It was another intriguing weekend of Premier League action, and while the football itself had its moments, the real takeaways for Fantasy Premier League managers lie in what we’ve learned ahead of the crucial double and blank gameweeks to come.
With Double Gameweek 33 on the horizon and chip usage in full flow, this weekend did provide some curveballs, of which FPL managers will have to take note and possibly take action on.
From Arsenal’s defeat to emerging rotation risks and key injuries, here are the main talking points from the weekend’s action.
Arsenal defeat could be a long-term positive
Arsenal’s loss this weekend may have been frustrating for fans and those who owned their players, but from an FPL perspective, it could actually be viewed as a positive for the remainder of the season.
Their defeat and Manchester City’s 3-0 win against Chelsea means the title race is looking likely to go down to the wire, especially as City and Arsenal go head-to-head next gameweek.
This means that Arsenal cannot afford to rotate their first XI too much in the league.
Mikel Arteta may not be able to rotate his first XI in the wake of Saturday’s loss (Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)
That added security of minutes is incredibly valuable, particularly during their final stretch, where they have a nice run of fixtures.
After playing City, they face Newcastle United (H), Fulham (H), West Ham (A), Burnley (H), and Crystal Palace (A) to close the season. Their key assets could become some of the most reliable picks in the game.
While they may not be immediate priorities due to the upcoming double and blank weeks, they should firmly be on the radar for managers planning transfers for the run-in.
Crystal Palace rotation creates uncertainty
Crystal Palace are another side causing concern. Rotation has started to creep in, and that is immediately reflected in their FPL appeal.
While they do have a potential double in Gameweek 36, the bigger picture suggests caution. Oliver Glasner made five changes to the starting XI, with the likes of Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m), to name just two, starting on the bench.
This was due to them playing the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final against Fiorentina on Thursday. Progression in that competition would only increase the likelihood of further rotation in the league, making their players difficult to trust.
On paper, Palace players could offer value during a double, but in reality, the risk of reduced minutes means they are probably an avoid on the whole.
At this stage of the season, investing in players who are going to be at risk of minutes should be avoided, even with a double gameweek coming up. So, for now, Palace assets are an avoid.
O’Reilly injury could force defensive reshuffle
Injury news also played a significant role this weekend, with Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring issue. While we await confirmation, the early signs suggest it doesn’t look good.
That immediately places him on the sell list, particularly given Manchester City’s upcoming double gameweek against Arsenal (H) and Burnley (A).
It might be worth selling Nico O’Reilly (left) if he has suffered a serious hamstring injury (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Fortunately, there are several viable replacements across different price points. Marc Guehi (£5.1m) offers a steady and safe option, while Matheus Nunes (£5.3m) provides a more attacking route.
Alternatively, defenders from Bournemouth or Leeds are good enablers, especially given they both double next gameweek, too.
FPL managers should look to replace O’Reilly with someone who not only covers the immediate double, but also has good fixtures for the run-in.
I would exercise caution on selling him early, though, just in case the injury is not serious. Wait until we get a further update later in the week before deciding what to do.
Chelsea struggling, but still a buy
Chelsea’s form is undeniably concerning. Three consecutive defeats and seven goals conceded paint a worrying picture, particularly from a defensive standpoint.
However, despite their struggles, Chelsea have a double gameweek next, which immediately boosts the appeal of their key assets. In FPL, fixtures often outweigh form, especially when those fixtures come in pairs.
For managers who already own Chelsea players, this is a straightforward hold. Selling ahead of a double gameweek is not wise, even when a team is out of form.
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro remains an asset worth retaining (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
In fact, Chelsea assets are still worth buying this week, particularly for those planning to use a Wildcard or Free Hit. Players such as Cole Palmer (£10.5m) and Joao Pedro (£7.7m) remain central to Chelsea’s attack and continue to offer multiple routes to points through open play, penalties, and creativity.
Palmer, in particular, still carries big upside and has proven his fitness as of late with three consecutive 90-minute appearances in the league. Joao Pedro, similarly, offers good expected minutes and has many routes to points, with 14 goals and nine assists.
If you are activating a chip in Gameweek 33, I would advise going with at least one of these two players.
Balancing risk and opportunity ahead of Gameweek 33
With a big double gameweek next week, managers will be aggressively targeting players with two fixtures, and rightly so. However, make sure the players you are buying are robust when it comes to expected minutes and fitness.
Security of minutes, team context and competition schedules all play a huge role in determining whether a player is truly worth the investment. At the same time, Arsenal’s situation is a reminder that sometimes the best moves are just around the corner.
Planning ahead rather than reacting purely to the next gameweek could be what separates a good finish from a great one.