With the injury to Marcus Rashford (£7.2) and the continued underperformance of James Maddison (£8.2), many managers are looking at potential replacements. In this FPL GW31 midfielders article, @FPLPAZ breaks down four potential replacements from the two most template “safe” options to two more differential risky options. As always, please wait until the press conferences and predicted lineups to make changes, and unless you are strapped for cash, I would not make early moves.
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Best FPL GW31 Midfielders
Latest on Rashford’s Injury :
“Assessment of the injury suggests that Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the season run-in.”
Maddison meanwhile since GW24 has got only one assist in seven games and has been disappointing for a poor Leicester side. Leicester are also facing Man City this week which has led to over 100K managers already shipping him out making Maddison the 4th most-sold player this week.
Template Options as Rashford/Maddison replacements
Jack Grealish MCI £7.0
After an impressive performance against Southampton with a goal and an assist, Grealish comes in as the best replacement for Rashford or Maddison. That now makes it back-to-back double-digit hauls for Grealish, and the most important part is the amount of playing time he has received lately. Grealish has now started 11 matches in a row making him one of the most nailed players for one of the most lethal attacks in the league. What is impressive about Jack Grealish’s breakthrough is that since the GW17 restart, his role has changed into a more attacking up the pitch role meaning Pep has given Grealish the license to show off his creativity and playmaking abilities.
Jack Grealish heatmap and shotmap this season:
Grealish does blank in GW32, but he has great fixtures, including a DGW in GW34 and GW37. So as long as you have a plan to deal with him in GW32, such as a free hit, then managers should be good in bringing in Grealish. With an xGI of 0.58 per 90 minutes since the GW17 restart, Grealish is a great replacement for both Maddison and Rashford.
Grealish stats since GW17 amongst midfielders
- xA: 4.82 (5th best in the league)
- BCC: 8( joint 4th best)
- Assists: 7( joint highest)
- KP: 26( 10th best among midfielders)
Gabriel Martinelli ARS £6.7
Many managers are still waiting for the Ødegaard to Martinelli (-4) to pay off since most of them did it in GW23 to the tune of Martinelli providing 72 points over that span. While I do prefer Saka £8.6, the money that Martinelli saves you will pay off massively come DGW34. Martinelli’s underlying stats are also great, with a 0.61 xGI per 90 minutes since the GW17 restart. The resurgence of Martinelli can be attributed to Nketiah’s absence and the inclusion of Trossard as a number 9 with the return of Jesus, which has allowed Martinelli to drift more down the middle giving him more goal threat.
Martinelli heatmap and average position this season:
Arsenal’s fixtures are tough, with the 3rd most difficult schedule for attackers over the last 8 GWs of the season. However, their attacking numbers are elite (2nd in xG), so any of their players can haul against any defense. Martinelli has been just magnificent for Arsenal lately, and at that price, there are not many better options for a Maddison or Rashford replacement, especially for those without a Free Hit or who do not wish to use it in GW32.
Martinelli meanwhile since GW24 has blanked only once producing seven goals and 2 assists making him the highest-scoring player during the period with 67 points from just 8 games.
Risky / Differential Picks
Riyad Mahrez MCI £7.3 / Ilkay Gundogan MCI £7.3
For the risky picks, we kick it off with rotation and minute risks Manchester City midfielders Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan. While both of these options are risky, they also have massive upsides, given their pedigree. Mahrez is just deadly when he does get minutes with a massive 0.69 xGI per 90 minutes, and his past performances have shown on any day, he can pop off with a 15-20 point haul. Given he was benched in the first leg of the UCL quarters against Bayern, there is a high likelihood that Mahrez will get the starting nod in GW31 against the dreadful Leicester defense.
Similarly, Gundogan is another Manchester City asset with a past pedigree of getting hauls from time to time. While Gundogan’s underlying stats are lower than Mahrez’s, with an xGI of 0.44 per 90 minutes, his minutes are more secured, starting 10 of the past 11 league games. You know you will have to use a transfer down the line if you bring in any of these assets, but the points that they can provide on any given GW make them viable high-risk, high-reward Rashford / Maddison replacements.
FPL Gameweek 31 Captaincy Poll
The metrics had a 30/38 “returns record” last season and so far has a 24/29 “returns record” this season. Do vote in this week’s captaincy poll and this week’s captaincy metrics will be done based on the top five players in the captaincy poll
Michael Olise CRY £5.4
With a hat trick of assists in GW30 and great upcoming fixtures, Michael Olise’s name is on the menu as a possible Rashford or Maddison replacement. Olise’s underlying stats are decent for his price, with a 0.33 xGI per 90 minutes, and he is on set pieces, which gives him more avenues to points. Olise’s has been given more freedom under new manager Hodgson by being responsible to get more of the ball out wide but allowing his creativity to flourish.
Eze vs Olise Heatmap in the last two games
Olise does not have any more DGWs but does have a guaranteed fixture in GW32 which is perfect for managers with no free hit left or who do not want to free hit in GW32. With the 3rd easiest schedule for attackers over the remaining 8 GWs of the season, and a budget enabler to open up funds to bring in more premiums into your team, Olise is a good Rashford or Maddison replacement.
Olise since Roy Hodgson took over as palace manager in GW29
- 2nd highest xGI, most big chances created(3) & key passes(9) amongst Palace attackers in the last two games
- He took all corners(14) since Roy Hodgson took over which adds to his assists potential
Eze vs Olise since GW29
GW29 was the first match under Roy Hodgson since he returned as Palace manager.
| Olise | Eze | |
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Assists | 3 | 1 |
| xG | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Big Chances | 0 | 1 |
| Shots in Box | 4 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 4 |
| Shots | 8 | 6 |
| Crosses | 22 | 2 |
| Chances Created | 9 | 6 |
| BCC | 3 | 0 |
| xA | 1.5 | 0.3 |
Other Options not covered on the list:
- Mo Salah: Great option but not a direct replacement for most managers due to budget issues. Since GW25, Mo Salah has the 2nd most xGI(6.7) amongst all players registering 5 goals and 2 assists during the period. He’s in good form and Liverpool put in a good performance against Arsenal. Anfield has always been a fortress for Liverpool and in the next six games, Liverpool play at Anfield four times including both of the DGW34 games!
- Brighton Midfielders: Assume most will own two Brighton midfielders at least, if not any two of March/Mitoma/Mac Allister offer insane value. Brighton will surely blank in GW32, but will also surely double in GW34, and most likely double in GW36 and GW37. One blank and three doubles for Brighton from GW30 to GW38.
- Saka: He’s also a great option, he’s gone slightly silent over the last two gameweeks but he’s still the Arsenal attacker with the most goal involvements(23) from 12 goals and 11 assists this season.
Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW31
Confirmed & Likely FPL Double Gameweeks From FPL GW31
FPL GW31 Latest Injury News, Press Conference Updates and Predicted Lineups
Top FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
FPL Gameweek 31 Transfer Tips- Players to Buy, Hold, Sell
FPL GW31 Odds Preview: Goals, Clean Sheets & Predicted Points
FPL GW31 Tips & Preview – Breaking Down The Key Dilemmas
FPL GW31 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis, and Heatmaps
Top FPL GW31 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Deadline
Best FPL GW31 Midfielders | Rashford & Maddison Replacements
FPL GW31 Wildcard Team & Drafts to Consider | Wildcard Guide
FPL Chip Strategy Guide with Key Notes for All The Chips
FPL GW31 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
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