It happened. It finally happened.
Indeed, the FPL gods decided to reward me for all the suffering I’ve endured this season by giving me a beautiful triple-digit score in the season’s biggest gameweek to date. Of course, I have to focus on the result for at least a minute. Yes, while some played Triple Captain and others whipped out the Free Hit chip, I was in a position where using the Wildcard made the most sense to me. It paid off to the tune of 117 points, good enough for a round rank in the 35k area.
As the super-sized round exited the weekend and entered the midweek, I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about on social media. Reports from all corners of the world of how managers “squandered” their free hit or “wasted” their triple captain. Surely, there could not be too much discrepancy between how my round was going versus the masses, because my wildcard was loaded with players that everyone was targeting.
Then, as I began to look closer at other squads, it hit me -- I have always known and maintained that luck plays a large role in whatever final rank you end on. But this round really showed me like never before how one decision can not only go wrong, it can start a domino effect of unlucky moves. Maybe you go with one player over another a couple of rounds badck because you were a bit short on cash and now that has caused you to make another move you might have not because the budget sort of “steered you” in that direction, or maybe there was a player you wanted to bring in but realized you couldn’t because you have already “maxed out” on three players from whichever club, a fact that you overlooked because the third player is your GK2, who is only there as a non-playing enabler.
Long story short, I got to feel something that I have not felt in a long, long time...luck. I like luck. It is agreeable with me. More luck would be ideal.
That said, the results of this round, whether they were good or bad, cannot be fully measured yet. Now, with the blank gameweek upon us, we all have to scramble to produce another good round, as most of us are loaded with players that have no fixture. Even if you played your Free Hit chip, the squad you have returned to may need more than just a free transfer to get a full XI out. So, in my view, it is a more accurate measure of success to add in this round’s result with last round’s. Yes, I did well to get a 35k rank for GW32 but if I wind up with a 3.5 million round rank this week, it washes all the positive vibes away.
In case you have not figured it out already, here are the eight clubs NOT playing this weekend: Brighton, Cardiff, Fulham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Watford and Wolves.
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While you are aiming to get a strong, full XI out this weekend, remember that all eight of these clubs, with the exception of Fulham, are going to have a double to make up for this blank over the next two rounds, most in Week 35. So, I contend it is wise to hold your three best outfielders from these clubs and stash them on your bench, because you are going to want them back pretty quickly.
So, as we play another unconventional round, I am keeping with the ranking system for the column this week. Let us look at the best options to own for Blank Gameweek 33:
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GOALKEEPERS
*Just as a reminder, keepers should always be the last position to think about using transfers for, unless there is an urgent need. So, when you see who I have listed here, bear in mind that my keeper advice does not carry as much weight as the outfield positions.
1) Alisson - With Pool playing and City off, the Reds are the clear top club to target for every position.
2) Kepa Arrizabalaga - the clear second choice, Chelsea are in the thick of a race to finish Top 4 while West Ham are setting up beach chairs.
3) Kasper Schmeichel - Foxes are in good form. Huddersfield are relegated. Could be a tidy clean sheet.
4) Martin Dubravka - Big drop from the top 3 here. Home to Palace, I could see the Magpies wanting it more. Could come the way of a 1-0.
5) Artur Boruc - Will give him the benefit of a home game and Burnley’ attack can sometimes be non-existent, but the Cherries aren’t known for clean sheets.
6) Vicente Guaita - Guaita had a big score in the last round, but playing Huddersfield at home will have that effect on you. If he was your guy then, he probably needs to be again, so you roll with him.
DEFENDERS
1) Andrew Robertson - FPL’s top-scoring defender, fresh off another peach of an assist against Spurs, is the luxury option with all the extras.
2) Virgil Van Dijk - A bit short to afford Robertson? VvD is a bit cheaper and could take the BPs if Pool keep it clean.
3) César Azpilicueta - Fresh off a big round, you know what you are getting with Azpil.
