Having kicked off our Selection Strategies guide to Gameweek 35 with an assessment of the defensive options, our attention now turns to attacking areas.
Reduced to just six fixtures, many managers had already targeted this round to play their Free Hit chip, with Wildcards wielded in Gameweek 32 or 33 to load up on those teams with Double Gameweeks 34 and 37.
However, similar to our article on defensive targets, this latest analysis also caters for those without the Free Hit chip in play as we look for the prime route when it comes to dealing with Gameweek 35.
First of all, here’s a reminder of the six fixtures set to take place on the next slate.
Gameweek 35 Schedule
West Brom vs Liverpool
Watford vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs West Ham
Stoke vs Burnley
Man City vs Swansea
Everton vs Newcastle
As we start to firm up our squads for the Gameweek, the question of Mohamed Salah’s minutes hangs over many managers’ plans.
With Liverpool set to host Roma in the Champions League semi-finals just three days after Saturday’s lunchtime visit to West Brom, there’s a fear that Jurgen Klopp will show caution with his top scorer’s pitch-time.
Looking at his minutes so far, the Egyptian has been involved in all 32 of the league matches he has been available for, starting on 30 occasions. That suggests that he may well play some part in the Baggies’ clash, while Salah’s ability to deliver from the bench is underlined by two goals and 13 points in 23 minutes away to Stoke in Gameweek 14.
Certainly, those playing their Free Hit chip with Salah in their starting line-ups will have an advantage, as the chance to freshen up our squads for Gameweek 35 ensures we will have a strong first substitute to call upon should Klopp rest him at The Hawthorns.
As a sideline, it’s worth noting that if you plan on selling Salah with the Free Hit active, only to buy him back again before Saturday’s deadline, you’ll need to pay his full price for that change of heart, which is currently 10.5.
The Free Hit Targets
With a blank slate to choose from, those with the Free Hit chip active hold an obvious advantage over rivals.
As discussed in the defenders article, seeking out players who could be ignored by those without the Free Hit chip at their disposal is a valid tactic when seeking potential differentials.
Those without the chip are perhaps likely to focus trades on the five teams that feature in both Gameweek 35 and Double Gameweek 37 – Arsenal, Man City, Newcastle, Swansea and West Ham. This gives managers the best opportunity to recoup any points spent on transfers ahead of this weekend’s deadline.
There will, of course, be a crossover section of players who will appeal to those with and without the Free Hit option.
For example, Kevin De Bruyne (10.3) has started all but one of Man City’s 33 matches and looks the safest route into Pep Guardiola’s midfield. That exclusion came in Gameweek 33, when he was rested to the bench for the derby with United ahead of the Champions League second leg clash at home to Liverpool.
Up front for the champions, Gabriel Jesus (10.0) looks poised to profit from Sergio Aguero’s knee injury and secure a continued run of starts. His schedule (SWA whu HUD & BHA sot) is rated top by our fixture ticker for attacking potential from this point onwards.
City’s Double Gameweek 37, in particular, will likely see the Brazilian rival Harry Kane in the race for our Triple Captain chip. However, that largely depends on Aguero’s recovery – there are currently conflicting reports on that.
For Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (10.7) is another crossover target who could remain nailed-on due to being ineligible for the Europa League campaign.
Having said that, today’s press conference from Arsene Wenger was somewhat unsettling on that score. The Arsenal manager has indicated that he could use Sunday’s meeting with West Ham as a full rehearsal for Thursday’s tie with Atletico and was coy when questioned on Aubameyang’s pitch time.
Nevertheless, many managers will look to the striker’s form and take the risk – particularly those with the Free Hit available who can ready an active substitute.
Aubameyang has averaged 6.3 points per match since arriving at the Emirates, though the other consideration is – as we saw only last weekend at Newcastle – he could be switched to the flank if Alexandre Lacazette gets the start, as expected, against the Hammers.
Elsewhere, Alex Iwobi’s (5.1) domestic minutes have profited from the rotation of regulars due to the European run, serving up 24 points in his last four at the Emirates. At 5.1, he can be easily benched for the Gameweek 36 trip to United before Arsenal’s three final fixtures (BUR & lei hud).
Wenger’s conference on Thursday also brought Aaron Ramsey to our attention. The Welshman is back in training and looks poised to start on Sunday having featured in just three of the last eight Gameweek matches. His hat-trick in one of those starts – against Everton in Gameweek 27 – highlights his potential as a differential for those wielding the Free Hit. Given his security of starts, he is unlikely to be considered for those spending points on transfers.
