Double Gameweek players lead the thinking
Fantasy Premier League managers are weighing up several important decisions before Gameweek 33, especially with the Double Gameweek offering extra appeal. On paper, filling a squad with players who have two matches looks like the safest route, since 180 minutes naturally provide more chances for returns than a single 90 minute outing.
Even so, the pool of standout names is not especially wide. Well known options such as Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland, Marcus Tavernier and Dominic Calvert Lewin are already on many radars, which limits the room for major rank gains. That means managers looking for an edge may need to turn to slightly less obvious picks.
Differentials and defender choices could make the difference
Among the more interesting alternatives, Danny Welbeck has been mentioned as a possible gamble, especially for those who believe he can feature in both matches. Other names drawing attention are Diego Gomez, Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki, all of whom offer a route away from the most common choices.
Defensively, Leeds and Bournemouth are attracting interest. Some managers may prefer to invest in multiple defenders from these sides rather than chase attacking returns. The thinking here is simple: in a Double Gameweek, reliable defenders can build value quickly, especially if they offer steady baseline returns along with clean sheet potential.
O’Reilly fitness is shaping many transfer plans
A major talking point before the deadline is the status of Nico O’Reilly. His fitness remains uncertain, and that has put many managers in a tricky position, particularly those preparing to use Bench Boost. If his availability remains unclear, some may decide to keep him. If he is ruled out, a switch to a defender like Marc Guehi or Matheus Nunes becomes the more obvious move.
For managers with only one free transfer, the decision becomes even more delicate. Some may need to choose between replacing O’Reilly or upgrading an attacking spot for a Double Gameweek player. Others may decide that taking a points hit is worth it in order to solve both problems at once.
Chelsea and Leeds offer strong Free Hit options
Chelsea and Leeds are two of the clubs under the strongest consideration for Free Hit squads. From Chelsea, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer stand out as the clearest attacking picks, while Enzo Fernandez is viewed as another useful option in midfield. Their defence, however, inspires far less confidence.
Leeds also provide several appealing names. Calvert Lewin remains a talking point despite his poor finishing record, mainly because he continues to operate as the central attacking target. In defence, players like Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol are seen as dependable choices, while Jayden Bogle offers a bit more threat going forward.
Longer term strategy still matters beyond this week
Managers are also being urged not to base every chip decision only on O’Reilly’s condition. Wildcard versus Free Hit planning should also take into account how a squad looks for Gameweek 34 and beyond. In some cases, delaying a Wildcard could be the smarter move if future fixtures and team news shift the picture again.
There is also a longer view on captaincy chips. Rather than using Triple Captain immediately, some believe saving it for Gameweek 36 may offer a better opening. The same long term approach applies to midfield planning, where players such as Bruno Fernandes, Antoine Semenyo and Cole Palmer remain strong candidates for the run in.
Mitoma owners may be forced into a change
Kaoru Mitoma is another player causing concern. For managers who brought him in recently and are now preparing to use Bench Boost, selling him looks like the sensible path. A move to Enzo Fernandez is one possible solution, while others may choose to rearrange funds and turn him into a more explosive option such as Cherki.
With so many moving parts, Gameweek 33 is shaping up as one of the most important fantasy rounds of the season. The final decisions around chips, differentials and fitness updates could end up having a major effect on rankings.
