Gameweek 28 starts this weekend in Draff Fantasy, and we get closer and closer to blank gameweeks and double gameweeks, which are unique challenges in the Draft format. Managers must take advantage of the schedules while not giving up longterm gains, especially to direct competitors. With all that in mind, now is the time to hedge towards more Liverpool, Everton, Watford, and Stoke players, all of which will definitely play in gameweek 31. Double gameweek planning will follow soon after.

1. Oumar Niasse, FWD, Everton

He just won’t be denied. Several times already this season Niasse has been left to languish on the bench, but each time, he has been given a lifeline and then produced strong performances. Most recently, Niasse had a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. On the strength of that showing, and the fact that Sam Allardyce has said that new signing Cenk Tosun will not play much until safety is guaranteed (Everton are six points short of 40), Niasse is a good bet to start the next few games. In fact, the fixtures look appealing, and with the revamped attacking lineup including Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, and Gylfi Sigurdsson, Everton are once again on the rise. It has been a wildly uneven season, but the latest drama has at least been positive. Oh, and there is a guaranteed gameweek 31 on the horizon when many others will blank. Less than 3% have him right now.

Next up: Away to Watford, away to Burnley, home to Brighton.

2. Loris Karius, GK, Liverpool

Karius has clearly beaten out his competition, Simon Mignolet. And though one clean sheet against Southampton is not much of a sample set, Virgil Van Dijk finally settling in definitely helps the stability of the backline. Karius will hope to be the main beneficiary of this extra support. Even without the cleansheets coming regularly, a recent penalty save against Spurs gave Karius 6, 9, and 7 points in TIR leagues in the last three matches. One would have thought that Mignolet has now switched roles and will be between the sticks for Champions League, but that concept has been dispelled as well with Karius getting a start and clean sheet in the 5-0 romp against Porto. He’s a more than decent fill in at GK where free players are often scarce, and the guaranteed gameweek 31 is a big boost, too. Only about 25% owned.

Next up: Home to West Ham, home to Newcastle, away to Manchester United.

3. Jose Izquierdo, MID, Brighton

Izquierdo dazzled last weekend against Stoke. His tidy give-and-goes and explosive change of pace earned him a goal and many plaudits from the punditry. So there is good reason that he should be the only player in this week’s column that does not have a guaranteed gameweek 31 coming up, chiefly his current form. Izquierdo checks a few other key boxes in the Draft Fantasy checklist: mostly unowned, plays further forward than most midfielders and his team needs results and goals to stay up. Brighton are definitely fighting for survival and will need a winger like Izzy to keep them up. Most expected the player in this position to be Anthony Knockaert, but it’s far past time to move on from that pipe dream.

Next up: Home to Swansea, home to Arsenal, away to Everton.

4. Leighton Baines, DEF, Everton

Baines is nearly healthy again. He’s reported to be running again and could even play against Watford, if you believe the rumours. Baines will have to prove his fitness to overcome the deputizing Cuco Martina, who has been remarkably adept as a fill-in. However, one assist against Crystal Palace should not necessarily make you cuckoo for Cuco. Baines, despite getting on in years, is still going to have some offensive upside when he plays, so he is worth a gamble at about 50% ownership. But even if Martina stays nailed-on in the fullback slot, Sam Allardyce may push Baines into a more advanced role. This positional change has been suggested for Baines for the last several seasons, and it may finally come true and with good effect for Draft Fantasy owners. Here’s wishing.

Next up: Away to Watford, away to Burnley, home to Brighton

5. Kurt Zouma, DEF, Stoke

Have we mentioned the blank gameweek planning? Zouma probably wouldn’t be on this list without it. And because most leagues have player-per-team restrictions and most Liverpool and Everton stars are already owned, Zouma is a way to hedge your bets and diversify your fantasy portfolio. Stoke are not a great team at the moment, and arguably not a good team on the season, but Zouma is due a headed goal from a classic Stoke set-piece, and he makes enough key plays to be relevant in TIR and/or bonus point leagues. And he did earn back-to-back cleansheets in gameweeks 23 and 24. Just 20% owned. He’s a safe if not exciting play.

Next up: Away to Leicester, away to Southampton, home to Manchester City.