WE DID IT. DGW is in the books, good job on wining it! Last week was all about stacking doubles and chasing ceilings. Now we flip the whole thing around: BGW34 is about survival and highest floors. Half your squad is probably blanking. Let's sort it.

First things first: seats at the King's round table are still filling up, but I'm opening new spots for the following GW. If you want a personalized email with your waiver breakdown before the deadline, drop your email on the Waiver Kings.

Based on last week I can tell you, these emails are hitting hard. Lads are locking title races and dodging wooden spoons off these waiver picks.

Waitlist is open, new spots following GW 👑

BGW34: Who Is Not Playing

Six teams blanking this GW. Here's the full list, along with the players I'd actually keep through the blank. Everyone else on these teams is droppable:

TEAM	NOT DROPPABLE
BOU	Senesi, Truffert, Tavernier, Evanilson, Kroupi Jr
BHA	Welbeck, Groß
BUR	Flemming / None (if you have strikers to waiver in)
CHE	João Pedro, Palmer (follow press conferences, keep monitoring if they miss more GWs) / None (if injured for few GWs)
LEE	Calvert-Lewin, Okafor (most in-form player right now together with Haaland?)
MCI	Haaland, Semenyo, O'Reilly, Cherki

Rule of thumb: if you have 3 or more droppable BGW players, you need to react this week. 1 is manageable, 2 are as well, roll with it.

Our goal: have starting XI this BGW.

Defenders

Mavropanos (WHU) - Everton

Best form of any DEF, full stop. 4/5 games 90 minutes, 21-point haul in GW32, 12-pointer in GW30. Last GW he had the best chance of the match and looked genuinely dangerous in attack. If he's still available in your league, he's the first waiver you look at.

Canvot (CRY) - Liverpool

4 DEFCON hits in last 5 starts, consistent 4-6 point floor. Doubles potentially in GW36, so this is both a GW34 pickup and a future stash. Must-win GW36 in your league while playing against your league rival? Lock him in now.

Ballard (SUN) - Nott'm Forest

Tougher fixture, you know we love these. NFO away is never easy, especially while fighting for their lives. However, 16-DEFCON haul in GW29, 12-DEFCON in GW30, he's a nailed starter when fit. Fitness has been wobbly (0m GW31-32, limited GW33), so make sure you check press conferences before committing.

Pedro Porro (TOT) - Wolves

Relegated opposition + 1G last GW. Huge creative output past 3 GWs (47.5, 46.8, 19.4 creativity). He's playing like a winger. Away at Wolves screams TOT attacking return. Love this pick.

Always check trend + averages, not just form

Midfielders

In case you don't want to go for high floor, low ceiling players:

Bruno G. (NEW) - Arsenal

HE IS BACK. 28 minutes last GW, 33 threat points on FPL in that cameo. First full week available soon and Arsenal are... damaged? If he's still free in your league, grab him before someone else catches on. This is a 3-4 GW investment, not a GW34 shout.

Summerville (WHU) - Everton

Nailed WHU starter. If I was bold enough, I'd stack the whole WHU starting XI against relegated Wolves. Mavropanos, Summerville, maybe Diouf, Bowen, full on West Ham party. Away at Wolves (0W-5D-15L at home this season) is the safest stack this GW.

Otherwise:

Sangaré (NFO) - Sunderland

DEFCON beast. 3 DEFCON hits in last 3 GWs (17, 12, 12). 450 minutes over 5 games = every-single-minute player. When you need floor, not ceiling, he's your guy. Perfect 5th mid.

Diarra (SUN) - Nott'm Forest

This is my hidden gem this GW. And yes, we are targeting this fixture. 444 minutes in 5 GWs, 1G 2A, consistent 5-7 point output, strong creativity. SUN are scrappy and Diarra is in the middle of everything. Low ownership, high floor with attacking upside as well.

DEFCON filter in the Warriors tab is your best friend this GW. Gana also amazing shout!

Forwards

Osula (NEW) - Arsenal

Newcastle finally found their starter. 2 goals in last 2 GWs, 90 minutes last GW. This is the real deal. Easy waiver, even with a harder fixture this GW.

#5 among FWDs on form, not too bad!

Havertz (ARS) - Newcastle

Not my favourite pick on vibes alone, but data says otherwise. 1G + huge xG last GW (!!), 90 minutes after missing chunks earlier in the season. He's back fit and he's scoring. If you need a 3rd FWD option, this is a solid one.

Wood (NFO) - Sunderland

Just returned. 25 then 75 minutes in last 2 GWs. No returns yet but starting spot looks it might be secured and Forest need him. Fixture is winnable. The goals will come. Patience pick, grab him before someone else does.

