8 Tips for FPL Gameweek 34

If you’re looking for immediate ways to boost your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ranking and beat mini-league rivals, we’re here with some Gameweek 34 tips.

Millions of managers currently have the same dilemma, with so much to consider before Saturday 26 April’s 11:00 BST deadline.

Yet this advice has the potential to drastically improve your FPL season.

FPL GAMEWEEK 34 TIPS

Should you use Free Hit?

Over 68% of FPL managers are yet to use their Free Hit chip, which allows a one-week-only team to gain points.

If you’re part of that majority, this Blank Gameweek 34 is almost certainly the best time to activate, as four popular teams aren’t taking part because of the FA Cup – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Man City.

We don’t yet know if there’ll be any more blanks or doubles after this.

Which safety players?

Using a Free Hit gives managers the freedom to pick exciting players that perhaps don’t offer the stability of being nailed-on starters over a period of time. But for one match, that’s fine. If done successfully, huge jumps can be made up rankings and mini-leagues.

However, it’s also wise to pick a few safe names. Highly-picked stars like Mohamed Salah (£13.8m), Alexander Isak (£9.5m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) who could cause damage if they do well. A Free Hit is all about balancing the two ownership levels.

Which punts?

Clever differentials can be chosen from Wolves and Fulham, who face already-relegated Leicester and Southampton. A run of seven goals and four assists between Gameweeks 9 and 18 made Matheus Cunha (£6.9m) popular and his 110 minutes back from suspension have already brought one of each.

Team-mate Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.9m) had two attacking returns in Gameweek 32, for 14 points.

Meanwhile, Fulham were without Rodrigo Muniz (£5.5m) on Sunday due to injury. If he’s still absent versus the Saints, Raul Jimenez (£5.3m) could be a great option up front. Then there’s cheap FPL defender Ryan Sessegnon (£4.1m) who has been playing as a right-sided attacker. Three goals and two assists in his seven recent outings, three of which lasted less than 15 minutes.

Is Palmer worth bothering with?

Millions have ditched Cole Palmer (£10.6m) in recent weeks, as his goalless run has extended to 11 matches.

Once a £11.4m template pick, he’s declined massively to the point where some may now, in fact, see him as an exciting differential at home to Everton. Incredibly, since his drought began in Gameweek 22, no top-flight player has had more shots (41).

Then again, more than half were long-range, only four were labelled as big chances, and the non-penalty efforts averaged just 0.08 expected goals (xG). Alternatively, just punt on colleague Pedro Neto (£6.1m).

Don’t take too many points hits

If you’re unable or unwilling to Free Hit, don’t obsess about reaching 11 starters. With so many highly chosen assets not participating, managers can probably get away with 10 or even nine.

While spending four points on an extra attacker feels like just two points – once an appearance exceeds 60 minutes – it shouldn’t be done too often. Especially with the recent trend of real-life benchings and early substitutions.

Sell Palace + Joao Pedro

Sales should focus on ditching Crystal Palace players because, unlike the other three teams that blank, the Eagles’ later fixtures look unappealing.

Three of Jean-Philippe Mateta‘s (£7.8m) latest five outings have ended before the hour mark, while Ismaila Sarr (£5.8m) is goalless in five.

As for Brighton’s Joao Pedro (£5.6m), recent form has him in over 1.5 million squads. But his violent conduct red card brings a three-match suspension, keeping the Brazilian out until Gameweek 37.

Captain Salah or Isak

Placing the armband is a tricky decision here. Both Salah and Isak have promising home fixtures against Tottenham and Ipswich, respectively. The pair have 48 goals between them.

But the Egyptian has just one assist in four matches and the Swede has claimed just one of Newcastle’s last 14 goals.

Real risk-takers could ignore both and captain one of the above Wolves or Fulham names instead.

Brentford offer table bonus

Another chip to consider is the Assistant Manager. Those using it during Gameweek 34 could use it on likely Vitor Pereira (£0.8m), Eddie Howe (£1.5m) or Marco Silva (£1.1m) victories, or chase a table bonus.

If the latter, only one option brings appeal: Brentford’s Thomas Frank (£0.8m) away to Nottingham Forest. While their hosts returned to winning ways on Monday night, they gifted 22 shots to Spurs. Over five matches, the Forest defence has conceded the third-most attempts (86), fourth-most shots on target (26) and third-most expected goals (xGC, 8.58).