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 34
Here is our Fantasy EPL Preview where we outline how to plan ahead for this gameweek. The first "big" double gameweek of the season. A chance to field 22 players, but is that really the best route to a victory, given some of these matchups.
Gameweek 33 Learning Points
Lacking Composure
Recap: What a shocking turn of events in the title race. Arsenal and Liverpool drop unexpected points with losses vs. Villa and Palace, two very inconsistent teams. Now the title is firmly in City's control, and given their composure we have seen over the years it would take something special from their opponents to snatch points off them. Liverpool and Arsenal have no real choice now other that to win out and just hope someone beats City. These two losses will come as a shock to both managers, and could we see some heads start to drop? Liverpool looked defeated after that loss to Palace, but they have no one to blame but themselves with very poor finishing from the front three of Diaz, Salah, and Nunez the reason for a loss. The likes of Szobo and Endo looked very poor as well, but this squad needs a wakeup call after being winless in their last three fixtures in both the Prem and Europe. Arsenal on the other hand were beat by some poor decisions with the subbing off of key players Odegaard (although Arteta later said he had a knock) and White, and some uncharacteristic defensive displays. It remains to be seen how both these teams respond, but expect gameweek 34 to show what they are made of.
Matchup Previews
Everton vs. Liverpool
Prospects: This should be a game Everton will try to win. Liverpool will be coming off a fixture vs. Fulham and Everton vs. Forest in what is a huge relegation matchup. Liverpool will need to win this Meryside derby, but as we have seen in years past, Everton don't always just roll over and accept defeat no matter where they are in the table. I will expect Dyche to try and pull off the ultimate upset and resort to Dyche like parking the bus tactics. Pickford's long punts will be key to try and catch Liverpool sleeping on the counter attack, but it will ultimately come down to how poor Liverpool are in finishing their chances. We know they will dominate the game and have quite a few shots. If their finishing is anything like what we have seen in recent weeks, we could see a draw here. Despite the tough matchup, Everton assets are worth starting (at least those who start the initial game vs. Forest), I can't see Liverpool running up the score here unless their mentality does a complete 180 flip.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Prospects: Another "2nd of the double" game here. Arsenal on paper are the much stronger side, but Chelsea can score in bunches. The main issue lies in their defending. I would expect them to score at least a goal vs. Arsenal, but can the Gunners be composed enough to beat Chelsea at the "I can score more than you" game? Right now I will say yes. Since this is the 2nd game for Arsenal you are obviously starting all your Arsenal assets who start the first game, defenders as well, and hoping for at least 1 cleansheet vs. Wolves. Chelsea are one of the teams that have their single game very late in the gameweek. We could see some minor rotation here, but on a double gameweek when Chelsea's only game is against Arsenal outside of Palmer and maybe Jackson, Gallagher, and Gusto you really aren't looking to start any other Chelsea assets. Chelsea will be coming off the high of that 6-0 demolition of lowly Everton. Palmer is tied for the golden boot, is this the ultimate disaster for Arsenal?
Double Gameweek 34 Advice
Double Gameweek = Double Negatives?
Prospects: Double gameweeks are sometimes some of the biggest traps out there. Managers will be starting defenders from teams that love to concede no matter the fixture difficulty. It seems sometimes there is a secondary competition of trying to get more players than your opponent - no matter how bad the player fantasy wise. Sometimes you could be better off starting a single gameweek defender especially this week. If you are thinking for example of benching the likes of Dalot or Maguire for a Sheffield United defender or poor fantasy assets such as Clyne then you could be setting yourself up for a full week of disappointment. It would be in your best interest to AVOID defenders from Sheffield United (minus Grbic), as well as a few others from different teams such as: Clyne and Toti. Coleman, Young and Mykolenko are all very inconsistent, they could be worth a punt if you use them as a DEF3 and if your opponent has an Everton defender. Be warned though of stolen starts with Godfrey ready to play.
