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. The Movement
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I’m doing BB this week and FH next week. Who would you change? Currently thinking Mount to Saka and not sure on the 2nd?

    Schmichael Foster
    TAA. Cancello Robbo James Alonso
    Salah Mount Son Odegaard Gordon
    Pukki Watkins Joao Pedro

    Thanks

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      looks good

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I would do that move.

    3. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Other option is James to Laporte or Dias, what do you think?

    4. Kantelele
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Saka is great, but i wouldn't sell Mount. Rather Joao Pedro or Pukki to Nketiah.

  2. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Is Richarlson a real risk now that he's flagged?

    On a FH.

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Lampard said in press conference he should be fine to play. Bigger risk is another petulant yellow which could stop him from playing 4 games.

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        No players can be suspended now

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Unless they get sent off of course...

    2. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      He'll be fine. Saw him in training pics.

  3. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Is there any DGW replacement for White? 5.6m

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

      Tavres

  4. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Keep Mount or Havertz?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I think mount is more nailed.
      Havertz is a bit on and off - an enigma.

      1. Jones Town
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Coin flip

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Mount.

  5. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anyone seem Laporte training ? Bit worried about potential injury ?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Oh please no 🙄

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Can’t see any news on him

    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      He might have broken a fingernail when he slapped Modric and then jumped on the ground!

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Thought I read he had cramp earlier. Need to have a look though.

  6. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Jota or Mahrez?

    Own KDB, no Salah.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Then Jota imo

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

      Diaz

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        I prefer Diaz based on recent viewings but isn’t he more likely to come on as a sub?

        My other thought is do Spurs or Newcastle do a better job of putting up a fight against Liverpool/Newcastle? Throw in Pep roulette and maybe Jota is the better option, idk

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

          I agree and picked Jota for this reason. With same minutes it would be easy Diaz with current form.

    3. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Both a risk but I think, maybe, possibly, I don’t know but, could be Mahrez?

    4. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Jota

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

    Pukki
    Iheanacho
    Dennis
    Nketiah

    Pick one

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Pukki

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

      Nketiah

    3. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nketiah

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      N

    5. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nketiah

    6. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nketiah

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

      Oh… that’s surprising

    8. Blonde Faith
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      N...acho. Up against bottom 3 plus Palace in the next 2 DGWs

    9. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nketiah easy

  8. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    GTG? or any obvious moves?

    Foster
    Robertson / Cancelo / Gabriel / Cash
    Salah(c) / Son / Saka / Coutinho
    Kane / Dennis

    Pope / Martinelli / Davies / Broja
    1FT 0.2ITB

  9. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Luis Diaz top scorer this week

    1. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Hahaha NO

      1. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        thanks for the good quote tweet a week from today

        1. Cheeto__Bandito
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          not tweet i mean ffscout post

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

    literally the only predicted lineup not posted last few days is Leicester and I need to decide on Thomas or Fofana! Thinking Thomas is more likely to start next game but Fofana better option for 2nd important game at home to Norwich? Or is Rodgers likely main lineup Soyuncu and Evans now he is fit!? decisions decisions

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Thomas is back up, but might get minutes now first.
      Fofana is first choice with Evans.

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

        was suprised to not see Soyuncu play in europe but i think you are right. Might go for Guehi with one fixture instead if only likely i can get a Leicester player who plays one game.

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

    On a bench boost with 2 FTs. Not sure what to do, so any tips appreciated?

    GK: Krul, Foster
    Def: Alonso, Emerson Royal, TAA, Robertson, Hanley
    Mid: Salah, Kulusevki, Havertz, Martinelli, Gordon
    Fwds: Kane, Pukki, Werner

    1. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Hanley and Martanelli need to go but not sure how much that allows

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

        Hanley just BB fodder.

        Werner feels like the more pressing concern?

  12. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Kane, Havertz, Robbo > Richarlison, KDB, Cancelo?

    1. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      For a -4?

      Good moves if no FH 37

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Yeah -4
        Have FH for 37

  13. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Best mid for 7.9 or less?
    To do GW36 & GW38
    Free hitting GW37.

  14. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    A) Cancelo, Mahrez, Jesus
    B) Dias, Son, Richarlison
    C) Cancelo, KDB, Nketiah

    1. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

  15. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Havertz or Diaz?

