GW34 Blank Gameweek Panic: Only 7 Fixtures & The One Transfer You Can't Miss

Welcome back, FPL managers! Gameweek 33 is in the books and it delivered some absolute cracking returns - but now it's time to focus on one of the trickiest gameweeks of the season. Gameweek 34 is a blank with only SEVEN fixtures, meaning squad coverage is everything. The deadline hits Friday, April 25th at 5:30pm, so you don't have long to get your moves sorted. Let's break down everything you need to know.

Watkins was flagged as essential before GW33 - and he absolutely delivered. Two goals, one assist, and 16 points against Sunderland. Eleven goals and three assists for the season. With nine expected points against Fulham (rated a difficulty of 3) in GW34, and Aston Villa in brilliant form, there is simply no debate here. Over 240,000 transfers in this week tells the whole story. If you don't have him, fix that immediately.

GW33 Return: 2 goals, 1 assist, 16 points | Season total: 127 points

Lammens kept a clean sheet against Chelsea in GW33, claimed three bonus points, and finished with 10 points in total. He has registered a remarkable 63 saves this season, quietly punching well above his price tag. Man United face Brentford in GW34 (rated a difficulty of 4 for United), which isn't the most inviting fixture, but at £5.1m he is an excellent budget goalkeeper option. Over 14,000 transfers in this week.

GW33 Return: Clean sheet, 3 bonus points, 10 points | Season total: 88 points

Lacroix bagged 11 points in GW33 with a clean sheet and three bonus points against West Ham. Eleven clean sheets this season is a genuinely impressive tally and makes him one of the most consistent defenders in the game. Palace face Liverpool in GW34, which is tough, and there is rotation risk to be mindful of. His expected points for GW34 sit at seven. At this price, the value is hard to argue with - just be aware of the Palace rotation chat before committing.

GW33 Return: Clean sheet, 3 bonus points, 11 points | Season total: 143 points

Bowen was flagged as a differential option yesterday, but his GW33 return was deeply underwhelming. Ninety minutes played, zero goals, zero assists, one bonus point - just two points as West Ham drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace. He faces Everton in GW34 which looks attractive on paper, but with over 6,000 transfers out and that blank performance, you have to question whether his form is dipping at the worst possible time in the season.

Mukiele scored minus one point in GW33 as Sunderland were beaten 4-3 by Aston Villa. He has eight clean sheets this season, but conceding three in one game is deeply alarming for a defence that had looked solid. Sunderland host Nott'm Forest in GW34, rated a difficulty of 2, so the fixture is actually fine - but that defensive display raises serious questions. Hold for now if you must, but monitor very closely.

Kadıoğlu was brilliant across Brighton's double gameweek in GW33, putting up 16 points with a goal, a clean sheet, and bonus points. But the cold hard truth is that Brighton have NO fixture in GW34. His expected next points show zero. If you have him, he needs to come out for coverage reasons alone - there is no debate here. This is purely a blank gameweek coverage issue.

GW33 Return: 1 goal, clean sheet, 16 points | Season total: 108 points

It's Wednesday, and we're celebrating the standout defensive points scorers from Gameweek 33. What a week it was for some budget defenders.

The star of the defensive spotlight. Playing across both the Spurs vs Brighton draw and the Brighton 3-0 win over Chelsea in their double gameweek, Kadıoğlu accumulated 16 points with a goal, a clean sheet, and three bonus points across those matches. A phenomenal attacking and defensive contribution - the definition of a budget gem. Shame about that GW34 blank.

Equally impressive was Groß - priced at £5.5m and owned by just 1.5% of managers. He registered two assists, a clean sheet, three bonus points, and racked up 16 points across Brighton's double gameweek. Five assists already this season. A true hidden gem in terms of defensive midfield contribution, even if he also blanks in GW34 with no Brighton fixture.

GW33 Return: 2 assists, clean sheet, 3 bonus points, 16 points | Season total: 65 points

Lacroix put in a commanding display for Crystal Palace with his 11-point return, three bonus points, and a clean sheet against West Ham. As noted in the transfers in section, his season-long consistency has been remarkable. One of the safest budget defenders in the game right now.

With only seven fixtures in GW34, differentials with good fixtures could be absolutely pivotal in mini-leagues. Here are three to seriously consider:

Disasi kept a clean sheet against Palace in GW33 and scored 9 points. He has five clean sheets this season from a side that has conceded just nine goals in those fixtures. West Ham host Everton in GW34, rated a difficulty of just 2 - a mouth-watering fixture for a budget defender that almost nobody owns. His expected next points sit at 7.5. This is as sneaky as it gets in FPL right now.

GW33 Return: Clean sheet, 9 points | Season total: 36 points | Expected GW34 points: 7.5

Canvot put up 10 points in GW33 with a clean sheet and two bonus points. Five clean sheets this season for Crystal Palace's defence, which has been surprisingly resilient. Palace face Liverpool next, which is undeniably a tough fixture, but at this price and ownership level - with 6.5 expected points - he offers excellent differential value. The rotation risk around Palace assets is the main concern.

GW33 Return: Clean sheet, 2 bonus points, 10 points | Season total: 62 points | Expected GW34 points: 6.5

Okafor was on fire in GW33, scoring 14 points with a goal, an assist, a clean sheet, and three bonus points. Seven goals and three assists this season is a seriously impressive return for someone at this price. Leeds face Bournemouth on Wednesday night in a GW33 makeup fixture, and nearly 20,000 transfers in this week shows managers are waking up fast. With only 1.4% ownership, the differential potential here is massive.

GW33 Return: 1 goal, 1 assist, clean sheet, 3 bonus points, 14 points | Season total: 97 points

Watkins. Full stop. Nine expected points against Fulham (rated a difficulty of 3). Two goals and an assist in GW33. Aston Villa are flying. He is the captain pick this week - there is genuinely no debate to be had.