FPL top picks for Gameweek 34
Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 34. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.
Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 34 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.
Fixtures
Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures.
Goalkeepers – Ederson
Manchester City rank top of the fixture ticker for Gameweek 34. They face Fulham and West Ham in the round ahead. It has been a questionable campaign for Manchester City from a defensive point of view. However, they have still been maintaining some great defensive data.
This season when compared to all teams Manchester City rank second best for goals conceded (28), the best for shots in the box conceded (149), the best for shots on target conceded (66) and the best for big chances conceded (39). Because of this, Ederson (£5.4m) could have good clean sheet potential and so makes the top picks for Gameweek 34.
Robert Sanchez
Brighton also rank near the top of the fixture ticker for Gameweek 34. They have matches against Wolves and Manchester United. Similar to Manchester City, Brighton have also been sustaining great defensive numbers this campaign.
This season amongst all teams Brighton rank in the top half of the table for clean sheets kept (nine). This suggests investing in their defence could be beneficial. There has been some rotation between goalkeepers Jason Steele (£3.9m) and Robert Sanchez (£4.5m). However, the latter has started the last two matches. Keeping tabs on which goalkeeper starts in Gameweek 33 will be key and will likely indicate either player for another start in Gameweek 34.
David De Gea
Manchester United sit third on the ticker. They have a double Gameweek against Aston Villa and Brighton. This means that their assets have become considerably more appealing than they were, providing even more potential for buyers.
The Reds have kept a very good defensive line this season. A good example of this is the fact they have kept more clean sheets than any other team in the division so far (14). One way into the Manchester United defence is David De Gea (£5m). The Spaniard has two shots at keeping the clean sheet so has to be considered amongst the top picks for Gameweek 34.
Defenders – Ruben Dias
The Manchester defence could be to hard to ignore this week. With two games and opponents failing to convince offensively, buying into the backline could be very beneficial this week. Although we have seen some rotation at the back, prior to their most recent cup match, two defenders started all five of Manchester City’s last games.
One of those defenders is Ruben Dias (£6m). The Portuguese centre-back can be a huge presence and a big threat on set pieces for his side. Other than Nathan Ake (£5.1m) who at the time of writing is injured, no defender has a better non-penalty expected goal involvement than Dias within the Manchester City defence.
Pervis Estupinan
To highlight how good the Brighton defensive data has been this season, amongst all teams in the last six Gameweeks they sit in the best four teams for goals conceded (eight), shots in the box conceded (40), shots on goal conceded (61), shots on target conceded (40) and big chances conceded (seven).
Looking for a defender with the most attacking threat could be key and Pervis Estupinan (£4.8m) offers exactly that. He ranks above all of his defensive teammates in the last six for non-penalty expected goal involvement (0.98). Taking all of this into account Estupinan takes his place amongst the top picks for Gameweek 34.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United have been surprisingly good this season defensively. As we have already seen the Reds have managed to top every other team in the league for clean sheets kept so far (14). Because of this and their double Gameweek it could be worth investing in their backline.
Whilst many will expect Luke Shaw’s (£5.1m) name here its full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka that takes his place amongst the top picks for Gameweek 34. Wan-Bissaka has cemented his place in the first team, starting all five of their last five matches in all competitions. He comes in at a jaw-dropping price-tag of £4.3m. This helps to enable funds elsewhere within our teams. The full-back also leads all of his defensive teammates for non-penalty expected goal involvement in the last six Gameweeks (1.09).
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool play two games this week. They face Tottenham and Fulham, two teams who have shown inconsistencies as of late. Considering Liverpool have been shaky at the back they have still been maintaining some solid defensive stats this season.
One player who can offer much more than clean sheet potential is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m). Not only does he take free-kicks and corners offering additional routes to points but amongst defenders he also ranks second for crosses (205), second for successful crosses (62), second for chances created (58) and first for big chances created (21).
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle play just one game this week against the struggling Southampton. The Saints rank amongst the worst four teams for goals scored this season (27). Combined with the fact that Newcastle have sustained one of the best defences in the league this season, buying into the Newcastle defence could be very beneficial.
If any player has proven he has the potential to outscore any double Gameweek player this week its the highest scoring defender in the game Kieran Trippier (£6.2m). The full-back takes corners and free kicks whilst also edging every other defender in the game for crosses, successful crosses and chances created. Trippier could have a huge Gameweek in the round ahead, even with one match. Because of this, he squeezes into the top picks for Gameweek 34.
Midfielders – Kevin De Bruyne
This season Manchester City rank first for goals scored (78), first for big chances total (108), joint first for minutes per chance (5.9) and joint second for shots on target (171). With this and their double Gameweek in mind, it could be hugely rewarding to invest in the Manchester City midfield.
The standout option in the Manchester City attack, other than the obvious Erling Haaland (£12.2m) is Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m). The Belgian has racked up an impressive 15 assists and five goals so far in the league. In addition, when compared to every other player in the division De Bruyne sits second for chances created (90) and first for big chances created (29).
Jack Grealish
The relentless Manchester City attack and their double Gameweek warrants one of their midfielders this week. One of their Gameweek 34 opponents, Fulham, have conceded more big chances than any other team in the league this season (91). Their other opponent, West Ham, have shown that when against a clinical attack they can concede plenty of goals. An example of that is when West ham conceded four goals to Brighton and five to Newcastle recently.
