Gameweek 31 best wildcard
Looking at the Gameweek 31 best wildcard team. Using the Fantasy Football Scout season ticker we can see which teams have the best run of fixtures. This can then aid FPL managers in picking out some of the best assets for the run ahead.
The wildcard gives managers the opportunity to change their entire team for any reason. Managers activate their wildcards for several reasons. Whether that be to target fixture swings or just change their team up, the wildcard can be precious to our planning.
Fixture ticker
We can see from the ticker below, the teams at the top have the easiest fixtures, whilst the teams at the bottom have the toughest fixtures up to Gameweek 36 (a six match period).
Who has the best fixtures?
Liverpool, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Bournemouth rank amongst the top five teams with the easiest fixtures.
Who has the worst fixtures?
Chelsea, Arsenal, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Everton all ranks amongst the bottom five teams with the toughest fixtures.
Team balance
It is important to find team balance to try to navigate blank Gameweek 32 and double Gameweek 34. Making sure we have key players for Gameweek 32 and players who double in 34 will be vital to tackle the upcoming period.
The best wildcard team
Goalkeepers
Brentford have some reasonable fixtures in the run ahead including a game against the struggling Nottingham Forest in double Gameweek 34. David Raya (£4.9m) ranks amongst the top three scoring players in his position and also leads every other goalkeeper in the game for bonus points (16).
Backing up Raya is Leicester’s cheap enabling goalkeeper Daniel Iverson (£3.9m). He will only feature if Raya fails to.
Defenders
Not only do Liverpool rank the third best for clean sheets kept this season (11) but they also have a fixture in Gameweek 32 and double in Gameweek 34. One player who offers a lot more than clean sheets is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m). He ranks second for most of the key offensive distribution stats giving him high assist potential.
Newcastle rank amongst the best defences in the league this campaign. They also play in blank Gameweek 32 and have a great fixture in double Gameweek 34. Similar to Trent Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) offers huge assist potential. He also leads the way amongst defenders for successful crosses, chances created and big chances created. His teammate and centre-back Fabian Schar (£5.1m) makes the bench ready to be rotated in.
Manchester City have also been maintaining some of the best defensive data in the league. The title challengers also have a good double Gameweek in 34. Because of this and his assurance of minutes, Nathan Ake (£5m) makes the cut.
West Ham rank near the top of the fixture ticker suggesting they have some of the best fixtures. The Hammers play in blank Gameweek 32 and have a double Gameweek in 34. Kurt Zouma (£4.4m) could be a great option at his price. As well as enabling the rest of the team and rotating in for a blank player in Gameweek 32, the centre-back also has attacking threat and that was shown in one of his most recent games where he scored.
Midfielders
Not only do Liverpool sit top of the fixture ticker for the period ahead they also play some of the worst defences in the league. Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) has picked up four returns in his last six games. In the same period Salah also ranks second amongst all players for non-penalty expected goal involvement (4.33).
Crystal Palace rank third on the fixture ticker with fixtures against some of the worst defences in the league. Their form has improved hugely since the arrival of their new manager and one player to benefit from that is Michael Olise (£5.4m). Olise claimed a huge 14-point haul in his most recent match consisting of three assists and three bonus points.
Amongst all teams in the last six Arsenal rank first for goals (20), joint second for attempts on goal (98) and second for shots on target (36). One of the cheapest and most effective ways into the relentless frontline is Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m). The Brazilian has collected five returns in his last six matches reflecting top form.
Manchester City are also sustaining some of the best offensive stats in the league. Another way to reap the rewards of the free-scoring attacking line is Jack Grealish (£7m). Not only is Grealish nailed in the starting 11 but he’s also managed two back-to-back 12-point hauls in his last two matches.
Brighton may blank in Gameweek 32 but they also have a double Gameweek in 34. When compared to every other team in the last six they rank first for attempts on goal (112), joint first for shots in the box (70) and first for shots on target (41). Because of this and the fact that he has banked seven returns in his last 10 matches, Kaoru Mitoma (£5.6m) is an easy inclusion.
Forwards
One player who could be considered as an essential is Erling Haaland (£12.2m). Not only has the Norwegian racked up a massive 30 goals and five assists but he also has a double Gameweek in 34 and sits as the standout captaincy option for five of the next six Gameweeks.
Aston Villa have been in impressive scoring form as of late scoring two or more goals in four of their last six matches. The biggest contributor to that is Ollie Watkins (£7.6m). He is the focal point to his attack whilst being their designated penalty taker, giving him an additional route to points. Watkins has also bagged five returns in his last six games.
Bournemouth rank fifth on the season ticker and play in blank Gameweek 32. The focal point to their attack and penalty taker is Dominic Solanke (£5.5m). He can be rotated in and out of the starting line-up as and when owners decide.
What should we expect in Gameweek 31? Find out as we dig through the head-to-head stats right here.