GAMEWEEK 30: Welcome to your weekly dose of the latest FPL news and information. This time because we’re in a festive mode, we’ll give you a match-by-match analysis of all the four fixtures happening in Blank Gameweek 30. After the bumper Double Gameweek 29, which concluded with Everton’s thrilling win over Newcastle, this week, we’re expecting lukewarm returns and the ceiling is going to be relatively low. Before we delve further into this, make sure you have bookmarked our website for all your sports cravings!
WOLVES VS LEEDS (Raphinha doubtful?)
Both teams are coming on the back of narrow wins with Leeds securing a 2-1 win over Norwich after Gelhardt scored a wonderfully assisted goal by Raphinha. Wolves won 1-0 against a struggling Everton side at Goodison Park with Connor Coady scoring the solitary goal of the game. Wolves’ defence can haul big, especially the likes of Romain Saiss and Connor Coady, as they may take advantage of Leeds vulnerabilities from Set-pieces. The obvious picks are Raphinha and Raul Jimenez as both are the fulcrum of their team’s attacks and are most likely going to be on penalties as well. The only caveat is that there are murmurs of Raphinha getting Covid and he might miss the match so make sure you keep an eye on his availability. If he does indeed miss, then the appeal of the Wolves defence goes even higher and we expect a Wolves win with a clean sheet.
ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL (Martinelli, Saka or Laca)
The best advice is to load up your team with Arsenal assets as they have a kind schedule ahead and also have a couple of fixtures in hand. The same can’t be said for Aston Villa as they have a tougher schedule ahead, although I won’t recommend selling their assets this week, as most managers might struggle to play 11 this gameweek. With Arsenal coming on the back of a 2-0 loss against Liverpool, I fully expect the likes of Coutinho, Ings and Ramsey to trouble the Arsenal defence, so a Clean-sheet for either side seems improbable. The obvious picks from Arsenal are Bukayo Saka and Martinelli with the latter looking really threatening in their recent matches. Alexandre Lacazette is also a decent pick and is expected to be on penalties and just in case you’re contemplating buying Thomas Partey because of his last week’s haul, a word of caution, he is a defensive midfielder and is highly unlikely to emulate his massive haul this week. Aaron Ramsdale is a decent pick who can accumulate some save points for you but I prefer Sa in his position as Wolves look like the more likely side to keep a clean sheet against Leeds, especially if Raphinha misses out.
LEICESTER VS BRENTFORD (Barnes or Toney to plunder?)
Leicester is coming on the back of securing a quarter-final spot in the Europa Conference League and I expect them to be in buoyant spirits. Brentford have also been in decent touch lately with Ivan toney in sublime form, scoring his side’s last five goals in their last two wins against Norwich and Burnley. He’s a good punt this week, although I don’t expect him to haul again. Leicester’s Harvey Barnes has been the most threatening of their assets in Maddison’s absence and he is highly likely to be involved if Leicester does score a goal. Our differential pick of the week is Ricardo Pereira as he is expected to start after getting a rest mid-week against Rennes and can easily haul against a generally goal shy Brentford.
SPURS VS WEST HAM (King Kane to haul)
Without a shadow of a doubt your captain should be Harry Kane this week as he’s arguably in his best form of the season and is coming on the back of a 14-point haul from double Gameweek29. Son and Kulusevski are decent options as well, with the latter coming on the back of an 11-point haul and looking very dangerous from the right-hand side of that spurs’ attack. Matt Doherty and Romero are also great picks if you want to invest in the Spurs defence. It would be prudent for your team if you have a triple Spurs and Arsenal as they have an easy schedule ahead with both teams also playing twice in Gameweek 33. West Ham come into this crunch fixture on the back of a historic extra-time 2-0 win over Sevilla, thereby confirming a spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. With their eyes firmly set on the continental prize and them playing 120 minutes yesterday night, I expect a routine win for Spurs especially with Bowen’s absence confirmed due to long term injury. I would stay away from their fantasy assets for now as well as for the future.
SHOULD YOU FREE HIT IN BLANK GAMEWEEK 30?
With only four fixtures scheduled, I expect this Gameweek to have a low ceiling and if you’re able to field eight or more players then you should save your Free hit chip which could be more judiciously used in the upcoming double GW33 and GW36. I would even advise you to bank a transfer this week as this gives you the flexibility to navigate with the upcoming double Gameweeks. On the contrary, if you do indeed take a hit or two then it might as well pay off as I expect not many managers to haul this week. We hope that you have an awesome weekend ahead and on this auspicious occasion of Holi, we wish that your arrows be green.
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