Summary

  • All the big Fantasy Premier League talking points and team news before gameweek 33

  • This week's deadline is 11:00 BST on Saturday

  • Send your questions in for FPL expert Gianni Buttice - click Get Involved on this page

  • Gianni is an FPL expert and best-selling author of the book: "Fantasy Premier League: Unlocking the Secrets to a Top 1% Finish"

  • He's only finished outside the top 100k three times in the past 14 seasons and has eight top-50k finishes

  • Who should you captain this week?

  • Team news: Saka & Madueke | Dias & O'Reilly | Tottenham | Dorgu & Mainoo | Gomez | Alcaraz | Guimaraes | Mitoma & Milner | Bournemouth | West Ham | Ballard | Burnley

  1. Recap – FPL Q&Apublished at 16:59 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    That's all we have time for during this week's FPL Q&A with Gianni.

    We received plenty of questions today. Thanks for sending them through and here are three of the best replies from Gianni:

    And here's some more information which could come in handy as you head into tomorrow's 11:00 BST deadline:

    Earlier in the day, we also listened into a host of Premier League managers speaking to the media before the latest set of fixtures and all the key team news and quotes can be found on the summary points at the top of this page too.

    With that, it's goodbye from us. Enjoy your weekend and best of luck in with your FPL teams. See you all soon!

  2. 'Use the chip this week'published at 16:56 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Dean: Would you triple captain Haaland this coming game week 33 or wait until the Palace game comes around and triple captain week 36?

    Gianni: Yeah with the Burnley fixture on the table I would use the chip this week if I didn’t have any other chips to use. Free Hit, Bench Boost and Wildcard are all good options this week depending on your team.

  3. Let's talk about Calvert-Lewin?published at 16:52 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Jonny: How do you think Calvert-Lewin will do for the remainder of this FPL season?

    Gianni: Seven league games without a goal isn’t great but he has been playing really well for the team and was super impressive at Old Trafford on Monday, despite missing lots of chances. His 1.31 xG shows he’s getting in the right positions and the team is functioning well for him, so I expect goals to come soon.

    He is wearing a white jersey with the Red Bull logo at the frontImage source, Getty Images
  4. Which players are doubts?published at 16:51 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Here's a round-up of those players who remain injury doubts for this gameweek:

    • Brentford - Henderson
    • Fulham - Tete
    • Wolves - Doherty
    • Newcastle - Guimaraes
    • Chelsea - Chalobah
    • Aston Villa - Alysson
    • Sunderland - Angulo, Ballard
  5. Swap Fernandes and Thiago for doubles?published at 16:50 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Aaron: I have a Free Hit this week but left in Fernandes and Thiago. Would you swap them for 2 doublers? I already have Haaland and DCL in up top.

    Gianni: Whilst they’re great FPL assets I think there are enough good options from the teams doubling this week. I’m on Free Hit too and will 100% have 11 doublers, which will include a front three of Haaland, Joao Pedro and Calvert-Lewin.

  6. Which players are out?published at 16:46 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Right, we are going to flood you with some useful information now.

    We are still waiting on some team news, but here is a look at which players have been ruled out for the opening set of fixtures this gameweek:

    • Brentford - Hickey, Carvalho, Dasilva, Furo, Henderson, Henry, Janelt, Milambo
    • Fulham - Kevin, Tete
    • Leeds - James, Rodon, Stach
    • Wolves - Johnstone, Mosquera, Doherty (a doubt)
    • Newcastle - Joelinton, Krafth, Schar, Guimaraes (doubt)
    • Bournemouth - Cook, Kluivert
    • Spurs - Davies, Kudus, Kulusevski, Maddison, Odobert, Romero, Vicario
    • Brighton - Dunk, Milner, Tzimas, Webster
    • Chelsea - Colwill, Gittens, James, Jorgensen, Mudryk, Chalobah (doubt)
    • Man Utd - De Ligt, Dorgu, Maguire, Martinez, Mainoo (doubt)
    • Aston Villa - Kamara, Alysson (doubt)
    • Sunderland - Mundle, Ta Bi, Traore, Angulo (doubt)
    • Everton - Grealish
    • Liverpool - Ekitike, Gomez
    • Nottingham Forest - N/A
    • Burnley - N/A
    • Man City - Dias, Gvardiol, Stones (doubt)
    • Arsenal - Merino, Saka, Calafiori (doubt), Madueke (doubt), Odegaard (doubt), Timber (doubt)
    • Crystal Palace - N/A
    • West Ham - N/A
  7. 'Too early to say who will go'published at 16:44 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Nick: I have Haaland, Cherki, O'Reilly, Hill and Joao Pedro. One, maybe two, will go after this week: who? Thinking Joao Pedro.

    Gianni: It's too early to say Nick. So much can happen in one game that changes the narrative of who to sell. I would probably agree with you and say Joao Pedro as things stand, but if he delivers against Manchester United and Brighton and gets you a double digit score you’re unlikely to sell right?

    Joao PedroImage source, Getty Images
  8. Best Bournemouth asset?published at 16:43 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Liz: Who do you think are the best Bournemouth assets? I have Petrovic, Rayan and Hill currently.

    Gianni: My favourite trio would be Hill, Senesi and Tavernier. In fact all three are locked on my Free Hit. I do like Rayan and Petrovic too though so back your instincts.

  9. Dubravka to Darlow or Verbruggen?published at 16:40 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Ricky: Is Dubravka to Darlow or Verbruggen worth a hit? My sub GK is Raya who I don't want to play this week! I can't bring in Donnarumma as already tripled up on City.

    Gianni: I would hold Dubravka who also doubles. You never quite know when a keeper can haul and I wouldn’t use a transfer selling any doubler that is safe for 180 minutes.

