Gameweek Guide

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Blank Gameweek 36

Blank Gameweek 36 thrusts the likes of Leeds United and Manchester City into contention for our Fantasy Premier League teams, while Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) is rivaling Harry Kane (£11.8m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) for the captain’s armband.

And Fantasy managers are wondering what to do with their Manchester United assets. Following their three matches in Gameweek 35, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men are one of four sides without a fixture in Gameweek 36 along with Arsenal and FA Cup finalists Chelsea and Leicester City.

There are only three rounds to go and after a Friday deadline of 18:30 BST, a heads up that Gameweek 37 kicks off on Tuesday afternoon.

Sensible Salah

Top of the captain poll and with attacking returns in each of his last five starts, Mohamed Salah would appear the sensible option for the captaincy. A motivated Liverpool side, chasing a top-four spot for a place in next season’s Champions League, face an already-relegated West Brom. 

In addition, Salah has personal motivation as he tussles with Harry Kane for the Golden Boot, the pair currently tied on 21 goals apiece. 

Salah and Kane, unsurprisingly, claim the top two spots in Jan’s Captain Sensible article and with our four Scout Picks selectors. Of that quintet, only Neale has opted for Kane ahead of Salah.

There is, however, some difference of opinion over who might be the best alternative captain for those looking to take a risk and claw back lost ground in the rankings.

Both Jan and Neale favour a Man City player, with Riyad Mahrez (£8.0m) and Phil Foden (£6.0m) their preferred options in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, while David, Tom and Andy all back Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Although David questioned the explosive potential of Calvert-Lewin on this week’s Captaincy Video with Joe, pointing out that only three times this season has the Everton striker produced more than one attacking return – a key consideration for our armband holders.

While Andy, despite picking Calvert-Lewin in third, promoted the credentials of Foden and Mahrez:

Both [Foden and Mahrez] look like great explosive options but Mahrez would be ahead for me, given that he averages 5.4 points per match this season and has great underlying numbers.

Mahrez has more than double the expected goal involvement of Foden over their last six matches (2.72 vs 1.34) and could be on penalty duties. 

When backing the Algerian as his top differential captain, Jan pointed to a weakness in the Newcastle defence that could bode well for his attacking prospects:

Another reason why a Mahrez captaincy could turn out to be successful is Newcastle’s inability to defend the left side of the pitch. Three of their last five goals conceded came from the area Mahrez usually excels in.

– Jan

Time to let Iheanach-go?

A blank followed by a trip to Chelsea and the final day visit of Tottenham Hotspur is leading many to consider selling the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.3m). The Foxes forward has scored or assisted in eight of the past nine Gameweeks, albeit against generally easier opposition.

Looking to cement her position in the top 50k, Sam has made her mind up:

Selling… Kelechi Iheanacho is a more painful decision. The Nigerian international has been the height of consistency so far, returning in his last five Premier League matches. However, Blank Gameweek 36, followed by the league’s best defence in Chelsea in Gameweek 37 means he has to make way.

The Spurs fan plans to bring in Calvert-Lewin as her replacement, but for fellow Pro Pundit Andy, Everton’s matches after their enticing home encounter with Sheffield United mean he is looking elsewhere. The Toffees face Wolves and Man City to close the season.

Similarly priced to Iheanacho, Patrick Bamford (£6.4m) and Michail Antonio (£6.5m) were the two candidates he considered. But with both Leeds and West Ham playing Southampton and West Brom in Gameweeks 37 and 38, Andy feels that Bamford has the better fixture in this round. West Ham’s opponents Brighton have been defensively sound and are unlikely to be pushovers despite the loss of Lewis Dunk to suspension.

But fixtures aren’t the only reason behind Andy’s decision:

Antonio’s injury record, which may mean another transfer before the season’s end, and Bamford being on penalties.

Thank you for the good times

It may seem a little harsh to discard Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) after the most-popular player in FPL rewarded his owners with 19 points across his three appearances in Gameweek 35, but there’s no room for sentiment at this stage of the campaign. 

I think it is perfectly fine to ditch your Manchester United players now.

– Lateriser

Man United fans Lateriser and Andy agreed that there could be an advantage to be gained by selling.

Bruno Fernandes to Son Heung-min gives you pretty much three starts over the next three Gameweeks; Fernandes may only get one.

– Andy

As Lateriser pointed out, Manchester United play their Gameweek 38 fixture three days prior to the Europa League final, which could mean rests or at least limited minutes for their main protagonists.

