Fantasy Premier League: Top Reasons to Add Saliba and Evanilson to Your Gameweek 31 Squad

Spring has officially sprung in the Premier League, and whether the chilly months have found you at the top of your league or scrambling to catch up, here are some strategic considerations for your FPL team as Gameweek 31 approaches.

Utilising Fantasy Football Hub’s AI-generated projections, we’ve identified the top players for this week’s selections. If you’re uncertain about your next move in FPL, be sure to check out your AI-suggested transfers here!

A significant setback for Arsenal’s defence occurred when Gabriel sustained a hamstring injury during the previous match, a 2-1 victory over Fulham. This has prompted many managers to consider him a top candidate for transfer out ahead of Gameweek 31.

Nonetheless, Arsenal’s defence is still worth a look, ranking third in the league this season with 11 clean sheets. They boast the fewest big chances conceded (40) and a mere 25 goals let in, having maintained three clean sheets in their last six games.

In a boost for the Gunners, William Saliba has seen a rise in AI predictions before their encounter with Everton, surpassing Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol. Although he’s scored two goals this season, Gabriel’s injury significantly impacts Arsenal’s prospects for clean sheets.

Midfielder: Mohamed Salah vs Fulham (A) – 7.4 points

Despite a rare blank in the recent Merseyside Derby—which marked his first since Gameweek 22—Mohamed Salah is still predicted to be the top pick for this weekend, making him an excellent choice for captaincy. Prior to the derby, Salah had racked up nine goals and four assists in his last eight outings, surpassing the 300-point threshold in FPL for the season. He has already delivered 17 double-digit scores this campaign, bolstered by his spot-kick responsibilities, having successfully converted nine penalties.

His impressive away form has taken centre stage, with four of his 17 double-digit scores coming from his last four matches on the road, showcasing his talents against formidable opponents like Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton, and Bournemouth.

Alexander Isak is racing against time to recover from a groin injury suffered during Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Brentford, as the Magpies prepare to face Leicester City on Monday Night Football. He is expected to be fit for the match.

His playing time has necessitated a prediction of just 5.4 points for this fixture, based on a projected 64-minute appearance; however, if he manages to play close to a full game, that estimate could climb to around seven points. If healthy, Isak could present a viable captaincy alternative to Salah.

The forward netted in the last match, bringing his tally to 20 goals for the second consecutive season. He has already found the net once against Leicester this season, accumulating 11 points from that encounter with a goal and an assist to his name. With Leicester City only managing one clean sheet this season, Isak’s prospects seem bright.

Bournemouth’s recent form has dipped following an unbeaten streak in December and January, managing just one point from their last four league matches, including surprising home losses to Brentford and Ipswich Town.

If injury sidelines top scorer Justin Kluivert again, forward Evanilson, currently owned by 3.8% of managers, is in line to take over spot-kick responsibilities. He has returned to form with two goals after recovering from an injury that kept him out for most of January, and he now has a total of 11 attacking returns for the season.