FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 36
Welcome to FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 36. We’re very nearly there, the finish line is so very close. With just three more gameweeks to go, and a slew of of DGWs thrown in there, this end to the year will be one of the most eventful we’ve seen in some time. And with all of the doubles available, it’s sort of exciting in the sense that there’s still room for some movement in the ranks in these last days of the league.
But with the gluttony of DGWs, there is also the option to choose your teams poorly – the end of the season definitely has the feel that there is a right and wrong answer to the problem of building your team, doesn’t it? You’ll notice that I haven’t included Southampton nor Arsenal in my best bets section this week. I’m not putting them down as teams to avoid, but I feel like they’re going to be a sucker bet for people thinking that their next two rounds will have unlimited potential for points. Maybe I’m just getting cranky in my old age, or maybe the MLS has killed off my love of DGWs altogether. I’m not sure. But if you roll into this week with six total Arsenal and Southampton players in your team, just know that I’m somewhere shaking my head at you. Not only shaking my head, but wagging my finger also. That’s how you know I’m truly mad. Don’t make me wag the finger at you. Be smart.
Top 3 Best Bets
#1) Chelsea – MID (H), WBA (A), WAT (H), SUN (H)
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[/three_fifth]Chelsea are 4 points ahead of Tottenham at the moment, and that means that all they need to clinch the title is to win three of their next four matches. And without giving a ton of preamble about how great Chelsea are, let’s just look at their opponents first. Now seeing that list, you tell me if there’s any way that one of those teams has a chance against Chelsea. I mean, this is the bingo bango bongo pick of all time. Three home games, all against inferior teams…and they get to play Sunderland? This is such a no-brainer that it would be insulting to your intelligence if I somehow had to ‘make a case’ for Chelsea being the odds on favourite for the pick of the week.
So I won’t. I’m not going to advocate for Chelsea here in the hopes that you’ll stack three of their players on your team instead of going hard on Arsenal (“…but Guy, they have two DGW’s!”). I tend to figure that if you select Arsenal and Southampton at the cost of not maxing out your Chelsea allotment, you kind of deserve whatever you get. Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t have Arsenal/Southy players on your squad, just make sure you have the proven winners in your side first.
Again, I’m not making a case for Chelsea, you’re too smart for that. I’m just telling you what you already know. But when the leading scorers in the league (72 GF) get this kind of schedule, you have to take notice. Not a single one of their opponents has a positive GD in this stretch, and Chelsea just aren’t going to leave points on the table against that level of competition.
#2) Tottenham – WHU (A), MUN (H), LEI (A), HUL (A)
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[/three_fifth]If Chelsea are #1 in the list, Spurs are probably more of a #1A than #2. But due to strict internet guidelines, I’m not legally allowed to make picks as such, there has to be a clear order involved when making rankings. So even though Chelsea seemingly have this season wrapped up, and they have the best schedule possible, Spurs are still refusing to concede points and continue to steamroll through their own schedule. And they seemingly have everything going right for them at the moment; from top to bottom, there isn’t a real weak link in their style of play.
Their attack is consistent; between Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Son, there doesn’t seem to be any real chance that this team won’t put goals through every single match. Their defence is amazing; we know that their overall record for GA is phenomenal (only 22GA through 34 games), but they’re also on another run of form having not conceded a goal in their last four matches. So like I said, there isn’t a facet of this team that isn’t going to return fantasy points in some fashion or another. Both front and back, they’ve really been the best bet all season.
And when you look at this schedule, it’s hard to see where this team doesn’t wrap up their season grabbing the final 12 points available. West Ham are coming off of back to back nil-nil draws and can’t get any traction at the moment – and prior to that they failed to beat Sunderland in another draw, and not beating Sunderland is just not allowable. So the Hammers aren’t really a worry home or away for Spurs. Man United are a MASH unit right now. They may have to spring a bit of a surprise or two in attack based on their needs, but they’re stretched so thin at the back that Spurs should outscore them anyway. Leicester are overmatched here, no worries so far on that game. And finally, Hull? No chance.
#3) Man City – CRY (H), LEI (H), WBA (H), WAT (A)
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[/three_fifth]It’s almost not even fair that three of the top teams in the league have such easy schedules to end the year. But Man City, like Chelsea and Tottenham, can’t be denied a spot in the rankings this week. The real problem is figuring out how you’re going to afford all the players from these three teams. Oh that’s right, you’re going to pick up Arsenal and Southampton on the cheap (“Back to back DGW’s, baby! Woooo!”). And I get it, I have Gabbiadini in my team too, and he’s just swell lately, isn’t he?
