Brighton FPL Gameweek 34: Double up on Albion defence
Brighton are one of six teams to place twice in FPL double gameweek 34. With both fixtures taking place at the Amex, Albion assets will be popular picks alongside players from Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Fulham and West Ham United.
What makes Brighton even more attractive is that they have further doubles to come in gameweeks 36 and 37. No other Premier League side will play as much between now and the season’s climax.
Whilst that has led to concerns amongst Seagulls supporters about injuries, tiredness and fatigue to a small squad, most FPL managers will be looking to take advantage by trebling up on Albion assets.
The question then becomes whether to invest in two Brighton attackers or two Brighton defenders for FPL double gameweek 34 and beyond?
Defensive double up
Those looking for a pair of defensive options should start with Pervis Estupinan (£4.8 million). As well as clean sheets, the left back has an additional route to points through being a superb attacking threat.
Estupinan has recorded five attacking returns since his debut in gameweek 3, more than any other Brighton defender.
He has also created 36 chances for teammates, which is only bettered at the club by midfielders Pascal Gross (£5.4 million) and Solly March (£5.3 million).
Whom to pair with Estupinan is more contentious. Managers could opt for cheap goalkeeper Jason Steele (£3.9 million), who now appears to be have possession of the gloves again after being recalled for the midweek defeat at Nottingham Forest.
That seemed a harsh decision as Robert Sanchez (£4.5 million) had not put a foot wrong in victory at Chelsea and keeping a clean sheet in the FA Cup semi against Manchester United.
Yet Steele justified Roberto De Zerbi’s faith, saving a penalty at the City Ground to gain all three FPL bonuses amongst a 10-point haul.
If managers do not want to alter their goalkeeping setup, then Lewis Dunk (£4.8 million) is another strong option.
He has had 18 attempts from set pieces this season with only Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5 million) totalling more. 15 of these opportunities were headers, which no other Brighton player can beat.
Double up on the attack
For several weeks, FPL managers have debated the pros and cons of March, Mac Allister and Kaoru Mitoma (£5.6 million) as their preferred Brighton attackers.
Increased game time for Julio Enciso (£4.6 million) has added another consideration to the mix. With Enciso operating as a number 10, Mac Allister has sat deeper and in the process become a less attractive attacking option.
The World Cup winner, however, remains Brighton’s penalty taker and therefore has his own additional route to points. He is also the Seagulls’ top scorer with eight goals.
March looks a great option having been in superb form since the winter break, winning WAB March Player of the Month and finishing runner up in February, January and December.
His 17 attacking returns this season is team leading, just like his 614 touches in the final third, and he sits second for chances created with 61.
March’s positioning offers plenty of potential for attacking returns in double gameweek 34, whilst the identity of Brighton’s second opponents provides further intrigue.
Having missed the decisive spot kick at Wembley against United, March will out for retribution when the Red Devils visit the Amex on Thursday night.
Another stand-out option is Mitoma. Since the restart in gameweek 17, Mitoma is third for Brighton goal attempts (31), top for penalty area touches (116) and his six goals rank second.
His involvement and advanced positioning high on the left mean that attacking returns look likely for the Japanese international.
Finally, managers wanting to invest in a new forward for gameweek 34 could also consider the aforementioned Enciso or Danny Welbeck (£6.5 million). Evan Ferguson (£4.6 million) is still flagged in FPL as being absent with an ankle injury.
Captain fantastic
Erling Haaland (£12.3 million) plays twice in Gameweek 34, facing Fulham and West Ham. He has returned three double-digit hauls in each of his last three matches, totalling 38 points. Haaland will be a popular triple captain candidate for those who still have their chip to play.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£13.0 million) is another popular armband option for going against Spurs and Fulham. He averages 7.2 points per home match versus Spurs, alongside five per career appearance against Fulham.
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