ollowing on from our semi popular Premier League predictions, we offer our weekly EPL Fantasy preview – The Own Goal FPL Week 31.
Each week we’ll attempt to give a quick round-up of some of the points of interest in Fantasy Premier League.
We used to do a podcast through our Fantasy United team, but who’s got time for that these days.
So much football it’s hard to keep up, and here is our best effort.
So enjoy The Own Goal FPL Week 31 preview.
Disclaimer: We are Ipswich Town fans, so have no prejudice against any side in this division. Or the next, come August 2019.
FPL Week 31 – WHO’S HOT
Here’s a quick rundown of who is catching the eye from the midweek and beyond.
ARSENAL
Should have beaten Spurs and be on a run of five wins straight. They are even getting points out of Henrikh Mkhitaryan lately. Handed Man Utd a first EPL loss under OGS. Got the week off now too.
MAN CITY
Six wins in a row in the League, and the 7-0 thrashing of Schalke in the Champions League is a real intent of their powers. Raheem Sterling leading the way, but behind him, the choice is hard of which one to take.
NEWCASTLE AT HOME
The Magpies are getting the job done at home, proof in their comeback win over Everton. Perez, Rondon, Almiron are really doing the job, and there are points to be had. At home. Less so away.
HARRY KANE (Spurs)
Back from injury and losing good again. Scored three goals in four weeks. Despite Spurs having a poor run of results.
SOUTHAMPTON
Two wins in three, and did very well away to Man Utd. James Ward-Prowse proving a real value buy with six goals in nine games.
FPL Week 31 – WHO’S NOT
FULHAM
Going down with a bit of fight thanks to new manager Scott Parker, but going down.
BURNLEY
Lost three in a row since beating Spurs, but still scored a combined three goals in those losses.
SPURS
Probably happy to have the week off after they’ve turned a potential title chase into a four way battle for the remaining for Champions League. Although, see Harry Kane above.
FPL Week 31 – Week 31 Considerations
With a load of teams missing from Week 31, it may be time to start planning. We pick a handful of players from those teams who re worth considering. The players at big clubs Liverpool and Chelsea are obvious, so we go down the table a bit. Looking down the list, of lot of these teams have quite good runs in the next few weeks.
JAMES MADDISON (Leicester) Value 6.7 – Form 4.0 – Total 103pts – Last Week 6pts
One of the best young players of the season, he has shown signs of some of coming back to his best in recent weeks. Two assists in three games, and he taking the occasional shot. A big bag O points awaits soon we feel.
Next 3 matches – Burnley A, Bournemouth H, Huddersfield A
YOURI TIELEMANS (Leicester) Value 6.0 – Form 5.3 – Total 22pts – Last Week 9pts
The on loan Monaco midfielder is hitting his straps, with two assists in two weeks before a first goal last weekend. It is out of Ryan Fraser and Tielemans for one of the vital FPL Week 31 spots this week. And if you can afford both, do it. The new manager bounce will wear off soon, but ride the wave of points now. Doubling up, or even tripling up for FPL Week 31 is a risk, but doable.
Next 3 matches – Burnley A, Bournemouth H, Huddersfield A
ASHLEY BARNES (Burnley) Value 5.7 – Form 4.3 – Total 94pts- Last Week 2pts
Scored despite Burnley going down to Crystal Palace two games ago, which made it an excellent five goals and one assist in six games. His goals had been at the heart of Burnley’s charge away from relegation. Burnley. However Burnley’s dip in form is a worry, but probably not enough to stop Barnes scoring. A decent run ahead too.
Next 3 matches – Leicester H, Wolves H, Bournemouth A
MIGUEL ALMIRON (Newcastle) Value 6.0 – Form 3.3 – Total 14pts – Last Week 5pts
We’re going to continue pushing the claims of the former US MLS player of the year until he produces the truckload of points he looks like he’s capable of. Finally got an assist last weekend, but is shoeing so much more. A must include this week we feel.
Next 3 matches – Everton H, Bournemouth A, Arsenal A
DAVID BROOKS (Bournemouth) Value 1.3 – Form 0.5 Total 99pts – Last Week 3pts
Bournemouth are looking better, and have a few games at home where they are infinitely stronger. Brooks has been one of the best young recruits in 2018-19, and has been some decent FPL value as well. Not quite as good as Ryan Fraser, but to justify spending a little to strengthen the team elsewhere. Is coming back from injury which explains the very low recent form.
