FPL Gameweek 33 Preview – Long Term Plans Coming Together?

In this FPL Gameweek 33 Preview we will do our usual top talking points, fixture tickers, should I buy/sell, captaincy corner and my moves.

Top Talking Points

Double Gameweek 37 Confirmed

For those of you who follow this game too closely, like myself, you won’t be shocked to see double gameweek 37 confirmed. And here it is, in all its glory:

Chelsea and Spurs also double in 35 making them highly likely to form a part of your future plans. In case you missed our last piece: Chelsea will play Villa and Spurs. Spurs will play Arsenal and Chelsea.

Are Teams ‘on the Beach’ Yet?

In case you don’t know, we have this phenomenon of Premier League players getting exhausted and just go on to autopilot and don’t work very hard. In spirit, they’re on holiday and on the beach. It’s not clear if it actually exists. Maybe, it’s just a phenomenon that we think exists (like the new manager bounce). Regardless, its something that FPL managers tend to think about towards the end of the season.

Fulham and Bournemouth look safe from relegation without much to play for. Muniz still has something to play for in trying to keep his spot but the rest of them don’t have much to play for. I think its probably too early to conclude that they’re on the beach but its something to keep in mind for the run in.

Foden Injured?

Foden added further drama to his story over the last few weeks as he went off injured midweek against Real Madrid. Its unclear what will happen to him this weekend but I think we can all agree that it makes sense to rest him against Luton so that he can be fully fit for the next Madrid game.

Fixture Pile-Up

Before we look at the fixture tickers its worth looking at the fixture pile up and with this great table by FPL Under the Radar we can see the fixture pile-up in action.

#FPL Fixture congestion between GW30 to GW35

Teams shown here are the ones that have at least one DGW from now till the end of the season (minus SHU). Arranged in the order of their current positions on the league table.

Specially going to be crazy for the big 3 – ARS, LIV and… pic.twitter.com/BQoyAx8Rxw

— FPL Under The Radar (@RadarFpl) March 27, 2024

It is worth bearing this in mind when looking at double gameweek players, particularly Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool players. All of them are subject to rotation, though some more than others. I expect the Arsenal central defenders to play every game, Salah to play every game and Haaland to play every game. But, the rest of them are all a lot less certain in my mind.

Fixture Tickers

This is a regular stalwart of our pieces throughout the year. We will look at which teams have the best fixtures over the next five gameweeks to help you plan your transfers.

Teams in capitals are home fixtures and teams in lowercase are away fixtures.

I am going to do the normal five week ticker and a two week ticker for those dead-ending into gameweek 34.

Ahead of FPL Gameweek 33 the fixture tickers are looking like this.

Defensive Fixture Ticker

As you can see, the doublers dominate both defensive fixture tickers but they are different doublers.

Attacking Fixture Ticker

 And again, the doublers dominate.

Should I Buy

In this section, we will look to answer the most basic question. Should I buy this player ahead of FPL gameweek 33?

Palmer – Yes. Always. He is so cheap and offers such great value.

De Bruyne – No. He’s possibly not fit (was ill midweek) and he’s not going to play 90 mins.

Luis Diaz/Darwin/Salah – Yes. Good fixture this week and doubles next.

MacAllister – No. This guy just isn’t an FPL asset. He has had a good few weeks against some weak opposition (and Man City) but is likely to revert to the mean.

Watkins – No. He plays the best defence in the league this week and doesn’t double.

Saka/Havertz – Maybe. Great players, okay fixture. Probably can wait a week.

Garnacho – Maybe. As a makeweight for other transfers he’s a good pick but he is very hit and miss. Don’t mind playing him in 34 even if he doesn’t double because its Sheff Utd.

White/Gabriel/Saliba – Yes. Great defence and doubles in 34. Raya probably not worth it as a free transfer unless you have an injury at keeper.

Should I Sell

In this section, we will look to answer the other basic question. Should I sell this player ahead of FPL gameweek 33?

Son/Maddison – No. Hold a week. Newcastle is a great fixture at the moment.

Solanke – No. Man United defence is dreadful and he doubles in 34.

Saka – No. He is the most nailed of any Arsenal attacking asset and they double in 34.

Toney – No. You don’t sell a good striker when they are about to play Sheff Utd at home.

Isak – Maybe. Hes a great player but he doesn’t double and Spurs isn’t a great fixture this week either. Still, it needs to be a clear upgrade.

Watkins – Yes. Sell him this week and consider bringing him back in after.

Alvarez – No. I’d hold for a week.

Foden – No. I’d hold for a week.

Muniz – Yes. Seems like you can upgrade this spot.

Doughty – Yes. Even if Luton weren’t just all round bad, they have some of the worst fixtures to end the season.

Captaincy Corner

For me, it’s hard to look past Haaland at home to Luton. The only nagging doubt I have is around minutes. He played the full game against Madrid on Tuesday and I expect he will do the same next Tuesday.

Whereas Salah only played 45 mins against Atalanta on Thursday…

These guys will be my captain and vice. I just don’t know which one is which.

James’ Move

I am most likely selling Doughty for a Wolves defender. I could do with a better fixture in defence this week and would be happy to load up on another doubler for 34.

That’s it!

Good luck in FPL Gameweek 33! Fingers crossed the FPL gods have a good week for you.