Key Tips for FPL Gameweek 31 

It’s finally here. The first major strategy fork of the year, and in the home straight of the season. This is where ranks are climbed and mini leagues are won. So, making sure you nail all those dilemmas is absolutely key. 

If you are after some 1-week punts to help shoot your rank up, then make sure you check out our Best Players for Gameweek 31 and Free Hit Team. As well as our Gameweek 31 differentials piece. 

Also, if you are struggling with the armband this week, then make sure you check out our Gameweek 31 Best Captains piece. 

And as always, makes sure you check out our Predicted Line-Ups and Team News Hub before locking in any changes. 

 

Best Chip Strategy 

We will start off with the burning question on everyone’s lips, what is the best Chip strategy? 

Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that everyone will have different preferences and priorities and there is no real wrong answer. That being said, we are firm believers in the following strategy: 

•  WC32, BB33, FH34. 

The main reasons for this are simple. The teams doubling in 33 are enough. Despite many people talking about how unattractive and not plentiful the good teams doubling in GW33 are, the reality is, there just are enough. Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea, Brighton and City or Liverpool and you have plenty of options. More importantly, the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle and Cheslea all have pretty good fixtures to round out the season. 

Yes there are absolutely alternatives, but a few rely on DGW35/DGW36 being weighty and it’s just not shaping up to be the case at the moment. Of course, lots can change but at the moment this strategy is far ahead. 

If you have already used your wildcard, you either need to Free Hit in 33 and target a team of non-blanking players in 34 or the opposite, Target a team of doublers in 33 and Free Hit in 34. Either way, save transfers where you can, DO NOT WASTE THEM. 

 

Best Punts for Gameweek 31 

We have covered this extensively in our Best Players and Free Hit Team for Gameweek 31 already so make sure you check it out for the full list. Nonetheless, we will do a brief summary of some of our favourites here. 

• Harry Wilson 

• Joachim Andersen 

• Kenny Tete 

• Morgan Gibbs-White 

• Anthony Gordon 

• Joao Pedro 

• Igor Thiago 

If you are looking for longer term punts, then make sure you check out our Best Gameweek 31 differentials, where we have also included some great punts who are not blanking in GW31 or GW34. Perfect for those who have already wildcarded or are not planning to use it until later. 

 

Are Newcastle Defence an avoid after conceding 7 to Barcelona? 

Firstly, I completely understand if people would be scared off by a result like this. However, It’s worth bearing in mind a few things. 

• An injury ridden Sunderland at SJP is not Barcelona at the Nou camp. 

• A lot of the goals were conceded while chasing the game. 

• How often do teams ship tons of goals two games in a row. 

• Newcastle will likely start Livramento and Hall, which is normally much better signs for the defence than starting Trippier. Who was personally at fault for 2/3 of Barca’s first half goals. 

The score line does not change the fact that Sunderland are on an absolute skid right now and have scored the 3rd least goals in the league this season. I do not mind the Newcastle triple up at all for this season. Ideally: 

• Thiaw 

• Hall 

• Gordon 

As a Newcastle fan I do feel like I can confidently speak on this subject so if you follow this advice and it doesn’t work out you have permission to blame me fully as I should’ve known better. 

 

Who are the Best Fulham assets for GW31? 

Given Fulham are playing Burnley, a triple up is probably the way to go if you are Free Hitting/1 Week Punting in GW31. With that being said, here are our favourite Fulham assets ranked for this week: 

• Harry Wilson – Genuine captaincy option. Very reliable, tends to do well vs bad teams and struggle vs good teams. Also had 3 returns in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Captaincy option this week. 

• Joachim Andersen – Great for DefCon and highest clean sheet % this week. Normally a winning combination. 

• Kenny Tete – Again great chance of a clean sheet but not as great as Andersen for DefCon. Does have small chance of attacking return though. 

• Raul Jimenez – Would normally be above Tete due to goal threat but has only got around 60 mins a game for the last 2. Still a great option given its Burnley.  

• Bernd Leno – A great option if you’re moving off Raya this week and need some cover. Highest clean sheet 5. 

Riskier: Iwobi, Bassey, Bobb. 

 

Teams to target if not on Wildcard but still want to BB33 and FH34. 

A good option for those not wildcarding, especially if you still want to cover some doublers in in GW33 but also still need to cover blankers this week. 

Teams who don’t blank this week but probably double in GW33: 

• Newcastle 

• Brighton 

• Chelsea 

Teams who don’t blank this week but might double in GW33:

• Liverpool 

Teams who blank this week but probably double in GW33: 

• Arsenal 

Teams who blank this week who might double in Gw33

• Man City  

• Crystal Palace 

 

Clean Sheet odds for Gameweek 31: 

• Fulham – 42.5% 

• Newcastle – 39.5% 

• Aston Villa – 31.5% 

• Chelsea – 31.5% 

• Tottenham – 29.0% 

• Leeds – 29.0% 

• Liverpool – 27.0% 

• Brentford – 26.5% 

• Nottingham Forest – 26.5% 

• Man Utd – 25.0% 

• Brighton – 21.0% 

• Everton – 21.0% 

• West Ham – 19.0% 

• Bournemouth – 19.0% 

• Sunderland – 17.5% 

• Burnley – 15.5% 

 

Check out our Game Week Tips section for more Gameweek 31 Tips.