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. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Bench 1:
    A) Pukki
    B) Nketiah
    C) Kulu
    D) Havertz

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

      a

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

      a easily

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

      B

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

    so hard to tell - Possibly Çaglar Söyüncü Due to not playing in europa Conference League

  3. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    2ft 0.1m in the bank and BB left 14point lead in my ml any advice?

    Schmeichel
    TAA White James Laporte
    Salah Saka Havertz Mount Kulu
    Kane

    Ramsdale Shar Cucho Richardson

    Cheers

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

      I’m in a similar position. Would recommend upgrading bench and using BB!

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

    Is Robo to ake nuts? Helps fund Salah

    1. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yes

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

        Ok cheers ignore that !

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

      Nuts

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

      Yes

  5. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Play Cash or Gordon?

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

      Gordon

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks, that’s what I’m on currently

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

    Will Mahrez start both games? Thinking about bringing him in over KdB.

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Only starts 1 for me but gets 100-120 mins. Would go KDB.

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

        Agreed

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

      I want also to get him

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

      No bitt try he may not need 180m to score well

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

    Bench boost this week. Undecided on FH in 37 or 38 but will probably go 37. Best transfers this week? Nketiah saving over Richarlison could go towards an upgrade in 38.

    Schmeichel, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, Laporte, Alonso, Cash
    Salah, KDB, Mount, Kulu, KDH
    Watkins, Pukki, Joao Pedro

    A) Mount & Joao Pedro to Saka & Richarlison -4
    B) Mount & Joao Pedro to Saka & Nketiah -4

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

      A - if your not afraid of Rich boiling over

  8. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best chasing captains?

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

      KDB, Saka, Mount, Nketiah, Kulusevski, Mahrez, Luis Diaz, Mane

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KDB, Cancelo. Real punt Nketiah

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

      KDB/Mahrez

    4. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KDB

  9. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How likely is Mount to play both games ?

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

      1.5 imo

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

        Cheers

    2. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Wouldn’t surprise me play 1 and come off from bench in 2nd

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

        I guess youre right

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

    Pick a combo, (BB active) will FH in 37

    A - Mateta, Broja, Thomas > Denis, NKetiah, Matip -4

    B - Broja/Mount/Thomas > Rich/Gordon/Laporte -4

    C - all of B & Mateta > NKetiah -8

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

    Two things I've noticed about FPL content creator speak (and they all do a great job, they just pick up language habits off each other).

    'a Foden', 'a KDB' etc, rather than 'Foden' or 'KDB', as if there is more than one of each.
    'if you're excited for the video' rather than 'if you're excited about the video'.

  12. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Bench boosting.

    Which option

    a) no hit: Schar out, Mykolenko in
    b) -4: Schar and Harvey B out, Laporte and Gordon in

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

      B easy for me.

  13. Sun God Nika
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Play Gordon or - 4 to play richarlison

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

      Play Gordon, can see him ripping up the weak Watford left flank. Would opt for rich if wasn’t a -4 though

  14. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Does Sterling start both games though… really?

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

      Can’t see it

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

      Wouldn't bet on it.

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

      Thinking Sterling to Mahrez.

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

    Best defender upto 5.1?

  16. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    BB

    Schmeichel-Foster
    TAA-Cancelo-Matip-James-Davies
    Salah-Mount-Son-KDH-Ramsey
    Jesus-Pukki-Dennis

    Given the Ramsey news, is a hit to get Gordon in a good shout?

    Cheers!

  17. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    2FT, 0.0 ITB, thoughts?

    Ederson - Foster
    TAA - Robertson - Cancelo - Laporte - Alonso
    Salah - Havertz - Mount - Saka - Gordon
    Watkins - Pukki - Dennis

    BB36, FH37

    Foster + Havertz to Schmeichel + Maddison?

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

      Looks good. Great setup for 36 BB

  18. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Sa to Ederson -4
    Or
    Sa and Rodrigo to Pickford and Richarlison -8

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Latter, live a little

  19. Origal73
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On FH. Would you pick:
    A) Ederson ,and Matip
    B) Schmeicel and Laporte

    Have TAA and Cancello.

    Thanks

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

      A

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      That is so close to a coin toss, but if forced to pick I go with A due to Ederson (and his frightening neck tat)

  20. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Most nailed Everton defender?

  21. HVT
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How convinced are we that Richarlson will start both?
    A - 25%
    B - 50%
    C - 75%
    D - 100%

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

      D

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

  22. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo James White
    Salah Saka Kulu coutinho
    Kane watkins

    Dubravka Ramsey Broja Doherty

    A. Ramsey & Broja to Nketiah & Gordon (-4)
    B. dubravka & Ramsey to Pickford & KDH (-4)
    C. dubravka & Ramsey to Pickford & Tavares (-4)
    B. Ramsey to Gordon

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

      Are you on BB?

      1. Erez Avni
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        no…

  23. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    1) Why captain people De Bruyne over Salah?

    2) Dennis -> Richarlison for free?

    BB team is:

    Schmeichel, Foster
    Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Cancelo, Laporte, Alonso
    Salah (C), De Bruyne, Saka, Mount, Dewsbury-Hall
    Dennis, Pukki, Nketiah

    Thank you!

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

      1) if you’re chasing

      2) yes

  24. thirddimension
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Either of these worth a -4?

    Sa > Ederson
    Coutinho > Mount

  25. liboo
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Captain ??
    A. Salah
    B. KDB
    ??????

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

      Depends on rank, chasing or not. I am going kdb because i think my closest rivals will have Mo and i am chasing

  26. RWB_1991
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Do we think White starts against Leeds?

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

      Nope

  27. RWB_1991
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Coady or White, keep one?

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

    Best mid up to 7.1? Have Saka.

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

      I have Kulu and I’m a fan

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

    Unlikely to get any more Richarlison or Ben White news are we?

    Safe to bring in Richarlison and OK to hold on to White?

    Big hits coming this week!

  30. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best way to trim 0.2 off this FH team?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Dias Laporte Alonso
    Salah KDB Son Diaz Saka
    Nketiah

    A. TAA > VVD
    B. Luiz Diaz > Richarlison
    C. TAA > VVD , Dias > Cancelo , Schmeichel > Pickford.