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

    Stones IS the best defender at City and Dias has said he is nowhere near his top form Not bizarre just accurate

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

      Cool

  2. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is there any DGW replacement for Livramento? 4.2m

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

      Brandon Williams looks good

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

      I'm looking at Amartey, but Fofana could play so I'm hesitant

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Holgate

    4. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      cheers everyone! very helpful!

      1. AutoFill 2021
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Holding

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

    Why Son Foden seems to be preferred here over KDB Kulu?
    Will Foden even start?

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

      I would easily pick anything that says KDB.

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        This but with Son

  4. Starskyb
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Also bench boosting... got 2FT.

    A) havertz, mateta --> Gordon, richarliason
    B) havertz --> Foden and roll FT

    Rest of team is

    Schmeichel, foster
    James, alonso, laporte, cancelo,cash
    Mount, salah, odegaard, KDH
    Pukka, kane

    Thoughts really appreciated

  5. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Decided I'm keeping James and Robbo.

    Would you make the following move?

    Coutinho + KDH -> Maddison + Gordon (-4)

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    My head says KDB but my heart says Son! Who’s right?

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Probably your gut.

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

        Can’t go with that! Joelinton isn’t a Midfielder

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Stick to the head then

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

      KDB easily for me. Better team, better fixtures and better player.

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

        And both likely to get about 180mins.

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

        Better player?

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

          Yep but Son is great of course. Just needed one more better.

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

      KDB now we know it was tactical change- easy switch to Son in 37 or 38 if you want

  7. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    play one, other benched:

    a) Sessegnon
    b) Keane

  8. jg7u
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is Laporte still safe to go since Pep didn't say anything? Or better go Dias?

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

      Nothing reported- listen out for embargoed section of press conference if released tonight at 10.30. But chance may not be until tomorrow night as City play on Sunday

      1. Stamford B
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        It’s tomorrow night apparently

  9. Big W
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    RP - On BB -

    Dubravka, Schar, Saiss, Kane > Schmeichel, Laporte, Matip, Jesus for -8?

    FH 37

    1. Big W
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      1.1 ITB

  10. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What about this BB (-8)?

    Foster ¦ Raya
    Dias Alonso Cash Matip
    Salah Son Bernardo
    Kane Pukki Nketiah
    ¦ Zaha Gordon Amartey

    1.1 ITB

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

    Is this good to go then guys? Captain choice right if I’m maintaining a lead.

    Schmeichal
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - James
    Salah (c) - Son (c) - Kulu - Saka - Cout
    Nketiah

    DDG - Telles - Weg - Mateta

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Two captains is always a good shout 😀

  12. putana
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    matip likely to start both games?

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

      95%

    2. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I do think so!

  13. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ok here i go again.....A) Jesus or B) Richarlison

    1. Eastman
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  14. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start 1
    A. Matip (have TAA)
    C. Gordon (have Rich)
    B. Nketiah

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

      b

  15. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ive got Matip so hope he has 2 starts

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

      Got it, champ

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Salah
    B) Jesus
    C) Cancelo

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

      A

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    TC De Bruyne or Salah?

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

      Kdb but coin flip

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KDB

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

    On BB —

    Pope (AVL) Foster (cry EVE)

    Robertson (TOT avl) Rudiger (WOL lee) Cancelo (NEW wol) Amartey (EVE NOR) Jonny (che MCI)

    Salah (TOT avl) Mount (WOL lee) Saka (LEE tot) Kulu (liv ARS) Gordon (lei wat)

    Kane (liv ARS) Pukki (WHU lei) Nketiah (LEE tot)

    0.5 ITB 1 FT

    Need Jonny out, likely to Mings (possibly Ake). Worth it to upgrade Pope to Schmeichel and Mings to Cash (or Matip) for a hit? Any other changes needed? Thanks for any input!

  19. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Planning to BB and FH in 37. 1 FT and 1.2 ITB.

    A - Werner, Ramsey & Schar > Richarlison, Gordon & Laporte for -8 hit
    B - Other suggestion?

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo - James - TAA
    KDB - Son - Maddison - Mount - Ramsey
    Werner - Dennis

    Foster - Mateta - Mitchell - Schar

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

    Snacking on some nice snacks whilst I get my team ready for tomorrow. Mr Kipling Apple Pies (ate 3/6 already) and some Pringles which are a new flavour called Sizzlin Sour Cream

    1. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I’ve had some Doritos and some beers

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

        What beers? I am yet to open mine, but have some Abbot Ales ready to go

        1. Stamford B
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Brew dog. It’s all I can’t get from the local Tesco that is drinkable.

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

            Nice. I tried some Brewdog "Lost" cans the other week. Not bad

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              The Lost Lager is proper value for money when it's on offer £8 for 10 cans) A step up from the commercial muck

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

                I'll certainly look out for similar deals on them. Don't usually buy Brewdog due to the price but that's a bargain

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I've bought some C*ck flavoured soup ( Google it , it really exists) and some Shito hot chilli sauce. Meals never the same again

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

        Haha I've never seen that before but it looks tasty, especially with the hot sauce! Enjoy

  21. Is Son indispensable?
    Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gonna preface this with... I don't think Son is overrated. In fact, I think he's been one of the best and most reliable assets in the game and is well worth 11m... over the season.

    However, I think there has been huge recency bias which is making Son appear indispensable this week.

    Have we instantly forgotten that this is the same Spurs side that lost to Brighton at home and drew 0-0 against Brentford as recently as GW33 and 34? Son had 2 shots on goal 0 on target in those two games. He had an xG of 0.17 over two games.

    If he hadn't scored 19 points vs Leicester (who by the way are statistically one of the worst teams defensively and were playing a 2nd string team on top of that...) and had blanked instead, this narrative is completely different.

