As the 2024/25 Premier League season nears its finale, FPL managers face crunch time. With DGW33 and key fixtures coming up, every transfer and captain choice could be decisive. Some players are hitting form at just the right moment, while others carry the risk of blanks. Here are five boom-or-bust picks that could shape your endgame.
1. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United – Forward)
Current Price: £9.5m
Isak has transformed into one of the hottest FPL assets in the final stretch. With eight goals in his last eight home matches, the Swedish forward is staking a serious claim as a go-to differential. His ability to link up play and find space makes him a nightmare for defenders, and with Newcastle pushing to finish strong, he’s often at the centre of their attacking moves.
Isak has been remarkable for Newcastle and was crucial in helping the Magpies win their first major trophy since 1955, and will be just as important in helping Newcastle secure a Champions League finish, with bookies placing them at 2/5 odds to finish in a top-four spot. As such, many are placing bets on the Magpies to finish in a European spot at the best UK betting sites, where they can enjoy swift payouts from flexible transaction methods, diverse EPL sports betting markets, and enticing bonuses like welcome rewards, cashback offers, and free bets. With Isak leading the line in blistering form and Newcastle firmly in the hunt, backing the Magpies now isn’t just a show of faith, it’s a bet on a striker who thrives when the pressure peaks.
Boom Potential:
DGW33 includes a visit from Crystal Palace and a tough one against Manchester United. Both fixtures could reward managers who gamble on Isak’s goal streak continuing.
Bust Risk:
Newcastle’s inconsistency this season remains a worry. Eddie Howe has rotated attackers in busy stretches before, and an early substitution or a quiet day from Isak could sting those who back him too heavily.
2. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal – Midfielder)
Current Price: £6.5m
Martinelli is one of those FPL picks that splits opinion. At times electric, at other times anonymous, his output depends on both form and minutes. With Bukayo Saka recently back from injury and returning with a refreshed mindset, there’s still a chance he may need a bit of time to hit top form again. As Arsenal manage squad rotation during a demanding title run and European campaign, Martinelli has re-emerged as a tempting option for managers looking to gain an edge.
Boom Potential:
His pace and direct style are made to punish the likes of Ipswich and Crystal Palace, both of whom Arsenal face in DGW33. He’s capable of a double-digit haul if given the space to run at tired defenders.
Bust Risk:
Arsenal’s forward line is packed, and Arteta doesn’t shy away from tactical tweaks. Martinelli might find himself on the bench or taken off early, especially if the game is in hand.
3. Luis Díaz (Liverpool – Midfielder)
Current Price: £7.8m
Díaz has been quietly effective in recent weeks, offering consistent returns while others have disappointed. With two goals and three assists in his last five, he’s a value pick in a Liverpool attack that’s looked more fluid of late. Jürgen Klopp’s side is still in the hunt for silverware and the top four, so they won’t be taking their foot off the gas.
Boom Potential:
Leicester are leaking goals, and Díaz’s ability to cut inside and strike from range makes him a real threat in open games. If he maintains his place in the starting XI, he could be one of the top midfield performers in this run-in.
Bust Risk:
Liverpool’s depth in attack is a double-edged sword. Rotation is always a possibility, especially with Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo vying for minutes. A rested Díaz could leave you scrambling for points.
4. Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolves – Defender)
Current Price: £4.7m
Among budget defenders, Aït-Nouri has emerged as a surprise package. He’s not just providing clean sheets; his attacking contributions have been game-changing, as seen with his recent wonderstrike against Tottenham. Deployed as a wing-back in recent matches, he’s scored and assisted, earning maximum bonus points in key games.
Boom Potential:
Wolves have a mix of tricky and favourable fixtures, and Aït-Nouri’s license to roam gives him the chance to pop up with another goal or assist — the kind of differential that wins mini-leagues.
Bust Risk:
Wolves’ backline has been far from airtight, and one bad team performance could wipe out any clean sheet hopes. Plus, he’s sometimes subbed early when Wolves are chasing the game.
Conclusion
In the final FPL stretch, chasing upside matters—but so does risk control. Isak and Díaz can explode but face rotation. Martinelli might shine in DGW33 or flop. Aït-Nouri is a cheap gamble with low clean sheet odds, while Mateta’s form clashes with tricky fixtures. It’s all about balancing risk and reward and having a solid bench ready.
