There’s no doubt about it now: following the final international break of 2021/22, we’re well and truly now into the business end of the season!
And with just eight Gameweeks of Fantasy Premier League remaining, every single FPL point could make a huge difference! With that in mind, read on for all the top tips you need…
(And a reminder that the transfer deadline this week is 11am BST on Saturday 2 April!)
Benrahma the man in form
With three goal involvements in his last two matches, forward Saïd Benrahma (available at £5.9m) is the Hammer picking up the most FPL points at present, with 19 in our last two games.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed several purple patches throughout the course of the season, most notably securing 39 points in the opening five Gameweeks of the campaign.
Against Everton on Sunday afternoon, Benrahma will be hoping to reward the near-50,000 FPL managers – at the time of writing – who have transferred him in ahead of Gameweek 31.
Cash in your chips!
If ever there’s a time to use your chips, it’s in the next few weeks!
Each Fantasy manager possesses four types of chips: the Wildcard, allowing unlimited transfers; the Bench Boost, in which points from all four substitutes contribute to your Gameweek total; the Triple Captain, in which points from your captain (or vice-captain) count for triple rather than double; and Free Hit, which allows you to make unlimited transfers for a single Gameweek. Only one chip may be active in a Gameweek.
As Premier League sides bid to complete their full 38 fixtures, one off-double Gameweeks will occur for a good number of teams, meaning the potential to activate your chips and score high is big – but it’s Gameweek 33 most players will be interested in.
Make a note of the transfer deadline of 11am on Saturday 16 April for that one, because no fewer than 12 clubs will be playing twice, including many of the sides at the top end of the table. It is also rumoured, although not confirmed, that Gameweek 36 could look similar.
If you haven’t yet used your two Wildcard and two Free Hit chips, it’s a prime opportunity to scoop up plenty of potentially season-defining points!
Opposition report
Expect to see plenty of Everton players transferred into FPL teams this week as the Toffees take on a double Gameweek of their own, travelling to Burnley in midweek, three days after facing the Hammers at London Stadium.
One of the breakout stars of Everton’s season, midfielder Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) offers good value. The 21-year-old has three goals in four England U21 appearances and has thrived under new manager Frank Lampard, topping the Toffees’ tables for shots, chances created and expected goal involvement since the new manager took charge.
Demarai Gray (£5.5m) also impressed in the early part of the Toffees’ season and, despite blanking in their last two games, topped his team’s output for shots, shots inside the box and chances created.
With Andros Townsend recently injured, the 25-year-old is likely to get the opportunity to add to the 14 chances he has created on the road this season (a total second only to Townsend’s 19).
In doing so, the winger might yet add to his tally of 79 points, Everton’s leading total ahead of defender Michael Keane (£4.7m, 76 points) and Jordan Pickford (£4.9m, 75 points).
We have a winner…
In case you hadn’t heard, we’ve been inviting Claret and Blue supporters who enjoy a spot of casual FPL to take part in our own mini-league, where the top-scoring players each month could are in with a chance of winning West Ham-themed rewards.
And we’re delighted to announce that we have ourselves a winner for March…
Congratulations, Ollie Truman – manager of Bowen Arrow – on topping the standings for March with a whopping 310 points from just three Gameweeks! You’ve won a signed first-team shirt from a player of your choice.
If you’d like to throw your hat into the ring for April, all you’ll need is our league code: nlz9u2 - or you just need to click this link here.
Who knows? There may yet be time to propel yourself up the rankings and compete for the grand end-of-season prize!