Gameweek 31 Wildcard: XI players to consider

With many managers opting to play a Gameweek 31 wildcard, the community have provided some players to consider.

There’s picks to target in each position, with some popular players emerging due to the events of the weekend. Let’s take a look at those Gameweek 31 wildcard picks.

I. Martinez

First up for the Gameweek 31 wildcard, it’s Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez. Bernd Leno suffered an awful knee injury at the weekend, and this youngster looks set to deputise until the end of the season. He’s a great enabler at his current price tag, and the next few fixtures are enticing.

Bargain.
4.2m pic.twitter.com/dsBe3zpzLc
— fplbet (@fplbet) June 20, 2020

II. Justin

James Justin has been given the nod for Leicester at right back, with Ricardo out for the rest of the season. While the Foxes weren’t convincing in their performance, this promising talent was on display and the underlying statistics speak for themselves.

Very impressed with James Justin yesterday:

?£4.7m
?0.4% owned
?31 touches in opponents third!
?2 big chances created
?7 tackles won

He looks like a beast in the making.

Anyone getting him in? #FPL pic.twitter.com/Y4laHtTZeG
— FPL Teach Mode (Andy) (@FplMode) June 21, 2020

III. Ritchie

Matt Ritchie excelled against Sheffield United and many managers may have forgotten that he’s currently listed as a defender. He’s missed most of the season through injury, but is returning to form now, is out of position and takes penalties for the Magpies too.

??Matt Ritchie(5.3)- One to consider if you play the wildcard

?Started in RW in the 4-4-1-1 formation(Listed as def)

?Points- 18
⚽️Goal-1
?Assist-1
?SOT-3(3)
?Key Pass-2
?Big chance created-1

?Fixtures :Villa, Bournemouth, WestHam#FPL #FPLCommunity #NEWSHE #Ritchie pic.twitter.com/ADhAMSR4T4
— ALLABOUTFPL (@allaboutfpl) June 21, 2020

IV. Doherty

Matt Doherty now has 10 attacking returns for the season, as well as playing in one of the best defences in the Premier League. It’s a perfect storm, with fantastic fixtures on the way for Wolves too. Providing he avoids rotation, he’s a great bet for the rest of the season. https://twitter.com/fplffc/status/1273969681720922113?s=20

V. Son

Spurs are another side who have great fixtures for the season run-in. Harry Kane looked jaded against Manchester United, but Heung-Min Son showed great promise. He could be the go-to option for anyone hunting for a Spurs attacker. He’s a differential worth squeezing in.

Heung-Min Son ??

I can not recommend him enough…

Then I go and see he is taking corners as well.

I cannot see myself going without him and imagine he will get the armband several times between now and GW38.

??????? #FPL pic.twitter.com/BJJzotQ4i2
— FPLTIPZ (Harry) (@FPLTIPZ) June 19, 2020

VI. Sarr

Ismaila Sarr is the pick of the mid-priced midfielders, playing in a side who have a lot to do to avoid relegation. The underlying statistics were impressive in Watford’s 1-1 draw with Leicester and the fixture run is particularly kind for the Hornets over the next few weeks.

Another big chance recorded and the best expected involvement among all players in the match yesterday suggests that Sarr was unlucky not to register a return. Encouragingly, Pearson gave him the full 90 too – for those on wildcard he is the standout mid in that price range #FPL pic.twitter.com/knLYsYAAYQ
— AbuBakar Siddiq (@BigManBakar) June 21, 2020

VII. Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has slowly gained traction since arriving in the Premier League and continues to average an attacking return every game. It looks like he may share penalties with Marcus Rashford, but the numbers posted against Spurs were also eye-opening.

Bruno Fernandes vs Spurs

? 85 touches
? 1 goal
? 2 key passes
? 7 crosses
? 1 big chance created
? 4 shots (3 on target)
? On pens & Corner kick
? MOTM

Glad I have him in my team now
— #FPL Cheetah (@FPLCheetah) June 19, 2020

VIII. Pogba

Don’t discount Bruno’s team-mate Paul Pogba when constructing a Gameweek 31 wildcard side. He played a cameo role on Friday, but showed plenty of promise in his actions. He won the penalty for Fernandes to convert and their link-up play could be important in the kind upcoming fixtures.

Paul Pogba vs Spurs (34 mins)

• 100% long pass accuracy
• 94% short pass accuracy
• 4 balls recovered
• 2/2 take ons completed
• One penalty won
• Played one of the passes of the season

Not yet an FPL option but definitely a one to watch#FPLCommunity pic.twitter.com/x0dLvHvYD9
— FPL GOAT ?⚽ (@FPLGOAT7) June 20, 2020

IX. Ings

Danny Ings was one to be cautious of at the restart, given his injury record in recent seasons, but he looked to be back with a bang against Norwich. Hopefully he can continue this form in the more challenging upcoming fixtures: he does tend to rise to the big occasions. https://twitter.com/LetsTalk_FPL/status/1274270755979755522?s=20

X. Calvert-Lewin

Danny Ing’s emphatic performance against Norwich City has caused some to look at who has the pleasure of facing the Canaries next. It’s Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin who looks to be in the frame, and he’s certainly got the track-record of performances this calendar year.

Calvert Lewin looks a superb option for the rest of the season…

⚽️ 13 goals

? Norwich up next

?Just £6.5M

? Reasonable fixtures

? 12.5% owned

He’s a must for me! #FPL
— FPL Prince ? (@TheFPLPrince) June 19, 2020

XI. Ayew

Finally, Jordan Ayew caught the eye in Palace’s performance against Bournemouth. He’s at a budget-friendly price tag right now, and could be a cheap enabler to watch for the season run-in. Crystal Palace show no signs of being on the beach just yet.

Jordan Ayew’s (£5.2m) stats against Bournemouth:

⚽️ 1 goal
? 1 shot
? 1 chance created
? 90 minutes played
❌ 2 crosses
✅ 21 accurate passes (91%)
? 51 touches

Source: https://t.co/q0iPUqgJ6i #FPL #BOUCRY pic.twitter.com/6SfckZ0Y1S
— Fantasy Football Secrets  (@FPLSecrets) June 20, 2020

Get even more Fantasy Premier League Tips by visiting the Fantasy Football Community Homepage and checking out the rest of our FPL Gameweek 31 content. -> FPL Gameweek 31 Team -> FPL Gameweek 31 Tips: Last Minute -> FPL GW31 Content Showcase