A special edition of the differentials article this week as we focus on one-week punts for the blank gameweek.
We have picked out three tempting differentials for gameweek 31 in defence, midfield and attack to give the blank some more excitement.
Malick Thiaw
Ownership in FPL: 6.8% Price: £5.0m Position: Defender
Opponent: Sunderland (Home)
First up is Malick Thiaw, fresh from conceding seven in midweek to Barcelona. The good news for him is that he does not play at the Nou Camp in gameweek 31. Newcastle’s ever-present at the back this season could be a great option if they can put Wednesday out of their minds.
Newcastle host the Tyne-Wear derby in gameweek 31, which presents them with a perfect opportunity for redemption against a Sunderland side that are faltering a little bit. No one has scored fewer goals in the last six gameweeks than the Black Cats.
This bodes well for Thiaw, who plays a key role in Newcastle’s backline which sits fifth in the league for expected goals conceded (xGC). While he is not an elite defensive contribution (defcon) merchant, he does average a healthy 9.19 per 90.
Despite playing centre back, Malick Thiaw puts up shot numbers that some midfielders and forwards would be jealous of. He averages almost a shot per 90, with 0.35 coming as big chances. With Sunderland potentially missing key defensive players in Ballard, Mukiele, Reinildo and Roefs, Thiaw may get some more joy in the box.
Antonee Robinson
Ownership in FPL: 1% Price: £4.9m Position: Defender
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Fulham will be delighted to have Antonee Robinson’s services available to them once again. The American has missed a large chunk of this season through injury, but made his return in gameweek 29 and has managed back-to-back 90’s. With much focus on centre-backs, Robinson could be a sneaky one-week punt.
Robinson comes with the pedigree of a ten-assist season under his belt. In the last two seasons, he has 16 assists. However, in 11 starts this season, he somehow has none. Burnley at home could be a perfect fixture to remedy this.
No one in the league has conceded more crosses or key passes down their right flank than the Clarets. It is little surprise that Kyle Walker has retired from England duty off the back of this. Robinson is allowed to maraud down this side and is in a great position to take advantage of these frailties.
This season, Robinson has been creating just over 1.5 chances per 90. With Burnley having conceded more big chances than anyone this campaign, Robinson could see a boost in his creative numbers in gameweek 31.
To cap off his potential in this fixture, he has recorded 9 defcon in each of his last two games. Bournemouth’s left back Truffert secured 11 defcon against Burnley in gameweek 30, so the potential is there for Robinson to get over the defcon line.
Richarlison
Ownership in FPL: 5.7% Price: £6.3m Position: Forward
Opponent: Nottingham Forest (Home)
Another player who has had a stop-start season because of injury is Richarlison. After a few weeks easing in, he managed the full 90 against Liverpool in gameweek 30. With Spurs in a relegation dog fight and playing host to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, Richarlison will be looking to take full advantage of his rediscovered fitness.
Despite Richarlison’s injury struggles, his numbers in limited gametime have been very impressive. He has racked up nine goals and three assists from just over 1400 minutes. This has been the case throughout his career, where he has often made the most of his time on the pitch. Last season, for example, he had four goals and an assist in 497 minutes.
The Liverpool game was very promising from Richarlison’s perspective. The Brazilian was a constant thorn in Liverpool’s side, racking up 0.93 xG from five shots and scoring the leveller. He even racked up 10 defcon for good measure.
Spurs will need this version of Richarlison if they are to stay up, and the fixture at home to Forest comes at the perfect time. The Tricky Trees travel to Spurs after facing extra time and penalties in midweek away to FC Midtjylland.
An added motivation for Richarlison will be his push to get into the Brazilian World Cup squad. He has previously said that playing for the national team is his ‘life’, and being left out of the latest squad will have hurt him. You can be sure that he will be doing everything between now and gameweek 38 to get on the plane to the United States. Where better to start than blank gameweek 31 on the eve of the international break?
FPL Gameweek 31 One-Week Punts: A Round Up
Malick Thiaw £5.0 is a shot monster from the back, facing the team with the fewest goals in the last six 4.2% Ownership.
Antonee Robinson £4.9m is back to full fitness, looking to exploit the weakest flank in the league 1% Ownership.
Richarlison £6.3m makes the most of the minutes he gets, with a massive point to prove in gameweek 31 5.7% Ownership.
