The Waiver Wire: Gameweek 31

Those who think Fantrax Leagues are won and lost at the draft are wrong. Very wrong.

In fact this is where the winners will be winners because of their sharp eye for a bargain and the losers will be losers because…well, they ignore the Waiver Wire.

Each week, we will analyse those low ownership players that could win you your match up or even become a mainstay in your roster for weeks and months. Here is what the Gameweek 31 Waiver Wire has to offer…

Jonny Castro Otto – Wolves – Defender

My top advice for Gameweek 31 is to resist the urge of getting in double gameweek defenders. Burnley and Everton are the only teams with the double fixture this time around and while The Clarets open their double with a daunting game against Manchester City, Everton just generally cannot defend.

It looks like plenty usable defenders were dropped in the rush to build a full eleven for Gameweek 30, meaning plenty of low ownership options looks really appetising for Gameweek 31 and beyond. After his goal in GW30 against Leeds, it looks like Jonny Castro Otto is back to his best after two long injury lay-offs. I fancy him to score well again in a tough Midlands derby against Aston Villa in the next gameweek.

Leeds defenders have been off limits for several weeks but Jesse Marsch’s introduction seems to have added more value for the timebeing. They welcome out of form Southampton to Elland Road in another crucial game after the international break and I’d happily start the revitalised Luke Ayling and fit again captain Liam Cooper in that one.

Moi Elyounoussi – Southampton – Midfielder

Having just recommended Leeds defenders, I’m recommending a Southampton attacker. Makes sense!

Moi Elyounoussi’s comeback season at Southampton keeps going and he seems to have made that wide midfielder position his own with a series of consistent performances. The Saints are horribly out of form but the international break may be exactly what they need to reset and will still fancy themselves to get a decent result against an unpredictable Leeds outfit. Elyounoussi is also one worth stashing for their double gameweek in week 33.

As for this week’s doubles, Josh Brownhill and Abdoulaye Doucoure are the only low ownership options who are of interest for me. Don’t expect another 40 pointer from the Burnley man though!

Wout Weghorst – Burnley – Forward

Time for a double gameweek punt. Wout Weghorst hasn’t had the impact that Burnley fans hoped for after viewing his impressive goal return in the Bundesliga but maybe now is the time. His latest double gameweek starts with the City fixture but he will be rubbing his hands together at the prospect of facing Everton in the crucial relegation clash in the second match.

Weghorst and Burnley then go on to face Norwich before another double in gameweek 33. If you’re thinking of giving the big man one last chance, now is the time!

One more forward worth nothing is Jean-Philippe Mateta who still only has an ownership of 4% despite securing that striker’s spot in an exciting looking Crystal Palace side.