GW33 of the 2024/25 season will go down in history! Every single captaincy choice, even in a DGW, blanked. Saka, Salah, Marmoush, Palmer, Isak, I have never seen so many top players not return…ever! Let’s discuss why this occurred and what moves to make in order to progress.

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⚔️ Gameweek 33 Review - 55 Points (56 Average)

Distinctly average. A few decisions didn’t go to plan, including the -4 for Robertson, who didn’t play, but it was calculated, and in truth, many managers are in the same boat. In defence, Munoz and Henderson helped me with a combined 16 points in a DGW, not bad. The remainder of the team didn’t paint themselves in glory, though, and it could have been much better.

Aston Villa scored five goals, but Rashford and Rogers only picked up a single goal and an assist between them, which was unlucky. Rashford could and perhaps should have been on a hat-trick against Man City. Mateta chipped in with a goal and three bonus, but the big let-down and what confirmed a red arrow for me this week, were the Liverpool players against Leicester. 

No returns for any of my triple up is unlucky, it's more difficult to manage that than have a player return. I’m finally glad this tough GW is over, and we move to GW34, where things look rosier. This week was always going to be difficult, but were in great position for the run in.

📋 Gameweek 33 Transfers Recap

Each week so you know @FplVeteran is doing the demanding work for you, we revisit key decisions from last week's review. This GW we revisit my Differentials. Not many returns in a surprising GW for anyone but the fringe picks were the most fruitful.

✅ The Best 3 Transfers IN for Gameweek 34

🇸🇪 Alexander Isak – Newcastle (£9.5m, 61%)

Newcastle scored again, but Isak didn’t, again! After the shock of DGW 32, where the Magpies scored nine goals, but Isak only scored once, I was sure he would get back to his best against Aston Villa, but he misfired once more. But don’t be disheartened, Isak is too good to continue this reduced patch of form. 

The majority of time, Isak is the main goal threat and involved in virtually every attacking move, which I see being the outcome at least more than once against Ipswich. With their relegation now official, morale will be at an all-time low, and they have to start thinking about players for next season. Their star signing, Liam Delap, has already begun to be rotated for lesser players, and all indications are he (and possibly a few others) will leave before next season. To that end, Ipswich will rotate the squad and prepare for next season, dropping further their already poor form and essentially be lambs to the slaughter. 

Newcastle, with all their attacking threat and needing to continue to win to secure a Champions League spot, will be all over them from the first whistle. I expect Newcastle at home to put two, three or even even past Ipswich and a huge haul is due for Isak. Even a hat-trick isn’t a pipe dream, he’s done it against Ipswich already this season.

🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha – Wolves (£6.9m, 10%)

A bonus point magnet. Since his return from suspension, he has scored, assisted, and gained five of six available bonus points. Cunha, in fact, is the third highest BPS scorer, only behind the FPL king Salah and a reinvigorated Chris Wood. 

Leicester are up next. You know by now that we always attack the bottom teams, and this GW is no exception. This season, they have conceded 73 goals in 33 games, an average of 2.21 goals per game, and there are no signs of this slowing down. 14 goals, five assists in 25 starts, but expect this stat to go up during this GW. With Leicester not partial to a battering, having been soundly beaten 4-0 on three occasions this season, I expect this to be repeated and they could concede even more. 

The rumours are already swirling on Van Nistlerooy’s replacement as the club draw up ideas for their next boss, so that’s not going to help issues on the pitch one bit. Much like Isak, Cunha could have a hat-trick this GW, with plenty of points as company. He’s a lock in my team.

🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£13.8m - 71%)

A coat of paint stopped Salah scoring this week, and managers would be more confident of his inclusion if the ball had gone in after hitting both posts, instead of bouncing out. But team, I promise you the standard double-digit haul is upon us, and what better opportunity than against a porous Spurs side? It’s not just my hunch that’s says that, history also agrees with me. Liverpool love playing Tottenham, especially at home and this stat alone will ensure you have Salah in your squad. 

