Gameweek 34 is a big one with seven teams with two fixtures. Many FPL managers will be playing chips this week, whether it’s bench boost, triple captain, free-hit or even wildcard. Bench boost is the ideal chip this week given the number of players with 2 fixtures depending on how many you can get in your team.
Double gameweek fixtures
Ben White
A player who has featured in previous transfer watchlists, and for good reason. Arsenal boast the best defence in the league and 3 of their back 4 are the top points scorers in this FPL season so far. The loss against Aston Villa would have hurt but if they want to have any chance of winning the title, a reaction is needed. After that loss, the double gameweek looks a little tougher but it’s important not to be swayed by one result, their defence is strong and White also has decent attacking returns this year. He’s expensive at £6.0m and if you can’t afford him, Gabriel or Saliba are viable alternatives.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent is back from injury and is likely to be crucial to Liverpool’s chances of bouncing back from the Crystal Palace defeat to get their title charge back on track. He came on in the second half of that match and so I’d expect him to get at least one start in the double if not both considering his understudy at right back, Bradley, is now yellow flagged for injury. Wait to see if he plays on Friday against Atalanta to get an indication of his fitness. Liverpool play Friday in Europe then Sunday so it’s a quick turn around – if Trent doesn’t play the full 90 minutes on Friday but features then his chances of starting on Sunday increase. Virgil Van Dijk is the other pick of Liverpool defenders but is still at a premium price at £6.6m but his minutes are more assured.
Image Source: Everton
Honourable Mentions
A few honourable mentions for other double gameweek defenders. Everton’s Tarkowski or Branthwaite could score well this week but they are coming off the back of a 6-0 hammering by Chelsea and clean sheets have been few and far between for Everton. Wolves have two home fixtures but their top pick in defence is Aït-Nouri who remains yellow flagged and didn’t feature in last weekend’s match – with minutes not guaranteed you could switch attention to Kilman but isn’t the most exciting pick. Crystal Palace kept a clean sheet away to Liverpool but on another day a more clinical Liverpool could easily have won the game having posted an XG of 2.87 suggesting Crystal Palace rode their luck. With two home games in the double Tyrick Mitchell or Joachim Andersen are probably the best options from Palace. My main caveat is to be wary of the Newcastle fixture given how free scoring Isak and co. have been.
Mohamed Salah
The main contender for the captain’s armband this week – expect a good number of manager’s to triple captain him. His form has been average by his high standards but the double offers a great opportunity for him to bring home a big score. Two tough away fixtures, one against an in-form Fulham and the second being the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. On paper these are good fixtures but given Liverpool have struggled to score first in so many games this season there’s a risk they’ll make hard work of these. Saying that, I’d expect a reaction following the 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace. His underlying stats remain strong and so better returns are likely to be right around the corner.
Bukayo Saka
The next main contender for the armband this week is Saka. Saka is almost an automatic choice for this week and his ownership stats show this, being one of the most brought in players already this week. It seems obvious to pick him but I wouldn’t want to be without them this week – it’ll be a hard watch to see him haul. Saying that, there’s some value in other Arsenal attackers like Havertz, Trossard and Odegaard with all providing good returns recently and any one of them could return some excellent FPL scores. Saka is just the best option given his underlying stats, he’s on penalties and minutes are more secure than the likes of Trossard, who would be my second choice Arsenal midfielder.
Eberechi Eze
Not spoken about a lot this season but suddenly the name on many a manager’s lips. Eze’s underlying stats are strong and his goal in the win against Liverpool shows he can convert that into points. Two home games, firstly against West Ham and then Newcastle aren’t easy but both have been conceding a high number of chances which Eze could capitalise on.
Dominic Solanke
For a while this season, he was the must-have striker at his price point, rewarding owners with a great period of form this season. His 17 goals so far is a personal best in the Premier League and while his form had seemed to drop off, a goal at the weekend against Manchester United has come at a good time ahead of the double.Two tough fixtures; Villa and Wolves away, but defences that can be got at and Solanke is involved in all that Bournemouth do going forward.
Cunha
Off the back of two goals in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, Cunha offers great value upfront. Both doubles are at home, which helps but a wounded Arsenal is up first and given the strength of their defence it could be a tough one for Cunha. Saying that, on their day Wolves are capable of beating anyone and Cunha’s minutes have been increasing since coming back from injury giving added confidence he’ll start both games. Next gameweek (GW35) also sees a visit from Luton which adds to his appeal.
Conclusion
It’s probably the biggest double of the season and a lot of managers are hoping for a big score. Liverpool and Arsenal are the main teams to target but a lot of teams will already be on that bandwagon. Maxing out the benefit of others with two games this week is how you’ll outscore your rivals and improve your rank. Taking a hit or even two this week to eek out another transfer could pay off given the points available. Those who have stayed loyal to Solanke could really benefit as will those who find the right differential – could it be Cunha or Eze? Just keep in mind the season has another four gameweeks after this one so don’t forget to have an eye on the future fixtures!
