice of those 3 if no double. Are the fixtures that good for him? Genuine question!

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 10 days ago

          He's in great form. Was before the suspension. Started again with the same attitude. Yeah, I think he's good value with the fixtures in hand.

          1. The-Red-1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            Cheers, that makes sense. Slightly put off by him playing City next game though Vs Wissa playing a rotated United + Ipswich after that

            1. Pep bites Kun
              • 9 Years
              7 months, 10 days ago

              I'm looking at 4 games with the fact that City generally concede. I already have him btw. Play the game in hand with your gut is my advice. You can always bring him in next gw.

              1. The-Red-1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Yeah if I had him I wouldn't swap. Good luck for the final few games

                1. Pep bites Kun
                  • 9 Years
                  7 months, 9 days ago

                  Same to you

    3. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      A - Mateta - mostly like will be rotated before FA Cup final

      Keep Isak rest of season - Newcastle chasing top

      ---

      3, 1, 2

    4. SligoRovers1928
        7 months, 9 days ago

        Why does nobody have wood?

    5. Under my Cucurella
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 10 days ago

      Are people doing Saka to Mbuemo not worried that Mbuemo also has managed minutes as he plays Thursday and then Sunday?

      1. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 10 days ago

        Yes. But he seems more likely to start.

      2. Steavn8k
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 10 days ago

        Couldn't see that happening. Brentford's scheduel hasn't been that busy and season's almost over.

        1. Tommy Template
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 10 days ago

          The schedule before is irrelevant. Reality is they are in Nottingham for a game less than 72 hours before another game back in Brentford. That cant be ideal. Maybe 1 days training before the game if that.

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            They'll probably forgo a heavy training session for a less physical strategy session. I remember reading that's how Klopp handled tight turnarounds during their PL winning season. No expert in this instance though, or others ..

            1. Tommy Template
              • 11 Years
              7 months, 10 days ago

              Makes sense. Its comparable to an away game in europa probably on a Thursday with the turnaround. Probably longer travel time if they arent flying. Deadline being less than 24 hours after the game ends is less than ideal too as we won't get a steer on how many changes hes likely to make.

          2. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            Sure he'll be alright with the 2.5 hour drive (they'll probably fly anyway)

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 10 days ago

          Agreed

      3. SligoRovers1928
          7 months, 10 days ago

          Name the last time he was benched

        • theplayer
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 10 days ago

          There's a difference with Saka as he has the Champions League second leg midweek. Brentford have nothing to rest Mbeumo for.

          1. Tommy Template
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            There is definitely some risk in Brentford in 35. Very unlikely to get any team news after Forest and they either rotate some of the team (probably not Mbeumo) or they will be cooked by Sunday. Its all enough to put me off thinking about captaincy on Bryan

            1. Runnerboy31
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              7 months, 10 days ago

              Some players are simply rotation proof. Salah plays every game (pre season some people on here were claiming chiesa posed a rotation threat). If United weren’t dead in the league Bruno would play every game. Mbeumo definitely in that category. I’d be shocked if he plays less then 170 mins this week.

            2. Kdobienufc
                7 months, 9 days ago

                Mbuemo is not at risk lol. Started every game, played almost 90 in everyone. He is top good to be dropped and won't happen because of a 3 day turn around lol. Not like they are playing 4 games in 12 days or whatever

          2. Pep bites Kun
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            I haven't made my decision yet, but this wouldn't be one of the deciding factors

          3. El capitaino
            • 12 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            No. He’s a machine. He’s only not played 90 minutes twice this season. In those games he played 89 and 86 minutes. There’s nothing to manage his minutes for.

          4. No Kane No Gain
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            No they have just had a near 2 week rest, he will start both

        • adrianh2024
          • 1 Year
          7 months, 10 days ago

          Take a hit to get both Wissa and Mbeumo in? It'd be Mateta and Sarr/Saka for the chop

          1. SligoRovers1928
              7 months, 10 days ago

              Surely wood over wissa no?

