FPL Fixtures, the GW31 Longview: Which teams should we target and avoid?
Long-term planning is ideal but sometimes difficult to execute. With this in mind, let’s assess FPL fixtures beyond the next couple of weeks.
FPL Fixtures
The Fantasy Football Scout season ticker allows managers to look at an editable period of Gameweeks of their choosing. Managers can delete Gameweeks, change the ratings of games and sort by difficulty. As there has been a Double Gameweek announcement since last Sunday’s Longview, here is the updated ticker for the final eight Gameweeks:
The FFScout season ticker also offers separate rankings focused on both attack and defence.
Teams to target
As the only side to double in both Gameweeks 31 and 33, Burnley sit top of the ticker. However, even managers with a poor memory will recall how badly the recent bandwagons of Wout Weghorst and their defenders went.
Leicester sit in second place with games-in-hand against Norwich (H) and Chelsea (a) still to be added. Harvey Barnes has emerged as an intriguing differential midfield option, although the Foxes’ onoing Europa Conference League quest may see Brendan Rodgers switch priorities. Therefore those wanting either Barnes or James Maddison need to remain cautious.
Arsenal are fighting for fourth, in good form and out of all cup competitions. Defensive assets like Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White are definitely worth holding onto, while Gabriel Martinelli offers a maverick midfield alternative to the more-guaranteed minutes of Bukayo Saka. The lack of consistent FPL strikers adds to Alexandre Lacazette‘s appeal, despite being more of an assister than scorer in recent times.
Chelsea’s fixture run is a sea of green, meaning defensive coverage is important. Yet the recent resting of Antonio Rudiger proved that even he isn’t rotation-proof. It’s a problem further upfield too, where Mason Mount may be deemed the most likely to get consistent minutes but Kai Havertz is in great form.
The thrilling title race will keep Man City and Liverpool assets like Joao Cancelo, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson in their managers’ line-ups, with every game mattering. The hamstring injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold could complicate matters, though. It’s also hard to predict will be City’s midfield, apart from the expensive Kevin De Bruyne.
Teams to avoid
Friday night may have been the end of FPL managers putting their faith in Wolves assets. The lacklustre Raul Jimenez was sent off, with a 2-0 lead somehow turning into a 3-2 loss without clean sheets. Whilst facing Aston Villa (H) and Newcastle (a) isn’t too bad, their final six fixtures have no doubles and include meetings with Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
For a January signing, Philippe Coutinho‘s ownership is huge. But two successive blanks, combined with a tricky next four matches, may cause a parting of ways.
Finally, Watford rank low but still have time to face Leeds, Brentford and Burnley at home within four matches. It might tempt some to give Emmanuel Dennis another chance. Or maybe even look at the even cheaper Cucho Hernandez, who has scored in three consecutive matches.
Longview is a regular segment on the Official FPL Podcast, brought to you each week by Kelly Somers and a selection of experts.
