📣 DGW36 - the FPL cheat-sheet 🤫

Summary for the lazy

⏰ Double Gameweek 36's deadline is Saturday 13th May, 11:00 BST.

😍 Newcastle and Brighton have a double gameweek.

🤕 Saliba and Zinchenko out for the rest of the season.

Stick around for the ultimate Solly March replacement.

Alright?

A gameweek in which Dwight McNeil is the top scoring FPL player was always likely to be miserable, and, for most of us, Gameweek 35 was exactly that.

The TOTW, pictured below, would almost certainly scrapping in a relegation battle if it was, in fact, an actual Premier League team. The highest owned asset amongst this motley crew was Van Dijk, who, much to my surprise, is apparently owned by 11.7% of us.

Hey - at least the misery was universal. FPL managers are rarely united but, when they are, it’s usually in their shared solemnity.

But alas, the LazyFPL newsletter is about looking forward, not looking back. Onwards to Double Gameweek 36, in which an out-of-form Brighton and a leaky Newcastle will play twice.

What could possibly go wrong?

Three Gameweeks Left - The Strategy

This is a polite reminder that there are only three gameweeks left before the end of the season.

What does this mean?

Well, it means that you should have a fairly clear idea of how likely you are to reach your end-of-season target. Whilst it’s not an exact science, any target that requires closing a gap of more than ~60 points is probably out of reach.

Still, crazier things have happened.

The bigger the points gap you might need to make up, the more you’ll need to deviate from “the template” - i.e. the players that are owned by everyone. You’ll need to attack your hunches and forego the well-trodden points-earners in favour of unexplored terrain.

It’s a tough strategy, but probably the most fun you’ll have all season.

For those currently happy with their standing, you’ll need to play more defensively. Keep the high-owned players. Limit hits. Play it safe. You’ve already done the hard bit: now you need to hold your ground.

All bets are off, folks. Expect mini-league rivals to start getting adventurous. It’s gunna be fruity.

Solly seems to be the hardest word

Solly March has been benched for the last two games but, if that wasn’t enough, he was also withdrawn shortly after his introduction in Gameweek 35 due to what looks like a hamstring problem.

Whilst De Zerbi has been tight-lipped over his status, questions remain over March’s expected minutes regardless. The sentiment amongst top managers (including our resident top manager, The Professor) is not “should we get rid of Solly March?” but rather “who is his best replacement?”.

The safe options

His colleagues, Mitoma and Mac Allister, are the safe picks. Chicken korma. Garlic naan. Mushroom rice. Nothing too cheeky here.

The pair have been ticking along with occasional attacking returns despite Brighton’s poor run and, if you’re defending your mini-league position or trying to maintain your rank, these guys are probably your best bet.

The punts

But what if you’re looking for something spicier? It’s all about this Newcastle midfield. The forgotten magpies. Vindaloo with a side of ghost pepper.

Miguel Almiron aside, few of us have owned a Newcastle midfielder this season. Our investment has been concentrated on their defenders and, more recently, their forwards too.

But a few of ‘em - Joelinton and Joe Willock in particular - are nailed and capable of attacking returns. The former has 6 returns from his last 7 games, the latter has created 4 big chances and had 5 big chances of his own in his last 9.

They also have better fixtures and play for a team more capable of winning football matches.

If we had to pick one, we’d go for Willock, purely because we love a good stat.

Double Gameweek 37

It would be irresponsible of us not to mention Double Gameweek 37, which follows Double Gameweek 36 like a drunken, overly-handsy uncle at the back of an impromptu wedding conga line.

So here’s your reminder. Brighton, Chelsea, Man City and Man United will all play twice.

Saliba and Zinchenko out

The ever-reliable David Ornstein has reported that Saliba and Zinchenko will both be out for the rest of the season.

It means their replacements, Kieran Tierney (£4.6m) and Jakub Kiwior (£4.0m), are likely nailed. The season of ridiculously affordable players from excellent teams bows out with a final swan song.

But it’s unlikely you’ll be in a position to prioritise bringing in an Arsenal defender. The more significant implication is that Arsenal will be without two of their first choice defenders for the Brighton game, which makes Brighton’s attackers a little more intriguing.

The key stats for Double Gameweek 36

Have a little browse at these stats. Maddison, anyone?

The Best Captain for Double Gameweek 36

Again, this all comes down to strategy. The best captaincy pick for you isn’t necessarily the best captaincy pick for the manager chasing you.

But here’s what we can confidently predict:

• Isak will probably be the most popular captain amongst active managers

• Wilson will be close behind him

• Haaland will be the most popular single-gameweek player, but he did play 90 mins midweek.

Probably because of their tricky fixtures, Mitoma and Mac Allister will be big differentials for the captaincy, which is the sort of opportunity that, six gameweeks ago, would’ve seemed too good to be true.

Still, for most of you, Isak is your best pick.

The Professor’s Team

Captain: Kieran Trippier (he doesn’t own Isak or Wilson)

OR: 14,312

Transfers: March > Mac Allister

Boring sideways move from yours truly.

Unfortunately, I want to hit the two Brighton doubles that are coming up.

Am I sick of covering boring template players?

Yes.

Do I still think it’s the best way to move up the ranks?

Yes again.

I use the BetterFPL tool because it makes me better at FPL. Try it for 30 days using the code [FPLTIPS].

Other tidbits

⚽ Harvey Barnes has now scored 12 goals this season, but is still yet to earn a single bonus point.

🤝 Brighton signed 21-year-old Joao Pedro from Watford the other week for a club-record fee. He’ll join at the end of the season.

🤦 Marcus Rashford has scored only two goals from 8 big chances in his last 6 games. He’s due a haul.

Lazy summary

• Newcastle and Brighton play twice.

• Saliba and Zinchenko are out for the rest of the season.

• Isak is probably the best captain for anyone playing defensively.

• The obvious March replacement is another Brighton midfielder, but Newcastle midfielders provide an interesting alternative.

• Next gameweek is an even bigger double.

Right, it’s been a pleasure.

We’ll be back at it in a week’s time, obviously.

The LazyFPL Team.