Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 34 – Newcastle threats, Aston Villa’s double header and more

ASTON VILLA are the standout team in Gameweek 34 purely because they are the only side set to pull double duty.

Unai Emery’s men take on an out-of-form Brighton at the weekend before travelling to Greece for the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos next Thursday.

Dream Team managers will be able to get a read on the Villains’ prospects in that second match-up by observing the first leg at Villa Park this evening.

Ollie Watkins (£5m) remains a seriously strong asset but we’ve highlighted him enough in recent weeks.

Allow us to suggest some other transfer recommendations for Gameweek 34…

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Ezri Konsa (£3.5m) and/or [insert Aston Villa midfielder of your choice]

Last week we mentioned Leon Bailey (£3.7m) and Moussa Diaby (£3.1m) in regards to players who could potentially capitalise on Villa’s additional fixtures but we may as well add John McGinn (£3.9m), Morgan Rogers (£2.2m) and Douglas Luiz (£3.8m) into the mix as well.

There’s not much between the midfielders but it’s worth noting the latter is on penalties and the most immune to rotation.

Again, tonight’s fixture may give Dream Team bosses a better indication of which midfielder is most likely to thrive in Gameweek 34.

In terms of defensive assets, fan favourite Konsa is seemingly the best option.

The England international is a keen bonus point hoarder; his tally of 55 if only bettered by three players (all midfielders) at the time of writing.

We tipped the 26-year-old ahead of a favourable double header earlier in the campaign and it didn’t work out so he owes us a decent haul.

Konsa is joint-ninth among defenders right now with 188 points to his name.

Alexander Isak (£4.5m) and/or Anthony Gordon (£3.9m)

Some gaffers may choose to overlook Villa’s double header in favour of getting a headstart on Gameweek 35, when six teams have two fixtures to fulfil.

Newcastle are among this sextet and they have the added benefit of a favourable match-up in Gameweek 34, in the form of 19th-placed Burnley.

Granted, the Clarets have been more competitive of late having lost just one of their last eight games but the Magpies have rediscovered their best form in recent weeks.

Only title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal have taken more points from their last six league outings than Eddie Howe’s side and that’s largely down to the attacking threat provided by Isak and Gordon.

The Swedish striker has now bagged 23 goals in all competitions this season – only Erling Haaland (£7m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.5m) have score more.

With Burnley, Brighton, Manchester United and Brentford to come across the next three Gameweeks, it’s not inconceivable Isak will snatch the Golden Boot.

Among midfielders, only Bruno Fernandes (£5.6m) has taken more points from his last three outings than Gordon but gaffers should be aware that the ex-Everton winger is much more effective at home – his away record is actually well below par.

With Newcastle set to travel to Turf Moor this weekend, it may be that gaffers keen on Gordon can delay the move another week but it’s a situational decision.

Conor Gallagher (£3.9m)

A left-field suggestion here in the form of a 2.2%-owned midfielder.

Make no mistake, Cole Palmer (£5.4m) remains Chelsea’s main man by a comfortable margin but the schedule suggests doubling up on Stamford Bridge assets is a viable strategy.

Maurico Pochettino’s side host West Ham this weekend, double up against Nottingham Forest and Brighton in Gameweek 35, then finish the campaign against Bournemouth in Gameweek 36.

Gallagher has quietly climbed up to joint-12th in the midfield rankings and his average of 5.3 points-per-game puts him above Luis Diaz (£4.5m), Jeremy Doku (£3.9m), Declan Rice (£4.1m) and other notable assets in the same metric.

The hardworking 24-year-old found goal involvements hard to come in the first half of the season but he’s addressed that issue with six goals and two assists in his last 15 outings.

Gallagher earns plenty of bonus points and he’s close to joining the exclusive group of players (six currently) to have made 100 tackles in all competitions in 2023/24 – he’s got several avenues to points.

A quick note for the too-obvious-to-mention Haaland, who came off the bench against Nottingham Forest to score his 32nd goal of the campaign last weekend.

As a result, the prolific poacher is currently the most-popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 34.

Manchester City host Wolves on Saturday and are among the six teams with two fixtures in Gameweek 35.

Lock in your transfers ahead of Friday’s 7pm deadline!

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk