FPL

The best budget FPL midfielders and forwards for a Double Gameweek 36 Bench Boost

With many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers planning to Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 36, we’ve picked out some of the best budget options on offer in each category.

50% of the site readers in our sidebar vote said they will activate their Bench Boost this week, comfortably making it the most popular chip option.

The best budget goalkeepers and defenders for a FPL Double Gameweek 36 Bench Boost 1

You can read a rundown of the stand-out goalkeepers and defenders here.

Now, we turn our attention to sub-£6.5m midfielders and forwards, where the pool of talent is on the smaller side.

All stats from this article are from our Premium Members Area.

ANTHONY GORDON

Three budget differentials to consider for Gameweek 35 and beyond 1

Anthony Gordon (£4.6m) has undoubtedly been one of Everton’s best performers in 2022.

Since Frank Lampard’s first match in charge in Gameweek 24, the youngster ranks in the top two amongst team-mates for goal attempts, shots in the box, penalty box touches, crosses, chances created and expected goal involvement (xGI), highlighting his all-round points potential.

And in terms of match-ups, his trip to Watford could be a rewarding one, given that no team has conceded more chances from their left-flank than the Hornets since the turn of the year, the side Gordon will in all likelihood be attacking:


His crossing ability could also be important, too, given that Leicester have had issues defending set-pieces all season.

At this stage, we should point out that Everton have been much better on home turf under Lampard, and one win on the road for the Toffees in 2021/22 is a concern. Still, a distracted Leicester and a Championship-bound Watford are very decent opponents in the upcoming Gameweek.

Summer signing Demarai Gray (£5.4m) is another name to consider for those with a little more budget, having registered his ninth goal contribution of the season against Chelsea on Sunday.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL

Three top FPL differentials for Gameweek 34

With numerous premium options vying for our attention, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.4m) is a decent ‘fifth’ midfielder who could step up on a Bench Boost.

The 23-year-old was absent from the Leicester City XI that faced Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but Brendan Rodgers did suggest that his absence was precautionary.

And prior to Gameweek 35, he had started each of the Foxes’ last 18 Premier League matches and was seemingly immune to rotation.

It’s been an extremely quick rise for Dewsbury-Hall since he made his first Premier League start five months ago, but he is already one of Leicester’s star men playing on the left of a three-man midfield.

On the stats front, an average of one shot in the box every 243.6 minutes suggests he’s not about to go on a run of big scores, but it’s worth noting that his influence has increased in the last six matches. In that time, he is now averaging a shot in the box every 176 minutes, while his 1.12 expected assists (xA) tally ranks joint-12th among all midfielders.

A King Power double-header in Gameweek 36 against two sides in the bottom three certainly catches the eye, too.

EDDIE NKETIAH

Rudiger injury latest as Nketiah enter budget FPL forward radar

Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m) has started ahead of Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) in Arsenal’s last four matches, which has included wins over Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham United.

Having joined from Chelsea’s youth system in 2015, the 22-year-old has primarily featured in the cups for the Gunners and impressed this season scoring five goals in five matches in the Carabao Cup.

After encouraging cameos off the bench against Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion, Nketiah has since been installed in Mikel Arteta’s Premier League starting XI and certainly seized his chance, scoring twice at Stamford Bridge, whilst he was only a tight offside call away from adding another in Gameweek 34.

His underlying numbers have caught the eye, too: Nketiah has recorded top two totals amongst team-mates for goal attempts (13), shots in the box (eight) and big chances (two) in the last three Gameweeks.

As a result, Nketiah seems to have moved ahead of Lacazette in the pecking order, at least for now, but even if he does relinquish his spot or has to share game-time, he should still guarantee minutes: he’s featured in every single one of Arsenal’s last 14 Premier League fixtures.

Martin Odegaard (£5.6m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£5.3m) are reasonably appealing alternatives in midfield, although with the penalty-taking Bukayo Saka available for just £6.7m, it’s hard to make too stronger case for either.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI

Dejan Kulusevski (£6.3m) has hit the ground running at Tottenham Hotspur following his January arrival.

Playing on the right of the front three, the Swede has scored three and also supplied nine assists in 14 appearances, averaging 5.6 points per match.

In fact, since his Gameweek 26 full debut, Kulusevski has actually got more attacking returns (12) than every other Fantasy asset bar the two Spurs premium picks. Even then, the loanee is only two behind Son Heung-min (£11.0m):


Kulusevski was replaced in the starting XI by Lucas Moura (£5.9m) on Sunday, but his introduction just 10 minutes into the second-half sparked Spurs into life, suggesting he will return to the Lilywhites’ line-up at Anfield in Double Gameweek 36.

Admittedly, it is a tricky double-header for Antonio Conte’s side, but there is a top-four spot to play for, and it’s hard to argue against the value Kulusevski offers right now.

TEEMU PUKKI

Three FPL differentials to consider for Gameweek 10

Teemu Pukki (£6.1m) can’t be beaten by any Premier League forward for non-penalty xGI over the last six matches.

The Finn has quietly delivered four attacking returns in that time – racking up 29 points in the process – and is also on penalties, too, should a spot-kick be awarded to Norwich City.

