After two Fantasy Premier League double gameweeks in a row, we now have a blank with four teams not playing. It's the perfect time for a Free Hit - if you still have that chip to hand. If not, you could be looking at your team and wondering how on earth you get 11 players out! Our team of the week should help you sort out your strategy. As a reminder, it is Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Manchester City who are out of action. Join us on Friday at 15:00 BST whenFPL expert Pras,externalwill be our special guest on the BBC Sport website for a Q&A session before gameweek 34. Atotal of 69 pointson a double gameweek is a little disappointing. Bukayo Saka's four points as captain really hurt - his expected goal involvement (xGI) for the week was a massive 1.57 but FPL managers had to settle for two one-pointers. Oh well! Listen to the latestFantasy 606 podcaston BBC Sounds. This video can not be played Free Hits & Taylor gets ditched! Robert Sanchez, Chelsea, keeper, £4.5m - Everton (h) Visitors Everton only have four goals in their past six games and their 10 big chances is the third lowest in the league. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, £7.2m - Tottenham (h) This might be one of the last times we can pick maybe the greatest FPL defensive asset of all time - if rumours of a summer move to Real Madrid are true. Alexander-Arnold has only started 26 games this season but is still the top-scoring FPL defender. Liverpool could easily keep Spurs from scoring - especially if their focus is on the Europa League semi-final they have four days later - and his attacking potential is off the charts. Marc Cucurella, Chelsea, £5.4m - Everton (h) Everton at home is a great FPL match-up for Chelsea assets, but which forward players can you rely on? Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are out of form and every other one is a minutes risk. Step forward Cucurella. Boss Enzo Maresca joked about the Spaniard's scoring prowess last week and Chelsea have needed him this season, with six goals in all competitions. He is the club's fifth top scorer in the Premier League. The goals have dried up for Everton so this is a simple form-plus-fixtures pick. Ryan Sessegnon, Fulham, £4.1m - Southampton (a) A budget defender playing OOP (Out of position) as a wide forward against the league's lowest-scoring team? Sessegnon has started Fulham's past three and been productive too. In his past seven games - only four of them starts - the 24-year-old has three goals and two assists. In that time, only forward Rodrigo Muniz has more shots, big chances and goals for Fulham. He's also had more shots than any other defender in the league in that time. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Wolves, £5m - Leicester (h) Another cheap, high-upside defender with a great chance of a clean sheet against Leicester's turgid attack - as well as attacking-haul potential. Ait-Nouri gets into such attacking positions and his statistics back that up. Only Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol has scored more goals and he is joint third for shots in the box. Ryan Sessegnon is back at Fulham this season, having started his career there before moving to Spurs Mohamed Salah (vice-captain), Liverpool, £13.8m - Tottenham (h) It might be a bit stubborn to keep including Salah in this team of the week given he has just one assist in his past four games. But Liverpool put six goals past Spurs last time and he scored 21 points. It is not worth the risk going without him this week. Luis Diaz, Liverpool, £7.5m - Tottenham (h) Diaz also had a field day last time against Spurs, scoring 13 FPL points. The atmosphere at Anfield will be incredible - a win to clinch the league title, facing a Spurs side whose main focus for the rest of the season is the Europa League and a defence which has conceded six goals in the past two games. It all lines up to a potential goalfest. Diaz has had a brilliant season so far (11 goals and seven assists) and is the next-best forward pick for Liverpool. Harvey Barnes, Newcastle, £6m - Ipswich (h) In the past six games, Barnes is top of all Newcastle players for attacking stats. His run of form has been incredible and he is keeping a fit-again Anthony Gordon out of the team. Barnes has four goals and four assists in those six games, more shots (19) than even Alexander Isak and an incredible 18 of those from in the box. He has been involved in 50% of Newcastle's goals in that time and it will be hard for manager Eddie Howe to leave him out of this juicy game against Ipswich. Justin Kluivert, Bournemouth, £6m - Manchester United (h) Manchester United are another side whose season is now firmly focused on Europe. Who knows what kind of team Ruben Amorim will play against Bournemouth, with a trip to Bilbao coming up in their Europa League semi-final first leg. Kluivert is fit again, on penalties and, if you are on a Free Hit this week, why not include a player who has had hauls of 20 and 22 points this season? Matheus Cunha (captain), Wolves, £6.9m - Leicester (h) The Brazilian has been one of the FPL stories of the season, with 14 goals and five assists. Not bad, considering he has only started 25 games. Cunha is also a bonus-point magnet - only Salah (51) and Chris Wood (39) have more this season. If he gets a return, he tends to be in and around the bonus which makes him a great captain shout this week. Relegated Leicester have conceded 73 goals in 33 games - this is a game set up for Cunha to explode. Chris Wood, Nottingham Forest, £6.9m - Brentford (h) Backing another of the season's stars this week in kind-of-forgotten-man Wood. As mentioned above, if he scores he's a solid bet for bonus points. Wood is someone who laughs in the face of fancy statistics such as expected goals (xG). He has an xG of 11 this season but has scored 19! Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea, keeper, £4.2m - Everton (h) Danny Welbeck, Brighton, striker, £5.5m - West Ham (h) Alex Iwobi, Fulham, midfielder, £5.5m - Southampton (a) Tino Livramento, Newcastle, defender, £4.6m - Ipswich (h) Team total cost: £93.1m The team of the week is selected based on current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget, as if you were playing a Free Hit. Can Jamie Vardy add to his 143 Premier League goals before the end of the season? Jamie Vardy, Leicester, £5.3m, striker Hear me out. He hasn't scored in 10 games but has Southampton and Ipswich at home in the next four gameweeks, in what could be his last Premier League season. Vardy to go out with a bang? Nottingham Forest - Brentford (h), Crystal Palace (a), Leicester (h) Forest have possibly the best remaining fixture run and, if they beat Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final, might get a double gameweek. Chris Wood aside, there are plenty of viable assets at both ends of the pitch.