              1. FourLokoLeipzig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Why? Not saying you’re wrong, but think most are seeing Wissa as favoured based on form and fixtures

          2. Vasshin
            • 6 Years
            7 months, 10 days ago

            1 ft and 0.4 in bank

            What should be my transfer this week
            1. Saka to Boomo
            2. Merino to murphy or elanga or mitoma or barnes or anyone under 6.4
            3. Sarr to murphy or elanga or barnes or anyone under 6.1
            4. Mateta to wood or cunha or wissa or anyone under 8.0
            5. Saka to Boomo and Merino to Bowen (-4)
            6. Saka to Boomo and Sarr to Bowen (-4)
            7. Don’t transfer any of these and save transfer

            Thanks

            1. Punned It
                7 months, 10 days ago

                5

              • Chrisitis
                • 14 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                1 or 5. could you bench merino?

              • Bluetiger1
                • 3 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                if no DGW announced then 5

            2. DavvaMC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              7 months, 10 days ago

              Would like to bring in Mbuemo and possibly Bowen but who goes?

              A. Saka
              B. Savinho
              C. Sarr

              Thanks

              1. Punned It
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  B, but does that give you enough £?

              2. Philosopher's Stones
                • 5 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                COYG!!!

              3. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Another "look at the state of football" indicator: across 4 teams there are only 3 strikers available for this matchday

              4. ViperStripes
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                2FT's

                Rashford> Mbuemo seems liek a no brainer for this week, but not goign to help me climb the ranks given how high his ownership is.

                But who else to transfer out:
                Saka>Anyone feels like a trap ready to backfire
                Savinho & Marmoush - city have a good schedule and good differentials
                Salah - chasing league goals record
                Isak - potentially worth moving on to Watkins or Wissa
                JMurphy - no chance he's going anywhere from my team while on such good form
                Mateta - potential DGW

                So hold second FT - seems like a good shout I think and if Saka doesn't play I've got Mateta 1st bench.

                1. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Isak to Watkins an interesting differential. If chasing I’m not sure Murphy is an obvious hold:

                  High ownership
                  Some minutes risk
                  Not great fixtures

                  Sounds like a sell to me if deliberately chasing. Chasing is as much about which highly owned players to back against as which differential to own.

              5. Atimis
                • 9 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Thoughts on keeping triple CP to BB GW36 against Spurs?

                1. Atimis
                  • 9 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Would mean Saka to Mbeumo this week

                  1. Bluetiger1
                    • 3 Years
                    7 months, 10 days ago

                    gtg Atimis

              6. 1justlookin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                AVL likely to double in GW36 yet I haven't seen many teams playing the AM on Emery. Any reason why or am i missing something?

              7. 1justlookin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Just realised I have 3 x mci and 3 x cpl, what on earth do i do with my AM chip now??

              8. Stranger Mings
                • 5 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Mbeumo (c) right?

                1. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Undecided, bigger things to think about as on WC. Right now I’m on either Salah chasing records or KDB wanting the right end at Etihad for last two games. Would have Mbeumo third as things stand.

              9. Stranger Mings
                • 5 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Play timber (BOU) but potential 1 pointer or play burn (bha)? Cheers

                1. F4L
                  • 10 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  timber

                  1. Stranger Mings
                    • 5 Years
                    7 months, 10 days ago

                    Cheers you don't think benched?

                    1. F4L
                      • 10 Years
                      7 months, 10 days ago

                      tbh more dont think newcastle will keep a cs at brighton. with timber you have a chance

                      1. Stranger Mings
                        • 5 Years
                        7 months, 9 days ago

                        Yeh agree although arsenal don't do cleansheets either

                2. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Burn - but realistically only because he has higher chance of 2 points vs 1. Think White comes in at the weekend.

                  1. Stranger Mings
                    • 5 Years
                    7 months, 9 days ago

                    Tricky as brighton could score 1 or 2

              10. F4L
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                dembele goal, oops

                1. HelmutCool
                  • 3 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Didnt take too long. PSG been impressive this season.

              11. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Get innnn

              12. F4L
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                A - Watkins (Ful h, Bou a, Spurs h, United a)
                B - Marmoush (Wolves h, Sou a, Bou h, Ful a)
                C - Wood (Palace a, Lei h, West ham a, Cheslea h)

                Which 2 do you think score the most for the remainder of the season?

                1. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  I’d say Marmoush plus 1, tight with other two. Wait for GW36 news.

                  1. F4L
                    • 10 Years
                    7 months, 9 days ago

                    cheers

              13. Fuddled FC
                • 13 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Who would you sacrifice Mbuemo for?

                a) KDB
                b) Sarr
                c) Murphy
                d) Salah
                e) None

                1. F4L
                  • 10 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  sarr

                2. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Murphy. Not great fixtures and a slight minutes risk. Salah and KDB shouldn’t be on the list of options imo.