A switch to Son Heung-min (£9.6m) could prove profitable. The South Korean has a goal in each of his last three matches and is included in the Scout Picks:

We fancy him to continue that run against Wolves given the weaknesses they have shown on their right-hand side of late. During the last six matches, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have conceded 11 chances on their left, 14 through the middle and 21 down the right.

– Scout Picks

Flying Fullbacks

Blank Gameweek 36 Scout Picks features double-ups from four clubs

A trio of full-backs have been highlighted by our experts ahead of the deadline. 

Seamus Coleman (£4.9m) headlines Tom’s differential picks, with the Pro Pundit revealing how a recent formation change to 3-5-2 has given the Irishman license to get forward.

Over the last six Gameweeks Coleman’s 11 chances created is level with that of his colleague on the opposite flank, Lucas Digne (£6.2m), who impressed David against Aston Villa:

[Digne] laid on three key passes at Villa Park, more than any other player. 

And Duncan Young (aka Statto99) believes there’s only one option to consider among Leeds United’s backline

Even at his current price, [Stuart Dallas] represents great value with a points-per-match average (4.5) better than any defender not playing for a Champions League finalist.

Enjoy the run-in

Seb looked for the positives from a disappointing campaign as he shared his thoughts on how to play the final Gameweeks for those in a similar position:

Experiment with transfers, selections or captains you may not usually go for. See what works, what does not and what could be added to your repertoire for next time.

While for Sam, a rare points hit is on the cards:  

One thing is certain, fielding 11 players for me will be the right thing, even if that means taking only my second -4 of the season.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning has brought us his regular community competitions update and revealed the FFS cup winners:

The FFS Open Cup winner is Genovoze, who scored 133 without the aid of a chip and defeated Mince n Tatties by a single point after the latter scored a Bench Boosted 136(-4).

The third-place play-off was won by Jambo17 (aka Callum Croal), who won 112-106 against FPL Bielsa.

The FFS Members Cup winner is Mohd Rodzi, who beat EUG 132-121.

The third-place play-off was won by Rossaldinho, whose 122 points proved sufficient to defeat SUNFLOWER. The latter’s wildcard only returned a disappointing 100 points – normally an excellent Gameweek score, but not this time!

– RedLightning

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 36 can be found below. 

The scores and tables update every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,106 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Still can't decide between Llorente & Alioski.

    Alioski a 50/50 to start but more attacking potential, Llorente a sure starter but low CS potential anyway... Thoughts?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Any other options? Don't like any of them tbh

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Nope. Already have 3 Pool so Phillips out of the question, these two are the only remaining 4.4 picks

        1. Zogzeg
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Ayling is also 4.4

    2. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why is Alioski 50/50 to start?

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Klich Koch Cooper all competing, Leeds supporters on Twitter saying Dallas will return to LB now that everyone is back

        1. Patron
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Damn, thanks...

  2. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts
    1) Greenwood + nacho to Raphina + dcl (-4)
    2) Bruno + nacho to son + Bamford (-4)
    3) Bruno + nacho to son + antonio (-4)

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2 or 3

    2. Ian Davis
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m also torn between Bamford and Antonio. Might have to toss a coin..

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Might go Bamford since I have lingard

        1. Ian Davis
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah I would do that. I’ve got Lingard and Raphinha, só decision is tougher..

          1. Sid07
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Bamford on pen is an advantage

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I did 3 but I also own 1, I would probably still choose 3 out of those

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Another option is mahrez and dcl

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I have 10 players and on -4. Take a -8 for Digne?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Digne is never worth a -8 imo

    2. Guba
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tough one, I think I'd do it personally. Effectively a -2 if they concede, not bad for the upside of clean sheet/attacking threat.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        What of Dallas instead?

        1. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I've gone Dallas

        2. Guba
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Judging your team I'd go Digne as he sets your team up for 36+37 better and you're fine 38 anyway. But I've got Dallas and I would be worried to not own him admittedly.

          1. Guba
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Actually forgot Shaw probably doesn't play 38. Honestly I don't know haha it's so close.

  4. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Already on -4

    Take a further -4 to bring in Dallas? Takes my player count up to 10 this week

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same dilemma above.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I own aguero and want to captain him!

    But do we know if he starts?

    1. Guba
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Noone knows

  6. Teror
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son or Foden? One week punt.

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son because he is nailed.

  7. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Please rate this FH team.

    Pickford
    TAA, Digne, Stones
    Salah(c), son, Mahrez, foden, Jota
    Kane, DCL

    Would you do anything different?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nope, no complains here.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A strong bench could be useful because of 3x City

        1. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Got vestergard first sub.