The Canaries’ defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday condemned them to the drop, but a double-header in Gameweek 36 against two sides fresh off the back of European semi-finals is appealing.

It’s worth considering that Dean Smith might start to have one eye on next season with his team selections now that the Canaries are down. However, Pukki could be relatively safe from rotation, at least, with Josh Sargent (£5.4m) reinjuring himself and Adam Idah (£4.9m) out for the season.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Ramsey can provide cheaper route into Aston Villa attack

Under Steven Gerrard, Jacob Ramsey (£4.7m) has established himself in Aston Villa’s starting XI, and although the goals have dried up of late, he has still produced five attacking returns in 15 appearances since the turn of the year.

Admittedly, there are a few too many efforts from range, as the graphic below shows, but for FPL managers, he is at least confident enough to take them on.


Watford’s double-header against Crystal Palace and Everton feels Bench Boost worthy for owners of their assets, like Ismaila Sarr (£5.7m), Emmanuel Dennis (£5.9m) and Joao Pedro (£5.4m).

However, they are part of a Watford side that has scored just nine goals in Roy Hodgson’s 14 matches in charge, suggesting there are better options available this week for those dipping into the transfer market.

Raphinha (£6.4m) hasn’t been at his best for a while now, but he does still rank in the top 10 midfielders for non-penalty xGI since Jesse Marsch took charge, and should be on penalties in Patrick Bamford’s (£7.7m) absence.

He could also get some joy against the defensively suspect Nuno Tavares (£4.3m), before encountering what may be a much-changed Chelsea side ahead of their FA Cup final appearance.

Elsewhere, single Gameweek options like Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.3m) and Christian Eriksen (£5.6m), plus Burnley assets Wout Weghorst (£6.4m), Jay Rodriguez (£5.2m) – providing he is fit – and Josh Brownhill (£4.3m) carry some appeal, although it’s those who play twice who clearly have the edge for those on a Bench Boost.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 36 POINTS PREDICTIONS: WHAT RMT THINKS

Rate my Team (RMT) is a tool designed to give you an approximation of how many FPL points your team will score over a series of Gameweeks.

Our points projections show algorithm-generated predictions for every FPL player both this Gameweek and in future ones.

660 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Whoops

  2. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Yes Fabinho!

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      1st and 3rd in dfs CL atm

      Stop the count!

  3. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    That’s it, Liverpool back!

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      And looking like they want to keep it this time

  4. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Who needs Firmino we have Fabinho

  5. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Salah assist! Getting ready for DGW

  6. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Rulli strange save by Really!

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Damn the commentator screaming like crazy after that Diaz shot

    Turning the sound off. Unbearable

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      well it has been crossbar, crossbar, post so far. SCREAAAAAAM

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Keep going, Luis!

  9. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    They ought to give Keita a yellow shirt hes basically their 12th player

  10. HTL
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Keeper's got money on Pool to qualify

  11. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Treble looking like a formality now. Just have to hope City hold their nerve in the league.

    FA Cup in the bag - Chelsea can't score
    Champions League will be virtually won if City get through

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      We can score.

      We are just not good.

    2. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      2018 UCL QF wasnt that long ago...

  12. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Diaz has a lot more dynamics to his game than Jota, and hence probably ahead of him in the pecking order. Can see him becoming a great FPL asset next season.

  13. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Game. Set. Match. Rulli Man of the Match.

  14. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    That'll do, Luis, that'll do.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Arent you a United supporter?

      Weird bedfellow

  15. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Diaz ability to hold onto the ball in Mid and attack has changed the game, what a signing.

  16. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    That’s got to be off..

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Wgta?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Best right back in the world.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          You are on a roll today

        2. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          That was a pretty sweet left footed assist tbf

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        TAA

  17. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Diaz = God

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Dios*

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Should Rulli close his legs.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      His mom should have

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Don’t be unRulli

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Yeah, 7 children are enough ffs

  19. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Well that's Liverpool through now
    Villareal were never going to be able to keep that intensity up for whole match

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Would have with a halfway decent keeper

  20. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Nutmegged again!

  21. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Hope this means Jota will play next game

    1. putana
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      diaz will definitely start against spurs. jota might get villa

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Jota was hooked cause he was awful.

      Reckon it'll be this first 3 for Spurs and Klopp will want them for the FAC final too.

      Jota probably starts Villa.

  22. putana
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    diaz is liverpool's best attacker

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Lol

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Has been in many games tbh.

  23. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Diaz or Matip on FH got trickier.

    Still certain that Salah and TAA are must after their rests last week.

    1. HTL
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I reckon Jota and Robbo will sit out one of the games. Hardly prediction of the century but should be their turn for a rest

  24. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Jota is killing me..

  25. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Oh great, crowd trouble

  26. HTL
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Salah to Son for -4?

    1. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Probably not

  27. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Mane G
    Naby A

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      2 keeper assists

    2. putana
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      rulli A

  28. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Can’t stop won’t stop

  29. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Rulli LMAOO

  30. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Worst keeper ever

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      It's actually criminal. Villareal fans should sue

    2. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Karius says hi

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Don’t besmirch Kepa like that