Gameweek 30 Preview - Fantasy Premier League Predictions, Tips, and Picks for 2023-24

Welcome to Gameweek 30, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, which reviews the previous month and looks ahead to the upcoming fixtures.

Twenty-nine gameweeks down, nine to go. After a wild Blank Gameweek 29 and an international break, the Fantasy Premier League returns. There are big clashes all over the fixture slate, but Man City versus Arsenal stands out with enormous ramifications for the title. There are eight games on Saturday and only two on Sunday as Gameweek 31 quickly follows Gameweek 30. So stick around for all of our RotoBaller coverage for the next three gameweeks, which will take place over eight days!

The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 30 deadline is 7:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday, March 30, when Newcastle United and West Ham collide in a battle for a European spot. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage, as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.

I seldom play #EPL #DFS. But when I do, I make sure I check out my @RotoBaller buddies @EuanFPL and @df_solutions
before creating my lineup https://t.co/rmQTeGmSRg pic.twitter.com/b0xGTcSxp4

— Jamie Steed (@Baseball_Jimbo) February 10, 2024

Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 30 Preview

The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 30!

 

What’s the biggest storyline coming out of the international break?

• Euan Leith: The fitness of some of the biggest stars in the game. Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka, and Darwin Nunez either missed or withdrew from their national squads last week. Fantasy managers must be tuned into the press conferences before Gameweek 30's fixtures to receive fitness updates.
• Jamie Steed: The big-name injuries will be a concern. Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Bukayo Saka withdrew from international duty due to various ailments. That said, I expect them all to be fine for this week. It’s common for players to withdraw from the March fixtures, especially when they are battling for titles at this stage of the season.
• Tommy Bellucco: It has to be the three clubs up top of the standings, all within a point of each other, with 10 matches to play. This should be a fun finish to the season, even for a sad Newcastle fan like myself.

 

Arsenal and Manchester City will play each other this Sunday. Given the tough matchup, would you sit their players in FPL?

• Euan: If you have defenders, I would try to avoid them in your starting XI. However, even in a challenging game like this, players like Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland have too much upside to sit on your bench. Take the two points on the chin if you have to, but you'll put yourself in a position to capitalize on any surprising big hauls.
• Jamie: I wouldn't unless you’ve got many outstanding alternative options. While their opponents are challenging, they are also some of the best players in the league. Start your stars.
• Tom: No. Especially with the break falling where it did and everyone having so much time to think about this matchup, I envision a fast-paced battle between two squads that can find space and score chances in the blink of an eye.
• Adewale Akin-Adesina (FPL Manual): I wouldn't. It's a season-defining game for both teams; Manchester City lost the previous meeting at the Emirates Stadium and will be eager to even the score. Meanwhile, Arsenal is unbeaten in the Premier League in 2024 and will want to keep that perfect record at the Etihad Stadium. I would sit the defensive players, but any attacking options, such as Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden, are worth starting in such a critical title match.

The 2nd highest-points scorer of the season taking on the 5th highest on Sunday 🥊

Will you be starting either with Bukayo Saka or Phil Foden in Gameweek 30? 👀#FPL pic.twitter.com/XaB25ajZl7

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 27, 2024

 

Many teams are without Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland. If you could only bring in one player in Gameweek 30, who would it be?

• Euan: I am in this exact situation. I plan to transfer Mohamed Salah this gameweek for his fixture versus Brighton and then use my second Wildcard in Gameweek 31 to bring back my Man City assets, including Haaland.
• Jamie: Mo Salah gets the nod here. I’d never bet against Haaland, and he could quickly end up being the match-winner on Sunday. But Arsenal nullified him in the reverse fixture and might be able to do the same. Salah facing a Brighton side that conceded four at Luton and three at Fulham recently is too good to pass up.
• Tom: Liverpool's Double Gameweek 34 is coming up, making this a very close call. However, I still have to go with Haaland based on his youth and the upside he brings each night for a three-, four-, or even five-goal showing.
• FPL Manual: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international was not called up to serve his country during the international break, but he has fully recovered from his recurring injury. Salah recently scored in a 4-3 goal fest against Manchester United during the FA Cup and is steadily gaining momentum to be in form for his club. Given that Liverpool's next opponent is Brighton, a squad well-known for leaking many goals, I would advise getting Mohamed Salah as a high priority, even if it comes at a transfer hit.

Erling Haaland accumulated 0.00(xG) against Arsenal this evening.

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) October 8, 2023

 

What is one under-the-radar team FPL managers should be looking at for the final nine gameweeks?

• Euan: I can't shake the feeling that we must look at Brentford more closely over the final nine gameweeks. The Bees have a great run of fixtures but don't have a double gameweek for the remainder of the season. Ivan Toney is in my Gameweek 31 Wildcard thoughts, and the English striker could prove to be a differential down the stretch as double gameweek forwards are prioritized.
• Jamie: Wolves has defied expectations this season. They still have to face the current top three, but they have a double gameweek to come and multiple solid options. Their other fixtures are all very appealing, and even Aston Villa away this week isn’t as daunting as earlier in the season.
• Tom: Bournemouth's schedule is favorable leading up to Double Gameweek 34. A few key Cherries could produce more than usual.
• FPL Manual: Crystal Palace would be the team for me. Under new manager Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's Premier League form has improved. The Eagles have a good run of fixtures between now and GW 34 when they will face West Ham and Newcastle, both of whom are particularly leaky at the back this season. Keep an eye on Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Joachim Andersen, as they will become more popular options later in the year.

 

What is one sneaky-bad team FPL managers may want to avoid over the final nine gameweeks?

• Euan: The next three fixtures (Luton, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest) line up nicely for Spurs, but it gets rough after Gameweek 32. They face Newcastle away from home and then blank in Gameweek 34 before a run of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea. I'll hold my triple Spurs assets for this week (LUT) but may limit my exposure to them on my Gameweek 31 Wildcard.
• Jamie:  Tottenham still has the top three to come but also has away games at Chelsea, West Ham, and Newcastle. As things currently stand, they have no fixture during the Double Gameweek 34 schedule. They still have two games yet to be arranged. But they have games against the current bottom four, and that’s about it. They look like they are very boom or bust.
• Tom: Luton Town faces a gauntlet over these next four gameweeks. There might be some value at the end of April, but for now, I'd be hard-pressed to find any players I trust for the Hatters.
• FPL Manual: Sheffield United. The Blades are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table and in bad form. They've only gained 14 points in the season and are a clear avoid.

 

Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 30?

• Euan: This fruit is hanging so low and hard to ignore. Chelsea should keep a clean sheet at home versus Burnley. The Clarets have had moments of hope, but it's a tough ask to go to Stamford Bridge and get anything from the game. Dorde Petrovic and Malo Gusto are popular picks for producing FPL points on Saturday.
• Jamie: As bad as Chelsea has been this season, I’m finding it challenging to see Burnley scoring at Stamford Bridge. The Clarets have only scored 14 goals in their 14 away games. Everton has an identical goal-scoring record on its travels and has blanked four times in its last five away fixtures. That makes Bournemouth an exciting play for a clean sheet, too.
• Tom: I'll go with Chelsea at home against Burnley and Spurs at home against Luton. They seem like two very chalky choices.
• FPL Manual: All arrows point to Chelsea and Tottenham this weekend. According to the bookmakers, Chelsea has a 46% chance of maintaining a clean sheet against Burnley, while Tottenham has a 40% chance of keeping a clean sheet against Luton. I would agree with the bookmakers this week and aim to target more defenders in those clubs.

 

What defensive player is providing attacking returns?

• Euan: The news out of Anfield is Trent Alexander-Arnold is close to a return but not ready to make the matchday squad. Also, Andy Robertson (ankle) picked up an injury on international duty. This gives up-and-coming star Conor Bradley plenty of runway in the Liverpool defense. Brighton has been exposed plenty of times down its left-hand side this season, and Bradley's tendency to bomb forward gives him the chance to bag crucial fantasy points.
• Jamie: I’m opting for Rayan Ait-Nouri this week. He’s got a goal and an assist in his last two league games. And a fortnight ago, he scored and assisted as Wolves crashed out of the FA Cup. He’s recently been released in a more advanced role, and Aston Villa conceded 13 goals in its last five home games.
• Tom: Newcastle might start experimenting with Fabian Schar controlling the ball more in the offensive half, as not much else has gone right for the Magpies lately. If that game plan comes to fruition, a home match against West Ham could provide him plenty of chances for offensive production.
• FPL Manual: I recommend Destiny Udogie. When Tottenham gets the ball, the offensive left wingback has an eye for working through the half-spaces, and this style of play has culminated in a few potential goals and a cue for an expected assist. With Luton Town's weak defensive record, Udogie can offer attacking rewards against the Hatters.

A special moment for Conor Bradley 💫

His first senior international goal seals a 1-0 victory for Northern Ireland against Scotland 👏 pic.twitter.com/5sQaC3JgML

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 26, 2024

 

Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?

