RADIO
Martin provides his recommended lineup picks for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Draft and Gameweek 31. Target these EPL players in your fantasy lineups.
One of the fastest growing fantasy games is the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) - a season-long version of fantasy soccer for the English Premier League (EPL). With almost six million players this year, the FPL game is becoming a fixture for soccer enthusiasts across the globe.
Here at RotoBaller, we will try to give you the best analysis possible so that you can beat your friends and take on the rest of the world by managing your team in the fantasy version of the beautiful game.
Here is the team analysis and lineup picks for fantasy drafts heading into Gameweek 31. At the end of the day, remember to make the decision you feel is best for the team. Good luck, and enjoy!
The Ones To Buy This Week - Fantasy Premier League
Roberto Firmino - F, Liverpool (Price: 9.5M)
With Liverpool one of the eight teams actually playing this weekend in this gameweek, Firmino becomes an elite option as the best striker available to fantasy owners. With the way that Liverpool's offense has been playing this season, it is almost a guarantee that Firmino sees some share of the spoils. Seeing as he has 13 goals and eight assists this season and that he is the unquestioned starting forward for Liverpool, Firmino should be considered a guaranteed buy-now who has the ability to produce at a solid level below the price tier of fellow elite options such as Sergio Aguero or Harry Kane. Although Firmino was relatively quiet last week, Liverpool were playing against one of the best defenses in the league in Manchester United while this week they take on a very vulnerable Watford lineup that has been known to give up more than a few goals. Keep Firmino in your lineups and add him if you can as Liverpool have a relatively easy schedule for the rest of the season that should see them continue their high-scoring run of games.
Callum Wilson - F, Bournemouth (Price: 5.9M)
Although he hasn't scored in his last five gameweeks, Callum Wilson has been in fine form for Bournemouth this season and finds himself with seven goals on the year. Because Bournemouth are playing bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion, Wilson could look to snap his streak and find the back of the net this weekend. With a dearth of forward options available this week, it seems as if Callum Wilson might actually be able to be a week-winner for the 9% of players who already have him selected. If you do not have Wilson in your lineups, consider adding him for the rest of the season as he is a very cheap secondary option that could augment your attacking corps.
Keep Your Eye On Him
Aaron Mooy - M, Huddersfield (5.3M)
Despite missing two of the last three games, Mooy returned to the Huddersfield lineup against Swansea last week and looks like a sure bet to start this weekend against a troubled Crystal Palace side coming off of a defeat to Chelsea. With four goals and three assists, the Australian international has been a decent player this season, but his production has tapered off as the season has worn on. Nevertheless, fantasy owners will be hard-pressed to find a midfielder at his price level who has been consistently playing the full ninety minutes and has the ability to contribute to fantasy lineups as a valuable first player off of the bench or even as one of the midfielders designated to start for this weekend and the rest of the season.
Offload Him Now
Jordan Ayew - F, Swansea (5.4M)
With just one goal in his last six games and a straight red card in last week's draw against Huddersfield, Ayew will not return to the field until the 14th of April, making him an expendable option for the rest of the season. Ayew has been a bright spot in Swansea's team until this point in the season. However, with an upcoming absence and Swansea's relatively poor form as of late, Ayew should not be considered the top-tier second option that he was considered before this point in the season. Although Swansea do not play this weekend, look to swap out Ayew for potential forwards who can help you now and potentially improve on Ayew's performances for the rest of the season.
Potential Replacements: Callum Wilson (5.9M), Jay Rodriguez (5.3M)
RotoBaller Weekly XI
Team (Prices May Be Over 100M):
GK: Asmir Begovic (4.5M)
DF: Andrew Robertson (4.9M), Kurt Zouma (5.4M), Christopher Schindler (4.7M)
MF: Wilfried Zaha (6.8M), Aaron Mooy (5.3M), Mohamed Salah (10.3M), Theo Walcott (7.1), Abdoulaye Doucoure (5.7M)
FW: Roberto Firmino (9.3M), Callum Wilson (5.9M)
Analysis:
As a result of the BGW31, this is definitely the best week to play your free hit/second wildcard as many managers will be left with half-lineups heading into the week. Unfortunately, the attacking options are not too great this weekend, leaving our 3-5-2 devoid of much talent outside of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Make sure to load up on Liverpool players this weekend as they have the highest chance of performing well as clear favorites against an underwhelming Watford side. As clean sheets will be hard to predict this weekend, focus the majority of your investments into players up top who you believe will produce (such as Zaha, Walcott, and Wilson) and hope for the best.
That's all for this week - good luck!
