FPL Gameweek 36 Preview – Hold The Line

It’s FPL Gameweek 36. It’s almost over guys.

Like many of you, I’m torn. I’m excited by the title race in my mini league and curious to see how my wildcard works out against my opponent but I am a little fatigued.

But, I’m putting that aside to bring you the best advice and tips for FPL Gameweek 36. Below, we will cover some top talking points, fixtures, players you should buy or sell and captaincy ahead of the gameweek you haven’t been thinking about.

Top Talking Points

Friday Deadline

Before we get into it proper, don’t forget the Friday deadline! 18:30 UK time.

Hold Those Transfers

Sorry. This is going to be quite a boring preview because the basic advice is going to be to hold all transfers. The logic being that you want two free transfers ahead of a double gameweek to maximise what you can achieve there.

Late Season Strategy

Okay, this is going to sound contradictory now.

As most managers will be holding this week, there is an opportunity in FPL gameweek 36. If you want to take a risk (because you are chasing or something) then making a move for points this week could be valuable.

Basically, if you are chasing you should make moves that others aren’t. If you are are leading, then play conservatively. Make your opponents take the risk.

Injuries

There were a lot of annoying injuries this week. Whilst it may be annoying that they aren’t available for FPL gameweek 36, the key question is whether these guys will be back for the double gameweek in 37.

• Foden was ill but I expect him back. Pep made it seem like a short-term thing.
• Ederson looks like he will be out longer-term. He left the ground in a sling so that’s me and everyone else who got him probably making a change at goalkeeper soon. Still, its not a priority so probably wait until we know more information.
• Schar had a minor hamstring issue. That’s concerning because hamstring injuries last a long time. Given how minor it reportedly is, we might see him play in 37 so I would wait for him.
• In contrast, van Hecke has a proper hamstring injury by the sounds of it. I told you not to get Brighton players anyway so hopefully you didn’t. But, if you did, I would seriously consider getting rid of him.

Fixture Tickers

This is a regular stalwart of our pieces throughout the year. We look at which teams have the best fixtures over the next five gameweeks but obviously there are only two more games after FPL gameweek 36. So here it is:

Teams in capitals are home fixtures and teams in lowercase are away fixtures.

As you can see, the doublers dominate again. It makes most sense to me that, if you want/need to make a transfer this week you should buy a Newcastle player. Gordon or Isak are the logical choices if you need a midfielder or striker. They have a great fixture this week and two great fixtures from an attacking standpoint the week after.

Should I Buy?

In this section, we are trying to answer the question you are asking yourself. Ahead of gameweek 36 should I buy ‘x’?

These are very tough at the moment as the options (i.e. doublers) seem obvious but we have to prioritise.

Isak – Yes. Great player. Be aware that he is likely going to have reduced minutes with Wilson back but we think he is still first choice.

De Bruyne – Yes. Not my first choice when considering a City asset because he rarely plays 90 mins anymore. But, it’s hard to deny that his ceiling is very high.

Gvardiol – Yes. Great player, good price and, for my money, one of the most nailed Man City defenders (although not 100% nailed). Walker is probably the next best option.

Haaland – Yes. Last season’s top scorer is having a “bad” season with only 21 goals and 8 assists so far.

Foden – Yes. I actually prefer him to De Bruyne because of the difference in price and I think he is pretty much nailed on, as much as a City player can be.

Gordon – Yes. Great player, great price. Newcastle have been a bit poor away from home but Burnley suck and they have a double.

Branthwaite – Yes. Ignore the fact that he doesn’t double, he has two of the best fixtures possible in 36 and 37. All defenders basically suck and only get two points per week. Only Arsenal and Everton seem capable of consistently keeping clean sheets. This is why I got Pickford in goal (after Joe in his infinite wisdom convinced me it was a good idea).

B. Fernandes – Yes. Although, I wouldn’t prioritise him this week. I suspect Palace are going to put Utd to shame.

White – Maybe. He has consistently overperformed his xGI for the season. That either means he is better than the average player or he is lucky. Having watched him and seen his output last year I am more inclined to believe he is lucky. So, I’d rather take Gabriel or Saliba for the money. But, if money is not a problem then fine to buy.

Havertz – Maybe. If you have two free transfers this week then this is a luxury transfer you can afford. He only has one game in 37 which makes me think you can do better but it is against one of the worst defences in the league (Man United).

Watkins – No. He will almost certainly score this week but it’s a tougher fixture in 37 when someone like Isak doubles. We can’t own ‘em all so I prefer Isak.

Burn – No. I wouldn’t prioritise him this week. Newcastle’s defence isn’t great away from home.

Should I Sell?

Ahead of gameweek 36 should you sell these guys?

Salah – Yes. You’re probably making moves to prep for the doubles. Although, if you can keep him this week I reckon he scores against Spurs. Liverpool look bad but Spur’s defence is mad under Ange. I’d be more inclined to sell Darwin or Luis Diaz because they are less integral to the Liverpool attack.

Solanke – Yes. 100%. Perfect time to sell as he goes away to the Emirates against the best defence in the league.

Schar/Gusto – No. We have no news yet, you may as well wait and see if they are fit for 37 before using the transfer on him. I think Schar has a better chance to play in 37 than Gusto but its quite speculative.

Virgil – Yes. I don’t think they will keep a clean sheet this week or next.

Mykolenko – Yes. Seems like he is out for the season.

Eze – Maybe. Wait for news of his fitness but if he is fit he has a great fixture this week and then I would hold them.

Haaland – No. Why are so many people selling him?

Son – No. I can see why you would want to sell other Spurs assets as they look a little lacklustre but Son is the guy here. Even in a bad fixture (like against Liverpool this week) he can deliver.

Estupinian – Yes. He’s injured and his team is an absolute mess.

Udogie – Yes. He’s injured.

Ait-Nouri – Yes. Fixtures for Wolves are dreadful.

Garnacho – No. I am not sure why you would look to sell him ahead of the double.

Trippier – No. If you held him this long then you may as well wait to see if he is fit in 37.

Captaincy Corner

FPL gameweek 36 is another tough week for captaincy. Four stand out options for me:

• Haaland – is a great goalscorer on the best team in the league against an only okay defence.
• Palmer – is the FPL game-breaking asset who plays against the third worst defence in the league (based on xGC).
• Isak – is another great goalscorer against the fourth worst defence in the league (based on xGC). But, Newcastle play away from home.
• Watkins – is the number one FPL asset playing against a miserable Brighton side. But, he is also away from home.

Currently, I am going safe and captaining Palmer and vice-captaining Haaland. I like players who play at home.

James’ Moves

I am taking my own advice ahead of FPL Gameweek 36 and making no moves.

That’s it!

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Good luck in FPL Gameweek 36! Fingers crossed the FPL gods have a good week in store for you.