Pro Pundits

My Bench Boost team and transfer plans for FPL Double Gameweek 36

Five-time top 1k FPL finisher Tom Freeman on Calvert-Lewin, Wolves and his Gameweek 2 plans

It has not been the season I had hoped for, and at the time of writing, it does look like I’ll finish outside of the top 100k.

In fact, it’s probably shaping up to be my worst since I first started playing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in 2009/10.

There are a number of reasons for this, some of which are known, but for now, I’m clinging to the fact that I still have a Bench Boost and Free Hit to play, with the aim of at least finishing the season strongly.

So, for this column, I would like to take a brief look at my Double Gameweek 36 Bench Boost and talk through some of the dilemmas I face before Saturday’s deadline. I’ll be tinkering right up until that point, but after reading this you should at least know which players I’m leaning towards.

GOALKEEPERS

Kasper Schmeichel (£4.9m) and Ben Foster (£4.1m) were selected on my Gameweek 34 Wildcard with this Bench Boost in mind, and I see no reason to change this pairing.

The duo have appealing fixtures in Double Gameweek 36 (EVE + NOR/cry + EVE), so it’s an area that requires little attention.

As for Schmeichel, the defence in front of him hasn’t been great for much of the season, not helped by so much chopping and changing.

However, they have kept two clean sheets against Aston Villa and Leeds United in their last four King Power outings – while only Illan Meslier (£4.8m) has made more saves than Schmeichel on home turf in 2021/22:

The best budget goalkeepers and defenders for a FPL Double Gameweek 36 Bench Boost 4

DEFENDERS

Whilst I do have doubts around Reece James’ (£6.4m) potential for two starts in Double Gameweek 36, he could quite feasibly haul against a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who have been poor for some time now.

Bruno Lage described last weekend’s 3-0 home loss as his team’s “worst performance” of 2021/22, a match which saw them concede a whopping 17 shots to Brighton and Hove Albion, who aren’t exactly known for their attacking threat.

Emerson Royal’s (£4.5m) fixtures, meanwhile, are hardly ideal, but I’m more than happy to roll with this set-up in Double Gameweek 36.

It also looks sound for Gameweek 38, with the potential to use a five-man backline if I choose to.


MIDFIELDERS

As you can tell from my ramblings, quite a few decisions are still up in the air.

If you’re in a similar position, I’d suggest giving the latest episode of The FPL Wire a listen, as it may help clarify your thoughts in certain areas.

… and most importantly, good luck this week.

1,351 Comments Post a Comment
  1. donkey73
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel (good fixtures-class keeper)
    or
    Pickford (motivation - opportunity to make saves in away games)

    ?????

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Schmeicel.

    2. Evans
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Pickford for me

    3. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Leaning towards Pickford myself

    4. NZREDS
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Kasper

  2. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who has a higher probability of starting both games?

    A- Laporte
    B- Dias

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

      A

    2. FusionFC
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      a

  3. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anyone help with this?
    Kane Toney Steele and Doherty to Watkins, Martinez Richarlison and Cancelo - 12? For bb

  4. Gordon Cole
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Veltman, Sterling & Werner to
    a) Mina, KDB(c) & Richarlison
    b) Holgate, Son & Jesus

    For a -8. I’m chasing.

  5. Inspector Norse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Werner to Jesus, or look at other options?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I like it

    2. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I’m wondering the same. Hard to make the gamble for a hit…

  6. Henning
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best combo for gw 36 and 38?

    1. Richarlison and Maddison
    2. Nkeita and Mount
    Using fr gw 37

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I think both are decent. I think 1 shades it

  7. nolard
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    BB this Bench:
    a) Foster, Justin, Gordon, fodder for -4
    b) above, + fodder to 5.6 striker
    -8

    No BB
    c) Werner to Vardy - 4
    d) Werner stays - no hits

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I'd BB that and as per below, I'd be tempted by the hit to upgrade the fodder too

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Hmm, rally? I just took some calculation on likely points from that bench, and it isn't very rewarding.

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          When else you going to play it? Foster, Justin and Gordon all double and a hit for a decent doubling forward should pay off

          1. nolard
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            I know, it would be GW 38 if not.
            Two hits then, to move Ramsay and Fodder striker. And keep werner. Also not fond of ramsdale, but cant move everyone.

  8. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Struggling with this one. Thoughts appreciated.

    a. Broja & White
    b. Dennis & White -4
    c. Pukki & Tavares -8
    d. Nketiah & Davies -8

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I would avoid Tavares. I guess D, but Spurs don't have easy fixtures, maybe another option?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Can afford up to £4.8m but it gets pretty uninspiring that low down the list o defenders

        1. nolard
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Yes, I have Justin myself.

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

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo Robertson James
    Maddison Salah Saka Kulusevski Mount
    Toney Kane

    GTG? Or play FT?

    Thanks.

  10. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on how many minutes Barnes gets in the next GW? Does he start both or just one game? Now they're out of Europe maybe no reason to rest him anymore?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I got rid this week. He's been hooked early when he does play and seems out of favour.

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Lookman has takes his spot.

