Summary

  • Recap FPL Q&A special with expert Pras, four-time top-10k finisher

  • All the big Fantasy Premier League talking points before gameweek 34

  • The latest team news before weekend's Premier League and FA Cup semi-finals

  • FA Cup semi-finals: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (Sat; 17:15 BST) & Nottingham Forest v Man City (Sun; 16:30 BST)

  1. Why Cunha as captain?published at 15:56 British Summer Time

    Thomas Woods
    BBC Sport FPL writer, best finish 9,100th

    Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton WanderersImage source, Getty Images

    The Brazilian has been one of the FPL stories of the season, with 14 goals and five assists. Not bad, considering he has only started 25 games.

    Cunha is also a bonus-point magnet - only Salah (51) and Chris Wood (39) have more this season. If he gets a return, he tends to be in and around the bonus which makes him a great captain shout this week.

    Relegated Leicester have conceded 73 goals in 33 games - this is a game set up for Cunha to explode.

    Given that Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak have both been quiet in recent weeks, why not pick Cunha against possible the worst defence in the league with nothing to play for?

  2. 'Please help me pick...'published at 15:54 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Sangers, London: Please help me pick two from Yoane Wissa, Matheus Cunha, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evanilson?

    Pras: If this is for a Free Hit, then Cunha and Strand Larsen of these 4. If you are not on a Free Hit then I would pick Wissa and Evanilson. Funny how the picks change depending on short-term or long-term objectives.

    Matheus CunhaImage source, Getty Images
  3. Who is your captain for gameweek 34?published at 15:51 British Summer Time

    There are plenty of exciting options to pick from as captain for gameweek 34.

    And we'd like to know who you are going for as your FPL captain this week.

    Do let us know by voting in the poll at the top of this page.

  4. Fancy a differential? Try Bournemouth's Kluivertpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time

    Thomas Woods
    BBC Sport FPL writer, best finish 9,100th

    Justin Kluivert, Bournemouth, £6m - Manchester United (h)

    Kluivert's ownership has plummeted from over 40% to jusrt 12.4%, making him a big differential this week.

    Manchester United are another side whose season is now firmly focused on Europe. Who knows what kind of team Ruben Amorim will play against Bournemouth, with a trip to Bilbao coming up in their Europa League semi-final first leg.

    Kluivert is fit again, on penalties and, if you are on a Free Hit this week, why not include a player who has had hauls of 20 and 22 points this season?

    Justin KluivertImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'Wissa or Cunha?'published at 15:47 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Yoane WissaImage source, Getty Images

    Reuben: Hi Pras. Would you recommend Yoane Wissa or Matheus Cunha as a transfer this week? I prefer Cunha for GW34, but Wissa for GW35 and GW36, and I don't think it matters either way for GW37 and GW38.

    Pras: Great question. If you can get over the Cunha FOMO this week, I think Wissa could be the better pick. Wissa's fixture vs Man Utd sandwiches their Europa League semi-final, so surely they will play a weakened outfit. Then they play Ipswich, Fulham and Wolves - all good match-ups. He plays 90 mins every game. Just think you cant go wrong with Wissa if not on a free hit this week.

  6. 'Is a Liverpool triple-up mandatory?'published at 15:44 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Liz: Hi Pras, is a Liverpool triple-up mandatory for those of us on a free hit this weekend? If so, Mo Salah is a must but who would you recommend for the other two players?

    Pras: I don't think a triple up 1s mandatory because there are a lot of great alternatives. For a Trent Alexander-Arnold, there are other attacking defenders playing promoted teams like Rayan Ait Nouri, Antonee Robinson, Kieran Trippier.

    For a Luis Diaz there are great other midfield options on penalties like Cole Palmer, Justin Kluivert, Bryan Mbeumo. Need to take each pick in isolation and then assess. It also doesn't help that in attack, apart from Salah there isn't really a nailed 90 minutes attacker in the team with huge goal scoring potential.

    Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images
  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I still had a Wildcard to play, so I've just dropped all the double game week players I had last week and brought in players who will actually play. Quietly confident that my private league prize of a bottle of whiskey is secure for this season!

    Christian

    Let us know how you did Christian, in next week's FPL live page...

  8. Listen to the latest Fantasy 606 podcastpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time

    Get more FPL in your ears with the latest pod from Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton and Statman Dave.

    Media caption,

    Alistair Bruce-Ball, Statman Dave & Chris Sutton return to discuss free hitting in GW34.

  9. 'I'd still suggest to Free Hit this week and wildcard in 35'published at 15:38 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Alwyn Fernandes: Hi Pras. If I was to use my Wildcard today, instead of a Free Hit, what team would you recommend to take me through the end of the season. I expect another DGW soon and plan to hold my free hit chip for then.

    Pras: That's a very interesting position to be in. Firstly, I would still suggest to Free Hit this week and wildcard in 35 - main reason being that by GW35 you will have full clarity on the FA Cup semi-final winners and can plan a squad for the final games much better, including any double gameweek planning.

    If you still want to wildcard this week, then I think going with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, Mo Salah, Cole Palmer, two/three Newcastle players and three City on the bench would be a good start.

    Bryan MbeumoImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Is it crazy to bench Trent and have no Fulham v Southampton?'published at 15:34 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    FPL TeamImage source, Fantasy Premier League

    Anon: My all home Free Hit XI - is it crazy to bench Trent and have no Fulham v Southampton?