❗ WAIVERS LOCK IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS ❗

Rough timeline if you're running late:

1. Survive the blank, don't be scared to over-sacrifice
2. Waiver in 2 from the DEF pool above, easiest position to replace
3. Pick your MID floor (Sangaré) + your MID shot (Summerville)
4. If Osula is free, grab Osula

Both free

I mean it was clear the players didn't like Rosenior. I have Enzo and Sanchez and I'm wondering should I drop them for Bruno G/Xavi or do I keep the faith Enzo will be back to scoring?

Covered in this week's pod:

• Why I dropped Saka (and why others seem to be following)
• The Palmer question — is it time to drop?
• A 0% rostered midfielder who hit the DefCon threshold in 66 minutes on his return from injury
• Multiple hidden gem defenders for this week
• Full fixture-by-fixture breakdown

Audio pod link: https://pod.fo/e/405034

Predicted line-ups: https://draftfc.co.uk/predicted-lineups

Draft FC (all new members get a 1-month free trial): https://draftfc.co.uk/

Deadlines this week:

⏰ Waiver deadline — Thursday 23rd April, 18:30

⏰ Gameweek deadline — Friday 24th April, 18:30am

Timestamps in the video if you want to skip to a specific section.

Happy to answer any questions (for this week or next) in the comments 👇

Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight

Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played from Fotmob

It’s the blank game week survival test time with six teams (Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds, and Man City) watching from the sidelines, your squad depth is officially under the microscope. I was flying high after the double game week, but the schedule has now come for my squad; I’m heading into a matchup against 15 active players with just 9 of my own. It’s “go big or go home” time with only four rounds to go, so I’ve pulled the trigger on a move that hurts: dropping Phil Foden and Estêvão. It’s a massive gamble against the second-place manager, but when you’re chasing the title, sometimes you have to take that risk.

Goalkeepers

Last weeks picks:

Karl Darlow | ( 10-11 points vs. Wolves (H), 6-11 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+27% ownership change
Darlow continues his good form against Wolves with a clean sheet and a solid performance at Bournemouth. He’s going to be a good option if you need a keeper for the remainder of the season.
Rating: Man of the Match

This weeks picks are:

Mads Hermansen (West Ham)

• Last Game: vs. Everton (H) (11-15 points)
• Ownership: 30% of Fantrax squads
• Next Fixtures: vs Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H)
• Interesting Stat: 81st percentile for saves per match (3.23)

Averaging about 12 points a game in the last 30 days, Mads Hermansen seems like the obvious choice this weekend, even with a tough match against an Everton side that boasts a strong away record this season. Fresh off a well-earned point away at Palace, West Ham will look to grab all three points at the London Stadium to further bridge the gap between themselves and Spurs. With the Danish international in the form of his life, he could be the perfect anchor for a “Blank Gameweek” squad.

Defenders

Last weeks picks:

Jayden Bogle | ( 9-12 points vs. Wolves (H), 2-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+33% ownership change
Not an amazing return against Wolves, but still pretty good and Bogle came off injured against Bournemouth at half time. Still decent points for this gameweek.
Rating: That’s His Job

Olivier Boscagli | (5-9 points vs. Tottenham (A), 10-13 points vs. Chelsea (H) )
+11% ownership change
Despite conceding two goals, Boscagli still managed a decent points return away at Tottenham as they stole a point at the end and continued his good performance against a woeful Chelsea with a clean sheet.
Rating: Man of the Match

This weeks picks are:

Luke Shaw (Man United)

• Last Game: vs. Chelsea (A) (14-16 points)
• Ownership: 47% of Fantrax squads
• Next Fixtures: vs Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A)
• Interesting Stat: Stats are compared to CBs on Fotmob - thanks Amorim. 87th percentile for successful crosses though.

Surprisingly, Luke Shaw has played the most games in a season in his career since he was 18 at Southampton. He might not have the same attacking output he had in his prime, but he’s still a very reliable defender and is always smart and composed on the ball. Can United make it two clean sheets in a row? I’m not sure, but with not too many options this week, I like Shaw the most.

Ian Maatsen (31% owned) is another tempting shout after his assist last time out, but a trip to Fulham is tricky, and with rotation between him and Digne still a factor, Shaw feels like the safer pair of hands.