Liverpool have scored four goals against Spurs in each of their last three matches, with Salah scoring in all three as well. Just for good measure, if you don’t put much weight into home and away form, in the last three against Spurs in all competitions, Salah has a goal and assist in every single game! I don’t need to wax lyrical about how good he is any longer, just ensure he’s in your team.

❌ The Best 2 Transfers OUT for Gameweek 34

🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne – Man City (£9.4m, 7.5%)

It was nostalgic, but didn’t work out in the end. Though I was close to bringing him in after a good performance in GW32 (12 points) I refrained and for a number of reasons. Minutes moving forward, and Man City currently. Though KDB did exceed the amount of minutes I thought he would play (90 mins), Man City didn’t play the best and, as expected, spread the goals around with Bernardo and Nunes the unlikely goal scorers. 

With Haaland being injured currently, there is no main man, and it affects how Man City play, perform, and score points. Aside from those main reasons, he doesn’t have a game this week and may not play much with only 4 games remaining this season. Most managers can afford him, but even for old times’ sake, don’t keep him in your squad any longer. It's sad to say, but I probably won’t own him ever again in FPL.

🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes – Man United (£8.5m, 17%)

I don’t have an issue with either Manchester club, I promise you. I love watching Fernandes play, and though he’s clearly a world-class player, in that team, he can't do it every single week all alone. That aside, with their entire season focus now on Europe, the rotation has already begun in the league. 

Even though we expected a much-changed side, it was still a bit of a surprise to see Fernandes play just 30 minutes, as he almost always starts for United. A tough run in against Bournemouth, Brentford and Aston Villa will see him limited for returns and with other teams that have a potential DGW36, there are better options. 

Even if Man United do manage a win, I want players from teams that score multiple goals, far more chance of returns that way. Take him out for now and wait for his return next season.

Players That Blank This Week

As a reminder here is the list of the main players that don’t play this GW. Remember, no game = no points.

Arsenal – Saka, Timber, Trossard, Raya

Aston Villa – Watkins, Rogers, Rashford, Konsa

Man City – KDB, Marmoush, Gvardiol, Savinho

Crystal Palace – Mateta, Munoz, Eze, Sarr

Top Tip – Blank GW34. It's hard to know if you need to use the Free hit chip this GW. As a rule, most managers activate it if they have 8 or fewer players for that week, but it does depend. If you don’t have the chip to play, then you will need to take hits, or you may also have banked up to 5 FT’s. It may seem like you are taking many minus points to put out a full team, but it’s better than the alternative of no points and no hope.

🦸 Gameweek 34 Captaincy Selections

🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha – Wolves (£6.9m, 10%)

It’s a close call this week, but I’m giving Cunha the armband; Leicester is too good an opportunity to pass up. He usually gets a nine or 10 pointer with only one goal, so imagine what he can do if he manages two or three. Many big clubs are looking at him, and this may just be the performance that cements his move to a huge club.

Alternative Captain Options

You could easily go for Salah against Tottenham or Isak against Ipswich, who could score just as highly. Sometimes risky captain is the right one, and if you want to go super differential then Iwobi against Southampton or Alexander-Arnold against Spurs may pay off.

Top three for me this GW are: Cunha, Salah, and Isak.

👁️ FPL Veteran's Vision and Verdict

No chip required! The last few GW’s I have gone an alternative route using my chips and plan to keep it for GW36, where I think it will be more useful. With one FT, I will also take a -4 to field a full team and risk no bench. Mateta to Cunha is confirmed, but I need to decide if either Rashford or Saka will leave, and with Champions League fixtures getting in the way, the latter may go. As ever, tune into X to see my final moves.

Conclusion

For my captaincy call, final GW34 team, and football insights/analysis throughout the 2024-2025 season. Look out for my special articles and follow me on X @FplVeteran_ for daily fantasy football content.