Transformed by a switch up front, Marko Arnautovic (7.0) has nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances ahead of a trip to Arsenal.
Given that the Gunners have two clean sheets in 15 attempts, there’s a strong argument to bring swoop for the Austrian, even at this late stage. Granted, West Ham’s schedule is far from easy (ars MCI lei & MUN EVE) though, at just 7.0, he arguably remains one of the best value picks on offer.
Beyond that batch of players, there are a host of very strong options on offer for Free Hit managers, with Man City’s midfield among the standout candidates for the visit of Swansea.
Raheem Sterling (8.7) and Leroy Sane (8.5) look poised to start on Sunday and have five sets of double-digits apiece at the Etihad Stadium. Yet their chances of rotation on the flanks is perhaps greater over the run-in than De Bruyne’s, with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden expected to earn pitch time. That will be a factor that may distract managers without the Free Hit, who could be reluctant to part with points to bring them in for Gameweek 35.
On penalties in the win at Spurs, Ilkay Gundogan (5.4) is set to deputise for the suspended Fernandinho against the Swans, with the Brazilian back in contention for Gameweek 36.
David Silva (8.2) will also surely start the title party, though there’d be no surprise if Guardiola limited his appearances after that due to his son’s ongoing ill-health.
Among the Liverpool and Arsenal contingent, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Alexandre Lacazette (10.2) all found the net in Gameweek 34 and could easily score big this weekend.
However, the threat of rotation at both clubs due to upcoming European matches renders the trio’s acquisition a risk, albeit one with a potentially explosive upside. Again, this could work in favour for those with the Free Hit; managers without the chip active seem unlikely to move for any of that trio should a points hit be involved.
Wilfried Zaha (6.9) and Luka Milivojevic (5.2) are far more assured of starts as Crystal Palace’s survival quest continues away to Watford’s porous rearguard. Stationed up front, Zaha has three goals and a pair of assists in five since returning from injury, while penalty-taker Milivojevic has three goals, two assists and 38 FPL points in the last four Gameweeks.
In the same fixture, the Hornets’ Roberto Pereyra (5.8) has scored in each of the last two at Vicarage Road.
Burnley’s Johan Berg Gudmundsson (5.0) has supplied an assist in each of his last three league appearances ahead of a trip to Stoke. Meanwhile, Chris Wood (6.3, five goals and an assist in five) and Ashley Barnes (5.4, four goals in six) also travel to the bet365 in fine form. They could offer a strong first substitute for those playing Salah as part of a five-man midfield.
If Stoke are to get anything out of the Clarets’ encounter, then Xherdan Shaqiri (6.2) is very likely to play a part. The Swiss international boasts an 86% goal involvement under Paul Lambert, thanks to three goals and as many assists.
Everton’s Cenk Tosun (6.8) is less likely to garner much interest on the back of a three-match goal drought. Yet the winter arrival netted four times in three before that and hosts a Newcastle defence that’s managed one clean sheet in their last 14 on the road.
The Non-Free Hit Targets
As mentioned above, players such as De Bruyne, Jesus, Aubameyang, Iwobi and Arnautovic should appeal to managers regardless of whether they have the Free Hit chip or not.
That quintet incorporate three of the five teams set to play in both Gameweek 35 and Double Gameweek 37, offering the likeliest chance of earning a refund on any points hits spent ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
Assessing the other two teams, Swansea’s prospects seem limited for this weekend’s trip to Man City.
Nonetheless, with three home matches in the final three Gameweeks (CHE bou & SOT STO), Jordan Ayew looks an ideal option for those seeking a cut-price candidate up front, particularly for the Bench Boost chip in Double Gameweek 37. Back from suspension and on the scoresheet against Everton at the Liberty last time out, the Ghana international has six goals in his last 13 league outings.
Newcastle pair Kenedy (4.8) and Ayoze Perez (5.3) also offer budget solutions for Gameweek 35 and beyond.
Arguably, with Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal, along with Crystal Palace and Burnley, boasting more favourable weekend fixtures, the Magpies may well be ignored by those on Free Hit chips as they travel to an Everton side with two clean sheets in three at Goodison.
Yet Rafa Benitez’s men visit Merseyside looking for a fifth straight win, with Perez racking up three goals and two assists in the last three Gameweeks.
The on-loan Kenedy has two goals and an assist in four and looks ideal bench fodder for the run-in (WBA wat & tot CHE). The winger can be easily benched in Gameweek 38 as he cannot play against parent club, Chelsea.
