Gameweek 34 brings fresh headaches for Fantasy Premier League managers after an eventful double gameweek. Several clubs are blanking, but there remain clear options across all positions for those setting their squads.

Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City do not play this gameweek, narrowing choices for many managers. Among goalkeepers, Arsenal’s David Raya (£6.0m) stands out. He faces an out-of-form Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday, remains the highest-scoring stopper and has kept two clean sheets in his last four despite Arsenal’s slump. At the other end of the budget scale, Robin Roefs (£4.8m) has impressed in his Sunderland debut season and offers a favourable fixture against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at home; he returned 11 points in his most recent home match.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper situation has opened an intriguing enabler route. Freddie Woodman (£3.9m) is poised to make his first Premier League start against Crystal Palace at Anfield after injuries to Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Defensive coverage can be provided by proven performers. Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m) has delivered 58 points across his last eight matches and remains a goal threat following his late winner against Everton. Arsenal defensive assets also merit consideration, notably Gabriel (£7.1m) who has seven goal involvements this season and will target a clean sheet against Newcastle. Jurriën Timber (£6.2m) is an option if passed fit.

In midfield, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro (£5.1m) looks lively after a 10-point return last weekend and has a favourable trip to relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers while operating in a more attacking role under Roberto De Zerbi. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) continues to matter; he reached 18 assists for the season last time out and remains central to United’s remaining fixtures. Casemiro (£5.7m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) provide cheaper United routes.

Other midfield and attacking choices include Mohamed Salah (£14.0m), who looked lively and scored at Everton, Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.1m), Harry Wilson (£6.0m), Morgan Rogers (£7.4m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) after his hat trick and 20-point haul. Xavi Simons (£6.5m) impressed with a goal and assist versus Brighton. In attack, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) has six goals in his last five matches across all competitions and Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) has amassed 41 points across his past five home games for West Ham and remains their primary threat against Everton at home.

These selections use only fixtures and performances relevant to Gameweek 34 and reflect the available options ahead of deadlines this weekend.

Gameweek 33 brings both headaches and opportunities for FPL managers as several teams play twice. The double fixtures make prioritising players from the right squads crucial, with Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City all on double duty.

Goalkeepers
Karl Darlow (£3.9m) stands out because of his low price and fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) and Bournemouth (A). He has scored 16 points across his last three fixtures and looks nailed on for the remainder of the season. Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.6m) also offers two fixtures, Arsenal (H) and Burnley (A), but his inclusion uses one of three Man City slots managers may prefer to spend on midfield and forward assets. Đorđe Petrović (£4.6m) is a Bournemouth alternative after three clean sheets in his last six outings versus Newcastle United (A) and Leeds (H).

Defenders
Bournemouth defenders Marcos Senesi (£5.2m) and James Hill (£4.2m) present clean sheet potential and solid defensive contribution totals, while Adrien Truffert (£4.7m) provides more attacking upside via assists. Leeds options Pascal Struijk (£4.3m), Jayden Bogle (£4.4m) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (£3.8m) offer differing mixes of defensive reliability and attacking threat. Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) is the main Chelsea defender to consider despite matches with Manchester United (H) and Brighton (A) being tough for clean sheets. Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) would be an obvious pick after a 14-point weekend and 52 points in six gameweeks, but he is an injury concern; Marc Guéhi (£5.1m) is a viable alternative if O’Reilly is ruled out.

Midfield and attack
Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m) remains an attractive midfield option despite high ownership. Rayan Cherki (£6.3m) offers a differential and Jérémy Doku (£6.4m) provides explosive potential. Cole Palmer (£10.5m) will start both Chelsea games and is on spot kicks. Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m) is notable for set-piece and penalty responsibility versus Rayan (£5.5m) and Alex Scott (£5.0m). Pascal Groß (£5.5m) and Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) could be short-term Brighton values.

Forwards
Erling Haaland (£14.4m) is the obvious captaincy candidate across two fixtures, with particular promise in the Burnley match. João Pedro (£7.7m) is a reliable pick given Chelsea’s double and his 82 points since Liam Rosenior took charge; he faces little competition for his starting role.

Gameweek 28 carries weight for managers chasing mini-league positions and avoiding forfeits. With the season entering its final third, every transfer can matter.

Goalkeepers present clear options. Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.7m) is the suggested move for those switching stoppers: “Despite disappointing last weekend, the Brentford man faces Burnley (A) this time around” and then has Bournemouth (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Leeds United (A) and Everton (H). Alisson (£5.4m) offers a set-and-forget route given Liverpool’s fixture swing, beginning with West Ham United (H) and followed by Wolves (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H) and Brighton & Hove Albion (A). Đorđe Petrović (£4.5m) is a budget alternative after Bournemouth have kept two clean sheets in their last four and face Sunderland (H), Brentford (A) and Burnley (H).

At the back, Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) stands out after 28 points across his last two and the combination of clean sheet potential, defensive contribution and goalscoring threat. Gabriel (£7.1m) remains an essential asset despite Arsenal’s recent defensive blunders; Chelsea (H), Brighton (A) and Everton (H) precede a blank in Gameweek 31. Budget enablers include Fulham’s Joachim Andersen and Bournemouth’s James Hill (£4.1m), with Andersen facing Tottenham (H), West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Burnley (H), while Hill has supplied six points or more in his last five matches.

Midfield decisions will hinge on fitness and form. Bruno Fernandes (£9.9m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.7m) are both primed for Crystal Palace (H) and are described as largely fixture-proof; choosing between them is highlighted as difficult. Depending on his fitness after missing last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest, Florian Wirtz (£8.4m) appears the best Liverpool midfield option. Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.8m) is a strong alternative but is noted for less consistent attacking returns if used at right back.

Up front, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) has produced just one double-digit haul since Gameweek 17 but remains capable of quick returns, with Leeds (A) next. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) has encouraging fixtures and should be involved against West Ham. Igor Thiago (£7.1m) is on penalties and is recommended for GW28 starting with Burnley at Turf Moor.