By Caroly Kipkoech
Following an action- and points-packed double Gameweek 34 for most managers, here comes another chance for managers to get the most points as the Premier League run-in gets tough.
Chelsea was thrashed by London rivals Arsenal in their last fixture, and Tottenham in theirs, Chelsea and Spurs are playing twice in Gameweek 35.
Pochettino’s bruised Chelsea take on highly-flying Aston Villa at Villa Park, while Ange Postecoglou host title-chasing Arsenal at the weekend before facing one another at Stamford Bridge next Thursday.
FPL experts are providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the GW 35 whose deadline is on Saturday 27 April at 13:00 (EAT).
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF GAME WEEK 35
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOALKEEPER: Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea)
Although a clean sheet against Aston Villa or bitter rivals Tottenham seems unlikely, the Chelsea shot stopper at least offers the prospect of save points. He has almost averaged one save point per match since making his debut, collecting 15 of them in 16 appearances.
DEF: Pedro Porro (Spurs)
A goal and eight assists highlight the attacking potential offered by the Spanish full-back for Spurs’ encounters with Arsenal and Chelsea. Porro’s total of 42 shots this season is more than any other defender in FPL, while his 45 key passes rank fifth, making him a key asset among most managers.
DEF: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)
Manchester United have one of the defensive fixtures of the weekend against a Burnley attack with just 37 goals this season. Diogo Dalot has been a consistent performer in the heart of their defense, involved in seven of their eight clean sheets in this campaign.
DEF: Fabian Schar (Newcastle)
There is a double benefit to buying Fabian Schar as the Newcastle defender has two excellent fixtures coming up followed by a double gameweek in 37. The Magpies are at home against Sheffield United, the lowest-scoring team in away matches, this weekend and then travel to Burnley, the lowest-scoring team in home games, next weekend.
MID: Brennan Johnson (Spurs)
Spurs winger Brennan Johnson has established himself as a regular on the right of the Spurs attack. He has been their highest fantasy scorer since the international break, with three goal involvements yielding 21 points. Spurs players are popular this week given that they have a maximum of six fixtures remaining for the run-in, including two double gameweeks.
MID: Bruno Fernandes (Man United)
The United skipper scored twice, including once from the penalty spot, during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United, extending his goalscoring run to five games in all competitions. As well as scoring six times in his last four Premier League appearances, he was also on target in last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final win against Coventry.
MID: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Ten goals, three assists and 84 points in his last six matches highlight the incredible form of Chelsea’s Castrol Golden Boot contender. If he recovers from the illness that forced him to miss out against Arsenal in midweek, he can be one of the best midfield picks given that Chelsea have a double gameweek against Aston Villa and city rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
FWD: Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolves)
The South Korean has recently recovered from injury to start both his side’s matches in Double Gameweek 34 (DGW34). Although he blanked on each occasion, his displays at Molineux this season have looked encouraging. In home matches, Hwang’s six goals, 18 shots in the box, and five big chances are all team-leading totals. Meanwhile, Luton travel to Wolves on the back of successive 5-1 losses.
FWD: Ollie Watkins (Villa)
A few weeks back most managers sold the Villa number nine for Darwin Nunez on the basis that Nunez had a Double Gameweek and Watkins didn’t. That was a decision that has hurt as Watkins has scored goals and registered assists. His 36 attacking returns are more than anyone else in the league and he looks set to break the 40-mark before the end of the season. Villa doesn’t have any Double Gameweeks, but his form and Unai Emery’s determination to qualify for the Champions League means that managers must invest in him.
FWD: Alexander Isak (Newcastle) – CAPTAIN
The in-form Swedish attacker has returned in five of his last six Premier League matches and has the fixtures to end the season on a high. With matches against Sheffield United, Burnley, Brighton and Man Utd in DGW37, Isak has higher chances of returning double-figure hauls.
