In this blog the Top Five Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Key Players for Double Gameweek 34 are discussed. Every FPL Gameweek, picks will be in the below format:

1x Defender or Goalkeeper

2x Attackers less than £8.5m

2x Attackers £8.5m or over

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Mohamed Salah (ful/eve)

Salah has found the back of the net just twice over the last six Gameweeks but is second for shots (26) only to Palmer (28) amongst midfielders. Meanwhile, he is top for shots in the box (SiB) (19) and second for shots on target (SoT) (11). As the below image from our Opta Player Heatmaps feature shows, he has averaged 6.8 FPL points per game in away matches this season. Liverpool have scored just eight goals (11th) over the last six Gameweeks but are top for shots (127), ‘big chances’ (BC) (20) and ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) (14.75). Their first opponents Fulham have conceded nine goals (10th) over the same period and are ranked 11th for ‘Expected Goals Conceded’ (xGC) (9.18). Their derby rivals Everton have conceded 11 goals (16th) and are ranked 15th for xGC (10.20). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 11.5 for Salah.

Bukayo Saka (wol/CHE)

Arsenal and Saka will be looking to put the disappointment of Champions League elimination behind them this weekend, as the below image from our Match Stats feature shows over their last five league matches Saka is second amongst their players for goals (one) and xG (1.6) while only Ødegaard (10) has created more chances than his eight. Arsenal have scored seven goals (16th) over the last six Gameweeks and are ranked 10th for SiB (53). Their first opponents Wolves have conceded eight goals (seventh) over the same period and have kept no clean sheets. The Midlands side are ranked 11th for shots conceded and eighth for xGC (7.84). Their second opponents Chelsea have conceded nine goals over the same period (10th) and have kept just one clean sheet. The Blues are ranked seventh for shots conceded (69) and xGC (7.79). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 11.4 for Saka.

Dominic Solanke (avl/wol)

Solanke has scored three goals over the last six Gameweeks with only Wood (four) and Isak (six) more prolific amongst forwards. He is fourth for SiB (12), sixth for ‘big chances’ (BC) and seventh for xG (2.43) while no forward has created more chances than his 12. Bournemouth have scored 10 goals over the last six Gameweeks (fourth) and are also ranked fourth for shots (95). As the below image from our Predicted Lineups feature shows, he is rated at 99% to start. Their first opponents Villa have conceded 12 goals over the same period (19th) and are ranked 17th for xGC (10.92). Their second opponents Wolves have conceded 23 goals in home matches this season (11th) and have kept three clean sheets. They are ranked 12th for xGC (24.50) in home matches. Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 7.9 for Solanke.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (WHU/NEW)

Mateta was unlucky not to score at Anfield last weekend and over the last six Gameweeks, the 26-year-old has scored thrice and as the Opta Stats Sandbox image below shows, only Isak (eight) has been afforded more BC than his six amongst forwards. He is also ranked third for xG (2.97) with only Muniz (3.33) and Isak (5.04) faring better. Palace have scored five goals (18th) over the last six Gameweeks but look to be finally finding their feet under Glasner. The Eagles are ranked 11th for BC (12) and 14th for xG (6.83). Their first opponents West Ham have conceded 11 goals (17th) over the same period and have kept no clean sheets. The Hammers are ranked 16th for shots conceded (94) and 18th for xGC (12.19). Their second opponents Newcastle have conceded seven goals (fifth) over the aforementioned period and have kept two clean sheets. The Magpies are ranked third for xGC (5.75). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 7.4 for Mateta.

Virgil Van Dijk (ful/eve)

Van Dijk has scored just two goals this season but the Dutch international is top amongst defenders for SiB (32). With Liverpool’s games in close proximity, he is the most likely member of their backline to play both games in the double. Liverpool have conceded just six goals in as many Gameweeks but have kept no clean sheets. The Merseyside outfit are top for shots conceded (42) and second for xGC (5.01). Their first opponents Fulham have scored 10 goals over the last six Gameweeks (fourth) and are ranked second for shots (113). Their second opponents Everton have struggled in front of goal with just three goals (19th) over the aforementioned period. The Toffees are ranked 16th for SiB (42) and 19th for xG (6.19). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a 80% chance of at least one Liverpool clean sheet and a point score of 7.3 for Van Dijk.