This article is part of our FPL Bargain Bin series.
Welcome back to the Bargain Bin after what was a fast and interesting international break. You will find the landscape unique this weekend as two teams (Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers) face the all-valuable double gameweek. Just being on the field for both matches is just like your player picking up an assist or nearly as much as scoring a goal. And with how hard it is to predict something that happens just once ever 35 minutes, it's hard to ignore the value of automatic points (just be sure to be angry at the team's manager if your player gets subbed off in the 59th minute).
We will be sure to focus some of the bargains here on the two clubs with two matches, but let's face it, Aston Villa and QPR are not the sexiest of fantasy options. And both teams do face difficult road matches before they meet Tuesday. That being said, it is important to remember to look for value in some of the other matches this weekend.
There will certainly be players that return some great value in just their one match. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all face great matchups. The problem is most of the worthwhile plays from those clubs will cost you a good portion of your budget. Some of the other clubs also have favorable matchups. Here are the top bargain players to consider for Gameweek 31:
Goalkeeper
Boaz Myhill
Last week, Myhill finished fifth among goalkeepers in fantasy points scored in standard formats. What is remarkable is he did so despite allowing three goals to a very hungry Manchester City team with only nine men in front of him. This week, Myhill will not be facing Manchester City, but instead will get a home match against Queens Park Rangers. That same QPR team has scored the-third fewest away goals this season. It is not much of a secret that QPR have been awful on the road, and just because it is obvious does not make it untrue. The quality of QPR's attack on the road this season is what makes their opposing defenses fantasy worthy. Just 25 percent of their away shot attempts have been on target, the lowest rate in the Premier League. After what he went through against Manchester City, there is a good chance Myhill may feel like he is still on an international break this weekend against QPR.
DGW Option: Robert Green is the better option of the two simply because he does not have to face Manchester United. There is a good chance Brad Guzan leaves that match with negative points. Both of Green's matches may be on the road, but they come against teams that rank 14th and 20th in home goals scored this season.
Defender
Neil Taylor
Swansea City has one of the better clean sheet chances this gameweek at home against Hull City. The Tigers have scored just one away goal in 2015 and are a mess on the attack. Add in the fact they are without their leading scorer, and Swansea City defenders could be looking at nice fantasy potential. Taylor stands out because he can add some offensive production in addition to clean sheet points. He leads Swansea City defenders in assisted shots this season and it has not been abnormal to see Taylor attempt multiple crosses. The combination of a potential clean sheet and assist make Taylor a great bargain option this weekend.
DGW Option: Mauricio Isla is the play here since he doesn't have to play Manchester United (see above), and he leads QPR defenders in attempted crosses.
Midfielder
Sadio Mane
Since the calendar turned to 2015, Mane has led Southampton in goals, shots on target and assisted shots. All are great stats to look for when finding who has the most potential on a club to contribute to scoring. Everton's defense has looked somewhat respectable lately, but that does not mean Southampton will be going home goalless. Odds are the Saints will find the back of the net at least once against an Everton team that allows the sixth-most shot attempts at home this season while conceding over one goal per match. The odds are also in favor of Mane being involved.
DGW Option: While the defending options might be a mess, the attacking options get the benefit of a home match against QPR. Scott Sinclair will certainly look to take advantage against the worst away defense in the league (most goals and shots allowed).
Forward
Jermain Defoe
It may seem like forever since Defoe scored in back-to-back matches for Sunderland. It's safe to say when Sunderland signed Defoe in January they were expecting a little more from him. He has just those two goals and as a club, Sunderland has scored just once in their last six matches. However, a game against Newcastle may change their fortunes. The Magpies may currently sit mid-table, but they have the goal differential of a relegation-fighting team. This is due to the fact that they have allowed more goals than just three clubs this season (those three would be the three currently facing relegation).
Adding salt to the wound, they will be without defensive leader Fabricio Coloccini (suspension) which will make them even more vulnerable. The Sunderland attack is not extremely potent, but Defoe continues to be their best option. Since joining the club, he leads the team in goals, shots and shots on target. In only one match has he failed to attempt a shot and his accuracy has been pretty good since returning to the Premier League. Sunday against Newcastle will be a great chance to justify Sunderland bringing him back to England.
DGW Option: You could make an argument that Gabriel Agbonlahor is the best attacking option on Aston Villa. If not, he certainly is the hottest. Over the last four matches he is tied for the team lead in goals and leads the team in shots and shots on target. Being on the field against Manchester United is worth some points, but the real value will come when they face QPR. We already discussed QPR's defensive vulnerability, and do not be surprised if Agbonlahor takes advantage.