Listen, all of the personal dialogue in this article is kind of like what you’d hear in a bad movie. I’m that drunken father character berating his oldest son, telling him how worthless he is and how he’ll never amount to nuthin’. But the audience, savvy as they are, know that the father isn’t talking to the son, he’s talking to himself. And that’s deep.
So let me tell you, dear reader, I’m not making fun of you for thinking that Southampton and Arsenal are better than my picks here. I have Gabbiadini and…Walcott…on my team. And I’m ashamed of myself. Just don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made. I’ll sober up, you’ll go off to college and make a name for this family. And our fantasy teams will be the talk of the town for years to come. You’ll see.
…Ok, so back to the actual advice in this article. Sorry, I went off on a tangent there, but we’ll find our way back. Let’s look at City’s schedule there for a minute. Not only do they have three home games, but they get their next three home games in a row. By the time they have to travel to Watford, they’ll have already wrapped up their spot in the Top 4, and they’ll still be relatively fresh from the complete lack of travel they’ll have to do in the month of May. And I’m not being bold when I say they’ll have the Top 4 spot wrapped up. When looking comparatively at the schedules of the teams in their point range, City have the easiest route to locking that down.
Teams To Avoid
Everton – SWA (A), WAT (H), ARS (A)
I’m sure many people wouldn’t have been tempted by Everton simply due to their lack of having a DGW to close out the year. But this team still has the league’s leading scorer in Lukaku (with a three goal buffer no less), and there will be people that will prefer a 90 minute guaranteed top player over a 180 minute potential output from a lesser one. But here’s the thing: Everton have closed up shop. They’re not playing for anything anymore, and it shows. The Chelsea defeat was probably inevitable, but their lack of caring about the outcome was surprising. Avoid this team and invest elsewhere.
West Brom – BUR (A), CHE (H), MCI (A), SWA (A)
On paper, this looks like it could be a little inviting for somebody to try to get a cheap defender or mid from West Brom to help round out your squad elsewhere. But this team is stagnant, and they’re really not worth your time, DGW or not. West Brom didn’t score a single goal in the entire month of April. But it’s not like their defence was much better – they did lose four of those five games. Honestly, there isn’t any part of this team that looks attractive, even if your only goal is to buy a cheap player and hope for the best, you’ll still be disappointed.
The Tracker in full…
Thanks for reading FPL Fixtures Analysis Gameweek 36. This article was written by Guy Sanchez
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Evening fellas, it’s day two of my WC tinkering so which do you think is better?
A:
Or B?
I like the forward line in B but A feels more balanced. Does Kingsley play? Can’t say I follow the Swansea defence that closely!
Agree with initt here matt
Cheers Shane and Init. I completely agree. A is balanced but B feels more explosively so I’m torn. As for Kingsley he has started the last 2 games and Swansea have been very good in them so I’m thinking Clement sticks with him.
With A though I just don’t like Gabby in there and there isn’t much at that price. I could change him to Vardy but that means selling Alonso and Gabriel to Mariappa and a 4.4 defender so I’m thinking either Yoshida or Robertson.
Gabby isn’t floating my boat at all but that feels like too much of a compromise to me.
Just stick with A as it is then and hope Gabby does something? Or is there someone else?
Hey Matt – I think Olsen is back from injury now and came on the weekend.
Kingsley played 90 mins though?
I’m worried about going without Gabby. Guess a lot depends if Austin is back
Going without him? So you think Gabby will score big?
Are we talking about the same Gabby that was invisibile in the last Soton game (as was the whole of Soton) and was subbed off after 58 minutes? You are worried to go without him? All I wished for is that I never had bought the turd.
he seemed to come on for Briton. Guess its a risk – but for 3.9, perhaps its worth it.
Being in South America at the time may have affected my judgement but if you are on here next week Raz praising Gab lol
I can praise Gab but not the idiot of a manager that Soton has.
B looks better…
But I would probably do Cech to Willy and use the funds elsewhere to get more balance…
p.s. upgrade Kingsley and/or Albrighton to Capoue maybe….
Don’t really like any of the Watford fixtures to be honest
Watford at the start of the season was a little interesting and especially Capoue. But they haven’t done anything that would impress me the slightest, as of late.
I prefer first one. Otamendi is a bit out there
Cheers Smash that’s what I was thinking but didn’t know if double Arsenal was worth it with Monreal.
On wc. Ali or eriksen?
