Holly Shand Picks Out The Best Gabriel Replacements For FPL Gameweek 31 62a4l

Following his injury, Holly Shand identifies the best replacements for Gabriel ahead of FPL Gameweek 31.

Arsenal’s Gabriel lasted just 15 minutes in Gameweek 30 before being substituted due to a hamstring injury in the 2-1 victory over Fulham on Tuesday evening. His availability for Gameweek 31 against Everton is now in serious doubt, especially with Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid looming.

So, who are the best defenders to bring in ahead of this weekend’s fixtures? Here are the top picks for replacing Gabriel in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

FPL Gameweek 31 Best Gabriel Replacements 5a4552

Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace) – vs Brighton (H) 2v17n

Crystal Palace remain a key team to target due to their confirmed Double Gameweek 32 and a predicted Double Gameweek 33 before a blank in Gameweek 34. Daniel Munoz stands out as their best defensive option, being Palace’s highest-scoring defender in FPL this season.

Munoz is one of the most attacking defenders in the game, currently ranking second for goal involvements among defenders with three goals and five assists. His finishing has been below expectations, as he has recorded nine big chances but converted just three.

Since Gameweek 20, Crystal Palace have kept five clean sheets in ten games, conceding only six goals. The reverse fixture against Brighton ended in a 3-1 win for Palace, and the Eagles will be motivated to complete the double over their rivals.

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) – vs Leicester City (A) 3y2j3n

Newcastle United assets are great investments for FPL managers without a Wildcard or Free Hit, as they have a confirmed Double Gameweek 32 and a fixture in the Blank Gameweek 34 when FA Cup semi-finals disrupt the schedule.

defender Kieran Trippier is back fit after an injury-hit season in which he has made only seven starts. However, with Lewis Hall sidelined, Trippier is set to play a crucial role. He has proven attacking potential, recording double-digit goal involvements in each of the last two seasons.

Newcastle’s trip to Leicester City provides a great entry point, with the Magpies having won the reverse fixture 4-0. Their latest away game saw them keep a clean sheet against West Ham, bringing their season total to nine clean sheets.

Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) – vs Manchester United (A) 5v534c

Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol is among the most transferred-in defenders ahead of Gameweek 31. He is City’s top-performing FPL defender this season, with three clean sheets in 2024 at the time of writing, two of which have come in away fixtures.

However, the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford presents a challenging fixture. Manchester United surprised many by winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in December, with Gvardiol scoring City’s only goal.

Gvardiol leads all defenders for shots in the box (28) and big chances (10), making him a strong attacking threat. With Erling Haaland potentially absent through injury, Pep Guardiola may tweak his tactics, which could impact Gvardiol’s role in the team.