Football Paparazzi Weekly Fantasy Fix: Best picks for FPL Gameweek 30

Last Updated on 12 March 2026

Gameweek 30 arrives with a number of teams beginning to show clear late-season trends, making it easier for Fantasy managers to target form and favourable fixtures.

With some clubs juggling European commitments and others enjoying clear schedules, identifying players with both strong underlying numbers and advantageous match-ups could be key to climbing mini-leagues.

Here are four standout picks for Fantasy Premier League’s GW30.

Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) – £5.3m

Marcus Tavernier looks poised to deliver after encouraging performances since returning from injury. He registered an assist and two bonus points in Gameweek 28 before surprisingly blanking in Gameweek 29, despite posting an Expected Goal Involvement (xGI) of 1.47 against Brentford, the highest among all Premier League midfielders that week.

Those underlying numbers suggest returns are imminent, particularly as Bournemouth travel to Burnley in Gameweek 30. The Clarets possess the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 58 goals and keeping just three clean sheets.

Tavernier also offers several routes to points. He leads Bournemouth for corners taken, has attempted the most direct free kicks, and could be on penalties with Justin Kluivert injured. That combination makes him a strong budget midfield option.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) – £7.3m

Morgan Gibbs-White continues to offer both goal threat and creativity for Nottingham Forest. Over the last six Gameweeks, no midfielder has attempted more shots than the England international, with 18 efforts producing three goals.

His creative output is equally impressive. Gibbs-White has created 19 chances in that same period, second only to Bruno Fernandes across the league. Importantly, his influence has remained strong despite Forest’s managerial change, with new boss Vitor Pereira even deploying him further forward in a 3-5-2 system.

Operating alongside striker Igor Jesus, Gibbs-White scored in matches against Brighton and Manchester City, collecting 17 Fantasy points across those two games. Facing a Fulham side yet to keep a clean sheet in 2026, he looks well placed for another return.

Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) – £8.7m

Bryan Mbeumo continues to shine in his debut campaign for Manchester United and enters Gameweek 30 in excellent form. The forward has already recorded nine goals and three assists in 24 appearances, averaging a goal involvement roughly every other game.

United host Aston Villa this weekend, and the fixture favours the home team. Villa face a demanding schedule, travelling to France for a Europa League match against Lille before making the trip to Old Trafford just days later.

Combined with their poor recent form, one win in seven matches across all competitions, fatigue could become a factor. With United focused on top 5 and attacking momentum building under Michael Carrick, Mbeumo’s directness could cause Villa significant problems.

Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) – £7.3m

Cody Gakpo appears set for a starting role as Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield. The Dutch forward played only 15 minutes in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League match against Galatasaray, suggesting he has been preserved for the league fixture.

Spurs arrive in dreadful form, still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026 and dealing with multiple injury absences. Their record at Anfield has also been historically poor, making this one of the most appealing attacking fixtures of the Gameweek.

With Liverpool likely to dominate possession and chances, Gakpo’s attacking movement and finishing ability give him strong potential for a goal involvement.