Fantrax Player Picks Gameweek 31

The approach to game week 31 in Fantrax is quite simple: Now is the time to let go of your discounts. With so few weeks left in the season, it’s time to maximize your immediate potential points return. Fantrax allows unlimited trades each week and unlimited duplication among fantasy rosters. Use that power in weeks like these; your opponents will. Your task is to clench your buttocks and sell any player not playing in game week 31.

Harry Kane has been ruled until April, removing him from at least two league games but perhaps more. Kun missed the trip to Stoke but may be back for City’s next league match against Everton.

I can hear your thoughts... I can see what’s going on in that head of yours: Maybe I can be that fantasy player who doesn’t sell Kane and Kun this week. Maybe when they say Kane is back next month they really mean precisely that, a return for the game against Chelsea on April the 1st. Mauricio Pochettino wouldn’t rule it out when asked saying it’s a day by day assesment. Kun could face an Everton side that has been rather unconvincing recently. I will ignore the Champions League QF and Pep’s reputation for protecting his players.

Without bench cover in the NMA Fantrax league, abandon any thoughts of holding either of them and their ~5m discounts. Neither should be in your Fantrax side this week. When declared fully match-fit, you can buy them back. With the number of super-cheap options in Fantrax, you will be able to afford such big moves without affecting the strength of your side too much.

You should only be picking players from the 8 teams playing this week. Find the best scoring 11 starters from the following fixtures:

*

• Huddersfield v Crystal Palace
• Stoke v Everton
• Bournemouth v West Brom
• Liverpool v Watford

*

Loris Karius

The young keeper has improved in steps since Jurgen Klopp confirmed him as no1 keeper. The arrival of VVD in the back four has helped with communication and Liverpool are now unbeaten in 17 league games at Anfield. Visiting Watford have failed to score in their last 4 away games so they are due a goal but the evidence in week 31 is the home clean sheet is more likely.

Asmir Begovic

Bournemouth are far from watertight but face a West Brom side who now appear to have accepted their fate. Perhaps the WBA players will now play their socks off to earn a summer transfer back to the Premier League but I’m not sure the players have the quality to be able to turn their form on and off as desired.

Jonas Lossl

A rare clean sheet for the Huddersfield keeper In game week 30 may feel like an opportunity missed. Still, Palace don’t travel well and so Lossi is an option to consider.

Virgil van Dijk

VVD has yet to set the world on fire in his early weeks wearing Liverpool colours but his influence defensively was seen in the Manchester United / Liverpool game at the weekend. In the opening minutes Romelu Lukaku found himself playing up against VVD and was kept quiet by a player who could match him in strength while controlling him with his reading of the game. The United goals came when Lukaku moved across to play against Dejan Lovren where a simple route one ball caused such chaos. Van Dijk is clear first choice and offers potential points at both end of the pitch this week.

Andrew Robertson

The Summer signing from Hull has settled and impressed as soon as a chance was given in the starting lineup. With Liverpool sat just 4 points ahead of 5^th place Chelsea we can expect Klopp play his strongest lineup in week 31, Robertson is clearly his best left back.

Seamus Coleman / Leighton Baines

Two of fantasy footyballs most reliable points scorers suddenly come into our thoughts. They face Stoke side that have such a tough run to the seasons end. Baines may now be back on penalties giving him the edge.

Charlie Daniels

If the WBA side have one bumcheek on the sunbed then we may see a Cherries clean sheet. Daniels is also overdue attacking returns.

Sadio Mane

Its not all about the Mane but he is a player who can score braces and hat tricks.

Junior Stanislas

Junior has been his most effective fantasy player under Fantrax rules. He surely starts and faces WBA, enough to tempt.

Chris Brunt

In a week for the old favourites Brunt can enjoy racking up the phantom points. With Bournemouth defending any goal may involve Brunt somewhere on top.

Aaron Mooy

Mooy looked a little bit of a season keeper early in the season and he is the man who makes Hudderfield tick. In a blank week set piece players can make the difference and Mooy has those.

Rajiv Van La Parra

Under Fantrax rules the players that can make a good week great are those who can explode. RVLP did that week 28 scoring a huge 24 points against WBA.

Theo Walcott

If fit (went off with a tight calf in week 30) Theo is a great option. Explosive points potential is always there with him despite Evertons problems on the road.

Joshua King

Josh was brilliant at this stage of the season last year and i’m saying he goes big IF he is fit to start (a neck injury saw him benched last week).

Xherdan Shaqiri

The key attacking player for Stoke faces an Everton side who have lost 5 in a row away from home. On top the Toffees have conceded 31 goals in 15 away games. NB: Shaqiri faces a late fitness test.

Roberto Firmino

Must buy.

Mo Salah

My son tells me Salah is “sick”. Panicking I hit my favorite search engines. All I see is him mocking Man Utds Champions League exit. Of course when the boy says “sick” he means a brilliant footballer.

Salah is indeed “sick” and I don’t care if you have to pay full price you must buy him this week.

Cenk Tosun

The January signing has 2 goals in 2 games but returned 11 and 15 points. He has a bit of Lukaku / Benteke about him but in a week where you will have loads of money in your bank is super cheap.

Steve Mounie

8 efforts on goal in the 0-0 draw with Swansea is a little misleading as the Swans were down to 10 men early. Still any player who shoots on site suits Fantrax and I don’t see a Palace clean sheet.

Stall

*

Whom did I leave out? Have you heard any late injury news? Let us know in the comments below: