Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 30 comes at a critical time of the season for fantasy football managers. With the crucial blank and double gameweeks coming up from Gameweek 31, making transfers has never been more complicated. Let’s try to find the best picks this week with an eye out for the next three to four rounds.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 30 Tips
Something to Play For
The top six teams have European commitments but they are all fighting for something in the Premier League as well. So, it’s unlikely that there will be a lot of rotation unless a player is carrying an injury. On the other end of the table, quite a few teams are locked in the relegation scrap. One needs to pick players from the teams that have something to play for at this stage of the season. There will only be five matches in gameweek 31. So, one needs to keep that in mind while making a transfer this week. Out of the top six, only Liverpool and Chelsea will be in action next week.
Captaincy Picks
One has to start with the Liverpool v Burnley match this week while looking for captaincy options. There has been a lot of talk about Mohamed Salah‘s form but his away form has been inconsistent throughout this season anyway. His home form has been superb consistently. The Egyptian has scored three goals in the last four home games. His record against the top six has not been stellar, but he almost always punishes the smaller teams. If you own Mohamed Salah, you need to very strongly consider giving him the armband. Liverpool might have Bayern Munich coming up but one just cannot see Jürgen Klopp resting players in this game.
The current league leaders Manchester City have looked slightly fatigued in recent weeks. They had trouble breaking down the Bournemouth defence last week. Watford have some physical players in their ranks and could trouble the Citizens. However, only two gameweeks ago, the Hornets were thrashed 5-0 at Anfield so the potential is there for a big win for City. Raheem Sterling is probably the best bet from this game. Manchester City will face Schalke and have a 3-2 lead from the away leg of their Champions League tie so they should be quite comfortable. Pep Guardiola might just decide to use Sergio Aguero in this match from the start and keep Gabriel Jesus for the Champions League. However, one cannot help but worry a little bit about Aguero as he has played a lot of games recently.
Other Top Contenders
From Liverpool, one has to consider Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold. They are both playing well and could have a big game. Alexander-Arnold’s starting status could be a slight worry though if Klopp decides to keep him fresh for midweek.
Chelsea and Arsenal will be playing against Wolves and Manchester United respectively after Thursday night’s Europa League action. So, the players might be tired. There might be rotation as well. Eden Hazard could be a good option from Chelsea but one cannot underestimate Wolves. They have a superb record against the top sides and actually beat Chelsea at Molineux earlier in the season. However, as Chelsea have a game next week as well, one could consider bringing in Gonzalo Higuain this week.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will face a buoyant Manchester United side who made a fantastic comeback to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 last night. The Red Devils will fancy themselves to pick up all three points from the Emirates. One can consider Paul Pogba, who got a nice rest as he was suspended for the midweek Champions League game. Romelu Lukaku has to be considered given his recent form. Marcus Rashford has been in excellent form ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho. This will be a real six-pointer in the race for the top four with just a point separating the two sides. Arsenal will go for it as well and they will look to Alexandre Lacazette for goals. The Frenchman should be fresh as he is suspended from the Europa League game.
Harry Kane is in good form and cannot be ignored especially in a decent fixture at Southampton. Tottenham Hotspur always look to him for goals and he could deliver in this game.
Differentials to Consider
Leicester City fantasy assets will be in high demand as they face Fulham this week at home and have a game next week as well. This will also be the first home game for their new manager Brendan Rodgers. He could be a bit shaken up about the break-in at his house in Glasgow, though. However, the players will be trying their best to impress their new manager. Jamie Vardy could potentially have a great game. He should be okay to start despite coming off in the last game with a head injury. James Maddison and Harvey Barnes could be considered as well from this game.
West Ham United face Cardiff City this week and Huddersfield Town the next. This makes their fantasy assets like Lukasz Fabianski, Declan Rice, Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass quite attractive indeed. One might consider bringing in one or two Hammers for these two weeks.
Bournemouth also have two decent looking fixtures in Gameweek 30 and 31 against Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United respectively. However, their form is atrocious and none of their fantasy assets are doing well. Joshua King, Nathan Ake, and Ryan Fraser could be considered from their side.
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion is a rather curious derby. This match is always filled with incidents. The Eagles are in great form, especially their talisman Wilfried Zaha. However, as they do not have a fixture next week, one might decide not to bring in any of their players. Brighton are really poor away from home though.
Top Picks
- Mohamed Salah (13.4)
- Raheem Sterling (11.4)
- Sadio Mane (9.8)
- Jamie Vardy (8.9)
- Paul Pogba (9.0)
- Wilfried Zaha (6.9)
- Eden Hazard (10.8)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (5.5)
- Harry Kane (12.4)
- Robert Snodgrass (5.0)
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