    Martin DubravkaImage source, Getty Images
  10. Is it crazy to go without a striker?published at 16:37 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Kieran: I don't like strikers this week. Even Haaland. How crazy is it to go without him and go Semenyo, Cherki, Nico?

    Gianni: Oh Kieran you’re a risk taker so who am I to spoil that for you? You will be very aware of Haaland effective ownership, but if you want to take that on then why not? Cherki, Semenyo and O’Reilly are all excellent picks in their own right.

    Rayan CherkiImage source, Getty Images
  11. Is it risky trying Okafor and Mitoma?published at 16:34 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Steven: Tell us here...thinking of taking a punt on Okafor and Mitoma, chasing rank, what do you think?

    Gianni: They’re both a tad risky in terms of minutes. Even if they get two starts I think you can expect early substitutions for both. I prefer Hinshelwood at Brighton, who admittedly can also be subject to early substitutions, but feels more likely to start twice. Likewise, at Leeds I prefer the defenders who are also lowly owned and Calvert-Lewin.

  12. 'Is O'Reily a shout at captain?'published at 16:31 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Isaac: I have all my chips left and I’m planning on triple captaining this week. I’m wary of captaining Haaland, is O’Reilly a shout with two clean sheets and perhaps a goal or assist? Or is there anyone else you’d triple captain this week?

    Gianni: Isaac, Triple Captain is fine this week if you already have a team full of doublers, but if you don’t I would consider the Free Hit for maximum upside. 11 doublers are a great opportunity for mini league gains and Haaland will have another double gameweek before the season is out.

  13. 'Bruno: sell or keep?'published at 16:29 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    David: Hi Gianni. Is Bruno worth keeping as he only has a single gameweek or should I transfer him out for a doubler?

    Gianni: I think he’s a very easy hold as you want him for the run-in. Unless you have lots of free transfers to sell and buy back I would stick with him. He’s arguably been the best player in the game in the last couple of months.

    Bruno Fernandez celebrates with his arms outstretched in a red Man United kitImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'Who to replace Ekitike?'published at 16:27 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Martha: Who’s the best replacement for Ekitike? I’ve already got Haaland and Kroupi. Have used my Free Hit and Wildcard chips already, so going to Bench Boost this week.

    Gianni: If it leaves you okay for next week's blank, back a double gameweek forward. Calvert-Lewin or Joao Pedro would be my pick. If, however, you need cover for next week, Thiago would be an excellent addition.

  15. Arsenal assets a 'good own' moving forwardpublished at 16:26 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Carmello: Buongiorno, so I have got a couple of Arsenal players and I just want to know what's the highest player I can get for my FPL team and what's the best format to use tactic wise.

    Gianni: Buongiorno Carmello! Holding your Arsenal assets is fine this week as they’re a good own moving forward. Buying double gameweek players is great, but only if that doesn’t leave you short in the blank next week when the six doubling teams don’t play. Man City, Chelsea and Leeds players are all good investments for Gameweek 33.

  16. 'Back a doubler'published at 16:23 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Matthew: I've hit Bench Boost for GW33. I wildcarded in GW 32. So mainly set. Should I keep Thiago or bring in Calvert-Lewin or Welbeck? Other forwards are Haaland and Joao Pedro.

    Gianni: What a lovely parting gift from Thiago last week for you, but I would be tempted to back a doubler. Calvert-Lewin has one extra recovery day between fixtures than Welbeck which could be crucial to their minutes, so I would back the Leeds man.

    Iago Thiago mimicking two nil with his hands, he's in a red and white striped jersey and is smilingImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Hit the button!'published at 16:20 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Joe: Is a transfer of Bowen to Joao Pedro worth it or better to save the transfer?

    Gianni: For the second fixture Joao Pedro has I would hit the button. Since Rosenior took over Chelsea have actually created more big chances (38) in the league than any other team. Manchester United are also without both first-choice centre-backs this weekend.

  18. 'Bijol for defence, Bogle for attack'published at 16:18 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Matt: Hi Gianni, who are the best differentials in defence, midfield and attack this week for those free hitting? I need to Free Hit this week because I’ve already used my Wildcard, so want to know how best to attack this chip to climb from my current 450k rank.

    Gianni: You should see big gains with 11 players playing twice this week Matt, so good luck. Leeds defenders look great; Bijol for defensive contributions and Bogle for attacking output are my favourites.

    Tavernier and Cherki are both playing really well in midfield and are under 10% owned and up front I like Calvert-Lewin. He was fantastic at Old Trafford on Monday night and clocked an XG of 1.31 – he was unfortunate not to score and goals are surely on the way.

    Bijol of Leeds in a white jersey with blue Adidas detailsImage source, Getty Images
  19. Get Involved - Get your FPL questions in!published at 16:14 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    A reminder to get those questions in for our FPL expert Gianni Buttice.

    We are only half way through today's Q&A, so you have plenty of time to fire over your questions.

    Gianni will be with us right until 17:00 BST, helping you tackle all those tricky decisions ahead of Gameweek 33.

  20. 'Do exactly as you plan'published at 16:12 BST

    FPL Q&A with Gianni

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Hayley: Hi, I only have a Free Hit and Bench Boost left. If I Free Hit this week I only have nine players for next week. Is it worth free hitting this week with Haaland captain because he's got Burnley, then doing a -4pt transfer next week to get a full team out?

    Gianni: Hayley I would do exactly as you plan. This week is a big opportunity and it sounds like you only have a handful of doublers. Free Hit and get 11 doublers and then you’re relatively well set next week where playing with 10 is an option as lots will be playing with fewer than that or take a -4 if there is a player that you think can pay that back.

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images