It feels like a long time ago since the conclusion of Blank Gameweek 30, so let’s quickly run through the fixtures that took place before turning our attention to the weekend. The gameweek opened with a thrilling contest between Wolves and Leeds at Molineux. After Wolves took a two-goal lead, the match turned upon Raul Jimenez (£7.7m) being sent off. Leeds took full advantage of the extra man and completed an excellent comeback, winning 2-3 with defender Luke Ayling (£4.3m) netting the winner.
A Bukayo Saka (£6.8m) goal was enough to see Arsenal overcome Aston Villa 0-1, whilst Leicester defeated Brentford 2-1, with James Maddison (£6.8m) scoring one of his patented free-kicks. Blank Gameweek 30 was concluded in North London as Spurs defeated West Ham 3-1. Harry Kane (£12.5m) accrued three assists and 13 FPL points, whilst Heung-Min Son (£10.9m) scored twice and racked up 15 FPL points of his own.
Following the international break, we go from drawing blank to seeing double as not only do we have a full complement of Premier League teams in action, two clubs also gain the benefit of two fixtures. We cast our eye over the teams most likely to attract attention from an FPL perspective in Double Gameweek 31, alongside those players who could prove lucrative assets.
DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 31 FIXTURES
Saturday 2nd April
Liverpool vs Watford (12:30)
Brighton vs Norwich (15:00)
Burnley vs Man City (15:00)
Chelsea vs Brentford (15:00)
Leeds vs Southampton (15:00)
Wolves vs Aston Villa (15:00)
Man Utd vs Leicester (17:30)
Sunday 3rd April
West Ham vs Everton (14:00)
Spurs vs Newcastle (16:30)
Monday 4th April
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (20:00)
Wednesday 6th April
Burnley vs Everton (19:30)
LIVERPOOL TO REACH SUMMIT ON ROY’S RETURN
Liverpool have the benefit of playing on Saturday lunchtime in Double Gameweek 31, which means that they could go top of the Premier League table temporarily with victory at home to Watford. The Hornets are managed by former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and are currently sat inside the bottom three. When taking into account that the visitors contain one of the leakiest defences in the top flight, the smart play would be to ensure you are well stocked on Liverpool attacking assets if you are an FPL manager.
In Mo Salah (£13.3), Liverpool boasts the highest-scoring FPL asset this season with 222 points to his name, whilst investment in the likes of Andy Robertson (£7.3m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.8m) may prove smart plays when considering that the Reds have kept clean sheets in each of their last four Premier League matches. Those looking a cheaper alternative to Salah in midfield could bring in either Diogo Jota (£8.3m) or Luis Diaz (£8.1m), however their places in the starting line-up are not secure. Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) is a huge injury doubt.
MAN CITY TO INFLICT ANOTHER BURNLEY BATTERING
Whenever Pep Guardiola’s Man City side take on Burnley, it usually does not end well for Sean Dyche’s Clarets and those FPL managers who own multiple Man City assets are usually celebrating at full-time. The last nine meetings between the two sides in all competitions have seen Man City come out on top each time, scoring at least twice in all but one of those games and with Guardiola’s men potential second in the table by the time they kick off at Turf Moor, motivation will be high among the Premier League champions.
The key is predicting the right starting players from a City perspective, although all of Guardiola’s main men are expected to feature when considering how close the title race currently is. Therefore, the likes of full-back Joao Cancelo (£6.9m) and creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) could well prove lucrative FPL assets in Double Gameweek 31. Winger Riyad Mahrez (£8.7m), has three goals across his last four Premier League appearances and if selected will no doubt be confident of further attacking returns here.
IN-FORM KANE TO CLIP MAGPIES’ WINGS AGAIN
The last time Newcastle faced Spurs in the Premier League, striker Harry Kane stole the show, accruing a goal, an assist plus 12 FPL points in his side’s 2-3 win at St. James’ Park. Back then, Kane was in desperately poor form and that goal was his first in this season’s Premier League. Fast forward to Double Gameweek 31 and Kane is firmly back to his best, having gained five goals and four assists over the course of his last five top flight games.
Spurs know that victory is essential for them here in they bid to finish inside the top four and with eight goals scored across their most recent two home fixtures, the expectation is that they will be afforded some joy in front of goal against the Magpies in North London. Not only does Kane represent a hugely enticing FPL asset, but so too does Heung-Min Son following his brace last time out against West Ham. When taking into account Antonio Conte’s desire for his wing-backs to push forward and join attacks whenever possible, both Matt Doherty (£4.8m) and Sergio Reguilon (£5.2m) also appeal from an FPL perspective.
