For the first time in what feels like a very long time, FPL managers are faced with a normal set of fixtures without blanks or doubles. However, blanks and doubles are on the horizon, so transfers need to be planned carefully, especially if you don’t have a wildcard.
As always we’ll be using our FPL Fixture Tracker to help us navigate the fixtures.
FPL GW 32 Tips – Attack
Manchester City
The league-leaders face Liverpool in what looks like a potential title-decider this gameweek. However, City have a great run of fixtures thereafter, with games against Brighton, Watford, and Leeds before a likely double gameweek.
Kevin De Bruyne (11.7m) and Raheem Sterling (10.5m) joined Riyad Mahrez (8.7m) on 10 PL goals for the season last gameweek. The trio are currently City’s top midfield options with Bernardo Silva’s (7.1m) early-season output reverting to the norm.
KDB is the player of choice after four double-figure points hauls in his last eight gameweeks. However, his premium price tag makes him a luxury that less than 8% of managers can afford. Anyone looking for a far cheaper alternative should consider İlkay Gündoğan (7.1m), having outshone Phil Foden (7.8m) and Jack Grealish (7.5m) in FPL terms in recent weeks.
Leicester
The Foxes have a lovely set of fixtures on the horizon, facing Crystal Palace this coming gameweek before a double against Newcastle and Everton, followed by Aston Villa in gameweek 34.
Jamie Vardy’s (10.3m) injury problems make him a no-go for the time being, but a run of three starts and a goal last time out, could bring Kelechi Iheanacho (7.0m) into the picture. The Nigerian went on an amazing run of goal-scoring form around this time last season, and if he can remain ahead of Patson Daka (7.1m) in the pecking order, Iheanacho could be a top differential.
In midfield, it currently boils down to two options – James Maddison (6.8m) and Harvey Barnes (6.6m). The latter has shown better form of late but both have considerable appeal. Perhaps the biggest worry when selecting a Leicester player is their ongoing involvement in the Europa Conference League.
Newcastle
The Magpies’ run of splendid form is well and truly over after a 5-1 defeat to Spurs marked a third successive defeat. Nonetheless, Newcastle have a decent set of fixtures to end the season and have a few enablers in their ranks for FPL managers.
Centre-back Fabian Schär (4.3m) has shown recently why he could be considered an attacking pick with two goals and an assist in the last four gameweeks. The Swiss international scored from a direct free-kick against Tottenham in gameweek 31 and has displayed his goal-scoring pedigree at international level, averaging a goal every 8.5 games.
More traditional attacking options exist in the form of Ryan Fraser (5.3m) and Joe Willock (5.7m), each of whom have seen an upturn in form since Eddie Howe took charge. With his lower price, superior FPL form, and low ownership (1.3%), Fraser is the most interesting option, averaging just under 5 points per game over his last eight matches.
FPL GW 32 Tips – Defence
Arsenal
The Gunners come up against an out-of-form Brighton before a double against Southampton and Chelsea in their hunt for a Champions League spot.
Aside from Gabriel (5.3m), Arsenal’s entire defence looks underpriced given their vast defensive improvement as the season has progressed. Ben White (4.6m) is as reliable as ever, whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu (4.5m) should slot back into the back four having returned from injury.
Kieran Tierney (5.1m) hasn’t quite justified his elevated price tag in recent months but a goal on international duty with Scotland bodes well for owners. In goal, Aaron Ramsdale (5.1m) is a solid choice to see out the season with two doubles yet to come.
Burnley
The Clarets have been in shaky form, but the relegation dogfight could be going to the wire, and this is the time that the league’s struggling teams usually see an upturn in form. Burnley have a must-win game against Norwich this coming gameweek before a double with West Ham and Southampton with further doubles to come.
Nick Pope (5.4m) and James Tarkowski (4.9m), and the injured Ben Mee (4.7m) are rather pricey given the risk associated with opting for a Claret. That leaves Charlie Taylor (4.4m) and Connor Roberts (4.4m) as the most viable options for anyone looking for defensive rotation options.
Watford
The Hornets have hardly been defensively reliable, but Roy Hodgson has improved their outlook somewhat. Crunch fixtures against Leeds, Brentford, Burnley, and Everton all at Vicarage Road before the season is out could yet prove fruitful.
Ben Foster (4.1m) is a useful squad option given his basement price tag and is virtually guaranteed to start. A double gameweek featuring Everton in the latter weeks of the season also increases the appeal of a bench boost for anyone with the chip in their back pocket.
Given the number of viable FPL options in defence, a spot shouldn’t be wasted on a Hornets asset. However, anyone determined to take the plunge is best-served looking at Kiko Femenía (4.3m).
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