The week in Fantasy Premier League: Avoiding the pitfalls of injuries, quickfire fixtures and the rush for Double Gameweek players
As is often the case, they face a very different landscape than the one they left behind.
After serving real-world and fantasy managers alike so well, âs shocking injury against Wales forced many into early transfers.
News of injuries to , , and only added to the frustration.
My #FPL team returning from the international break: pic.twitter.com/geuAYVFKiZ
— #FPL Penguin (@FPL_Penguin) March 28, 2017
With recent transfer gymnastics of and still fresh in the memory, the attention of FPL managers is already turning to those upcoming Double Gameweeks.
Time to bring in Double Gameweek players?
At the moment, all eyes are on Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Man United, who all have two confirmed fixtures in .
Gameweek 34 is set
— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) March 20, 2017
3 teams will have a DGW:
Crystal Palace (liv,TOT)
Man United (bur,MCI)
Middelsbro (bou,SUN)
West Brom will have a Blank pic.twitter.com/03i1IDDJ50
Canny FPL managers will also be factoring in that fixture, which will be played sometime before GW37.
"The remaining postponed matches are to be confirmed on or around Friday 7 April 2017."
— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) March 20, 2017
The Gameweek 32 deadline is on Saturday 8 April.
As weâve learned from bitter experience, all that glitters is not gold when it comes to these Double Gameweeks. How often have we seen an in-form player with one fixture comfortably outscore a much-hyped player with two?
When you add the lack of player choice offered by the teams at the moment, coupled with some less-than-ideal fixtures, it should at least see FPL managers pause for thought before rushing headlong into snapping them up.
Letâs take a lookâŠ
CRYSTAL PALACE (V Chelsea)
end-of-seasonfixture list could hardly be much worse, and those ties against and  offer little potential at either end of the pitch, especially without the ineligible for the latter.
Despite their recent defensive resilience, a brave punt on the in-form is the only realistic prospect of big points here.
MAN UNITED (v West Brom)
The outlook is somewhat better at United, where has provided an obvious replacement for the injured Seamus Coleman.
This points to a wider problem with buying Man United assets however - outside of Valencia, an expensive and the GW31 return of , there are simply no United players we can rely on for regular starts, never mind big points hauls.
Valencia has been the only nailed on option in D. Mourinho absolutely loves him. He will start every game he's fit for.
— Luke (@Thunshot) March 28, 2017
Those who can recall Liverpoolâs heavy rotation during the final stages of their Europa League campaign last year know all too well how it can derail an FPL season - we could well see the same happen this time around at Old Trafford.
WATCH: Jose Mourinho confirms @ChrisSmalling and @PhilJones4 suffered 'long-term' injuries: https://t.co/9ARpvfM4uw https://t.co/gkEdvEtNwj
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 31, 2017
ARSENAL (V Man City)
The idea of spending that precious transfer kitty on players from an Arsenal side who have lost four of their last five league matches is about as appealing as that overdue root canal.
Realistically the options at The Emirates begin and end at FPLâs top scorer .
The Chilean be looking to impress his future paymasters at Stamford Bridge and is a ready-made candidate when those DGWs are finally confirmed.
SOUTHAMPTON (v Bournemouth)
With five home matches in their next seven (when you include that Arsenal fixture), on the face of it, now looks like an optimum time to acquire some Southampton assets.
However, the absence of and has seen them ship goals aplenty, so any FPL investment in their rearguard should probably be kept to the budget level.
The temptation of attacking potential offered by and may appeal to some, but cut-price options like and are easily rotated and can help free up cash elsewhere.
Interest in and has begun to gather momentum, but both have flattered to deceive this season, and without Gabbiadini to convert their output into FPL points, it could be too early to get the most from them.
Claude Puel says Dusan Tadic has been'dealt with internally' after moaning about being sustituted in games #saintsfc
— Alex Crook âœïžđ (@alex_crook) March 30, 2017
MIDDLESBROUGH (v Swansea)
Another team relatively free of player rotation and âon the beachâ syndrome is Middlesbrough, but picking up a Boro players now brings all kinds of risk with it.
FPL managers have had just one game to assess how caretaker boss will set up, and that was against .
