The International break is over and the league football returns today. So is the return of Fantasy Premier League with Gameweek 31. After a blank Gameweek 30 which saw mixed returns for FPL Managers, the game resumes with matchday 31 and starts the journey towards the end of the season.
With possible double gameweeks ahead for a lot of teams, having chips like Wildcard and Bench boost is a necessity. In Gameweek 31, Everton and Burnley will be playing twice while all the other teams play once.
Here we are with the best 11 to pick for Gameweek 31. This team is built in a formation of 3-5-2.
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez (£4.6m) vs Norwich
Brighton were one of the brightest sides in the first half of the season which saw them consistently placed in the top half of the season. However, since then they have been inconsistent with the results.
A match against Norwich in Gameweek 31 , provides a good chance for Brighton to regain their form. Norwich are one of the low-scoring sides in the Premier League this season which makes Sanchez a great option for this week.
Defenders:
Joao Cancelo (£7.0m) vs Burnley
The Manchester City defender enjoyed a great international break where he qualified to the World Cup with Portugal. Back in Manchester, Cancelo will look to hit the ground running against Burnley this weekend as City chase the Premier League title.
The Portuguese has been one of the ‘attacking’ defenders this season, with 7 assists and a goal to his name. Burnley on the other hand are known to sit back and defend, and this is where Cancelo’s creativity will provide an attacking outlet for Pep’s side.
Reece James (£6.2m) vs Brentford
The Chelsea full-back is back from injury and as Tuchel said in his press conference, he is ready to play. After a great start to the season, James suffered from injuries, the latest came against Burnley in gameweek 28 after he had scored and assisted in the match.
James has been one of the best attacking outlets from defence this season, and his comeback means he comes straight back into the FPL teams given his points ceiling. Brentford are poor in away games which makes James one of the top picks considering the clean sheet chances as well.
Tino Livramento (£4.4m) vs Leeds
The Chelsea loanee has been impressive at Saints this season having amassed a total of 76 points in FPL so far. He has a return of 21 points in his last 5 games so far. At 4.4, he is a great enabler to have in squad with the amount of returns he gives.
In Gameweek 31, Southampton play against Leeds which are not the best of sides defensively. This would help the likes of Livramento going down the flank and getting an assist or two.
Midfielders:
Mohammed Salah (£13.3m) vs Watford
After the WC qualifiers disappointment, Salah will be eager to get going with Liverpool as they face Watford in the early kickoff on Saturday. There needs to be no explanation as to why you should have Salah in your FPL teams as he has proved this season again and again.
Watford have been poor defensively this season and Salah and Liverpool are more than capable to pounce on it especially when the title race is on. In the previous fixture against Watford, Salah got a goal and an assist and returned a total of 13 points.
Bukayo Saka (£6.8m) vs Crystal Palace
The English youngster has been impressing everyone this season with his performances in a rejuvenated Arsenal side. Saka has returned a total of 138 points this season having scored or assisted in 3 of his last 6 games.
Saka has been one of the first names on the team sheet this season and he is expected to start when Arsenal travel to face Palace. At his price he has proved to be a great FPL asset.
Pablo Fornals (£6.0m) vs Everton
The West Ham midfielder has gone under the radar this season, but he has been one of the consistent performers for Moyes’ side especially in the later half of the season.
The Hammers face a leaky Everton side in Gameweek 31, which makes Fornals a punt for this gameweek and likely beyond considering the favourable fixtures for them.
Dejan Kulusevski (£6.3m) vs Newcastle
The Swedish International has turbned around his season after moving to Tottenham and becoming a mainstay in Spurs attack. Along with Son and Kane, Kulusevski has played a crucial role in Spurs’ resurgence
In Gameweek 31, they face a revamped Newcastle side who are still shaly at the back. With the form that Spurs are in, Kulusevski could be a great option for the week and beyond.
Kai Havertz (£7.9m) vs Brentford
The German forward has silently gone on to impress in the last few matches having scored or assisted in his last 3 premier league games. Havertz has returned a total of 33 points in his last 3 games which makes him an option to consider for the rest of the season.
Chelsea faces a defensively weak Brentford side in Gameweek 31, which increases the possibility of an attacking return for Havertz. Having started the last 3 games in the False 9 position, he is expected to do that against Brentford as well.
Forwards:
Harry Kane (£12.5m) vs Newcastle
The Spurs star has been in the form of his own in the last few gameweeks having returned a goal or assist in his last 6 of the 7 gameweeks. Harry Kane has become a must-have in FPL teams right now owing to his form and his ownership.
Against Newcastle as well, he is expected to continue his scoring form which also makes him a great captaincy option for the week.
Wout Weghorst (£6.4m) vs Manchester City and Everton
The Burnley forward has been a popular name in FPL circles and not for the right reasons. After a poor outing in the last double gameweek that Burnley had, Weghorst has a double gameweek again, this time against Manchester City and Everton.
While he may not be the best option to consider now, only for the fact that he plays twice in gameweek 31 as well as 33, he could be the one to consider. Also the fact that Burnley face an Everton side, probably a relegation battle will mean that Dyche’s men are up for the challenge.