Alli not that there is anything in it
Depends on who your rivals have. I’d go with the other if you need to catch them but if you are leading go with the same.
Alli
Alli for me but yeah what Matt said.
What Matt said…
But if a free choice – Erik !
Alli is essentially playing up front, but Eriksen more likely to provide the assists for Kane. I’d be happy with either
hey guys
which you prefer (on wc, BB gw37).
1) Azpi (also have Alonso) , and Jesus
or
2) Yoshida (already have Stephens) and Costa
If 1, do you prefer
A) Cech and Azpi
or
B) Courtois and Monreal
Next section
I have King, Holgate, Morrison and Gabbadini
My logic –
King, I thought he would stop scoring. He hasnt.
Holgate – dirt cheap and play Watford at home in GW37.
Morrison – enabler – is there anyone else to consider? 4 points is all I expect
Gabbadini – the problem. I’d prefer to have the forward line of Jesus/Costa/Kane. Of these Costa is the least reliable
Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Hey Dreamers, I’d go with 1 and A to be honest.
Cheers Matt. Whats your thinking on the 4 “non ideal” guys? Any alternatives ?
I have Holgate so agree with him, King seems to be on fire, could you stretch Morrison to Can or even Fraser? Gabby is in my team but I’m not sure about him either
Hi Matt – I’ve only 0.1 itb.
Morrison does have 2 games to Can’s/Frasers 1.
I could downgrade Courtois to Caballero but not sure the extra budget does much for me?
That’s true but Can or Fraser’s fixtures are a lot better than Morrison’s. You might just have to stick with Morrison then
That’s a lot of questions late at night Dreamers!
I’ll start with preferring number 1
And A, given as I answered 1.
curious as to why A Init- Matt said the same
Nothing in particular I don’t think. Just preferred that combo from a gut feeling. I suppose it may be that Azpi is more guaranteed (got the armband recently, Conte said he was the best defender in the league etc) whereas maybe Monreal could be rotated but probably won’t be. Kind of like taking a 99%’er over an 89%’er.
cheers
I’m still crying from Coutinho’s 5 mins injury free last night Init
took me a while to write it
Dude, I can’t tell you how much bad luck I have had the past 2 gameweeks. FIrst of all replacing the week topscorers with strikers that blank two weeks in a row (3 if you count the DGW) and then cappo the blanker. 😉
It has to change Raz. Ive dropped about 100k places since GW29
Been planning for the last GWs although it’s cost me a few hits. 80 points behind my ML leader who was TC to play, while I have BB left. Just brought in Jesus for Rashford, for a few different reasons, before his price rises. Don’t know who to captain between Kane and Sanchez! Maybe even Hazard…???
At 80 points adrift I’d consider captaining Jesus. May as well throw the baby out with the bath water on this one, what have you got to lose? A hat-trick or something daft like that and you’re at least back in the convo.
That’s a good point init! I guess we’ll see what Aguero’s scan looks like tomorrow. He also doesn’t have Kane or Hazard. I’m guessing he will cappo Sanchez so probably best staying away from him.
Yeah no point going matching now. To hell with it and all that.
Hazard could be a good differential too but in terms of getting a potential hat-trick I don’t see him ever doing that whereas Jesus does feel like he has that in him from what I’ve seen so far.
And you do need a bit of a miracle
Amen
A miracle indeed and who better than Jesus himself to make it happen right haha thanks!
Cappo a player your ML rival doesn’t have! BB could get you some decent returns in you stack your bench with DGWers!!!
Thanks Cap!
So looking at WC this week and BB in 37. Which team looks better to start with and any suggestions on changes would be great!
2nd one for me I think Igy, although both are good and have their merits. I’m not convinced on either Gabbi or Rashford, particularly the latter, so that swings it for me. One maybe, not both.
Thanks Init! My only concern is Son’s game time over the next few weeks. Having another swap around I could do this, is it any better?
Ive taken 3 hita this week to create this team going forward. Got 3 SGW players for 37. Ill have a FT for gw37 and planning on using boost. Can anyone see an obvious change? would like ake for holgate but not sure if he’ll get any game time.
That’s a great team, especially considering you’ve had to actually work and plan to get there as opposed to the lucky ones on a WC. I’d leave it at that for now and see what the craic is with Bailly and maybe Valencia to a lesser extent.
Thanks innit i guess need to wait and see u til closer to gw 37. Only really options are holgate and valencia. Hopefully bailly injury isnt too bad.
Yep was going to state just that. Impressive planning that saloba.