Welcome to my top picks for Gameweek 32. The fixtures are coming thick and fast with a mid-week gameweek 31 followed by this weekend’s gameweek 32. There’s a lot going on with lots of clubs fighting for points for various reasons and for FPL managers, double gameweeks and remaining chips to plan for. This all sets up an exciting end to the season and there’s going to be a lot of points won and missed out on over the next few weeks which will impact many managers’ final position in their mini-league and overall ranking.
This week features few games to target for an expected haul with many of the top clubs away to tricky opposition and a lot of games where teams appear evenly matched. There’s lots on the line and we could see some cagey affairs so I’d say transfer targets need to be thought through with a longer term view (even more than usual). Liverpool host Man United which has recently been a high scoring fixture to the home side’s benefit. Spurs are at home to Nottingham Forest which appears appealing but then they blank in GW33 and their following 2 fixtures are Arsenal and Liverpool so Spurs players are only really one-week punts. Newcastle are away to a dangerous Fulham side and Chelsea visit Sheffield United.
Here’s my transfer picks to consider for this week and, importantly, the weeks ahead. Some have stuck around from the previous shortlist while there are a couple of additions.
Malo Gusto
Gusto remains a yellow flag but he stays on the shortlist. His attacking potential against his price point is relatively unmatched. Chelsea are away to Sheffield United so I’d expect goals at both ends given the form of these two teams. As mentioned before, he has 2 double gameweeks coming up so offers a long term addition and if he can stay fit is likely to get a lot of minutes. Chelsea have been poor defensively (Gusto’s xG Conceded so far this season has been 1.34 per game) so you’d be relying on attacking returns. To add to the mix is that he’s currently yellow flagged due to illness so hold off until nearer the deadline.
Ben White
White is currently the top scoring defender so far this year…in fact the top 3 are Arsenal defenders (I could have put either one of Gabriel, Saliba or White on this list). White has the added benefit of generally playing as a fullback which allows him to be involved in more attacking play. The main source of points for Arsenal defenders has been their clean sheets though which is unsurprising for the league’s best defence. White, like his defensive teammates, are on the premium end of the scale but a decent fixture this week away to Brighton followed by a reasonable run-in for the rest of the season means I see more cleansheets and FPL points to be gained from jumping on this defence (if you haven’t already)…I also wouldn’t be afraid of doubling up on Arsenal defence.
Plenty of managers have already decided it’s Salah time and his price has already risen by £0.3m from a week ago. His price point makes him a challenge for most to get in, especially alongside the heavily backed Haaland (£14.3m) but if you can manage it, Salah is worth it. Premium players come at a price point because of the consistency of returns they offer and the Liverpool talisman is no exception. Gameweek 32 sees Liverpool host Man United, a fixture Salah typically loves. There’s no guarantees in football but would you be shocked if Salah bagged a hattrick? No, which shows how probable a haul is. Fixtures are also decent through to the end of the season and include a favourable double gameweek in GW34 (Fulham and Everton away). With a 3 horse title run-in, having Salah is borderline essential now – he’s on penalties, a forward who plays midfield, rarely misses a game when available and has a track record of FPL returns. Need I say more.
Anthony Gordon
11 assists and 9 goals so far this season and at the bargain price of £6m. Newcastle’s fixtures look great to the end of the season and Gordon returns fresh from suspension in mid-week. Gordon has been a consistent returner of points and Newcastle’s fixtures look great. My concerns are whether rotation will creep in, even for the ever present Gordon – Isak has returned in great form and Harvey Barnes has come back strong from a long injury lay-off. Newcastle’s injuries across the squad mean rotation is less of a risk than it would have been but it’s increased given the return of these two players who will compete for the attacking positions in Eddie Howe’s side. The price point, upcoming fixtures and consistent form of Gordon mean I still think he’s a worthwhile inclusion in any serious FPL manager’ squad.
Rodrigo Muniz
Potentially the ultimate enabler right now. His form since breaking into Fulham’s team has been nothing short of fantastic. Newcastle away this week doesn’t seem great on paper and I would expect a home win but that doesn’t mean Muniz and Fulham won’t be able to get at a defence that’s definitely not at full strength. There’s a wider picture too, what does having Muniz do for your squad instead of having, say Watkins or Solanke, if it means you can spend more elsewhere. If you can spread those funds to get more return overall then who cares if you have to rotate Muniz away to Liverpool in GW 34?
Alexander Isak
I’m never one for chasing points from previous weeks but on the flip-side, Isak has come back into the Newcastle side in great form. We know his quality, his points per game since joining Newcastle last season have been excellent but the concern is over his ability to stay fit. Right now he needs to because Wilson is out until mid-May so Newcastle need someone to lead the line. Similar to my comments about Gordon, he’s got good fixtures and a double gameweek before the season ends. It’s sooner rather than later but if you being him in, you better hope he stays fit.
Conclusion
Even if Man United look a bit like a tough fixture on paper (or maybe it doesn’t depending on your opinion of United’s ability to handle a trip to Anfield) it’s one that Salah typically loves. Not to mention I can see a lot of points ahead for Salah with the upcoming fixtures.
Saying that, and given Salah’s premium price I wouldn’t advocate ripping apart your team for him. The likes of Saka and Foden, other premium midfielders are players to hold onto given their form and fixtures. Spurs on the other hand have Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City to play before the season is out so perhaps if you have James Maddison or Son you could fund a move to Salah but with this week being Spurs hosting Nottingham Forest, it’s really not the week to sell your Spurs assets.
So with that in mind, if you’re looking for a more affordable transfer this week, then Isak of Newcastle is in great form – if he keeps scoring points at his current rate you really don’t want to wait too long to being him in. My biggest question mark is his ability to stay fit to the end of the season but if he does, I’d expect a really good return of points given the fixtures ahead…and chances are you’re looking for a Watkins replacement anyway.
