FPL Pod S8 Ep40: FPL Pod: Coping with Blank Gameweek 31
Mar 19, 2026
Managers wrestle with choices for Arsenal and Man City assets during the first Blank Gameweek. The team debates whether to keep or sell key names like Haaland, Rice, Saliba and Timber. They weigh Free Hit usefulness, ten-man squads versus value, and highlight forward and midfield targets including Bowen, Bruno and Cunha.
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Champions League Knockouts Reshuffle FPL Midweeks
- Champions League exits change midweek scheduling and reduce expected double gameweeks for Premier League teams.
- Chelsea and Manchester City elimination increases their free midweeks and may remove anticipated doubles in GW34, affecting chip timing.
Hold Raya And Gabriel Through The Blank
- Keep Arsenal goalkeeper Raya and defender Gabriel when they blank in GW31 and bench them.
- Julien Laurens recommends holding those two because Gabriel is on course to break defender scoring records and Raya is easy to bench with a backup keeper.
Sell Declan Rice If You Need Starters
- Sell Declan Rice if you need active starters for GW31 and don't plan to keep him long term.
- Sam Bonfield and Julien note Rice's recent drop in returns and say it's easy to bring him back later if required.