FPL Blank Gameweek 34: Top Tactics, Must-Have Players, and Smart Transfers for Success

Blank Gameweek 34: What’s Making Headlines for FPL Managers?

Things are getting heated in FPL ahead of BGW34, with several top clubs missing out—meaning some big names won’t get you a single point this week. If you’ve got your Wildcard chip left, now’s the time to play it. For squads stacked with non-playing stars from Arsenal, Manchester City, or United, a Wildcard lets you revamp your starting lineup for maximum minutes while sticking your premium but benched assets—like Saka and Marmoush—on the sidelines for a later double Gameweek.

One familiar name stands out, chip or no chip: Mohamed Salah. Even if his form’s dipped recently, it’s not the time to look for a replacement. He’s still one of those rare players who can blow up your rank with a single game. For managers targeting team value and differentials, it’s time to look at Nottingham Forest and Brentford—not just for this week, but for a run of favorable fixtures before season’s end.

Players to Target and How to Tweak Your Team

Let’s talk specifics. Nottingham Forest kids like Nikola Milenkovic, Anthony Elanga, and Chris Wood lead the charge with promising home games, starting with Brentford in BGW34. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are also hot picks thanks to a kind schedule, facing lower-ranked sides in most of their remaining matches. If you fancy attackers from teams that actually have matches (duh!), these guys give you fixtures and the chance of a goal or two.

No Wildcard left? You don’t have to panic—one or two carefully planned transfers (even with a few hits) can get you playing XI. Focus on bringing in active players, not just big names. Get creative with your bench: the likes of Rasmus Højlund and Marmoush could still come good in future double Gameweeks, even if they miss out on BGW34. Just don’t expect points now.

Goalkeeper rotations can tip the scales later in the season. Pairing Ederson with Pickford gives you flexibility—Ederson from Manchester City and Pickford from Everton both look likely to rack up saves and clean sheets, especially if you target upcoming double Gameweeks. That smart rotation strategy can grab you easy points when rivals are stuck with one dud keeper.

Don’t forget defensive midfielders. Players like Nuri Şahin (Liverpool) and Ashley Young (Everton, when fit) fly under the radar but rack up steady appearance points. They’re not glam picks, but they’re rarely blanking, which counts when team news is rocky and benches are short.

Looking at the fixture grid, Nottingham Forest and Brentford stand out for the coming four weeks. Forest has three easy games out of their next four, and Brentford faces three teams in the Premier League’s bottom seven—a goldmine for managers wanting form over reputation.

When it comes to defense, Wolves, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Liverpool lead the way in terms of clean-sheet potential. If you’re searching for budget-friendly defenders or considering a one-week punt, those are your best bets. Liverpool and Fulham also have a good shot at returns on the defensive end.

Still banking on attacking hauls? Home teams with weaker defensive opponents are where the action is at—Bournemouth and Brighton both welcome Manchester United, who’ve lately looked far from watertight. If you’re punting for a differential captain or need to catch up in your mini-league, picking an attacker from these fixtures could pay off nicely.

With major clubs missing from the action, it’s less about loading up on big names and more about smart planning, identifying those bargain players with good fixtures, and making every transfer count. For FPL managers, BGW34 is all about thinking on your feet and outsmarting the crowd.