Fantasy Football Files - 2025/26 - Gameweek 34 - 'Lost In The Forest'

After narrowly losing to Khurram (K) last week, I was up against his best mate Muji this week. The FPL gods placing me against them back-to-back was mean as they were both former champions, for my sanity there was no way I could lose to them both. Also, the wider picture was that I had to win to keep myself away from the bottom three and I could go up a place if results went my way.

Somehow I miscalculated how many players I would have available for this blank gameweek as it was the semi-finals of the FA Cup, I ended up using my ‘Wildcard’ bonus chip. You can never guarantee anything when you use a bonus chip but as it seemed like Muji had already used all his chips I felt that I maybe could catch him out. With Manchester City not playing, my main move to get Mo Salah into my team with the amount available after selling Erling Haaland. I also got in Ollie Watkins as I like Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures. I was clearly not the only one who liked their forthcoming matches as Watkins was the most transferred in player this week. I had looked at getting in Alexander Isak however, there was no way that I could afford him and Salah. Muji as I had expected did not have a chip to use leaving him with just 10 active players as he used his only free transfer to sell Danny Welbeck and bring in Dominic Solanke.

Gameweek 34’s action began last Friday. Nottingham Forest travelled to Sunderland and on paper it looked like a tricky fixture, it was to end up being far from that however. I told Rian (Milito) that one to watch this week was Igor Jesus (£5.9m). Many people I envisioned that did not have their wildcard left would be using their ‘Free hit’ as they would have players from Arsenal and Manchester. I was to rue not selecting Jesus as despite being booked he managed to amass 14 points as Vitor Pereira’s side won 5-0! Yes…5, you read correctly, as a Liverpool fan I have watched my team play Sunderland and just about score 2 goals against them in 3 hours of football. I did not pick Jesus as I was wary of tripling up on Forest players as I had Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White. They both produced so I was happy nonetheless; I was just being greedy in hindsight. Gibbs-White assisted the second goal for Chris Wood (£7.1m) who could be a huge alternative option although a pricey one. Gibbs-White then scored the third goal as I was ecstatic at his 13-point haul. Williams got five points as he was booked, I got him instead of Konstantinos Mavropanos, so was hoping the West Ham man did not outscore Williams. Omar Alderete was in Muji’s team, and he got zero points due to the Black Cats’ hammering.

Muji and I both had Harry Wilson but he could not contribute in Saturday’s first match at Craven Cottage. Fulham were able to beat Aston Villa nevertheless thanks to a Ryan Sessegnon goal. Wilson had a good chance but drove it wide. I was going to get Morgan Rogers back in until I opted for Gibbs-White after that aforementioned talk with Milito, and as Rogers put a good chance wide, I was pleased with my late decision. Watkins had two good chances he put one wide and shot the other chance well over to my frustration as having him as a differential this week did nothing. To add to my misery in this fixture, Joachim Anderson’s 11 points meant Muji had basically closed the early gap.

In the 3pm’s, Isak gave Liverpool the lead against Crystal Palace, and quickly after Andrew Roberston added a second. The Isak goal was even more a gut punch as my premium player Salah, who was also my captain for the last ever time, came off injured. The Reds went on to win 3-1 as my other players Virgil van Dijk got 4 points and Dominic Szoboszlai blanked. Another man Muji and I both had was Jarrod Bowen and once again he delivered. West Ham beat Everton 2-1 and Bowen assisted both the goals. The first was a header from Tomas Soucek and then the winner for Callum Wilson. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall levelled just before the late Wilson winner, and I had left him on the bench, so I was not pleased. I was too conflicted to double up on Tottenham players at the back; however, it would have been worth it as they squeezed a 1-0 win at Wolves. Pedro Porro got 8 points that was originally 9 as the FPL admins cheated me once again. I left Antonin Kinsky on my bench, and he secured the clean sheet with a good save from a Joao Gomes free-kick late on. Muji had bad luck as Solanke came off injured meaning he only got a single point.

Arsenal hosted Newcastle in the 5.30pm contest, knowing they needed to win to put full pressure on Manchester City. As usual I was up against Gabriel Magalhaes, so I needed the Magpies to score. William Osula was through early on but miskicked the ball, then later Bruno Guimaraes shot over. Eberechi Eze scored a superb goal which turned out to be the winner. Sandro Tonali, Yoane Wissa and Dan Burn went close, but they could not provide the goal I needed as Gabriel also got two bonus points. Saturday concluded with me ahead 47-32.

It was all up to Monday, where Manchester United entertained Brentford. Muji and I had Caoimhin Kelleher. I also had Igor Thiago. Muji had Dango Ouatarra from the Bees, whilst having Bryan Mbeumo and his captain Bruno Fernandes from United. Casemiro was to put the Red Devils ahead. Thiago had a plethora of chances although he could not convert any of them. Fernandes supplied Benjamin Sesko for the second goal and I was anxious. In the second half Ouatarra struck the post and I was really panicking. As Fernandes was not amongst the bonus points it looked like I may steal it by a point only for Thiago to get booked. It now was heading to a 50-50 draw, I was asking for Keith Andrews’ men to get a late goal and they thankfully delivered. A great strike from Mathias Jensen was only mere consolation but it meant Muji lost two points, so I won 50-48.

I deserved that due to my close defeat to Khurram last week, considering Muji had one less player it should not have been that close to be honest though. I moved up a place, and I am finally 10 points clear of the bottom three. This season has been underwhelming but at least I am finishing it quite well.

@DubulDee