FPL Guide: Differentials, bargain buys and captain picks

FPL Gameweek 30 Preview: Injury Concerns, Defensive Picks, and Captain Conundrum.

It's another tricky weekend in the English Premier League, how are you preparing your FPL team? (Photo credit: @FPL)

Whew! The international break is over, and clubs can lick their fresh wounds on injury fronts, while some can feel lucky to have their men back in one piece.

Nobody likes the international break, of course, except your club is struggling, and you need a breather. The latest one, for the fans of the English Premier League and the Fantasy Premier League, has thrown yellow flags at many players. How do you shape your team for the weekend?

This game week throws at us the biggest captain conundrum of the season, especially if you have the trio of Erling Haaland, Mohammed Salah, and Heung Min Son in your team, with the former two going up against each other and the South Korean lacking his co-pilot in James Maddison.

FPL has proven to have no respect for fixtures, pedigree, form, or predictions, but you’d still prefer a goalkeeper who is facing a weaker attack. Bernd Leno and Sam Johnstone are good cheap options in case you’re looking to buy a goalkeeper, with Pedro Neto still unavailable for the Wolves.

Defensive picks this weekend are quite tricky. William Saliba is the most transferred defender; that should bother you if the history of transfers in FPL is anything to go by. Brentford away is not a straightforward fixture for the Gunners; Ben White is flagged, and Alex Zinchenko is also getting signed.

Kieran Trippier has proven to be the man regardless of the fixture. With Manchester City hosting Liverpool, you might want to be cautious with their defenders, especially if you have Liverpool forwards as assets.

Cole Palmer is one player everyone is rushing to acquire, but Chelsea’s fixture list isn’t encouraging. Newcastle won’t give much away; you might hold on a bit before you sign him. Jarrod Bowen is carrying a yellow flag, but you’re encouraged to field him, the same as Kaoru Mitoma.

Michael Olise is back from injury; he has favorable fixtures, and alongside Ebere Eze, he is certain to return attacking points. Bukayo Saka somehow returns attacking returns even when he’s having a bad game. Anthony Gordon is a bargain buy in midfield with other options injured.

Your attack is straightforward; Haaland should be on your team. Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa hardly fire away from home, but you can still field the England striker if you have him. Remember,  there’s a defender crisis at Spurs.

Captain picks? Don’t hand it to Watkins. Son doesn’t have anyone to create for him outside of Pedro Porro; it’s a risk to hand him the armband. Saka is a good option and could be a differential on a weekend when Salah and Haaland face each other.