Kevin De Bruyne is a great option but if looking to go cheaper, then Jack Grealish (£7.2m) could be the one to go for. The winger has started the last 10 Premier League games in a row for Manchester City, reflecting his reliability. Grealish has also collected three back-to-back returns in as many games including two 12-point hauls.
Kaoru Mitoma
Brighton face Wolves and Manchester United in their double this week. Offensively, this season Brighton ranks amongst the best five teams in the league for goals scored (54), attempts on goal (455), big chances total (87) and shots on target (172).
One way into the impressive Brighton frontline is Kaoru Mitoma (£5.6m). The Japanese international has been in brilliant form lately. Mitoma has bagged six returns in his last 10 Premier League matches whilst also picking up three double-digit hauls since the restart.
Solly March
Brighton’s excellent season has made a significant impact on FPL this time around. Their cheap assets are some of the best performing options in the game. The fact that they have a double Gameweek ahead makes their offensive line even more appealing.
Another great option in the Brighton attack is Solly March (£5.2m). The winger edges all of his midfield teammates in the last six Gameweeks for non-penalty expected goal involvement (3.09). March’s impressive stats have also translated into FPL points as well, banking four returns in the same six-match period.
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United have had a great campaign under their new manager. This can be reflected in their league position as they sit comfortably amongst the top four. The Reds have a double Gameweek against Aston Villa and Brighton in the round ahead.
Most of Manchester United’s best FPL options come in midfield. One of those is Marcus Rashford (£7.1m). The winger has collected an impressive 15 goals and four assist in the Premier League so far. Since the restart, amongst all players in the league, Rashford ranks third for goals (11), fifth for attempts on goal (47) and third for big chances total (17).
Bruno Fernandes
To reinforce the appeal of the Manchester United attacking assets this week we should look at their season data. When compared to every other team in the league the Reds rank amongst the best seven teams for attempts on goal (441), shots in the box (277), big chances total (84) and shots on target (156).
Because of the above and their double Gameweek, it could be worth further investing in the Manchester United offensive line. Bruno Fernandes (£9.5m) could be the next best option. He takes his sides penalties which gives him an additional route to points. Another appealing factor is that amongst all players in the league this season Fernandes also ranks third best for chances created (88) and second best for big chances created (23). With multiple routes to points Bruno Fernandes eases his way into the top picks for Gameweek 34. Monitoring his injury status will be absolutely key to his inclusion.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool face Fulham and Tottenham in their double Gameweek. Fulham have conceded more big chances than any other side in the division this season (92) whilst Tottenham have conceded three or more goals in half of their last six matches.
Both of Liverpool’s Gameweek 33 opponents could be considered as teams to target and the standout option in the Liverpool attack is Mohamed Salah (£13m). The penalty taker has managed four returns in his last six matches including two double-digit hauls. If that wasn’t enough, in the same period when compared to all players he sits joint third for goals (five), joint second for shots in the box (19) and joint third for big chances total (seven).
Forwards – Diogo Jota
Liverpool may look unstable at times but one thing that is consistent is their attacking numbers. This season amongst all teams they rank third for goals scored (59), second for attempts on goal (487), second best for shots in the box (359) and second for big chances total (102).
Their stats could warrant another attacker and the second best Liverpool option could be Diogo Jota (£8.8m). Since his return from injury he has become increasingly dangerous. A good example of this is that he has banked three returns in his last five games including two double-digit hauls in his last two matches. In addition, no player has had more big chances in the last six than Jota (four).
Erling Haaland
Manchester City’s double Gameweek means Erling Haaland (£12.2m) is an absolute must in every single fantasy team out there. The Norwegian has had an unrivalled season notching up a whopping 32 goals and five assists. This tallies to a monstrous 37 goal contributions in 28 matches.
Haaland’s season stats reflect his output. Amongst all players he ranks first for goals scored, first for goals scored in the box (31), first for shots in the box (90) and first for big chances total (47). Not only is Haaland a must but he is also the standout captaincy option. Going without Haaland could cause detrimental damage to both rank and mini-league position, especially when considering he is also the highest owned player in the game.
Ivan Toney
Brentford have just one match this week but their opponents, Nottingham Forest, have a big target on their back. The promoted side have conceded two or more goals in four of their last six matches which makes the Brentford attack a lot more appealing. In addition, this season when compared to every other team in the last six games Nottingham Forest rank joint second worst for goals conceded (15), the worst for shots in the box conceded (83) and joint second worst for big chances total (19).
The best way to target the poor Nottingham Forest backline is with Ivan Toney (£7.6m). Not only is he the focal point the Brentford attack but he also takes penalties giving him an additional route to points. To boost Toney’s appeal even more, amongst all players in the league this season he ranks third for goals scored (19), fourth for attempts on goal (91) and second for big chances total (33).
Alexander Isak
Newcastle also play just one game this week. Although that is the case they face a struggling Southampton up next. The Saints have been conceding a lot of goals lately and that can be seen in the fact they have conceded two or more goals in five of their last six.
Southampton look like a team to target and their may not be many attacks around in better form than Newcastle after netting a huge 19 goals in their last six matches. In-form striker Alexander Isak is gaining plenty of interest from the community and that is no surprise. The Swedish international has collected four returns in his last six including two double-digit hauls.
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