    Pras: Not crazy at all. You are basically picking Danny Welbeck over Raul, which is reasonable given the former should see more minutes and penalty duties in the absence of Joao Pedro, who is suspended. In defence, you have solid picks (good clean sheet odds and attacking threat) and don't necessarily need a Liverpool and Fulham defender.

    I don't mind putting more eggs in the Wolves clean sheet basket given how poor Leicester have been in front of goal, even more so now with Stephy Mavididi's absence,

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    This year has been my worst in living memory on the FF. Using my FH in a desperate bid to climb out of the relegation places.

    Le Normand One - South Queensferry

  12. Best Newcastle and Wolves triple-upspublished at 15:29 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Max: Hi Pras, I’m on Free Hit this weekend and wondering what the best Newcastle and Wolves triple-ups are?

    Pras: For Newcastle, it depends on whether one wants to double up in attack or defence. Alexander Isak and one defender (I like Kieran Trippier or Nick Pope) are a given. Then you could add another defender, or go for double attack with Jacob Murphy, who I prefer slightly over Harvey Barnes, who has a bit of threat of a start as Gordon is close to being back in the XI.

    For Wolves, again its a case of double attack or defence. Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait Nouri are the two best choices. They could be paired with Jorgen Strand Larsen for a double attack or with Nelson Semedo or Jose Sa for double defence. Note of caution that Sa had a minor injury in the warm up before the last game, but he looks to be back now.

    Jacob MurphyImage source, Getty Images
  13. Why Murphy and Cucurella make my Free Hit teampublished at 15:27 British Summer Time

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    I've gone for Jacob Murphy as my second Newcastle attacker. Ipswich could be down two left-backs this weekend through injury and suspension, and have allowed more opportunities from their left flank than any other team in the last six matches.

    Yes, the threat of Anthony Gordon looms large, but Murphy has started every game in the premier league for Newcastle since GW14.

    Whether he’s been inverting or holding width, Marc Cucurella has been a threat for Chelsea. His last six home games have seen him score three times and rack up 25 penalty box touches.

    Marc CucurellaImage source, Getty Images
  14. Pras' gameweek 34 Free Hit teampublished at 15:24 British Summer Time

    Pras
    FPL veteran with eight top-25k finishes and co-host of The FPL Wire podcast

    Like many of you, I'm playing my Free Hit this week. This is my team....

    Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri is absolutely locked in. He’s had more shots than any Wolves player over the past six Gameweeks, while no defender in FPL can better his tally of 10 attacking returns this season. Leicester have only scored in two games since GW21, so I am backing points for Ait Nouri at both ends of the pitch

    Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the bench. I am worried that Connor Bradley starts this one again. While I expect Liverpool to score plenty, I am not as confident of a clean sheet. The reverse fixture finished 6-3, therefore I prefer defenders from Newcastle, Wolves and Fulham who play the three promoted sides.

    Cole Palmer has caused some debate in the community. No goals and just three assists in his past 11 appearances. However, he is still the third-highest points scorer in FPL, even ahead of Alexander Isak! He is playing an Everton that will be without James Tarkowski. For me, Palmer is a lock.

    FPL teamImage source, Fantasy Premierr League
  15. Postpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time

    Plenty of you have asked Pras about using Free Hit during gameweek 34.

    Pras is also playing his Free Hit this week, so let's first take a look at how his team is looking before we will have his answers for your questions.

  16. Who's a maybe to start?published at 15:19 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa missed last weekend with an injury during the warm-up but could return to the starting line-up. His team-mate, midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, is also a doubt after missing the trip to Manchester United last time around.

    Nottingham Forest do not play until Thursday due to FA Cup commitments, but Ola Aina could be a doubt for their game against Brentford.

    Newcastle's Fabian Schar, who collected 14 points in their 5-0 win against Crystal Palace, has a hamstring issue to deal with.

  17. Which big names are unavailable this week?published at 15:17 British Summer Time

    FPL Q&A

    With Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Manchester City all not playing, 171-point striker Erling Haaland and his City team-mate Ederson will be among the ones to score zero points this week.

    Tottenham captain Son Heung-min will miss their game against Liverpool.

    Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is out with an injury while his team-mate Joao Pedro, who has collected 126 points, is unavailable through suspension.

    Diogo Dalot, Manchester United's top-scoring defender with 94 points, could miss the rest of the season with a calf injury.

    Everton defender James Tarkowski, who has 105 points, will also miss the rest of the season.

  18. Pras is flying this season!published at 15:15 British Summer Time

    Pras is currently ranked 6k in the world, having maintain a top-10k position since GW26.

    With a Free Hit to play in gameweek 34, he hopes to secure his fifth top-10k finish.

  19. Meet our expert - Praspublished at 15:13 British Summer Time

    FPL PrasImage source, Sky Sports

    Pras is an FPL veteran, having finished in the top 100k in each of the last 12 seasons. Boasting four top 10k finishes and eight top 25k finishes.

    Pras is the co-host of the popular The FPL Wire podcast, and the Deadline Dilemmas video series on Fantasy Football Scout.

    Pras is a panellist for the Premier League and regularly appears on The FPL Show and the Official FPL 'Off the Bench' Podcast. He has had several guest appearances on the Sky Sports FPL Show.

    Pras also is a partner and lead host of Solio Analytics, a data and analytics focused platform.

  20. When is the next FPL deadline?published at 15:11 British Summer Time

    The deadline for gameweek 34 is 11:00 BST on Saturday 26 April – tomorrow!