Thread by @Fantasypaedia

Grealish? Martinelli? BHA mids? Salah?

Who's the ideal midfielder to go for?

Fantasypaedia contributor @FPL_Architect lists down his top Rashford replacements in his weekly thread.

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#FPL #FPLCommunity #GW31

With a GW 32 Free Hit strategy:

1️⃣ Jack Grealish (7.1m) – Man City

Grealish has now started 11 PL games in a row for City, and with Phil Foden injured it looks like Grealish is relatively nailed to start as LW. There’s always a risk with City players, but his xMins are solid.

Since the departure of Cancelo, Grealish has taken on a more direct role in the attack, & 11 of his 13 attacking returns this season have come since the restart. Man City are capable of scoring 3+ goals in any game, and bringing Grealish in ensures a larger share of those points.

2️⃣ Ilkay Gündogan (7.3) – Man City

Gundogan has started 10 of the 11 last PL games and is another City midfielder that looks both relatively safe from rotation and like a value pick in FPL. He hasn’t delivered as many actual returns as Grealish, only 5 since the restart, but…

… his underlying stats are fine and with a great fixture run coming up, City have a combination of easy fixtures and DGWs that should translate to goals and FPL points for the attackers, Ilkay Gundogan is the type of differential pick that has the potential to gain you rank.

3️⃣ Bruno Fernandes (9.6) – Man Utd

Bruno has been a disappointing FPL asset lately, but with both Eriksen and Casemiro likely back for GW 31, he’s expected to return to the number 10 role, where he’s far more attacking. Although Rashford’s injury will make the United attack…

…worse as a whole, it could mean that United increase their dependence on Bruno and further make the case for him as a pick. The upcoming fixture run is very good, a great fixture this week and two double GWs later more than make up for a tricky GW 33 game.

Without a GW 32 Free Hit:

1️⃣ Mohamed Salah (12.8) – Liverpool

If you’re not using FH in GW 32, bringing in Mo Salah as soon as possible makes a lot of sense. Liverpool plays Leeds in GW 31 followed by a brilliant fixture against Nottingham Forest in GW 32 and a double in GW 34.

Salah could have had a massive haul against Arsenal in GW 30, he accumulated a record xG of 2.42 and owners can count themselves massively unlucky getting just a 5-pointer. He’s a very explosive asset and the standout captain in GW 32, so bring him in if you have the funds.

2️⃣ Gabriel Martinelli (6.7) – Arsenal

Arsenal’s fixture in GW 32 is Southampton (H) and all FHers will have 3 Arsenal players for that game, so for those without a FH it’s very logical to bring in Arsenal cover for that game. The fixtures from GW 33-36 are far from ideal…

… though, you could argue that Arsenal can beat any opponent, and Martinelli can score against anyone. The Brazilian winger has 14 goals and 7 assists this season, fantastic numbers, and with Arsenal playing for the title, there’s no reason why he would suddenly stop scoring.

3️⃣ Jarrod Bowen (8.0) – West Ham

If you’re looking for a differential pick in midfield, the 3.1% owned Jarrod Bowen is an option. The GW 31 game vs Arsenal is very tough, but that’s followed by an appealing GW 32 fixture against Bournemouth and later on, a double in GW 34.

Bowen has struggled this season, at least compared to his fabulous 21/22 campaign, but he’s still managed to get 11 attacking returns, with 8 of them coming since the restart. His xGI per game this season sits at 0.44, which is fine for his price. Solid, low-owned, pick.