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Welcome to Gameweek 31, RotoBallers! Like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of the Fantasy Premier League. So even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
We are starting to enter the business end of the season. Every game means that little bit more, and the European fixtures create just enough chaos to keep FPL managers on their toes. Another traditional gameweek awaits with seven Saturday fixtures, then another two on Sunday before a Monday night game between Leeds and Liverpool. So with Europe in full swing, double-check those press conference notes before making your final transfer and lineup decisions.
The Gameweek 31 deadline is 6:00 am Eastern on Saturday, April 15. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
And of course, #FPL can translate into #DFS, all of which we have plenty of at @RotoBaller https://t.co/U9pKeHkJYv pic.twitter.com/z2ubf1KeKj
— Jamie Steed (@Baseball_Jimbo) February 4, 2023
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 31
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!
There are nine gameweeks left in the season. How is the team looking for the run-in, and what are your goals for the end of the season?
- Euan Leith: With how my team is currently constructed, I'm pretty much locked into a Free Hit in Gameweek 32. That could be my last chance this year to push for a top 100k finish. The goal to begin the year was top 50k, but I'll need to pull off a couple of miracles to reach that goal. I'm also 50 points down in my two most important mini-leagues, so there will be some swings for the fence to end the season.
- Jamie Steed: I’m holding in there. I’m in three private leagues in which I’m second, second, and fifth in. I hope to win at least one of them, try and top 2,500 total points, and get back into the top 250k overall.
We suddenly have several options to pick along our FPL frontlines. Besides Erling Haaland, who are your two favorite strikers for the next four weeks?
- Euan Leith: It's tough to go against Harry Kane, as he keeps returning. However, Spurs' schedule isn't the kindest over the next four weeks (Bournemouth, Newcastle, Man United, Liverpool). I would look at Ollie Watkins and Evan Ferguson. Brighton has several double gameweeks to end the year, and you could push more money into your midfield and defense due to putting the Irishman on your squad.
- Jamie Steed: Gabriel Jesus and Ollie Watkins are the pair I’m running with. Watkins has been on fire lately, and I want to get as much out of him as possible, although he only has an alright run of fixtures. Jesus looks fully fit again and has been amongst the goals, which will need to continue if Arsenal is to hold off City’s charge.
Manchester City’s Jack Grealish is unexpectedly atop everyone’s wishlist. Does bringing him in make the most sense to replace the injured Marcus Rashford?
- Euan Leith: Yes, that makes the most sense. No, I'm not sure I'll replace Rashford with Grealish, mostly because I have a fox-sized problem with James Maddison. He's not getting the returns, and Leicester looks awful. I'm considering holding onto Rashford (unless it's a month-long absence) and shipping out Madders for Jack Grealish.
- Jamie Steed: He’s undoubtedly one of the leading options, although I’d be making sure I have two Arsenal midfielders and two Brighton midfielders. Depending on how your budget looks, Grealish is a high priority.
Liverpool and Arsenal had a duel to the death on Sunday. Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Salah were mightily impressive. Do you want to bring them in for the final two months?
- Euan Leith: I'm pretty happy with my frontline of Haaland, Kane, and Watkins, so getting Jesus in feels like a luxury transfer. Liverpool has a double gameweek and a reasonably easy schedule between now and the end of the year. Getting Salah would require budget gymnastics, but he's probably the only Anfield asset I'll look at for the remainder of the campaign.
- Jamie Steed: I’ve already mentioned Jesus as someone I’m rolling with, and I’d have more consideration for Salah if Liverpool showed any semblance of competence on the road. But Salah has just 22 points in his last eight away games (starting seven), so he feels like a trap away from home.
The European competitions enter the quarterfinal stage this month. How do you predict this will affect our FPL decisions?