    1. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Diaz

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

      Jota

    3. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Diaz

    4. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Cheers. To make that move from Havertz I'd have to also do James to Dias/Laporte (2ft) still worth it?

  16. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Schmeichel Foster
    Alonso Laporte Cancelo Trent Robbo
    Salah Foden Mount Havertz KDH
    Watkins Pukki Dennis

    0 ITB. 2FT. 15 DGW Players. No idea where to use the free transfers.

    Any ideas?

    Chip Strategy
    BB 36
    FH 37

    1. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      fantastic squad, wild card last week??

  17. joersherman
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Hey guys, appreciate your thoughts on the best of these options for free?

    1) Weghorst & Sa > Nketiah & Schmeichel
    2) Weghorst & Sa > Richarlison & Foster
    3) Weghorst & Sa > Pickford & Alonso

  18. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anyone worth bringing in for Mateta at 5.7m or less for a -4 on BB?

    Already have Nketiah

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

      Nope

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Tempted as not convinced by a FH37 and not enamoured by my alternative (Dennis)

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

    Best gk only gw36? Cannot be City or Pool because slots are full.

    A) Schm
    B) Pickford
    C) Mendy
    D) else

    1. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I’d say A

  20. ManUtdFan977
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Who’s more likely to play both games amartey or fofana

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

      Fofana, as 1st choice

    2. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Fofana, get him ready for next season

  21. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    2 FTs. 0 ITB. BB36, no FH for 37.

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robertson Cancelo James
    Salah Havertz Maddison Kulusevski
    Kane Nketiah
    // Foster / Mateta / Tavares / Ramsey*

    Ramsey > Gordon will happen. Uses 1 transfer but I don't care about the hit for that one.

    Can you offer any advice on moves? Part of me wants to avoid Richarlison as rival I'm chasing has him.

    1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Gordon, roll one, and re-assess imo.
      Team would look good for 37 already so you would have the luxury of having 3 transfers to play over the 2 weeks so something like Havertz + Tavares -> Coutinho -> Mykolenko followed by Coutinho -> Saka on final day?

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

    Is it worth taking a hit to remove Kane to bring in KDB? Bear in mind I'll be taking multiple hits for BB36

    2FTs and 0.1itb

    Current team is:

    Schemeical Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Robbo Alonso Schar
    Salah Mount Saka Kulu Ramsey
    Kane Broja Cucho

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      not for me, just because of pep roulette

    2. AscotUnited
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'm in the same position. Probably Ramses -> KDB and Kane -> Nketiah

  23. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Play Rodrigo or Cash?

    1. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Cash, that Burnley fixture looks profitable

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thank you

  24. paza12
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Mount or Havertz to Saka for free? Cheers.

    1. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Havertz to Saka

  25. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    a) BB with Foster, Holgate, Holding, Broja (-4pts)
    b) BB with Foster, Holding, Amartey, Nketiah (-8pts)
    c) TC Salah, no BB

    1. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      c

  26. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Ait Nouri to Holding or Holgate

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

      Probably holding if white an injury doubt

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

    Evening all

    Looking for #GW36 forward or mid can replace Watkins(7.4)or Coutinho (7.1) that has a decent double but also a good fixture in #GW38 #FPL #DGW36

    1. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Really? Lol

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

        Yeah really …. I have one FT and 0 ITB

        This is my team

        Foster
        Laporte, TTA, James, Royal
        Salah, KDB, Son, Saka, Coutinho
        Watkins

        Subs Dubravka, Broja, Tsmikas, Greenwood

        I’m going to free hit in GW37 and don’t want to be stuck with Villas players when they play city in the final game of the season

        1. TeddiPonza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Coutinho to Maddi then probably

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

            guessing he may miss the Everton game but be back for Norwich plus Southampton in final game

        2. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Ahh sorry, makes more sense when FH in 37. What about Richarlison?

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

            Unfortunately 0.1 short

  28. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Jesus or Mahrez? One week only.

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

      Marhrez

  29. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Amazing how the community can make such significant bandwagons.

    Coutinho last week
    Richarlison this week

    IMO just stick to the top players from the top teams

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

      Have had Coutinho since GW26

      Still waiting for that bandwagon

      1. chaser123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Not saying you. But a lot of other people bought him in

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

          Agree

  30. Atimis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Probably gonna get and (c) as initially thought - anything against?

    1. Atimis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      KDB!

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

      Do you have Salah ?