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Your eyes will light up when you view the fixtures for gameweek 31 because it’s double gameweek. This only applies for two sides though which are both struggling in and around the relegation zone – Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. Nevertheless, it’s always a fantastic chance to catch up with your rivals if your selections pay off.
Current table
QPR
Throughout this season QPR have struggled away from home winning just one of their 14 fixtures thus far. Their two matches this week are West Brom (a) and QPR (a). If they were going to improve their miserable form on the road, Chris Ramsey will be targeting four points in a desperate pursuit to stay in the Premier League.
Aston Villa
Tim Sherwood has certainly got Aston Villa ticking again after his appointment. The rejuventated side which is full of young English talent has the belief again that they can pick any team apart with their swift counter attacks. This was displayed when they hammered Sunderland 4-0 two weeks ago. Although they lost to Swansea last weekend, they will be hoping for three points from their two fixtures this gameweek – Manchester United (a) and QPR (h). Keeping a clean sheet at Old Trafford is incredibly unlikely but there is a good chance they will net against Van Gaal’s men so their strikers may be the ideal candidates to invest in. QPR have conceded the most goals in the league (54) so Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke and co. will be licking their lips at that encounter.
So who are the top five players to bring in for this double gameweek?
1. FWD – Charlie Austin (QPR) – 6.4m – Selected by 21.3%
Austin will be feeling fresh after the international break and QPR will be relying on their talisman to supply the ammunition if they are to stay in the top flight. The former Burnley man has netted 15 and assisted 5 goals this season, making him the fourth highest point scorer out of the forwards in fantasy football. You must fancy captaining the striker if you bring him in or already have him.
2. MF – Matt Phillips (QPR) – 4.6m – Selected by 1%
Nobody expected Phillips to make such an impact at this stage of the season. By February, Phillips had only played two full games all season, getting minutes here and there but not contributing to any goals. However, Ramsey has backed the former Blackpool winger since managing the Hoops. In his last six matches he has scored one and set up four. Not bad for a midfielder at this price.
3. FWD – Gabby Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) – 5.3m – Selected by 3.1%
The speedy striker has netted three in his last three games. You would usually choose Christian Benteke over Agbonlahor but he is 2.2m more. This is an enormous difference for the Belgian beast that has only found the net five times this season.
4. DF – Steven Caulker (QPR) – 4.6m – Selected by 5.2%
You could be looking at this decision shaking your head. However contentious it is, you can’t deny that Caluker is a goal threat and he is one of the only defenders that has played week in, week out for QPR. He scored five goals last season for Cardiff so he will be disappointed with not having the same success in front of goal this campaign. That could all change in this gameweek though.
5. MF – Scott Sinclair (Aston Villa) – 5.2m – Selected by 0.7%
Sinclair is not the forgotten man anymore. It is fantastic to see the winger tearing defences apart again after such a lengthy spell spectating from the touchline. The former Swansea star fits into Sherwood’s side perfectly and could be the hidden gem in fantasy football for the remainder of the season.
Reminder: Once gameweek 32 has passed, remember to save some transfers to sell your Aston Villa or QPR players because they both won’t have a fixture in GW33.
Dream team: If you fancy using your wildcard…
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