• Euan: Pascal Gross (8.0 percent) has 15 goal contributions this year, and he's started 13 of the previous 14 games for Brighton. He's also bagged six attacking returns in his last five starts. A game at Anfield versus Liverpool isn't an easy task, but the Reds are vulnerable at the back from time to time. The German has enough class to thread a needle through Liverpool's defense and unlock any potential goals for the Seagulls on Sunday.
• Jamie: Alexis Mac Allister has been in his best form since joining Liverpool. He had a goal involvement in four consecutive games before the international break (two goals and three assists). I expect Liverpool to run out comfortable winners, and the World Cup winner could make it a fifth straight game with a return.
• Tom: I've been missing him for what feels like months, and he's finally slated to return. Let's return to the Matheus Cunha train while there is still time. He may not get the full 90 minutes at Aston Villa this week, but I think we'll see enough production in spurts to feel good about him moving forward.
• FPL Manual: Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham is my first choice. The Brazilian striker has seven goals in his previous seven Premier League appearances and faces bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United this weekend. His previous brace against Tottenham was a sight to see for many FPL managers who brought him early. At 5 percent ownership, he is my top differential for Gameweek 30.

It's four straight Gameweeks with returns for Alexis Mac Allister ⚡️

How will he fare against his former side Brighton in GW30? 🔴🔵#FPL pic.twitter.com/zwUcMWN8kv

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 27, 2024

 

Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 30 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?

• Euan: It's the obvious answer, but likely the correct one: Erling Haaland. Going without the Norwegian for any amount of time in FPL is concerning. However, with a fixture against Arsenal, the odds of a four-point hit being repaid are smaller than usual. Haaland will wait on the sidelines until Gameweek 31 for my FPL squad.
• Jamie: I have to say Mo Salah. I’d need to take a minus to afford to bring him in. While I plan on tinkering to afford him in a couple of weeks, that’s not something I can do this week.
• Tom: I didn't see much here in terms of restriction, but we'll take this opportunity to mention the injured Michael Olise. Without him, Crystal Palace should struggle to find the offensive punch he consistently provides.
• FPL Manual: James Maddison is one player I wish to have this weekend. With Spurs facing a leaky Luton Town side and Son Heung-min shifting to the left-wing position due to Richarlison's return, Maddison has more freedom to run in late behind the striker. This puts the Englishman in a prime position for attacking returns. Another reason Madders is so great to own is the extra set-piece duty he offers, which is one asset I want to have during Gameweek 30.

#FPL managers have been adding Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Rodrigo Muniz to their squads in big numbers 🤝

Are any of these three a top target for you ahead of Gameweek 30? 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Gvbf3RqJeF

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 25, 2024

 

Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?

• Euan: It's a close call between Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min. Having Salah in your lineup may be enough of a differential to boost your rank. Meanwhile, Son is likely the most popular captain. If Darwin Nunez is declared fit, I'm giving the armband to Salah as it raises his assist potential in a high-scoring affair against Brighton.
• Jamie: Cole Palmer. Burnley’s away defensive record isn’t dreadful, with 28 goals conceded in 14 games. But half of those goals have come in its last five away games, shipping in at least two in each of them. Palmer scored 12 points in the reverse fixture, and a similar return this week wouldn’t be a surprise.
• Tom: Despite the tough matchup, Erling Haaland remains the best pick for the Captain's armband. Especially coming off a break and with Kevin De Bruyne not at 100 percent. The Norwegian striker will get every touch he can handle with first place on the line.
• FPL Manual: This decision is difficult because there are several wonderful options to give the armband this weekend. However, Cole Palmer is my captain for Gameweek 30. The Chelsea attacker has been in excellent form, scoring 11 goals and contributing nine assists for his side, and I expect a solid return from Palmer when Chelsea faces Burnley this weekend.

 

Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 30?

• Euan: Ollie Watkins punishes any manager that sold him on a Gameweek 30 Wildcard with two goals against Wolves. Arsenal stun City to build a four-point gap on the defending champions. Finally, Salah, Son, and Palmer all come through with at least two attacking returns.
• Jamie: Wolves dent Aston Villa’s top-four hopes by taking at least a point back home. West Ham takes the points in a five-goal thriller. Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon finish up with double-digit points from the game.
• Tom: Ivan Toney comes out of the break on fire, netting a brace, while the Bees take three points from Manchester United.
• FPL Manual: My daring prediction for Gameweek 30 is that Chelsea will win against Burnley by at least two goals, and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak will score or collect at least nine FPL points against West Ham.

 

Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!