Avoid free hit & captain Fernandes - the FPL talking point
With Arsenal and Manchester City squaring off in the Carabao Cup final this weekend, FPL managers have been faced with several conundrums. City and the Gunners are among four clubs without a Premier League match in a blank gameweek, which means managers have got some tricky decisions to make. They include what to do with Erling Haaland, whether to play the free hit chip - which allows unlimited free transfers for a single gameweek - and how to fill the void left by players who are not in action.
With 31 points in the previous three weeks, is Bruno Fernandes the best option to replace the Norwegian as the most captained player in the game? FPL expert Holly Shand and some of the team from the FPL Podcast give their verdicts. With Haaland guaranteed zero points this weekend, sales of the City forward have already hit more than 230,000 - well in advance of Friday's 18:30 GMT deadline.
That makes the Norwegian the most transferred player out during this gameweek, but there are plenty of underlying factors that make it an understandable move. Haaland's fitness has appeared to be an issue of late and he has scored just three goals in 11 Premier League appearances since the turn of the year. Coupled with that, Pep Guardiola's side return to top-flight action with a difficult trip to Chelsea in gameweek 32, and then host leaders Arsenal the following week.
However, City could be among the clubs who could end up with a double gameweek in week 33 and there is a huge risk to offloading a player with a proven goalscoring record - and who would likely take more out of your budget it you wanted to bring him back in. Holly Shand: "I'm personally not looking to sell Haaland as I'd end up buying him back immediately after the international break at a higher price point. "Transfers are precious at this stage of the season.
Selling would allow flexibility to buy Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer. "Bruno Fernandes stands out as the best captain pick, having produced goal involvements in eight of his 10 Premier League games under Michael Carrick. "He has five double-digit hauls in this period, continuing to dominate for key passes (98), as he looks to break the Premier League record for the most assists in a season.