Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 36

The race for the top-four and the relegation battles are very much alive in the Premier League as the finish line nears and the stakes have never been higher in the English top-flight’s virtual counterpart—Fantasy Premier League (FPL)— as well.

The last three Gameweeks are upon us and whether you’re looking to secure bragging rights or just to save some face, the stress is real.

To ease your selection dilemmas, The Statesman is at hand with a thorough article ahead of every Gamweeek.

The indicators are:

Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.

Prices (in £ million) marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.

Goalkeepers

Martin Dubravka

Team: Newcastle United
Fixtures: West Brom (H), Watford (A)-Spurs (A) and Chelsea (H)
Price: 4.5
Score: 30
Ownership: 0.8%

Why yes: The Baggies may be in serious form, but they are likely to come a cropper against Rafa’s Magpies. Expect Newcastle to bounce back after last week’s loss at Everton and their Slovenian custodian is a pretty safe bet, especially with a double-fixture Gameweek (37) almost upon us.

Why no: The Magpies’ final two games look quite tough and it’s unlikely they will register a shutout then.

Martin Dubravaka, Newcastle United F.C., Premier League, Gameweek 36, Fantasy Premier League — Dubravaka’s established himself as the first-choice keeper! (Photo: Newcastle United F.C./Facebook)

Defenders

Jan Bednarek

Team: Southampton
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Everton (A)-Swansea (A) and Man City (H)
Price: 4.1
Score: 13
Ownership: 0.2%

Why yes: Looking for a bargain pick that has decent matches ahead and a double-fixture gameweek? Jan Bednarek is a wildcard pick, no doubt, but he’s got potential as the Saints look to rise from the relegation zone.

Why no: At this stage, Southampton look likely to get relegated and those fixtures may seem routine, but it is unlikely Bednarek and Co. will amass too many points.

Kyle Walker

Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: West Ham (A), Huddersfield (H)-Brighton (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 6.6
Score: 128
Ownership: 13.3%

Why yes: Pricey, yes, but Walker will bring in a solid return on your investment, especially with the kind of fixtures City have. Arguably the only Sky Blues defender guaranteed to start. His assists tally (six this FPL season) is decent and with a double-fixture Gameweek right ahead, Walker is a must-have if you can afford him.

Why no: Extremely expensive and City might just take the foot off the gas with the title wrapped up. They will probably win their remaining games, but chances of them conceding are high.

Midfielders

Jesse Lingard

Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Arsenal (H), Brighton (A)-West Ham (A) and Watford (H)
Price: 6.0
Score: 122
Ownership: 10.1%

Why yes: Lingard loves playing against Arsenal and with the Gunners still recovering from their midweek UEFA Europa League exertions, the Red Devils are likely to nab all three points. Let’s not forget, Arsene Wenger’s side have an awful away record in the Premier League this season. Plus, Jose Mourinho’s men have an ‘easy’ double-fixture Gameweek (37) lined up. Far cheaper than his teammates.

Why no: Paul Pogba (£7.9 m), Alexis Sanchez (£11.5 m) and Romelu Lukaku (£11.5 m) seem to be hitting their strides of late and with David de Gea at the back, how many United players can you take?

Johann Berg Gudmondsson

Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Brighton (H), Arsenal (A), Bournemouth (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 110
Ownership: 1.7%

Why yes: Gudmundsson’s actually been in fine fettle of late, helping himself to two assists since his return from injury, and is solid bargain pick. Excellent fourth/fifth option for your midfield.

Why no: The Clarets have good defensive options and Ashley Barnes (£5.4 m) is a good budget option up top as well.

Forwards

Ayoze Perez

Team: Newcastle United
Fixtures: West Brom (H), Watford (A)-Spurs (A) and Chelsea (H)
Price: 5.4
Score: 102
Ownership: 4.6%

Why yes: Perez is a man in form( three goals and two assists in his four games) and with lowly West Brom visiting, is a pretty easy pick. The Magpies are expected to return to winning ways against the bottom-ranked Baggies and they do have an interesting double-fixture Gameweek (37) coming up.

Why no: Interesting because those fixtures do not look easy by any stretch of the imagination. After West Brom’s exploits against Manchester United and Liverpool, anything can happen.

Roberto Firmino

Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Chelsea (A) and Brighton (H)
Price: 9.6
Score: 175
Ownership: 39.7%

Why yes: Mohamed Salah may be winning every award possible, but his teammate is in the form of his life as well. Struggling Stoke pay them a visit this Gameweek and might just go home with a battering.

Why no: Jurgen Klopp is likely to rotate his squad, with a continental tie against Roma looming large and while that doesn’t necessarily mean Firmino will be rested, it could see the Reds field a weakened side against the Potters. Not much of a differential. The Merseysiders do not have a double-fixture Gameweek.

PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/5 pm IST.

Previous articles in this series:

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 36

The time for one final push in FPL is here, make sure your hard-earned money is well spent!