  11. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Need a differential TC pick:
    A) Son
    B) Cancelo

    1. donkey73
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      cancelo by far

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Cancelo

    3. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Cancelo

  12. FusionFC
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ederson (NEW wol) or Mendy (WOL lee)?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Ederson

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Ed

    3. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Ederson, City cs chances better than Chelsea's

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      E

  13. T88MYE
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chasing 40pts..

    Hitting TC on a differential this week… but who? Suggestions below!

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Who do you have?

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Schmeichal Forster
        TAA Laporte Cancelo Alonso Cash
        Salah Son Maddy Mount Elanga
        Watkins Nketiah Pukki

        1. Brehmeren
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Cancelo

          1. T88MYE
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            That’s actually who I’m on at the mo.

            Would you -4 to bring Jesus in?

            Schmeichal
            TAA Cancelo(TC) Laporte
            Salah Son Maddy Mount
            Nketiah Jesus Watkins

            Forster Pukki Elanga Timiskas (fodder)

            1. T88MYE
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              Forster Alonso Elanga Timiskas/fodder

  14. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Why aren't people considering Maddison for GW36?

    1. NZREDS
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Possible rotation risk

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        But how if they got knocked out that competition?

        1. NZREDS
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Correct it’s a safer pick now! Not a bad shout

        2. Scheister
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          I’m considering Maddison. No more rotation risk than Jesus, Nketiah, etc

        3. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Doesn't really affect 36 does it? Final wouldn't have been till post-38, plenty of matches before then.

          He's still a decent pick. I have him, albeit due to WC-ing a few weeks back. Main concern is Leicester attacking stats been quite poor over recent matches.

  15. banskt
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Looking for a 5.4 midfielder for first bench in GW36 and (maybe) squad in GW37.

    Gray or Gordon? Ramsey? Dewsbury-Hall?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Gray I like

      Ramsey is injured.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate.

  16. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chances that Mount starts against Leeds?

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      High

  17. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Sterling Havertz to KDB (c) Kulu gives me below.
    Thoughts? Anything for a hit?

    Ederson
    TAA/Robo/Cancelo/Alonso
    Salah/KDB(c)/Mount/Saka/Kulu
    Pukki

  18. robt
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Laporte Alonso White Schar
    Maddison Havertz Saka Kulu Salah (C)
    Kane Weghorst Broja

    Schar, Havertz, Broja (-4) to;
    A. Cancelo, Gordon, Pukki for a BB of Dubravka, White, Weghorst, Pukki
    B. Matip, Gordon, Richarlison for a BB of Dubravka, White, Weghorst, Gordon. (Richarlison in first 11)
    C. Scrap the hit, punt on BB GW38

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A or B looks good. Probably A just because Cancelo

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A supposing White is fit (haven't checked)

      1. robt
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Nothing definitive unfortunately.

  19. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    a) Mount + Gordon
    b) Barnes + Odegaard

    1. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  20. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Adams + Sa > Pickford + Rich for -4? (Can't afford Schmiechel)

    1. Croaker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yes

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  21. Aaaatsu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Play one:

    A: Amartey (EVE, NOR)
    B: Holgate (lei, wat)
    C: Emerson Royal (liv, ARS)

    1. NZREDS
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Holgate for me

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Would have thought a tooth like you should pick Mason Colgate instead 😛

        1. NZREDS
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          LOL - love it.

          Holgate is in the bus scout team selection this week and decent CS potential, can’t see royal holding CS and amartey might not get two starts

  22. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best Leicester defender?

    1. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Soyuncu? But I wouldn’t take the risk

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        He was awful last week

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      The keeper, if not Fofana or Justin

  23. chriscosta
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hi All, looking for ben white replacement OR - 409
    6.0mil
    A) Matip
    or
    B) Alonso

    1. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Kantelele
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    3. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Thanks

  24. BantasyFootball
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Alonso + Pukki
    B) Holgate + Richarlison
    ?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A for me, but coin toss territory

  25. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Using BB this week.

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo TAA Rudiger
    Salah Mount Coutinho Kulu Saka
    Kane Broja

    Foster Gelhardt Doherty Amartey

    2ft 0.1itb
    A) Kane, Gelhardt, Doherty -> Jesus, Richarlison, Cash (-4)
    B) Mount, Gelhardt, Doherty -> Gordon, Richarlison, Mina (-4)

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Croaker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  26. Diedhiou See That?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Mount Havertz and White -> De Bruyne Gordon and Mykolenko (-8)

    Yay or Nay

    1. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      BB this week, no other chips left

    2. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not for me

      1. Diedhiou See That?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Croaker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No

      1. Diedhiou See That?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks - I think I’m just going to hold Mount and Havertz and roll the dice, and buy Alonso for White

  27. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anyone been put off buying Richarlison cos of his yellow flag or is general consensus to still get him in?

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I think pros out weigh that one potential con, double in 47 swayed it for me

  28. Forgetmeknot
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    2 ft coming into this week, just taken a -12 on top and Rodri is my only man city player what madness is this!

    Big green or red this is the marquee game of the season, have fun all!

  29. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who should leave my team first:

    1. Maddison
    2. Coutinho

  30. The Parrot
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    The big one

    Kane or Son - 4

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Wouldnt be taking a hit with their fixtures.

    2. NZREDS
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Son, he’s a monster and coming off the back of a great game

    3. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Did you look at Son's fixtures? I am selling him for KdB. Don't have Kane.