Fantasy Football Files - 2025/26 - Gameweek 31 - 'Cottage Cheese'

Gameweek 31 in the Justice League pitted me against Jacques. Jacques was one of the few players that was below me in the table, so this was essentially a six-pointer as I was trying to avoid the bottom three. Regardless, Jacques was always a tough opponent for me.

I saw that the early start to the gameweek caught Jacques off guard as there were no changes made to his team, meaning he had only six players active. Knowing my luck this season he was still probably going to be able to defeat me. I decided to use my ‘Free hit’ bonus chip for this blank gameweek, due to the fact I had three Manchester City players and they were playing in the Carabao Cup final. Therefore, it seemed logical as I did not wish to sell any of them. Also, this season whereas you would lose any addition free transfers, due to the changes in the game you now get the chance to keep them so I would still have my two free transfers after the international break. I captained Harry Wilson whilst as Jacques’ captaincy was still with Erling Haaland, which meant Igor Thiago as his vice-captain would get the points.

The action kicked off back on Friday 20th March before the international break with Manchester United travelling to Bournemouth. I needed a clean sheet as I had Marcos Senesi but United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes from the penalty spot. It was to finish 2-2 at the Vitality Stadium as Eli Kroupi Jr.’s penalty levelled things up in the 81st minute. I had Kroupi in my free hit team merely to then decide to stay with Joao Pedro because of Chelsea having a good away record.

On the Saturday, in the early kick-off I was hoping my team Liverpool could do something at Brighton, only for them to fall to a brace from Danny Welbeck. Welbeck (£6.2m) has an impressive 12 league goals, and it is only now his ownership is going up as it is at 6.8% now. I changed Virgil van Dijk to Jeremie Frimpong for the week and that did nothing as well as a blank from the usually consistent Dominik Szoboszlai. Hugo Ekitike was forced to leave the pitch with a dead leg in the first half. I thought it was more serious as Ekitike was crying only for him to still travel and play for France.

In the 3pm contest, Fulham beat Burnley 3-1. The Clarets took the lead through Zian Flemming before Josh King equalised. As it passed the 70-minute mark and I still did not have anything from my captain I was worried, then thankfully he popped up to fire low to put the Cottagers ahead. With Jacques having him too, it was essential Wilson scored. I got some luck as Raul Jimenez came off the bench to score a penalty to give me more points. He dedicated it to his father who just passed, may he rest in perfect peace. Maime Esteve was in Jacques’ team, and he got him 3 points as he got defensive contributions.

The 5.30pm game saw Everton send a huge message as they beat Chelsea 3-0 as keeping Joao Pedro in the free hit team backfired. Beto (£5m) scored twice and assisted Iliman Ndiaye’s lovely finish. Nothing for me sadly from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall but James Garner (£5.3m) contributed yet again and for a one-week punt I was kicking myself that I did not include him. He is always likely to get defensive contributions, and he also has six assists. Just for the fact I had a huge amount of money in the bank I included Cole Palmer only for him to let me down once again this campaign.

I anticipated a goal fest for some reason in the 8pm match between Leeds and Brentford only for it to end in a goalless draw. Caoimhin Kelleher delivered 9 points which was nice as usually he is on my bench when he has his best games. Igor Thiago got defensive contributions for Jacques but with his limited squad he needed much more than 4 points from him, so things were looking positive for me as it was 43-30 in my favour.

On Sunday, Malick Thiaw was the most transferred in player and his new owners thought they had made a masterstroke when he scored against Sunderland, the goal was to be disallowed, however. Earlier, Anthony Gordon had given the Magpies the lead, but the Black Cats fought back to win the Tyne-Wear Derby 2-1. I had Lewis Hall so that did not work out for me. West Ham were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa, so no return from Jarrod Bowen. I was up against El Hadji Malick Diouf, so I welcomed him being ineffective here.

So, in this low scoring week with only 38 as the average, I prevailed 46-30. This was a good fight on Jacques’ half as he did not change his team the margin was not that big considering I had five extra players. It is literally one relegation six-pointer after another as I play Coach Kojo next who is one place above me in the table.

@DubulDee