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Fantasy football scout tips gameweek 34: Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez and more transfer picks

How many of our picks are in your team?

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Saturday 14 April 2018 10:01 BST
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This week’s picks unsurprisingly hail from the eight teams playing a ‘double gameweek’ - Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester, Manchester United, Southampton and Tottenham.

All eight play twice before next weekend, meaning gameweek 34 consists of 14 matches in total, and your line-up should include as many players from these eight clubs as possible.

If you are well stocked on double gameweek players, this week would also be a good time to spend either the Bench Boost or the Triple Captain ‘chips’. The latter, used on the right double gameweek player, could transform your season.

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Romelu Lukaku

On a double gameweek involving both Manchester United and Tottenham, it would be remiss to field a team without either Romelu Lukaku or Harry Kane up front.

Few can afford to fit both in without serious surgery though, so if you must pick one, pick Lukaku. The Belgian has a more favourable double-header against West Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth, while Kane must play Manchester City and Brighton.

Do not rule Kane out for the remainder of the season, however. If this week has proved anything, it is that he is absolutely desperate for to win the Golden Boot and with him, that often translates into a strong scoring finish.

Alexis Sanchez

As we have established, double gameweeks are an excellent time to make up lost ground in mini-leagues but signing the right players with low levels of ownerships, also known as ‘differentials’, can boost your overall rank as well.

Only 3.7 per cent of managers own Alexis Sanchez, mainly because of his hefty £11.5m price tag. Yet if the Chilean maintains his productive form of late, with a goal and two assists in his last two, he could work wonders.

Christian Eriksen

Those going without Kane could still do with some Tottenham midfield cover and Son Heung-Min’s form has receded a little, Christian Eriksen’s has returned.

The Dane has three goals in the last two gameweeks - yes, he still received the points for the one Kane claimed at Stoke - and still provides a regular assist threat too. Son remains an option for those priced out, while Dele Alli comes in slightly cheaper at £9.0m.

Charlie Austin

There should be a big, red ‘buyer beware’ sticker on all Southampton players at the moment, given their wretched form and the fixtures to come. It is difficult to see how Mark Hughes will engineer an escape on the south coast but Charlie Austin is likely to be key to any revival.

Southampton are one of six teams that have two double gameweeks to look forward to between now and the end of the season, and Austin could provide a cost-friendly forward option for those otherwise bringing in big hitters.

Mat Ryan

Goalkeepers are often a less-travelled path in double gameweeks but can be among the most reliable scorers. David de Gea is the obvious choice, but for those who cannot stump up £5.9m, the more modestly price Mat Ryan is an option.

The £4.6m Brighton ‘keeper is away to an unpredictable Crystal Palace side before entertaining Tottenham at the Amex on Tuesday night. Though a clean sheet is not likely in either game, owners and prospective buyers can still hope for some valuable save points.

Matthew Lowton

If you plan to fill your forward line with the likes of Lukaku and Kane, cut-price defenders will help raise the cash and Burnley offer good value for money at the back.

Though James Tarkowski and Ben Mee have their merits, there is arguably no better option than right back Matthew Lowton, priced at just £4.4m. Sean Dyche’s side have two home games this week, with Leicester and Chelsea visiting Turf Moor.

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