FPL Gameweek 30 - Transfer Tips & Captaincy

In this FPL Gameweek 30 preview I will be taking a look at the most bought and most sold players and give you my opinion on whether they are good picks or good sells.

Before I do that, if you are looking for the best fixture runs then look no further than Joe’s fixture piece from earlier in the week here.

And I already took a look at Joao Pedro in particular here.

And if you are looking for a bit of advice on chip strategy given what we know right now well…

FA Cup and European Football’s Effect on Chip Strategy

Let’s start by looking at the FPL calendar.

What do we know now?

We now know the FA Cup quarter finals, but as you can see from above, only the semi-finals cause blanks and doubles.

And, we know half the results in the European ties (i.e. the first leg results).

Our Lord and Saviour Ben Crellin has the scoop then for blank gameweek 34: 

Like most people, we are assuming that Arsenal beat Southampton and that Chelsea beat Port Vale.

However, calling the Liverpool v.s. City or West Ham v.s. Leeds games is tough.

This matters because if they don’t make the semi final scheduled at the same time as gameweek 34 then they won’t blank there and/or double in 33.

On top of that, none of the English teams won in their first legs in the Champion’s League. Liverpool lost 1-0 away to Galatasaray, Newcastle drew 1-1 at home to  Barcelona, Arsenal drew 1-1 away at Leverkusen, Chelsea lost 5-2 away at PSG and Man City lost 3-0 away to Madrid.

This matters because, in theory, if none of these guys make the Semi Finals of the Champion’s League then all their games can slot into the midweek in 34 and make this whole double gameweek 33 point moot.

So, what should we do?

Don’t Panic.

I still think that wildcard 32, bench boost 33 is the default strategy that most of us should and will pursue. We should know a week before GW32 which teams will blank for the FA cup semis (and therefore potentially double) so you should have lots of time to prep your wildcard.

The double gameweek doesn’t look particularly enticing right now but it is still likely to happen.

If you have your triple captain still, then there remains a chance you will get to use it on Haaland in gameweek 36 or in the big double 33. If you triple captained Gabriel a few weeks backs (like I did) then pray Madrid beat Man City.

Should I Buy?

Long-time readers know the drill. 

But for anyone new…

I will look at the most-bought players in FPL ahead of gameweek 30 and give my opinion on whether you should buy them too. 

I try to stay objective and not just recommend my team but, of course, it’s my opinion. 

Senesi – No. I really like the fixture this week but the three after are not good. Besides, I don’t know why you would buy him when Hill is only 4.2 and just as good for def cons.

Semenyo – No, probably. He has been great since he joined City and he just picked up where he left off at Bournemouth. So, if you have the luxury of enough transfers that you can buy him and then sell him again to make sure you have eleven players out then he is fine to buy. But for most people he is an easy avoid.

Anderson – Yes. He is one of the best picks in FPL because he gets defcons basically every week. Anything you get on top of that is lucky really. Don’t count on him to get another 12 pointer this season.

Fernandes – Yes. Another one of the best picks in FPL. Defcons, assists, set pieces, pens, goals. What more do you want?

Timber – No. Another guy who blanks in 31. He has scored once and assisted twice in the last three games but that’s probably not going to happen this week so just get Virgil or someone like that instead.

Thiago – Yes. Wolves aren’t as dreadful as they were at the start of the season but they are still one of the worst teams in the league. And, Thiago is the best attacker Brentford have and is on pens. A good week to get a good guy.

Kelleher – No. It would take a LOT to convince me to use a transfer on a keeper right now. If my first pick was injured I would probably just play Dubravka until I wildcard in 32.

Ekitike – Yes. As my pal Joe said, he is the only really good pick for Liverpool’s attack at the moment. He is frustrating to own and I am still convinced he will be rotated at some point but he remains a good pick.

Virgil – Yes. And this guy is the only really good pick for Liverpool’s defence.

Szoboszlai – No. Not with Wirtz back. His routes to points are too minimal. I am not sure I would buy Wirtz just yet though, he may only play 45 or something at the weekend.

Seskio – There’s a saying in formula one: in order to finish first, first you have to finish. I think the equivalent in FPL is something like: in order to score points, first you need to play minutes. And this guy’s minutes are all over the place. He has started two games in a row but before that he has come off the bench A LOT. I don’t trust the mins so I don’t think you should go there.

Palmer – Maybe. The thing I don’t like about Palmer is that he can play 90 mins against a shit team, say West Ham, and do nothing. The thing I love about Palmer is that he can play 90 mins against a different shit team, say Wolves, and bag 20 points. If you are behind big in your mini league and you need a differential with high upside this is a guy to look at.

Tarkowski – No. I love Tarko and I have owned him literally all season. But I would not bring him in ahead of an away game to Arsenal. I would actually be tempted to sell him this week if I couldn’t stick him third on my bench.

Should I Sell?

And, in the reverse: here I am looking at some of the most sold players ahead of FPL Gameweek 28 and giving my opinion on whether you should sell.

Rogers – Maybe. I am not a big fan or Rogers because the underlying numbers are always so rubbish. But, that’s who he is as a player. I know he has been underwhelming recently but I also don’t mind his fixtures. I basically think this is a case-by-case decision.

Haaland – No. I really don’t care that he has been bad recently. Every time he steps on the pitch he has genuine hat-trick potential. And he often returns. So, high-upside plus consistency means I think he should stay in my team and yours. Particularly as he goes away to West Ham.

Wilson – Yes, if he is injured. But, wait as late as you can for news because he plays Burnley in 31 and that could be a good one.

Mbeumo – No. Unlike my partner in crime Joe, I am a little concerned about Mbeumo. Just because of the way he has played in the last few games. 0 shots and 0 xG against Palace, seriously? Regardless, I am still prepared to give him some time especially given how shit Villa’s defence have been recently.

Cash – Yes. Got to go now or in 32. I don’t really understand what has happened to Villa’s back line but it looks fucked so get rid.

Mukiele – Maybe. I know he is injured but you probably have a 4.5 on the bench who can start right? There is a BIG break between 31 and 32 so he probably has time to recover if you are short on transfers.

Rice – Yes. He blanks next week and if you have triple Arsenal I think this is the first one that should go.

Thiago – No. You want to sell the penalty taker before he plays Wolves at home?

Calvert-Lewin – Maybe. I wouldn’t have bought the guy in the first place I am just not sure what you are going to do with the spot unless you have a lot of money to upgrade or are planning a double move.

Chalobah – Yes. Chelsea defence stinks.

Ekitike – No. Spurs are an absolute shambles. He could double return this week and I would not be shocked.

Enzo – Yes. I am holding him because I can bench him and I want to save transfers ahead of wildcard. But I wouldn’t argue that selling him is bad.

Wirtz – No. He started midweek so is probably fit now. Spurs are shit, he is good.

Erling Haaland’s Captaincy Corner

As always, I think Haaland is an option. Away to West Ham is a good fixture. The other dependable guy with good fixtures is B. Fernandes at home to VIlla. I will probably pick one of these and vice cap the other.

More fun picks could include Palmer at home to Newcastle or Ekitike at home to Spurs.

Or if you are totally crazy then whoever Burnley play is normally a good place to look, Tav anyone?

That’s It.

Phew. That was a lot.

Come and tell me how wrong/stupid I am on Reddit?