Leaving Kinsky and Igor Jesus on the bench in FPL Gameweek 34 hurt, but it was still a 16 points-above-average 52 pointer which we won’t complain about. Kai Havertz, Ebere Eze and Mo Salah went off in the first half, Axel Disasi lost a clean sheet in the last five minutes, and Crysencio Summerville was mighty close to an assist. It was a case of what might have been, but we hit FPL Gameweek 35 with the end in sight and a full bill of fixtures to get stuck into. Chips become more and more important at this stage, but we’re holding off on our Triple Captain and Bench Boost for another week, at least.
FPL Gameweek 34 Team
GK: Lammens (5.1m) – 3pts
DEF: Saliba (6.1m) – 7pts, Van Dijk (6.2m) – 4pts, Disasi (4.5m) – 3pts
MID: Fernandes (10.3m) (C) – 10pts, Salah (14.0m) – 1pt, Eze (7.2m) – 6pts, Summerville (5.5m) – 2pts, Rogers (7.4m) – 2pts
FWD: Bowen (7.7m) – 10pts, Havertz (7.3m) – 4pts
SUB: Kinsky (3.9m), Heaven (3.7m), Toti (4.2m), I.Jesus (5.8m)
TOTAL: 52pts
FPL Gameweek 35 Target Fixtures & Players
Leeds (vs Burnley, home)
Leeds have hit form at just the right time and despite losing to Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup Semi-Final, they’ll know this game is an absolute must-win. 43 points would surely be enough to keep them up, and they face a Burnley side who are down and out.
Top picks:
Karl Darlow (3.9m) – Has become the go-to value goalkeeper in recent weeks and has a serious chance of clean sheet points here.
Jaka Bijol (3.9m) – Another great Leeds defensive asset, one of the form defenders in the game and were it not for his in-form team mates would be a must-have this week.
Noah Okafor (5.7m) – Along with Morgan Gibbs-White he’s the most in-form midfielder in the game. Worth a look for the captaincy this week too.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.7m) – Has had a renaissance this season and will fancy his chances of a goal in this one.
Arsenal (vs Fulham, home)
Arsenal were unconvincing against Newcastle but got the three points and kept a clean sheet, their defence remains key to any of their hopes, as they’re just not clicking from an attacking perspective, but another home fixture gives them a great opportunity to extend their lead at the top.
Top picks:
David Raya (6.0m) – Ten points last week against Newcastle and a good display in midweek against Atletico, a highly reliable option between the sticks.
William Saliba (6.1m) – Looked class in the heat of Madrid on Wednesday and performing like Arsenal’s best defender at present.
Eberechi Eze (7.2m) – Scored an absolute beauty against Newcastle before frustratingly being taken off with a slight niggle. Looks to be taking the title race in his stride.
Viktor Gyokeres (8.8m) – Put in possibly his best display for Arsenal against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, scoring a crucial goal, and with Havertz he’ll lead the line for the Gunners.
Manchester City (vs Everton, away)
City could be six points behind Arsenal before this one kicks off, and it looks a really tricky away game for them. They’re in great form though and keep churning out results, so we can still rely on the triple up for Guardiola’s men.
Top picks:
Marc Guehi (5.1m) – Rotation not a concern for Guehi who remains a great City option both in value and performance terms.
Rayan Cherki (6.5m) – A joy to watch in recent weeks, the Frenchman looks to be City’s new creative spark and looks a threat every time he gets the ball.
Erling Haaland (14.5m) – Yet another goal against Burnley as his procession to the Golden Boot continues, he’ll be in the team for the rest of the season.
Bournemouth (vs Crystal Palace, home)
The Cherries remain on this long unbeaten run and face a Palace side that will have had a tough Thursday night game in the Conference League and face the return leg next week. Expect Bournemouth to take full advantage of a rotated Eagles side.
Top picks:
Marcos Senesi (5.2m) – Lovely player to watch and got an assist in his last outing against Leeds.
Marcus Tavernier (5.4m) – Nine points in FPL Gameweek 34 make him a solid midfield pick for this kind home fixture.
Junior Kroupi (4.6m) – Another goal for the best sub-5m striker in the game, a great value enabler for this week if you’re looking for a cheap third striker.
Aston Villa (vs Tottenham, home)
Tottenham scraped past Wolves last week for a crucial win, but with Chelsea’s change of manager and Brighton in form, Villa know they need wins to ensure a top five finish. A return to Villa Park for a game against a relegation candidate looks like just what the doctor ordered.
Top picks:
Matty Cash (4.7m) – Villa’s best attacking outlet from the back, Cash is worth a look for this fixture.
Morgan Rogers (7.5m) – So unlucky not to score at Craven Cottage last week and will have his eyes firmly set on the Spurs defence in this game.
Ollie Watkins (8.8m) – Another unlucky player last week, he can cause Spurs all sorts of problems on Sunday.
FPL Gameweek 35 Captain Picks
Noah Okafor (C) – Taking a punt this week with the captaincy but you’ve got to follow the form, 31 points in three games and a plum fixture against a relegated side.
Erling Haaland (VC) – As reliable a back-up as anyone, loves a goal against Everton too.
Worth a Punt
Konstantinos Mavropanos (4.5m) – One of the form defenders in the game, the Greek will be eyeing up more points at Brentford.
Kobbie Mainoo (4.7m) – Defensive contribution maestro, the all-action England midfielder will be bang up for a game against United’s biggest rivals.
Pascal Gros (5.5m) – Has been a revelation since his return to Brighton and faces a Newcastle side in desperate form.
Alexander Isak (10.3m) – Still under 5% ownership and struck gold for this section last week with a goal against Crystal Palace.
FPL Gameweek 35 Team
GK: Darlow (3.9m)
DEF: Saliba (6.1m), Senesi (5.2m), Guehi (5.1m)
MID: Okafor (5.6m), Rogers (7.5m), Cherki (6.5m), Tavernier (5.4m)
FWD: Isak (10.3m), Haaland (14.5m), Gyokeres (8.8m)
SUB: Hermansen (4.2m) Bijol (3.9m), Mavropanos (4.5m) Gros (5.5m)
TOTAL: 97.0m