Fantasy Premier League

GW31 team news: Wilson a top target

By The Scout 16 Mar 2018
Callum Wilson, AFC Bournemouth

Doubts over Joshua King help striker become popular for managers who may also benefit from Wilfried Zaha return

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Callum Wilson (£5.9m) is back as a top target for Fantasy Premier League managers.

More than 145,000 had sold the AFC Bournemouth striker after a run of five matches without a goal.

But the Cherries' home meeting with West Bromwich Albion is one of only four fixtures taking place in Gameweek 31.

That has helped him become the fourth-most bought player ahead of Saturday’s 14:00 GMT deadline, with over 96,000 new owners.

King doubt helps Wilson's cause

Injury doubts surrounding Wilson's team-mate Joshua King (£7.0m) have also contributed to that boom.

A neck problem makes the Norwegian striker, who has scored in two of his last three starts, doubtful for Saturday's encounter.

King was restricted to a 23-minute appearance from the bench against Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 30.

It means Wilson is likely to carry the main goal threat against a Baggies defence with only one clean sheet from their last 14 away matches.

Rooney and Baines boost?

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s (£8.0m) absence through injury could benefit both Wayne Rooney (£7.2m) and Leighton Baines (£5.6m) as Everton travel to Stoke City.

Recently handed a central-midfield role, Rooney is without a goal or an assist since Gameweek 18.

But with Sigurdsson sidelined, he could be shifted forward behind lone striker Cenk Tosun (£6.8m).

Owned by 11.3% of FPL managers, Rooney scored the winner and collected maximum bonus in a 1-0 victory over Stoke in Gameweek 1.

Meanwhile, Baines is likely to be handed set-pieces in Sigurdsson’s absence.

The left-back may also be on penalties after Rooney’s miss against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Zaha for Free Hit

Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) is in line for his first Crystal Palace start since Gameweek 26.

Having come off the bench to supply an assist at Chelsea last time out, Zaha could partner Christian Benteke (£7.6m) or Alexander Sorloth (£5.5m) up front for the visit to Huddersfield Town.

Part of just 5.9% of FPL squads, Zaha offers a new differential option in midfield, particularly for managers activating the Free Hit chip.

The winger has scored or assisted in eight of his 20 Gameweek appearances under manager Roy Hodgson.

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