Next 3 matches – Newcastle H, Leicester A, Burnley H
RYAN FRASER (Bournemouth) Value 6.2 – Form 5.0 Total 141pts – Last Week 13pts
Ryan Fraser is back to his best position in our opinion, and that combined with the return of Callum Wilson has led to FPL point scoring gold. With the decent run of fixtures for Bournemouth and Fraser’s season long form on the whole, Fraser is well worth picking up for FPL Week 31, and holding onto.
Next 3 matches – Newcastle H, Leicester A, Burnley H
CALLUM WILSON (Bournemouth) Value 6.4 – Form 2.8 Total 125pts – Last Week 11pts
Back from injury and back in the goals. One of the best cheap strikers this season has been well worth the investment when fit. Bournemouth have a great run of fixtures now, so not only one for FPL Week 31, but beyond.
Next 3 matches – Newcastle H, Leicester A, Burnley H
ROBERT SNODGRASS (West Ham) Value 5.0 – Form 4.0 Total 77pts – Last Week 2pts
We think highly of Robert Snodgrass, having included him in our team recently, and he did well against Newcastle and Fulham at home in their last few home games, and Huddersfield could be great for him to get in the points again. Two assists in two games at home. We’ll back him to make it three.
Next 3 matches – Huddersfield H, Everton H, Chelsea A
DECLAN RICE (West Ham) Value 4.7 – Form 5.0 Total 80pts – Last Week 1pt
Declan Rice has caught the eye of English football selectors and FPL enthusiasts and is a great cheap option in this half-effort of Week 31. Scored a goal and 15points against Newcastle two games ago, and they are playing Huddersfield at home. The Terriers have only scored eight times in 14 games, so a clean sheet is a real possibility, as is more contributions at the other end too.
Next 3 matches – Huddersfield H, Everton H, Chelsea A
GYLFI SIGURDSSON (Everton) Value 7.3 – Form 7.0 Total 140pts – Last Week 2pts
Followers of Gylfi cashed in a few weeks ago with a two goal haul against Cardiff, but that big haul only happens every four to five matches. Still, he is quality, and Everton are showing a bit of backbone lately. Although their Week 31 clash against Chelsea is a turn off. As are their next two fixtures after that.
You could also take Richarlisson, however his second half season slump makes him less reliable. His value of 6.5 might tempt a few.
Next 3 matches – Chelsea H, West Ham A, Arsenal H
ALEXSANDR MITROVIC / RYAN SESSEGNON / TOM CAIRNEY (Fulham)
All these players are on in Week 31, and are the only three Fulham ever worth considering in our opinion. Yes, they are playing in Week 31, but they are playing Liverpool. That of course doesn’t pre-determined them to a big defeat, but it does make it hard to see any of them scoring points. And their run after that doesn’t get better with Man City, Watford, Everton.
But new manager Scott Parker saw them to a fair result and good performance against Chelsea in Week 29, so maybe there is the danger of the new manager bounce. Mitrovic might not be a bad choice for a backup striker.
Leicester A, Liverpool H, Man City H
FPL Week 31 – CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Who do you captain this week? Here’s the quick rundown on who may be best.
It’s either Mo Salah v Sadio Mane as Liverpool take on Fulham.
Or there’s always Eden Hazard who plays Everton away.
For left field choices there is the Cherries duo of Callum Wilson or Ryan Fraser.
For a safer left field choice, why not Felipe Anderson for West Ham at home to Huddersfield.
Jamie Vardy is is in a nice goal scoring run, so worth a consideration as well.
Our selection – Mo Salah – good form but not scoring points, but scores more goals away than Mane. Or Felipe Anderson, if we had him.
FPL Week 31 – OUR TEAM
You can’t give off tips without putting your money where your mouth is, so our team details are here for your information. Feel free to pick our team apart at your leisure.
FPL – Electric Higuita Exp
FPL Week 31 STATS AND STUFF
Here’s some slightly useful information about upcoming games for each team. We have a table showing the split between top and bottom 6 teams, and the sweet middle for each teams next six weeks.
Following on from that, we have designed a measure to rank each team’s next 6 games in difficulty. Using opposition ranking, points, factoring in home and away fixtures, and using a calculation of current form.
With thanks to Transfermarkt for and WhoScored most of the above stats.
THE RUN HOME….
DIFFICULTY RATING OF REMAINING GAMES
HOME v AWAY GOALS % – Min 10 Goals
