Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 36+ Preview – Which Manchester United or Liverpool players should you make captain?

Last week rewarded the brave as the top four most popular players blanked whereas Michail Antonio (who we recommended last week) Sterling, Jesus, Martial and Son hauled, making it a polarising week for fantasy managers. In the last midweek deadline of the season, expect to see some rotation, particularly in Man City, Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea’s starting line-ups as they keep half an eye on this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals.

Transfer deadline: Tuesday 14 th July at 7.15pm.

Follow John (@Gameweek38 on twitter) for more FPL insight.

Captain Picks

Anthony Martial (£8.4m) vs Crystal Palace (A)

With five goals and four assists across his last five games, Anthony Martial looks to be in the form of his life. Having gained thirteen points last night, he’s averaged over eleven points per game during

the same timeframe. In Crystal Palace, Man United play against the league’s second worst defence since the restart. The Eagles have conceded thirteen goals over their last six games and top the stat charts for most ‘big chances’ against since the break. Conversely, Man United are behind only Man City for ‘big chances’ created since lockdown so Martial could be likely to do well.

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) vs Bournemouth (H)

It’s easy to tip our hat towards Sterling on the back of a hat-trick against Brighton on Saturday but it is Man City’s relentlessness and Sterling’s desire which, rotation permitting, makes him a great captain option this week. Man City recorded twenty shots in Brighton’s box this week of which three were from Sterling. But even more encouragingly, after Gabriel Jesus was subbed off on 63 minutes, the Englishman occupied the central striker role where he went on to complete his hat-trick albeit with a very lucky goal. Man City have scored 16 goals across the four home league games they’ve played against Bournemouth, including a 5-1 win in 2015 when Sterling scored a hat-trick.

Mo Salah (£12.6m) vs Arsenal (A)

A Man City are free-scoring against Bournemouth, similarly Liverpool often run riot against Arsenal. Over their last nine meetings in all competitions, Liverpool have scored 31 goals – an average of 3.44 per game! Salah continues to leading the line for Liverpool. The Egyptian is still in the hunt for thegolden boot and with four shots on target against Burnley over the weekend, only Nick Pope coul stop him reaching twenty goals for the season.

The Form Guide - Who’s Hot?

Phil Foden (Man City, £5.5m)

Man City manager Pep Guardiola has been rotating his team as much as possible to ensure his team is fit for Champions League in early August. Since Foden was benched against Brighton on Saturday, it is widely anticipated that the youngster will start on Wednesday against relegation-scrapping Bournemouth. Foden has scored four goals since the restart. Final three games: Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich.

Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, £7.3m)

46,000 fantasy managers have already brought Pulisic in this week and why not? He plays against an already relegated Norwich side who have had the worst defence since lockdown and were battered 4-0 at home against West Ham over the weekend. Pulisic has started Chelsea’s last five league games and over the last four gameweeks, no Chelsea player has taken more shots in the box or had as many touches in the opposition’s box. You might be tempted to give him the armband.

Lucas Digne (Everton, £5.8m)

Behind only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson for crosses over the last four gameweeks, Digne has provided two assists in the same period and could only be a clean sheet away from a double-digit haul. To close the season, Everton have Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Bournemouth, two of which are destined for the Championship next season as things stand.

Ones to Watch (Less than 5% ownership)

James Ward-Prowse (Southampton, £5.7m, 0.7%)

Having played every minute of every game this season, JWP is as sure of playing in the quick succession of games as you can get. Having scored only once since the restart, he is only behind Danny Ings for shots taken by Southampton players since lockdown and being on set-pieces is a huge plus too. Although he wasn’t credited with an assist, he swung in the corner that gave the Saints their last minute equaliser against Man United last night.

Jonny (Wolves, £5.5m, 2.2%)

Deployed as an attacking left wing-back, Jonny is the less expensive option to Doherty and has kept four clean sheets over his last six games. Up next are Burnley and Crystal Palace who are by no means free-scoring outlets.

Aaron Cresswell (West Ham, £4.5m, 1.6%)

With favourable games against Watford and Aston Villa between now and the end of the season, the chance is there for West Ham to build on their first clean sheet since lockdown as they beat Norwich 4-0 on Saturday. Often on set-pieces, Cresswell has a mean delivery and has created nine ’chances’ since the break, which is more than any other West Ham defender.

The Explainer

Transfers

After picking your initial squad, you receive 1 free transfer each Gameweek. Each additional transfer you make in the same Gameweek will deduct 4 points from your score.

If you do not use your free transfer, you are able to make an additional free transfer the following Gameweek. If you do not use this saved free transfer in the following Gameweek, it will be carried over until you do. You can never have more than 1 saved transfer.

For example, since you get 1 free transfer per gameweek, if you make no transfers between gameweeks, you will have 2 free transfers in preparation for the next gameweek. You will incur a 4 point hit per transfer over your free transfer allowance.

Point Scoring

During the season, your fantasy football players will be allocated points based on their performance in the Premier League. Remember, every week your captain scores double points, so pick them wisely!

Points Action

1 For playing up to 60 minutes

2 For playing 60 minutes or more (excluding stoppage time)

6 For each goal scored by a goalkeeper or defender

5 For each goal scored by a midfielder

4 For each goal scored by a forward

3 For each goal assist

4 For a clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender

1 For a clean sheet by a midfielder

1 For every 3 shot saves by a goalkeeper

5 For each penalty save

-2 For each penalty miss

1 to 3 Bonus points for the best players in a match

-1 For every 2 goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender

-1 For each yellow card

-3 For each red card

-2 For each own goal

For more information on the rules of the game, visit https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules

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