FPL Top Picks for Gameweek 31
At the time of writing, many Fantasy Premier League managers have started making tweaks to bring Bukayo Saka back into their squads. Odds are that you are one of those managers.
Not many people took the risk to bring him in last gameweek, and after he proved that he can still be a top asset, he has shot up to become the most transferred-in player ahead of the upcoming gameweek 31. The young Gunner announced his return to the Premier League in week 20 with a goal just ten minutes after coming on for Arsenal in his first game back since injury.
With Everton on Arsenal’s horizon, many teams will be built around him for week 31 and beyond. Read this guide to understand how to build your FPL team around Bukayo Saka ahead of gameweek 31.
Gameweek Analysis
Arsenal players will be popular ahead of week 31 thanks to Saka’s return to fitness. Mikel Arteta may not start him immediately, but the chances of him starting Saka are higher than expected.
Arsenal and Brentford will face off in week 32, and then in week 33, Ipswich Town will be their opponents. This is the incentive Mikel Arteta has to start Saka – it is the best stretch of games they will have in the last few weeks of the season before wrapping it up with Southampton in week 38.
The need to secure maximum points in this run to give them a soft landing for their week 34 to 37 stretch. Many managers will opt to exchange Erling Haaland (£14.7m) for a cheaper striker and take a hit to get Saka in.
There are a couple of other matches you can look forward to.
Crystal Palace v Brighton and Hove Albion
Eight points separate these two teams, but defensively, Crystal Palace is much better. This is why this match will be important for FPL purposes. Will the league’s fifth-highest scoring team, Brighton, be able to break through? Or will Palace’s newfound attack be able to inflict more damage?
Players to target: Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.6m), Eberechi Eze (£6.8m), João Pedro (£5.6m) and Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m).
Brentford v Chelsea
This London derby takes place at the right time for Enzo Maresca’s team. The Italian manager now has his three main men back from injury. It is a game that will produce fireworks.
Players to target: Cole Palmer (£10.7m), Nicolas Jackson (£7.7m), Noni Madueke (£6.0m), Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m) and Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.1m).
Differentials
Jacob Murphy (£5.0m) — Newcastle United
Newcastle United face Leicester City in week 31, which makes it imperative to have a chance creator like Jacob Murphy in your FPL squad.
Lucas Digne (£4.5m) — Aston Villa
Another one of the Premier League’s best chance creators is Lucas Digne, whose set-piece prowess can cause trouble in the opposition half. Villa have a tougher task with Nottingham Forest, but the Tricky Trees are high on the list for the most corners conceded, which gives Digne more chances to cause chaos.
Best FPL players for week 31
Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) — Arsenal
We have said everything that needs to be said with respect to Bukayo Saka. Like Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) and Cole Palmer (£10.7m), the Arsenal man is one of the FPL must-haves.
After a long spell on the sidelines, it is time to bring him back into your team, even with Arsenal’s upcoming blank game week.
Mikel Merino (£6.0m) — Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has a knack for turning midfielders into centre forwards. First, it was Kai Havertz, who is currently out injured. Now, it’s Mikel Merino, who has comfortably filled the role left by Havertz. With Saka back in the side, it also means the corner kick tactic is back to being exploited. Against Everton, Merino’s aerial prowess will come in very handy.
Jørgen Strand Larsen (£5.3m) — Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have a proper gun man in the Norwegian, who is on loan from Celta Vigo. He has complemented Matheus Cunha (£6.8m) perfectly. Their next opponents are Ipswich Town, which means that managers have an opportunity to earn points from the striker’s ability to assist or score. He has 12 goal contributions for Wolves and is currently on a good run that has seen him score three goals in his last two games.