It’s a big Blank Gameweek in FPL this weekend.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all out of action. So there’s another opportunity to use the Free Hit chip.
So, what is the optimal team by predicted points ahead of FPL Gameweek 31?
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GK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- GW31 opponent: West Ham (H)
Aston Villa face relegation candidates West Ham United at home on Sunday afternoon and will be looking to bounce back from three straight defeats in the Premier League. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has kept six clean sheets this season, with his most recent coming in the 1-0 home win against Brighton and Hove Albion back in Gameweek 26.
DEF: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
- GW31 opponent: Sunderland (H)
Newcastle United carry the best clean sheet chances of the weekend when they entertain Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby. Centre-back Malick Thiaw leads the defensive options. He has scored four goals this season, more than any other defender in the game, while also leading the way with nine big chances.
DEF: Joachim Andersen & Kenny Tete (Fulham)
- GW31 opponent: Burnley (H)
Fulham defenders carry plenty of potential when they host 19th-placed Burnley on Saturday afternoon. They kept a clean sheet last time out against Nottingham Forest, with Jochaim Andersen picking up defensive contribution points in that game. Kenny Tete has started all of the last five league games.
MID: Harry Wilson (Fulham)
- GW31 opponent: Burnley (H)
It’s Fulham’s Harry Wilson who takes top spot in the AI predictions as the best captain pick for the blank gameweek, after returning from injury last time out. He has 17 goal involvements from 26 appearances in this campaign: nine goals and eight assists. He contributed towards all three Fulham goals in a 3-2 win when these sides last met.
MID: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
- GW31 opponent: Bournemouth (A)
Bruno Fernandes is a must-own for this weekend, with returns in eight of the 10 gameweeks since Michael Carrick took charge. One goal and four assists over the last four takes him up to be the highest-scoring midfielder in the game this season. He leads the way for key passes (98) and big chances created (25) in his quest for the Premier League assist record.
MID: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- GW31 opponent: Everton (A)
One goal in the last four gameweeks for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer takes him up to 11 goal involvements for the season, nine goals and two assists. He’s chalked up 10 shots and seven chances created in this period, highlighting his routes to points, including being on spot-kicks for the Blues.
MID: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
- GW31 opponent: Sunderland (H)
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon tops the most bought players for Blank Gameweek 31, helped by goals in consecutive games. He sits top for shots on target over the last four gameweeks with eight, scoring twice from three big chances on goal. He has nine goal involvements for the campaign.
MID: Mo Salah (Liverpool)
- GW31 opponent: Brighton (A)
Liverpool’s Mo Salah is impossible to overlook for the trip to Brighton, with one goal and one assist from his last four Premier League starts. He grabbed an assist in Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton at Anfield in December, one of 11 goal involvements for this campaign. He remains on spot-kicks.
FWD: Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
- GW31 opponent: Everton (A)
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has a remarkable 14 goal involvements in 10 Premier League games since Liam Rosenior took charge. That takes him to 23 attacking returns for the campaign, second only to Erling Haaland. His recent hot streak is sustainable, where he is top for both shots (16) and big chances (8) over the last four gameweeks.
FWD: Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- GW31 opponent: Leeds (A)
Brentford striker Igor Thiago scored his 19th goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, moving just three behind Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. He’s in another purple patch, with two goals in the last four gameweeks and is a key forward option for the blank gameweek.