Midfielders

Last weeks picks:

Zian Flemming | (11-14 points vs. Nottingham Forest (A), 1-2 points vs. Man City (H) )
+7% ownership change
Even against City, Flemming had some decent chances and he seems to also find good positions. I can definitely see him staying in the Premier League next year. He could be a decent signing for a lot of clubs needing a forward.
Rating: That’s His Job

Ao Tanaka | (12-17 points vs. Wolves (H), 2-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+16% ownership change
Like most Leeds players this game week, they got the big points in the first game against Wolves. Tanaka hopefully was the help you needed for the double gameweek!
Rating: Man of the Match

This weeks picks are:

Habib Diarra (Sunderland)

• Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) (6-9 points)
• Ownership: 0% of Fantrax squads
• Next Fixtures: vs Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A), Man United (H)
• Interesting Stat: 75th percentile for duels won

Despite the 1–0 loss to Brighton at home and a poor fantasy performance, Habib Diarra has been averaging around 10 points a game since the end of February. He’ll be kicking himself, though, if he had finished his 1v1 chance or played an easy pass to Talbi in the dying moments (right before Villa went up the other end and scored) he could have been the hero. Maybe he can be the hero this weekend at Forest.
Alternatively, I also like Chris Rigg (4% owned), who scored a fantastic goal against Villa. Both could be great options with Nottingham Forest visiting the Stadium of Light this weekend!

Forwards

Last weeks picks:

Valentin Castellanos | (4-6) points vs. Crystal Palace (A)
+2% ownership change
Although Taty didn’t get on the scoresheet he still looked won of West Ham’s most dangerous players and always seems to get into dangerous positions. I would definitely keep him with Everton at home next.
Rating: On The Bench

Noah Okafor | ( 25-29 points vs. Wolves (H), 1-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+39% ownership change
Okafor showed the kind of fantasy player he is across the two games, unplayable at times but inconsistent. He’ll be great option for home games for the rest of the season!
Rating: Man of the Match

This weeks picks are:

Omari Hutchinson (Nottingham Forest)

• Last Game: vs. Wolves (H) (8-9 points)
• Ownership: 38% of Fantrax squads
• Next Fixtures: vs Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle (H)
• Interesting Stat: 86th percentile for expected assists versus other wingers

Slim pickings this weekend, and other options I’d gamble on are Igor Jesus (36% owned) and Chris Wood (55% owned), as Forest will look to get more points away at Sunderland. It’ll be a tough game, but all the teams down the bottom are fighting, and Forest will feel confident after their great 4–1 win over Burnley. I think Hutchinson can continue to be the spark for Forest and can be a good option this weekend and same with Igor too.

Fixture Spotlight

Sunderland

• Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) L 4-3
• Next Fixtures: vs. Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A), Man United (H), Everton (A)

Sunderland will be wanting to redeem themselves this weekend after that dramatic ending in the Villa game, where they came so close to winning but ultimately fell short. Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor are battling it out to start up top, and with both under 30% ownership, they offer great value. I’ve mentioned Diarra and Rigg above, but Chemsdine Talbi is also available and is firmly in contention to start. If the Black Cats can replicate the heart they showed in the comeback at Villa Park, they should be a handful for Forest on Friday night.

One to Watch

If you didn’t see Ayden Heaven’s performance last week against Chelsea, it’s well worth taking a look. With United losing Leny Yoro right before the game and having to use Noussair Mazraoui as a make-shift center-back, I don’t think anyone expected United to come away with a clean sheet. But they did, and Heaven was a massive part of that. He’s definitely one for the future, and given the current injury crisis at Old Trafford, he wouldn’t be a bad choice for your squad this gameweek either.

Last Weeks VAR Review

Man of the Match (MOTM): This player was a great pick up, scoring big and carrying your team.

That’s His Job (THJ): As Roy Keane would say “that’s his job’, putting up a decent score with no surprises.

On the Bench (OTB): this player might not have performed super well last week, but might be worth holding on to.

Transfer Listed (TL): This player wasn’t my finest recommendation.

I’ll be keeping a record to track my accuracy. This is good for you too, if it starts getting bad you know not to read anymore!

Lastly

Who are you picking up this week? Do you agree with my suggestions? Or am I way off? Finally, good luck this weekend!

Subscribe now

View Poll

View Poll

Out --> In

Enzo to Bruno G

Tavernier to Xavi

Strand Larsen to Wood

Sanchez to Kinsky/Vicario

I have a big dilemma heading to GW34. I had 6 doublers on GW33, and now I gotta get rid of them. Only keeping Nunes and Evanilson on the bench, but what about Groß? He is being a talisman for Brighton and their last 4 games are pretty decent.

If I decide to keep Groß, then I would have to play Woltemade for GW34, who is going against Arsenal. The other option is to drop Groß and bet on an average midfielder for GW34.

2pts behind 1st place. Only 5 games left, I kinda need the win this weekend. Who do you guys think?

View Poll

Trying to gauge of if I should remove players like ait-Nouri, Marmoush who are clearly out of favor?

View Poll