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Welcome to Gameweek 31, 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.
30 gameweeks down, eight to go. The schedule is packed in FPL this week as we start the second of three gameweeks over nine days. Due to the 10 games being played over three days, injury news and predicted lineups will be at an all-time low. Liverpool has one of the tastiest fixtures on the calendar with a home tie against Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United end the gameweek on Thursday night as both clubs look to boost their European hopes.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 31 deadline is 1:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 2, when Newcastle United-Everton and Nottingham Forest-Fulham kick off a 10-game slate over three days of action. 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 31 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 31!
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 31?
- Euan Leith: Considering Arsenal just blanked Man City at the Etihad, I think they can handle Luton at home.
- Jamie Steed: Liverpool hosts a Sheffield United team that’s scored a league-low 12 away goals this season. Away against the current top-10, Sheffield United has scored three goals in seven games, blanking four times. Liverpool has failed to keep a clean sheet at home in their last seven home EPL games, but that run ends on Thursday.
- Tom Bellucco: We'll keep it chalky: Arsenal will get their second consecutive clean sheet at home against Luton, and Liverpool will shut out Sheffield Utd at Anfield.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
- Euan: On the season, Rayan Aït-Nouri has the ninth-highest xGI among defenders. He's been very impressive recently and seems to be hitting his stride in the Premier League. An away tie versus Burnley is one of the best fixtures you can have as a defender. A clean sheet and an assist are in the cards for the Algerian.
- Jamie: Besides keeping a clean sheet, Conor Bradley will also provide an assist or goal. Sheffield United have played nine league games in 2024 and conceded 28 goals. Bradley’s attacking threat bagged him two bonus points against Brighton. He’s tallied four goal involvements in seven EPL starts this season, averaging more than four shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.
- Tom: Kieran Trippier should return to St. James Park on Tuesday to face Everton. At 6"6, he seems like a good bet to put some dangerous balls into the area.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: It feels like the right time to take a punt on Kai Havertz (3.7 percent) against Luton Town. The German forward has started nine of the last 10 games for Arsenal and rewarded Mikel Arteta's faith in the new signing with four goals and four assists.
- Jamie: David Fofana was ineligible to play against his parent club on Saturday, so he will be fresh for Burnley’s encounter against Wolves. The forward scored in his previous two appearances and Wolves have been struggling with some key players missing. Burnley’s got a modest three-game unbeaten run going, scoring two goals in each game. Fofana will be critical to extending that on Tuesday.
- Tom: Eberechi Eze gets a great spot at Bournemouth to play another 90 minutes as a focal point of Palace's offense in hopes of finding a goal or assist on Tuesday.
Kai Havertz has never been in better form in #FPL 🔥
60,557 managers bought him in Gameweek 30 for the tough test of #MCIARS... pic.twitter.com/s7czhB9s6E
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 31, 2024
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 31 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: I can have anyone I want as I'm on Wildcard! My biggest decision is whether to roll with Phil Foden and Rodrigo Muniz or swap that combo for Alejandro Garnacho and Alexander Isak.
- Jamie: I need to make another tweak to bring in Mo Salah. Or take a minus to do it now. With midweek fixtures during such a hectic period, I’m loathe to make any significant moves, as we’ll see plenty of players rested or nursed through minor injuries. I could bring in Salah and end up with half a team starting, which would not be ideal. But I fear I’ll be missing out on a Salah mega-haul.
- Tom: Anthony Gordon will miss what would've been a DREAM spot at home against Everton with his new Geordie family rooting him on at St. James Park. The winger has been in great form of late, but a second yellow on Saturday will have him suspended for one match.
Five attacking returns for Alexander Isak in his last three matches ⚡️
Only Arsenal and Liverpool have scored more goals than Newcastle this season 🏁#FPL pic.twitter.com/ttFhBnIh3e
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 1, 2024
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
- Euan: Mohamed Salah had a career-high 12 shots versus Brighton but somehow only came away with seven points. Liverpool has the best home attack with 40 goals, while Sheffield United has conceded the second-most goals on the road. This is probably the most confident I'll ever be going against Erling Haaland in a captaincy battle. The armband is going on Mo.
- Jamie: The Manchester City trio of Haaland, Foden, and De Bruyne are all contenders. Although I do wonder if they all play, especially De Bruyne, who I suspect doesn’t make the starting XI. Bukayo Saka is in an ideal spot but he’s been dealing with an injury of late and looked uncomfortable when coming off against City. So, I’m leaning into Bradley and trying to be a total contrarian. This set of games looks like a perfect time to make such a decision.
- Tom: Going back to the well with Erling Haaland in what becomes a get-right spot for Man City after coming up empty at home on Tuesday. The striker and his cohorts will want to get that Arsenal taste out of their mouths early and often hosting Villa.
Despite a goal against Brighton, it was a frustrating afternoon for Mo Salah owners 😩@LaurensJulien shared many #FPL managers' frustrations, but still believes he is essential 🇪🇬👑#FPLPod
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 1, 2024
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 31?
- Euan: Alexander Isak bags another two returns for Newcastle as they brush aside their defensive worries with an easy win over Everton. Rodrigo Muniz's magic takes a stumble versus Nottingham Forest as the Brazilian blanks. Elsewhere, Liverpool put six past Sheffield United, and Arsenal and Man City both win by two goals.
- Jamie: Joe Gomez scores his first goal for Liverpool as they put five past Sheffield United. Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood combine for 20 points as Nottingham Forest end their five-game winless run. And Jean-Philippe Mateta continues his resurgence by outscoring Dominic Solanke as their two sides meet at the Vitality Stadium.
- Tom: Burnley continues to quietly build their momentum, returning home and grabbing all three points with THREE goals against a Wolves squad that is struggling to find their identity amidst a plethora of injuries.
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!