- Euan Leith: The Man City rotation will be the main thing to watch. They desperately want to secure their first Champions League title but also have an intense battle with Arsenal for the Premier League. The squad is deep enough, but we must monitor how much Pep Guardiola wants to ride his horses. Man United is still battling for a top-four finish and has a decent shot at a Europa League title, so they will continue to put out strong squads in both competitions.
- Jamie Steed: City will rest Kevin de Bruyne occasionally as they’ve done before. They can’t afford to rotate too much, even with their depth. Chelsea’s only hope of being in the Champions League next season is to win it this year. As unlikely as that is, I’m sure they’ll be focusing on it more so than the EPL. Manchester United and West Ham United have too much to play for in the league not to prioritize that still.
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 31?
- Euan Leith: Arsenal isn't having any problems scoring goals (16 in the last five games), but the clean sheets have been tough to come by. I like their chances on the road at West Ham this weekend. The Hammers got a crucial win against Fulham but haven't scored more than one goal in any of their previous five matches.
- Jamie Steed: I like Everton’s chances as they’ve kept three clean sheets in their five home games since Sean Dyche took over. Fulham has blanked in five of their last 10 games (including two of their previous three), scoring just seven goals in that run. Top scorer Aleksandar Mitrović is serving his lengthy suspension, and it’s difficult to see where their goals will come from. Manchester City is the most obvious pick, though.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Pervis Estupinan is continuing his assault down the flanks for Brighton but doesn't have a return to his name since Gameweek 23. Chelsea comes in as a four on the Fixture Difficulty Rating, but we all know that's not true anymore. Brighton is playing with the handbrake off under De Zerbi, and all of their attacking flairs are on display each week.
- Jamie Steed: Trent Alexander-Arnold still doesn’t seem capable of defending but provided the assist for Liverpool’s equalizer on Sunday. He now faces a Leeds team that was taken apart by Crystal Palace last time out and has conceded 14 goals in their previous five games. Liverpool away still offers me no confidence, but this is the one opponent they should be able to take advantage of.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan Leith: Spurs are still waiting to find their offensive click this season, but they were at their best earlier in the campaign when Dejan Kulusevski was a prominent part of their attack. The Swede only has two returns since Gameweek 20, but a home fixture versus Bournemouth lines up nicely for the winger. He's only rostered on 3.8 percent of FPL squads and will be a massive differential this weekend.
- Jamie Steed: Eberechi Eze is someone I’ve been a fan of for some time, but he’s lost a step this season. In the last two games since Roy Hodgson returned as manager, Eze has a goal and an assist after not starting the three previous games. He tallied four goals and eight assists in the 2020/21 season (29 starts) when Roy Hodgson was in charge, so he thrives under him, too.
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: Gabriel Martinelli has been brilliant this year. I had him for the first 22 weeks of the season, and he's punished me ever since. I'm unsure if he will be my James Maddison or Marcus Rashford replacement, but it's incredibly tempting.
- Jamie Steed: There are a few, but Alexander Isak has scored five goals in his last five games. With Newcastle in such good form, I can see him scoring again even against Aston Villa (who are in equally good form). With Haaland, Watkins, and Jesus filling out my frontline, I can’t justify bringing him in over anyone in that trio.
Simply marvellous. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/bU8PSS1kLc
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 8, 2023
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: I was brave last week and went with Ollie Watkins but was punished by Haaland's brace. Not sure I have the guts to do it for another week. Mainly because that decision cost me a green arrow.
- Jamie Steed: After getting bailed out by Watkins last weekend, I’m leaning toward Haaland. At home, he’s a different animal. Although Leicester will have a new manager in place before Saturday, none of their defenders fill me with confidence individually. I don’t see how they keep him at bay.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Nottingham Forest surges out of the relegation zone with a surprising win over Manchester United. They are a different team at home compared to the road. Elsewhere, Aston Villa beats Newcastle to continue their surge towards a European spot.
- Jamie Steed: City hit five at home to Leicester. Nottingham Forest, give Manchester United a tough game and get at least a point.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