4) Ricardo Pereira - Leicester have been in good form and I have been high on Pereira all season so no surprise to see him among the top choices.
5) Patrick Van Aanholt - PvA has quietly moved up to eighth among defenders in scoring and we know he likes to get in on the attack.
6) David Luiz - Pretty much the same thinking as last week. If you cannot afford Azpil, Luiz is a decent option from the Chelsea back.
7) Trent Alexander-Arnold - A solid option. I would have him ranked higher, but unlike everyone above him, TA-A gives me a slight worry about a random rest.
8) Aaron Wan-Bissaka - The 4m defender that made good. AW-B made it back just in time for the double gameweek and looks good going forward in more ways than one.
9) Marcos Alonso - Seems to be settling back into a regular starting role, but with his price tag, there should be no doubt. Since there is some, he is down in this list. A risky but potentially fruitful investment.
MIDFIELDERS
1) Sadio Mane - Yes, I have ranked Mane ahead of Salah. The form of the two demands it. Owning either should set you straight. Owning neither could ruin your gameweek.
2) Mo Salah - Salah is not in top form at the moment, but it would be no surprise to see him shine this weekend as Pool chase the title.
3) Eden Hazard - Was rested in the first game of the double last weekend so should be fresh for West Ham.
4) James Maddison - Foxes are playing well and could get goal-happy against a now-relegated Huddersfield.
5) Youri Tielemans - A great winter loan signing, Tielemans has scored or assisted in five straight and still hasn’t seen his first price rise.
6) Richarlison - Which Richarlison will we get? Well, the “good” one has been around more lately than the “bad one” and while expect Arsenal to win, the Gunners typically concede.
7) Gylfi Sigurdsson - A bit of a cop-out, I will admit, ranking Siggy right after Richarlison. I think one of these guys will get one the board, while the other blanks. You can see which I prefer but it’s a coin-flip really.
8) Ryan Fraser - After a long drought, the return of Callum Wilson has seen a boost in Fraser’s influence. A fine weapon to have this week, I would not be shocked to see him finish with a top three score among mids.
9) Luka Milivojevic - Only one reason to own Luka and if you don’t know what that is by now, you should be penalized.
10) Miguel Almirón - This is my sneaky pick of the week. Almiron still searching for his first PL goal. His efforts so far suggest that he will open his account soon.
FORWARDS
1) Roberto Firmino - The top forward in the form guide, Firmino is having his most productive stretch of the season right now.
2) Jamie Vardy - I could see Vardy with a brace at Huddersfield. Couldn’t you?
3) Alexandre Lacazette - Has scored or assisted in six straight, and done so rather quietly.
4) Callum Wilson - Wilson back fit means the Cherries attack is operating at peak efficiency, Burnley need it more and it may be difficult to score, but if Bournemouth find the net, I am banking on a Fraser->Wilson connection.
5) Gonzalo Higuaín - A dud in the last round, Higuain was dropped for Oliver Giroud in the midweek game. I expect Higuain back in the XI this weekend and has some hope of scoring in a good attack versus a defense without much left to play for.
6) Salomon Rondon - Blanked last week but scored in each of the previous two and his playing the best football of his PL career to date. Not crazy for him, but my respect is growing.
TOP CAPTAIN CHOICES
1) Sadio Mane
2) Mo Salah
3) Eden Hazard
5) Jamie Vardy
That’s it from me this week folks. Please, bear in mind much can change between the publishing of this column and the FPL deadline on Friday night. Remember, some injuries are not revealed until just before the deadline. Always try to refrain from executing your transfers for as long as possible to avoid wasting it on a player who turns out to have had a problem in training. That said, if you only have just enough money for the player you are looking to bring in and that player is at risk of rising in price, then sometimes you need to take a calculated risk and hope the fantasy gods will be kind to you.
Good luck, and may your arrows be green.