Cunha, Barnes and Sessegnon to shine - FPL tips and team of week
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Fantasy Premier League Insights: Key Player Recommendations for Blank Gameweek"
Bbc News
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) landscape is shifting as teams prepare for a blank gameweek, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City not in action. This situation presents a strategic opportunity for players holding a Free Hit chip, enabling them to field a full squad despite the absences. The recent double gameweeks offered mixed results, with many managers expressing disappointment over their scores. Notably, Bukayo Saka’s underwhelming performance as captain, yielding only four points despite a high expected goal involvement (xGI) of 1.57, has left many FPL participants reevaluating their strategies. A Q&A session with FPL expert Pras will take place on the BBC Sport website, further assisting managers as they prepare for gameweek 34.
As teams look for viable options to maximize their points, several players stand out this week. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool remains a top defensive asset despite rumors of a summer transfer, and he could play a crucial role in a match against Tottenham. Meanwhile, budget-friendly defenders like Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham and Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves are also highlighted for their attacking potential against weaker opposition. In the forward category, Matheus Cunha from Wolves is positioned as a captaincy choice due to his impressive goal tally this season. With Leicester City struggling defensively, this matchup appears favorable for Cunha to excel. Additionally, Harvey Barnes of Newcastle is noted for his recent form and significant contributions to his team's offense. As managers finalize their line-ups, these insights and player recommendations may prove invaluable in navigating the complexities of this gameweek.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides insights into the current state of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) amidst a blank gameweek, where four teams are not in action. It encourages players to strategize effectively, especially those who still possess the Free Hit chip, which allows them to make temporary changes to their squads. The mention of specific player performances and potential picks aims to guide managers in making informed decisions for their teams.
Purpose of the Article
The primary goal is to assist Fantasy Premier League players in navigating a challenging week with limited fixtures. The article highlights key players to consider and offers advice on how to approach team selection during this period. By addressing the recent disappointment in points scored, it aims to motivate readers to rethink their strategies.
Community Impact and Perception
The article fosters a sense of community among FPL players by inviting them to participate in a Q&A session with an expert. This creates an engaged environment, encouraging dialogue and shared strategies among players. It subtly promotes the idea of collaboration in gaming, which can enhance user experience and retention.
Information Control or Concealment
While the article does not appear to hide significant information, it focuses on presenting a positive spin on player selections and strategies. There’s an emphasis on certain players while potentially downplaying others, which could lead to a skewed perception of player performance. This selective highlighting may influence readers' decisions in a direction that may not fully represent the risks involved.
Manipulative Elements
The article may contain manipulative elements through its language and player endorsements. By focusing on the potential of certain players and the necessary strategies, it could create a sense of urgency or FOMO (fear of missing out) among readers. However, this is a common tactic in sports-related content to drive engagement and participation.
Truthfulness and Credibility
The article appears to be grounded in factual player statistics and performance analysis, making it relatively trustworthy. However, the inherent bias towards promoting certain players and strategies could raise questions about the objectivity of the recommendations provided.
Connection to Broader Trends
In the realm of sports news, this article aligns with the trend of increasing engagement through interactive content like Q&As and podcasts. This approach not only enhances the reader's experience but also reinforces the importance of community in fantasy sports.
Potential Societal Impact
Following this article, readers might be more inclined to modify their teams, which could lead to shifts in FPL rankings among players. While this is unlikely to have significant societal impacts, it could affect the online behavior and community dynamics of the FPL player base.
Target Audience
The article is primarily aimed at avid football fans and Fantasy Premier League players. It seeks to engage those looking for tactical advice and community interaction, making it a valuable source for dedicated players.
Market Influence
While this article may not directly influence stock markets, it highlights player performances that could have indirect implications for clubs involved in larger business transactions or sponsorship deals. Clubs with high-performing players may see increased merchandise sales or sponsorship interest.
Relevance to Global Power Dynamics
In the context of global sports, the article reflects the ongoing interest in football as a unifying force, transcending geographical boundaries. It connects to broader discussions about the commercialization of sports and its impact on culture.
The analysis indicates that the article's credibility is bolstered by its use of factual information regarding player statistics, yet it does exhibit some biases in player promotion. The language used and the focus on certain players may introduce elements of manipulation, primarily aimed at enhancing reader engagement and participation in the Fantasy Premier League.