              14. putana
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                DEMBELLEEEEEE

              15. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Dreadful atmosphere for a semi final of C1. Really poor.

                1. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Unfortunately agree - its the fans that can help the team turn the game with home advantage

              16. F4L
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                that could be a pen

              17. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                20 mins. Odegaard zero touches.

                1. Jafooli
                  • 13 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Yep, they're missing Partey.. gonna be at least one RC in this game....

                2. F4L
                  • 10 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  hes on the pitch? 😉

              18. putana
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                absolute clear penalty. Arsenal are cheats

                1. denial
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Looked clear to me. Holding him back.

              19. Revival
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Timber needs support

              20. putana
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Timber should have had 3 yellows and a penalty against by now. How much did arsenal pay this ref

                1. Revival
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Backwards again from Timber. 2/10 rating so far.

              21. Jafooli
                • 13 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                Trossard looks about 50 years old...

              22. Nightcrawler
                • 6 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                At this rate would be lucky to go into 2nd leg with just a 1 goal deficit.

                Partey in the middle with merino up too so much better but another goal it won't even matter

                1. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Possible put on O.Zinchenko, Sterling or E Nwaneri for
                  Merino

              23. The Mandalorian
                • 13 Years
                7 months, 10 days ago

                To sum up the French Ligue 1, the worst EPL team has a higher squad value than the 2nd best team in the Ligue 1.

                PSG can easily win their league and rest big players for the UCL. It's no wonder they can play at such a high intensity.

                1. Nightcrawler
                  • 6 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Yes but that was also true for previous seasons. This is the best psg team by far

                  Some arsenal fans actually wanted to face psg over villa. Mind boggling

                  1. The Mandalorian
                    • 13 Years
                    7 months, 10 days ago

                    Terrible take. Past seasons are irrelevant. They also used to play a deep block. This season they play high intensity and keep their players fresh for the UCL.

                    1. Runnerboy31
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      7 months, 10 days ago

                      Not sure why you disagree with anything he said. He was building on your point.

                    2. Nightcrawler
                      • 6 Years
                      7 months, 10 days ago

                      They just played last Friday with the same team they're playing. Today. If anything arsenal have had more of a rest

                      Sounds like you're just saying what I assume is happening with psg in France not what's actually happening

                      1. Nightcrawler
                        • 6 Years
                        7 months, 10 days ago

                        What u assume

                        1. The Mandalorian
                          • 13 Years
                          7 months, 10 days ago

                          Dembele their best forward has been heavily rested all season and saved for the UCL. ARS couldn't do the same with Saka.

                          1. Runnerboy31
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 4 Years
                            7 months, 10 days ago

                            Except they literally have been resting Saka in the last couple of weeks?

                2. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  Wow, they must have won it loads then? At least got to loads of finals?

                3. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  7 months, 10 days ago

                  PSG have taken a few years to get rid of the superstars & now as a team brilliant./

                  yes its true they can rest players before today but so can Arsenal as League wrapped up to
                  Liverpool several weeks ago & not going to be over taken in second place

                  1. Riverside Red
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    7 months, 10 days ago

                    I'm sorry it's a little like Celtic who have very few difficult games This means the player are not stressed during the normal season and can totally focus on the European games.

                    1. Runnerboy31
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      7 months, 10 days ago

                      Or aren’t really tested and aren’t match sharp when it comes to the crunch games, can be argued either way …

                      1. Riverside Red
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 6 Years
                        7 months, 10 days ago

                        That's no argument and you know it...

                        1. Runnerboy31
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 4 Years
                          7 months, 10 days ago

                          There absolutely is. You prepare for good teams by playing good teams. I’m a Liverpool fan and no one this season has overwhelmed us like psg in that first leg (efl cup final Liverpool went completely missing so that’s a bit different.

                          There’s a reason Celtic and PSG don’t exactly have great European records in recent years.

                          1. Riverside Red
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 6 Years
                            7 months, 9 days ago

                            I didn't realise you were a Liverpool fan, that explains a lot....as you say PSG must be a great team to be able to overwhelm Liverpool....of course Liverpool had a day off against Newcastle

                            1. Runnerboy31
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 4 Years
                              7 months, 9 days ago

                              Worth saying I’d have the same view if I wasn’t a Liverpool fan. Just means I watched those two legs closely to realise how strong psg this season.