Should he abandon the cautious approach which failed to keep his predecessor in a job, the already fragile value offered by their defenders could plummet.
Fantasy managers who recruit ever-present now could be paying a premium for their impatience should the likes of and return from injury before GW34.
A more attacking approach (which, let's face it, would be pretty much anything else!) could see and start to look more appealing. A regular berth for forgotten man could be interesting, and we could even see or emerge as a cut-price candidate for a third-striker berth.
Moves for , and right now could prove disastrous, given the prospect of a two-match suspension if they hit 10 yellow cards by the end of GW32.
All indications point to holding out at least another week before investing in Boro, by which time theyâre due to face Hull and Burnley.
Stick or twist on that GW30 transfer?
As can often be the case with FPL, itâs more about the players who arenât available than those who are.
A rested is ready to pounce, and itâs also worth noting that could be back in contention for the GW33 clash against Bournemouth (although waiting until after he plays the subsequent FA Cup semi against Chelsea would surely be the smart play here).
The prospect of a sooner-than-expected return for is another potential disastrous pitfall/wonderful opportunity.
Eden Hazard was involved in elements of training with the main group yesterday as the #CFC star targets a return against Palace this weekend
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) March 29, 2017
It depends on individual teams of course, but those planning to play their just before DGW34 have the luxury of being able to take short-term punts on players who can be easily taken out with the rest of the trash later on if needed.
In-form is a standout candidate, thanks to Leicesterâs two plum home ties against Stoke and Sunderland.
Jamie Vardy's last seven games for club & country:
— bet365 (@bet365) March 26, 2017
Goal
Goal
Goal
Goal
Assist
Goal
Assist
Goal
đȘđ„ pic.twitter.com/FGG1MzQc7L
Despite last week's own goal, you would expect to get on the scoresheet when Watford welcome Sunderland and West Brom.
Troy Deeney a doubt for Watford v Sunderland tomorrow with a sickness bug đ·
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) March 31, 2017
has established himself as the standout figure in the West Ham attack as the Hammers prepare to visit Hull and Arsenal. Heâs fired 17 goal attempts in six matches, and enjoyed three double-figure returns in his last five (albeit all of them coming at home).
scored twice for Austria over the international break following his brace against Boro in GW27 and could be worth a cheeky punt.
For the rest of us, don't be afraid to hold tight.
By saving that free transfer now and making a double transfer on , youâd have more information and flexibility to potentially catch your less eagle-eyed mini-league rivals on the hop.
QUICK TIP
You donât necessarily have to play your chip for the bumper DGW37 - or any Double Gameweek for that matter.
Unless youâre planning to wildcard in , youâll likely need to avoid Bournemouth, Burnley, Swansea, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Hull, Everton and Palace to have any chance of all four of your bench players playing twice that week - and thatâs even before you factor in rotation and injury.
The exception to this may end up being your reserve goalkeeper, who could play twice - but if you can look at your squad, with tears of pride welling in your eyes, and believe that all 15 are likely to play 90 minutes, itâs probably time to use that Bench Boost.
BUY
With Tottenhamâs facing an extended period on the sidelines, it finally looks safe to bring in his understudy .
Pochettino fears Danny Rose is still weeks away from a return. #COYS
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) March 30, 2017
The Welsh left back has been playing 90 minutes every week since GW24, during which time heâs actually outperformed his high-priced teammate .
TRY
Although his recent club form has been unspectacular, the motivation of an England place and the prospect of a more win-focused approach from relegation-threatened Sunderland could reward early moves for .
67% - Jermain Defoe has had a hand in a higher share of his teamâs league goals this term than any player in Europeâs big 5 leagues. Value. pic.twitter.com/66Lu2Cm4NB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 27, 2017
GOODBYE
Never highly owned in the first place, itâs surely time to banish any lasting hope of a clean sheet from West Ham defenders.
The arrival of hasnât produced the desired result, and the Hammers have conceded 16 goals in their last seven league outings, with their last clean sheet coming way back in GW21.
Top of the League
A massive 92-point haul in GW29 saw  and his Hauzinho's side extend their lead at the top of . His backline of Heaton, Baines, Mee and Coleman all brought home the points, along with 32 for captain Lukaku. With a wildcard and Bench Boost still in his back pocket, can anyone catch him?
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