    3 blanks in a row, playing Liverpool and Arsenal. It would be mass exodus for City attackers.

    I'll repeat that...He's got two games against Liverpool and Arsenal. These are not gonna yield lots of chances. Son will have to lean on his insane finishing and xG defying skills to get any returns. 11m you're paying for that.

    It's worth it over the season but we're in the home stretch now with just 360 minutes left available to play. Are you really gonna spend 11m of it on an attacker playing Pool and Arsenal? I really think there are better bets you can make for better value. FH36 especially. If you have no more chips I think going Son is fine since he has a good 37 and 38. But if you're planning to FH him in GW37 or are on FH this week, I think there's better value elsewhere.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Villareal scored 2 v Liverpool with a similar style to what Spurs will set up with. He's also scored 2 in the last 3 v Liverpool. He's got a very good record v Arsenal and Spurs will need to go for it in that game.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Villareal pressed like crazy with a big home crowd behind them against Liverpool. Hardly hit them on the break in the first half.

        This Son narrative as being good vs big 6 sides... I gotta do some stat crunching so I'll get back to you, but I'd bet his xG against top 6 sides is lower than against rest of the league and it's just his insane finishing keeping him afloat.

        People tend to remember these sorts of moments when Son curled in a 30 yard 0.02 xG shot vs Arsenal last season for instance.

        I'll take a look.

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

      Agree with you Camzy...but since some of us already have him and no transfers we are hoping for the best.
      This week could be great or a total disaster.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah for sure.

        If you already have Son, keep. Wouldn't use a transfer to remove a player as deadly as he is. But it's people buying him for this week or keeping him on FH that I don't get. This isn't the week to get him imo.

        I know he can score out of nothing and it's scary but there are better bets for this week especially since he costs 11m. Would much rather go KdB for the premium slot.

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

      So KDB over Son?
      And who would be a mid price pick in such case? Foden, Kulu, someone else?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I went Mahrez and Foden and betting on a big City revival. Last few games of the year, not much to lose especially if you captain Salah.

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

          Sounds right, cheers

    4. Percy Johnstone
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Tend to agree with you i am probably swapping Son and Havertz for KDB and Maddison because i don't think Son will rip it up against Pool and Arsenal. Think you have convinced me.

    5. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I've got Son in my FH as well as Raphinha, they're both playing teams who need to win, more so Son who works perfectly on the counter, I reckon both his games will be high scoring 3-2 ish. Spurs will base their game plays around looking for him on the counter also dont forget theyre fighting for top 4. As a Liverpool fan I see us conceding to them as well with Son being involved.

    6. snow pea in repose
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Looking to get him next week on a FH

    7. Keep calm and hoof me the b…
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yeah, I think I agree he's a hold this week rather than a buy. I'd be getting KDB rather than Son this week if I didn't have Som already

    8. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      "Son will have to lean on his insane finishing and xG defying skills to get any returns."

      Same as always then 🙂

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Players like him are very frustrating. One chance is all he needs. Fair play I guess to people that got him but I still think you play that Liverpool game 10 times and he blanks in most of them.

        You play percentages. And this is just one of those seasons where the swings are huge and the unlikely keeps happening..

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

      This doesn't appear to have aged well 😛

      xG is almost meaningless for Son. His finishing is so much better than the average that there is little point comparing him to it.

      You need to use source data of Son alone for Son's xG.

      1. fusen
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I Sold him in gw30 and brought in Kane, so I'm hating every time he scores, but there just is little point in referencing xG with him.

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

    Stoopid question...if I make a transfer next week and then decide to play FH afterwards, will the first transfer stand, or become part of the FH.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yes it's stupid

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

        No need to be rude

    2. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      The latter

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

      A free hit resets your team to how it was at the start of the Gameweek.

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

      Thanks guys.

      1. Eastman
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Slouch87 got up on the erong side of the bed this morning

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Just for agreeing with him ?

  23. Gunnerblurrg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any ideas for one 1 FT? Will FH GW37

    Schmeichel
    TAA Matip Cancelo Alonso
    Saka Salah KDB Foden Son
    Nketiah

    Foster Mateta Gelhardt Johnson
    0.00 itb

    Might just to Mateta to S. Greenwood to free up funds for GW38

    1. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      May as well

  24. fijuhmon
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    BB now and FH next week. What to do with my one ft? Only 0.5 itb, leading all my mini leagues and want to keep it that way.

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    TAA, Robbo, Cash, Cancelo (White)
    Salah, Son, Coutinho, Saka, Kulu
    Dennis (Weghorst, Broja)

  25. Yome
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Pope to Mendy for -4 yeah?

    1. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nah

  26. Stamford B
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What time do they do the scout picks?

  27. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    For next 2 gameweeks…

    A) Matip + Zaha

    B) Luiz Diaz + Mykolenko

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

    thoughts on this craziness?

    robertson + coutinho -> mina+ kdb (-4)

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not that crazy but I’d avoid Mina and go elsewhere in everton backline. Mina looks injury prone and has struggled to play back to back 90 for a whole this season. Mykolenko or Holgate might be better

    2. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Deffo

  29. OSGOOD WAS GOOD
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Transfer in Barnes or Maddison help please chaps

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

      Neither?

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

        This

  30. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Took a minus 8 to do James Martinelli and Broja to Cash, Gordon and Richarlison ready for a bench boost but now the injury to Ransey has slightly altered my plan.

    Would a bench of
    A) Ramsdale (Lee H, Tot A)
    Ramsey (Bur A, Liv H) Clyne (Wat H) Mateta (Wat H) be worth it

    Or would a bench next week of
    B) Ramsdale (New A) Kulu (Bur H) Saka (New A) Laporte (Whu A) be better.

    Which one is the better bench?