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Has there been any word from Jamie Jackson about Aguero starting?

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      you looking for a hattrick?

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    which mid guys?

    A) Bale
    B) Mahrez
    c) Raphinha

    cheers 🙂

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        whhere's all this talk coming from though of him not starting?

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          From this site -based on Bielsas statements.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            but whats Bielsa said? thats what i cfan't figure out

  10. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which? (Have ayling lingard kane)

    A) ihncho fofana -4 to antonio/bamford - alioski/4.6 def.
    B) ihncho bruno fofana -8 to antonio/bamford - raphinha/bale - dalas/coleman
    C) ihncho bruno -4 to antonio/bamford - bale/raphinha

  11. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bamford or antonio ? Have lingard

  12. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I've got a very slender lead, who to captain as we both own them?

    A. Salah
    B. Kane

    1. mash
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  13. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Choose one for -4 :
    a) Maguire/Greenwood --> Dallas/Bale
    b) Castagne/Greenwood --> Dallas/Son
    c) Castagne/Nacho --> Dallas/Ings
    d) Maguire/Nacho --> Dallas/Antonio or Bamford

    1. mash
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D

  14. mash
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Final choice to make, what do you reckon?

    A) Dallas (no bench players)
    B) Coufal and Bamford (-4, Coady on bench)

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A no hits might be the best move this week

      1. mash
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        cheers!

  15. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Digne or Dallas?

  16. ThorntonReed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I can only field 11 if Holgate and Forster both play...

    Do I:

    A) Bring in a keeper for -4 (other keeper is Mendy - both are rotation risks in 37 & 38 too)
    B) Bring in Dallas for a -4, even if it means playing with no keeper
    C) Cross my fingers and hope they play?

  17. 420king
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What looks better on a FH?

    A) Dallas + Mane
    B) Robbo + Son

    (have TAA, Salah and Kane)

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas + Son

  18. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Points prediction for Digne over his next 2 GWs (SHU, WOL)?

    Fixtures look great on paper but concerned by Everton's home record

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would Like to know this too

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    -4 team. Yay or nay to another -4? Rudiger >> Dallas or Shaw >> Digne?

    Forster
    TAA. Ward. XXX
    Salah(C). Jota. ASM. Son
    Kane. DCL. Antonio
    (Mendy. Greenwood. Holding. Rudiger, Shaw)

  20. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Bring in - Keane Stones Son McCarthy (-12) and field 10 players

    Or

    B) Bring in Ederson and Keane (-4) and field 10 players

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A) 11 players*

    2. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Guba
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not much of a fan of either option in all honesty. Surely you can reach higher number of players playing without just defender transfers? -8 for one extra player between the two options for A). doesn't seem worth so I'd go B between them.

  21. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any reasons as to why Mahrez will play/start in your opinion guys? thanks.

  22. richarlison2348
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on -12?
    Maguire, Iheanacho, Maddison, Leno out
    Dallas, Bamford, Foden/Raphinha, Ederson in

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m on something similar, see above

    2. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Can you field 11 by -8?

      1. richarlison2348
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yes, but the move I would have to leave out is Iheanacho to Bamford, forcing me to play Vydra

  23. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wildcard active. Thoughts?

    Mesilier (McCarthy)
    Dallas / Konsa / Coufal (Aina / Mitchell)
    Salah / Son / JWP / Willock (Bruno)
    Kane / Antonio / Bamford

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Only one Liverpool player would be concern

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Needs TAA. Go wood over Kane?

  24. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez or Son?

    Have Foden and Kane.

    1. Guba
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son, Foden is enough of a rotation risk for me.

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Most nailed.

  25. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Been switching between Salah, Son and TAA (C) all day. Will get it wrong for sure.

    1. Guba
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Go with your gut and you'll regret it less.

  26. buttsy9
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Meslier,
    Coufal, Cancelo, Dallas, Targett,
    Salah, Son, Lingard, Jota,
    Bamford, Kane

    Pope, Castange, Nacho, Smith-Rowe

    Any changes needed here?

    DCL or Foden would be -4
    Could do Antonio or Watkins for free.

  27. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For the rest of the season

    A) Bale + Coufal
    B) Greenwood + Raphinha

  28. Davidwes
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this wildcard team?
    Pickford
    TAA, Digne, Stones
    Salah, Mane, Foden, Lingard
    Kane, DCL, Antonio
    Bench: Meslier, Dallas, Coufal, ESR

  29. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you have out of

    Coleman or Godfrey

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  30. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on going Robbo over Dallas? Double up with TAA.