Starting Players From the Bench
Prospects: This is always a tricky situation in double gameweeks. You have a good asset that has a surprise benching in the first of two games. You tend to think they will start the second, but obviously you can never be certain. There are only a select few players this gameweek I will start from the bench and almost all of them are on Liverpool or Arsenal. The likes of: Saka, Diaz, Nunez, Salah, Jota, Trent, Robertson, Szobo are all must starts unless they are missing from the squad completely. Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard, Christie, Semenyo, and Kluivert are all ones with upside from the bench but especially for the first three it is very possible they see 2 sub appearances, so starting them will depend on how much upside you need. The Bournemouth guys at the end are all ones that could see a sub app in the first game (although Christie probably starts), and a start in the second one. I would still start Kluivert and Semenyo off the bench over many single gameweek "non-studs", unless they are completely absent from the squad.
Double Gameweek Streamer vs. Single Gameweek Stud
Prospects: Another tough decision for fantasy managers this week. Well I certainly better see noone bench Palmer after that 50+ point score, even if it is vs. Arsenal. Other assets from Chelsea, City, United, and the set and forget attackers are all worth considering. The latter players include the likes of Doughty, Barkley, Gibbs-White, Paqueta, Bruno G, and Kudus. Plugging at least one of these assets in over double gameweek streamers such as starting Kilman could be the difference. While seeing them only have 1 fixture is less appealing, Barkley returning and coming away with 15 vs. Kilman getting you 3.5 could be the difference in your gameweek. Don't be afraid to start these assets, they have been set and forget all season for a reason! Players from Chelsea, City, and United offer significant more upside than streamers such as Beto/DCL etc.. Chelsea do have the toughest of single gameweek fixtures vs. Arsenal so I would be okay benching all their defenders, and basically anyone outside of Palmer, Jackson, and maybe Gallagher. From City, basically you should start any attacker that does start, and even Gvardiol given his recent form in both returns and ghost points. United is a trickier boat, while Sheffield United seems like an easy win I could very well see a 2-1 game here. Bruno is a must start each week, and I believe both Dalot and Maguire are worth starting for sure. Hojlund hasn't been the best as of late, same as Rashford so if you have players with more upside starting 2 games I am okay benching those guys as well as Garnarcho. Mainoo, and Casemiro shouldn't even be considered in your XI this weekend same goes for Mount if he starts. Hopefully this gives you a full rundown of players that are worth starting on the single gameweek, instead of risking a poor asset and hoping they can score well across 180 minutes.
Double Gameweek 34 Punts
Ben Osborn vs. BUR and MUN (MID, SHU)
Prospects: Arblaster was highlighted here last week, and outside of an unlucky own goal got 6 ghost points cancelled out. He should be good value in the double, but given the fact he is now rostered in many competitive leagues, we look to another Blades midfielder in Osborn. Osborn won't light up the stat sheet, but he offers a decent floor and has a ceiling if McBurnie can get somethign right from a corner. Osborn will be on majority of sets against 2 teams that can concede plenty of chances from set pieces. Definitely worth a MID5 stream in most leagues.
Adam Smith vs. AVL and WOL (DEF, BOU)
Prospects: Smith has been improving his fantasy outputs through adding in some more attacking counting stats. The only risk here is Aarons lurking for a start, but given how well Smith has played I would expect him to at least see 70 minutes in each of the two games. With most other Bournemouth assets rostered, Smith is worth a punt. He is not someone to start if he is benched in the first game, drop him if he isn't in the XI vs. Villa and look to pivot to Aarons or Kerkez if available.
Jakub Kiwior vs. WOL and CHE (DEF, ARS)
Prospects: Kiwi season came to an abrupt halt over the last few games, but it could be revived after the Zinchenko stinker we saw vs. Villa. All around Zinchencko was poor, and offered less defensive discipline than Kiwior. Arsenal is now in a situation they have to win out and hope City drop points. Surely Arteta goes back to Kiwi for 2 crucial fixtures in the double gameweek. Drop him again if he doesn't start the first but at 40% rostered he is a good add.
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