Predicting the outcome of each weekend is tough. So many factors go into fantasy lineup decisions, and hopefully this article can help to make some of those toss-ups easier. Below we will preview some of the marquee matchups of the weekend, and highlight some Fantrax players that you should look to pick up and stream as a one week punt.
Fantrax Preview Gameweek 32
Here is our Fantasy EPL Preview where we outline how to plan ahead for this gameweek. After the midweek rotation madness in GW31, things should get back to normal, but could still be tough to predict given the return of European fixtures next week. There will be certain players worth taking a chance on, if other managers have been burned by a benching and some punts on streamers who could keep up their good form.
Gameweek 31 Learning Points
Burnley Won't Go Down Without a Fight
Recap: Burnley have performed exceedingly well in their last 2 games with draws vs. Wolves and Chelsea, and will feel like they should have walked away with 2 wins instead. It looks more likely each gameweek that they will be relegated, but Kompany's troops will at least try to win each game. Burnley will need a lot of help from teams facing the likes of Forest, Everton, and Luton to stand a chance, but it looks like they are up for the fight. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the "elite" Burnley assets such as O'Shea, Bruun Larsen, Foster, and Odobert look like decent options over the next three games whenever they start. O'Shea particularly will be a top add this week ahead of the matchup vs. Everton, but more on that later. Burnley look to be creating a ton of chances and forming an attack first mindset that we saw evidently in the harsh draw vs. Chelsea.
Have Fulham Given Up
Recap: The last 2 games for Fulham have been very poor. Before that they looked on it, getting wins vs. United Spurs and Brighton, but drawing Sheffield United and losing to Forest just makes no sense. Fulham have a much stronger record at home instead of away where they have only won 2, drawn 5, but lost 9. With those last two baffling results being away, that could be some explanation. This weekend at home to Newcastle will be better indication given their home record of 9 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses. Fulham literally have nothing to play for other than maybe trying to squeak into the top half. Could this team have already started their holiday? With no double gameweeks remaining either, Fulham assets are looking less and less tempting. The likes of Muniz, Pereira, Iwobi, Robinson, and Willian still provide decent value, but with a mixed upcoming schedule it remains to be seen which Fulham will show up. Streaming assets, especially attackers vs. Fulham seems like the route to take unless we see a significant change in attitude and results especially vs. lower end teams. Look to trade out your Fulham assets for players that have something to play for.
Matchup Previews
Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City
Prospects: City thoroughly dominated Villa and Palace should be scared for the weekend. The likes of KDB and Haaland will have fresh legs for this one. I would avoid all Palace defenders, but Henderson could be a nice punt facing a ton of shots. I expect City to rack up the score here, and every City asset is worth starting. A clean sheet isn't out of the question, but in true City fashion expect a Jordan Ayew tap in. I would still start Eze and even Mateta in this one, but would shy away from the other attackers and definitely the defenders.
Bournemouth vs. Luton Town
Prospects: Bournemouth just keep on ticking after a win against Everton, and Luton will remember all too well what happened just a few weeks ago. Luton are fighting for their Premier League lives and need to win this one. I wouldn't put it past Luton to get the win here, but Bournemouth will at least make it another high scoring game. I am starting every attacker in this one from both teams. Defenders from Luton aren't worth starting, but some Bournemouth defenders could be worth starting, although I'm only thinking of Mepham/Sensei if either are even fit to go. This should be an exciting watch regardless of the result with both teams loving to attack first.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Prospects: This is being written before either team has played their gameweek 31 matchup. Liverpool are looking to continue their control of the title race, and United will likely have key defenders Martinez and Lindelof out for this one. Hopefully, there are no more injuries in United's fixture vs. Chelsea. Whereas Liverpool could be welcoming back Jota or Trent to the bench at least, to add some more firepower. On paper Liverpool should win this one easily, but as we saw in the FA Cup game, nothing is straight forward. I expect the United players to put in a fight as they try and get closer to a Champions League spot, with 5th place potentially getting into next season's competition. I would avoid playing either United CB in this fixture, but the likes of AWB and Dalot should still ghost well regardless of the score, and of course have upside if United somehow keep Liverpool to 1 goal or less. Attackers are worth starting for United given Alisson is still out and Liverpool is known for the odd slip up, and of course having put 4 past them not too long ago (albeit in 120mins). It goes without saying you are starting every Liverpool player in the XI outside of Endo maybe. Let's hope this fixture is more entertaining than the City vs. Arsenal draw of last weekend, with both teams going attack first very likely.
**Note: That last minute Chelsea defeat will have United even more on edge entering this weekend's fixture. Avoid their defenders outside of Dalot at all costs!!!!!
Punts for the Week
Max Kilman vs. WHU (DEF, WOL)
Prospects: Kilman has been a mainstay for Wolves and should be in the XI again vs West Ham United. There is a chance Dawson is back as well which only improves his CS odds against a struggling Hammers team. Kilman should offer his fair share of ghosts plus a set-piece threat.
Justin Kluivert vs. LUT (MID, BOU)
Prospects: Kluivert got the winner off the bench vs. Everton and should be in the XI vs. Luton. Luton give up plenty of chances and Kluivert has as much upside as any MID5 this weekend. He should be a near top pickup and a must start if in the XI for a team that keeps on ticking.
Dara O'Shea vs. EVE (DEF, BUR)
Prospects: O'Shea has quietly been great this season. Returns in his last 2 games and at least 5 aerials in each of his last 3 games. Everton is a great opponent for defenders giving up a ton of headers with the likes of Beto + DCL contesting for those Pickford long balls.
Trade Advice
Trades are slowly coming to an end as we reach the final weeks of the season. Many leagues will have a trade deadline of sorts to prevent collusion as we approach playoffs. Below I will highlight a few assets to try and target in a trade before the weekend fixtures, as well as players to ship out where possible.
Trade INs:
Josko Gvardiol - (DEF, MCI) - Gvardiol is back in the XI, and has gotten 8+ ghost points in his last 2 games. He is rostered in most leagues, and should offer solid DEF2 value over the rest of the season with a friendly schedule for City, including DGW37.
Dejan Kulusevski - (MID, TOT) - Kulusevski found himself on the bench on the weekend. He should be back in the XI, but you can probably get him on a discount after his recent benching.
James Tarkowski - (DEF, EVE) - Tarkowski hasn't been the Tarkowski of usual the last few games, but don't expect that to continue. Get him on the low ahead of DGW34.
Pablo Sarabia - (MID, WOL) - Sarabia is usually a ghost point machine but outside of the assist only recorded a dispossession. This might be the cheapest he will be and maybe the return of Cunha will scare his current manager. Bring him in ahead of DGW34.
Trade OUTs:
James Maddison - (MID, TOT) - Maddison has been nothing but woeful since his injury return. He has been hooked early in his last 6 games and has scored single digits in 4 of his last 6. He doesn't show any signs of improving, trade out on name value and with the prospect of Spurs having 2 DGWs.
Simon Adingra - (FWD, BHA) - Adingra is coming off his best performance in a while. Brighton don't have the best run of fixtures and you should capitalize on his recent double digit outing.
Julian Alvarez - (FWD, MCI) - Alvarez has shockingly been in and out of the XI in recent games. He didn't do himself any favours with a mediocre display against Villa. The likes of Doku and Grealish performed a lot better and Alvarez could be seeing himself on the bench more often than not. Trade to someone who rosters City assets.
Chris Wood - (FWD, NOT) - Wood has been great scoring in his last 3 games. Trade out on a high for a double gameweek asset.
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