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. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How much rest does Mahrez need?!?!?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It’s not about rest, it’s about protection

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

        they need protection from being fat and slow from excess sitting on the bench

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nothing to play for in the league
      Hence Carson

  2. Nimby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why would Mahrez need a rest? He hasn't played for two weeks! Bloody Pep.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Foden too. I dont understand Rockstar's tweet of "they need rest..."

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He doesn’t think they need a rest, he’s just being cryptic, not actually saying they don’t start.

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

        It’s an alpha tweet

  3. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Foden cameo brace needed

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could happen

  4. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like Bissouma coming in for Foden on my FH team then.

    Least I never wasted points on bringing him in this GW though.

  5. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Noel Gallagher starting up front.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dont look back in anger

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It’s a bit early in the midnight hour for me

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I wonder wall he play the full 90.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      We're on our way now

  6. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Stones, Foden and Mahrez on FH surely they can't all be benched.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ouch

    2. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      All 3 benched confirmed

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Unlucky

    4. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks like they are.

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

      They can

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      F

    7. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruh, hope the bench is solid.

    8. CROWLEY NOT CRAWLEY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm in the same boat on my FH.

    9. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Iol, I'm sorry, that's horrible.

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

      Hope you got a good bench.

    11. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Went with Foden and Mahrez myself. Hope Mitchell can bag a 15 pointer off my bench to cover for them.

    12. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same here mate

    13. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sheeeeeeeet

  7. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Cancelo starts

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Jesus...

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Him too

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

      greattttttt

  8. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez!!

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

      Ban

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    45 minutes for an update?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That would be quick this season

  10. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else went Kane (c) instead of Salah due to the slight chance of Salah getting benched? These short deadlines are a real pain. Hope to see the back of them soon. GL all.

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

      Bairam ?

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I would be amazed if Salah is benched.

    3. Baby Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes I went Kane

      1. Baby Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        But after seeing Burnley knock 4 past Wolves it was always going to be Kane vs Wolves for me!

  11. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Carson, Walker, Garcia, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Torres, Sterling (C), Jesus

  12. Baby Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Man City: Dubravka, Krafth, Fernandez, Dummett, Murphy, Shelvey, Willock, Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.

    Subs: Gillespie, Clark, M Longstaff, Carroll, Gayle, Lewis, Hendrick, Manquillo, S Longstaff.

    MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Newcastle: Carson, Walker, Garcia, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Sterling, Silva, Torres, Jesus.

    Subs: Steffen, Dias, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Blondy hell

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Flip

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

    2. Baby Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Come on ASM!

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Did you take a punt on him?

        1. Baby Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I’ve actually had him a few weeks, first week I’ve started him

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Nice. Good luck!

            1. Baby Bowen
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Thanks you too

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cancelo finally to get an overdue haul?

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

        really hope so

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Carnage ... Dias and Ederson ... so no gk and Coady coming in ... good lord.

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

      Should've gotten Saint-Maxi in

    6. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      absolutely amazing how that Newcastle team stayed up easily

    7. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Gundo to haul. Torres to score

    8. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero not in the squad

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    XI | Carson, Walker, Garcia, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Torres, Sterling (C), Jesus

    SUBS | Steffen, Dias, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wow...

  14. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Newcastle: Carson, Walker, Garcia, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Sterling, Silva, Torres, Jesus.

    Subs: Steffen, Dias, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No Aguero?

  15. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I give up. Was very excited about this FH with Mahrez and Foden. Screw you Pep!

  16. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone got the lineups?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Look up

  17. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FFS FH fooked

  18. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    i hope city loses the CL final

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Everyone does

  19. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need Torres injury for Mahrez intro

  20. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Glad I went Mahrez over Gunda for Zaha out

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      For the fresh legs off the bench?

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

    As soon as we saw the Carson rumours circulating from hours ago you just knew Pep wouldn’t take this game seriously... and here we are

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cue 4-0

  22. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve actually got Laporte and Stones, just in case one of them doesn’t play 😆

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Can’t make it up...

  23. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    just get lost guardiola ,just a complete fpl nightmare

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Almost like it’s a gamble picking peps players... like a roulette wheel or something...

  24. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Poor Kun!

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That pen though

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yep - punished for it
        Shame if he doesn't play for City again, but it was a stupid penalty

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not even one more battering of Newcastle for old times sake

  25. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ederson and Mahrez on free hit. Great start.

  26. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bought Stones, Foden and Mahrez on FH.
    Really sums up the season.

  27. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    As a Mahrez owner, I hope Newcastle are winning 3-0 at half time so he forces Pep's hand to avoid embarassment

  28. Fintroy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Still can't work out why people pick any Man City players ?! - we all know the starting 11 is a total lottery !!

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

      Never felt right but took the gamble for the FH.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Most of them were on FH, was worth a risk

    3. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2-0.
      5-0.

      Last 2 matches City beat Newcastle.

      With a good chance of enuf rest Foden Mahrez were likely to start. But let this be a lesson for us all once again

  29. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Well. Glad I dodged the Mahrez Foden bullets. I need to note this down for future reference. Learning from mistakes we nearly made

  30. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez and Foden in my FH. Icing on the cake for a God awful season. Here’s to next year!