With the FA Cup semi-final being played this weekend, that means some teams will blank while others will have a double gameweek. The seven teams that will be in action this weekend include Liverpool, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton, Sheffield United and Wolves. Fantasy managers have to make the best decisions to reap big making them competitive in their respective leagues.
Many will still have chips to burn, that they have sat on patiently for weeks such as these. Others will have nothing left, other than the single free transfer to utilise. Either scenario creates its challenges, as we look at how best to balance our teams ahead of this double gameweek.
FPL experts are providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the DGW 34 whose deadline is on Saturday 20 April at 15:30 (EAT).
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF DOUBLE GAME WEEK 34
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOALKEEPER: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
The English shot-stopper hosts the Hammers and the Magpies on the back of his season-high haul against Liverpool last weekend. Henderson earned nine points at Anfield, making five saves and earning two bonus points in the surprise 1-0 win.
DEF: Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
The English full-back returned from injury to feature from the bench in the defeat to Crystal Palace last time out and is one to consider given his status as the most attacking defender in the Premier League in recent seasons. In points per match terms, he’s behind only injury-flagged deputy Conor Bradley in points per match term among defenders this campaign.
DEF: Max Kilman (Wolves)
The Wolves defender is selected for his home encounters with Arsenal and Bournemouth due to fitness concerns over his team-mate Rayan Ait-Nouri . Kilman has matched the Algerian’s 45 points at Molineux in 2023/24 FPL, scoring twice and keeping three clean sheets.
DEF: Gabriel (Arsenal)
Mikel Arteta’s side have kept a leading 14 clean sheets this season, including three in their last four Premier League games. This defence is important to cover ahead of the double gameweek, with Gabriel the leading option. He’s played every single minute in the league since November, with his goal threat of particular interest in terms of routes to points: his seven big chances on goal this season is the leading tally among defenders.
MID: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard recovered from a knock to complete 90 minutes in the defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. He’s second only to Saka for fantasy points among Arsenal players this season, with seven goals and seven assists. Odegaard scored in the reverse fixture against Wolves, a side who are without a clean sheet in their last six Premier League games
MID: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze stole the show last time out scoring the only goal in the shock win against Liverpool, his third attacking return in six gameweeks since returning from injury. He will be a big differential ahead of a pair of home games against Newcastle and Westham United. He is heavily involved in their set pieces, including penalties, with two double-digit returns to date this season.
MID: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka is in the must-own category for their double gameweek, with 24 goal involvements this season. He notched an assist in the reverse fixture against Chelsea and scored against Wolves earlier in the campaign. He’s blanked just once on the road in this calendar year, with a leading nine goal involvements in this time: six goals and three assists.
MID: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – CAPTAIN
The Liverpool star’s totals of 26 shots, 19 shots in the box, six big chances and 11 shots on target are all more than any other DGW34 midfielder. Salah totalled 21 points in his previous meetings with Fulham and Everton earlier this campaign, underlining why he is likely to be the top armband pick for the biggest Double Gameweek of 2023/24. The Egyptian totalled 21 points in his previous meetings with Fulham and Everton earlier this campaign, underlining why he is likely to be the top armband pick for the biggest Double Gameweek of 2023/24.
FWD: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
The Red’s number nine has been a consistent starter in Jurgen Klopp’s front three, with one goal and one assist in the last four gameweeks. He’s one of six players predicted to hit double digits across the double gameweek. Only five players in this campaign have hit double figures for both goals and assists, with Darwin remaining on top for shots on goal this season
FWD: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
The Cheries’ forward has already found the net against both of his Gameweek 34 opponents. Bournemouth’s talisman warmed up for his trips to Villa Park and Wolves by scoring his 17th goal of the season last weekend. As the focal point of the Cherries attack, he will look to continue with his impressive form as the race for the golden boot tightens.
FWD: Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
Wolves striker Matheus Cunha scored a brace on his full return from injury last time out and is now their top scorer for the campaign, with 11 goals. Cunha has the pedigree in these fixtures, having scored in the 2-1 away win against Bournemouth in Gameweek 9 and getting on the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates in Gameweek 14. There’s also a possibility that he could be on spot-kicks.
