The Scout builds a squad for managers in Fantasy Premier League who are using their Wildcard in Gameweek 31.
This next four-day period could be vital in shaping your transfer plans and chip strategies for the remainder of 2024/25.
Many managers have chosen to Wildcard in Gameweek 31 as they anticipate that the three matches which have been removed from Blank Gameweek 34 (BGW34) due to the FA Cup semi-finals will be allocated new dates before the Gameweek 31 deadline on 11:00 BST, Saturday 5 April.
Should that be the case, you will have the full picture of Blank and Double Gameweeks to build your squad around.
Although the squad below has been built prior to any fixture rearrangements, there is a full quota of six players from Crystal Palace and Newcastle United for Double Gameweek 32 (DGW32), the only confirmed Double Gameweek we know right now.
It also factors in players from other clubs who are expected to be given a Double Gameweek later in the season, such as Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
However, as those same clubs also have a BGW34 on their schedules, the idea here is to mirror the popular strategy of many managers by playing the Free Hit chip in BGW34 to navigate the reduced round of matches.
In the case of Palace players, in particular, this could prove a productive approach.
The Eagles’ progress to the FA Cup semi-finals means they are expected to have another Double Gameweek to go along with their DGW32 – a unique schedule which makes their assets vital to any Wildcard.
Salah is essential
After breaking the ALL-TIME points record with nine matches still remaining, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) should be front and centre of any Wildcard squad.
If he maintains his current average of 10.6 points per match, the Egyptian would surpass the 400-point barrier by the end of 2024/25.
Look for value elsewhere to balance out your squad.
West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola (£4.2m) is the cheapest starting goalkeeper in Fantasy, Nikola Milenkovic (£4.9m) boasts the greatest goal threat among Nottingham Forest’s resilient defence, while AFC Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert (£6.3m) is the fifth top-scoring midfielder and has penalty duties to further his appeal, he is however a doubt to face Ipswich Town as confirmed by the Cherries' official website.
Triple up on Newcastle and Palace for DGW32
For the Magpies, Dan Burn (£4.4m) and Jacob Murphy (£5.0m) offer great value in defence and midfield respectively.
Alexander Isak (£9.4m), meanwhile, is a strong captain option for the next two Gameweeks. Newcastle visit Leicester City in Gameweek 31 before hosting both Manchester United and Palace in DGW32.
As already mentioned above, the prospect of another Double Gameweek to go along with their DGW32 means Palace players are vital to your Wildcard.
Daniel Munoz (£5.1m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.6m) are must-haves, while Ismaila Sarr (£5.7m) has form and price in his favour over Eberechi Eze (£6.7m).
Get Saka and Marmoush for future Double Gameweeks
Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) and Omar Marmoush (£7.4m) are the headline names for double-ups on both Arsenal and Man City.
Saka’s return from injury makes him an ideal premium partner for Salah in your midfield, while Marmoush’s prospects look set to be lifted by a role up front in light of Erling Haaland’s (£14.8m) injury.
David Raya (£5.5m) and Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) can be played in every Gameweek, while Villa’s Lucas Digne (£4.5m) is a handy budget defender for your bench who is also expected to get a Double Gameweek later in 2024/25.