FPL top picks for Gameweek 36

Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 36. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.

Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 36 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.

Fixtures

Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures. We can also see that both Newcastle and Brighton have a double Gameweek in the round ahead.

Goalkeepers – Nick Pope

Newcastle sit at the top of the fixture ticker this week. They face Brighton and Leeds in the round ahead. The fact that Newcastle have a double Gameweek is reason enough to want to invest in their assets because managers have two attempts at returns.

Maintaining some of the best defensive data in the league this campaign makes their backline very appealing in terms of investment. Some managers could back Nick Pope (£5.4m). The English international sits as the third highest scoring goalkeeper in the game, just seven behind first place. With a double Gameweek and plenty of potential, Nick Pope is an easy addition to the top picks for Gameweek 36.

Jason Steele

Brighton also sit close to the top of the fixture ticker this week. They have a double Gameweek against Newcastle and Arsenal. It has been a fantastic overall campaign for Brighton and one of their best traits have been their sustainability in terms of defensive stats.

Taking both of the above factors into account, it could be beneficial to bank on Jason Steele. The man between the sticks comes in with a jaw-dropping £4m price-tag which allows funds to be spread elsewhere within the squad. Steele looks to have cemented his first team place and with three returns in his last three games, he also has the form.

David De Gea

Manchester United face Wolves this week. Their opponents have been struggling in front of goal all season. A good example of this is that Wolves rank the third worst team in the division for goals scored (29). This suggests that backing a defensive asset from the opposing team could be a wise move.

Not just this, but amongst all teams in the league Manchester United lead the way for clean sheets kept (15). This indicates that they have one of the best defensive units in the league. Taking all of that into account, David De Gea (£5m) could be a great option for the round ahead.

Defenders – Kieran Trippier

Newcastle’s double Gameweek could be too hard to ignore from a defensive point of view. One of the most popular assets going into the new round will be no doubt Kieran Trippier (£6.1m). The full-back takes corners and free kicks, giving him additional routes to points.

Trippier is also one of the most creative players in the league. In fact, this season amongst all defenders in the league he ranks first for crosses (339), first for successful crosses (120), first for chances created (97) and second for big chances created (21). Trippier’s clean sheet and assist potential have seen him become the current highest scoring defender in the game. Taking his stats, and both his clean sheet and assist potential into account, Trippier eases his way into the top picks for Gameweek 36.

Fabian Schar

The double Gameweek continues to spill out Newcastle defensive assets. To reinforce the appeal of the their backline, amongst all teams this season they rank the best in the league for goals conceded (27), second best for shots in the box conceded (207) and second best for big chances conceded (44).

Another great option managers should consider is Fabian Schar (£5.1m) Not only does the centre-back have clean sheet potential but he also poses as a huge goal threat. An example of this is that when compared to every other defender in the league this season he ranks first for attempts on goal (44) and first for shots in the box (33). Schar could have a great week ahead and due to this, makes the top picks for Gameweek 36.

Pervis Estupinan

Brighton are another team maintaining some great defensive data this season. More recently, in the last six Gameweeks they rank amongst the best five teams for clean sheets kept (three), shots in the box conceded (51), shots on target conceded (25) and big chances conceded (10).

One of the standout options in the Brighton backline is Pervis Estupinan (£4.9m). The full-back has bagged a return in three of his last six matches. He also edges all of his offensive teammates for non-penalty expected goal involvement in the last six matches (1.53). In that same period amongst all defenders he also ranks the third best for chances created (14).

Lewis Dunk

Brighton’s double Gameweek means the appeal of their assets is growing and growing fast. Whilst some will select the goalkeeper, Pervis Estupinan and the attackers, some should also consider Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) for the round ahead.

The English centre-back is a huge presence on set pieces, giving him a great chance of attacking returns. To highlight Lewis Dunk’s goal threat, in the last six Gameweeks amongst all defenders in the league he sits joint fifth for attempts on goal (seven) and joint third for shots in the box.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool play Leicester in Gameweek 36. The Reds have been improving on their form as of late, winning all five of their last five matches in the league. Their opponents are in the middle of a relegation battle due to their poor season.

Clean sheets are always something we keep in mind when selecting defenders but Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) offers multiple routes to points. The full-back has managed to return in each of his last six games including a whopping six assists. Trent has big potential in any given game when he has rhythm and he has exactly that. Taking everything into mind, Trent becomes an easy addition to the top picks for Gameweek 36.

Midfielders – Kaoru Mitoma

Brighton’s double Gameweek means managers simply have to invest in their frontline. In the last six Gameweeks they rank fourth best for goals scored (16), first for attempts on goal (153), first for shots in the box (98), joint first for big chances total (27) and first for shots on target (55).

The Brighton stats only increase the appeal of their attacking assets this week and one of the best ways managers can do that is via Kaoru Mitoma (£5.6m). The Japanese international has picked up a return in half of his last 10 matches.

Alexis Mac Allister

Brighton face Arsenal and Newcastle in the round ahead. Although tough on paper, both teams have conceded some concerning defensive stats lately. One of their opponents, Newcastle, have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 games whilst their other opponent, Arsenal, have conceded two or more goals in four of their last six league games.

There is potential there for another Brighton attacker and Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) could well be the man to go to. Not only does he take his teams penalties but he also leads his offensive teammates for non-penalty expected goal involvement in the last six Gameweeks (3.71). Mac Allister could be a great option this week and so breezes into the top picks for Gameweek 36.

Joelinton

Newcastle have been excellent this campaign and that can be reflected in their current position in the league. Not only are they maintaining a good run of results but their also bagging plenty of goals. In their last six matches Newcastle have scored between two and six goals in all but one, reflecting their free-scoring run.

With a double Gameweek ahead many will be looking into the defence and forward position but they also have a very good midfielder in the middle of a good run of form. Joelinton (£6m) has collected four returns in his last six matches, including two huge-double-digit hauls. In addition, amongst all midfielders in the last six games he also ranks fifth best for non-penalty expected goal involvement (3.71).

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United will be looking strengthen their hold on a top four position this week against Wolves. The Reds look in great attacking form and their recent numbers back that up. In the last six when compared to every other team, they rank in the best four teams for attempts on goal (122), shots in the box (76) and shots on target (40).

Wolves collapsed to a 6-0 defeat in one of their recent games against an efficient attack (Brighton) and this bodes well for a Manchester United attacker like Marcus Rashford (£7.2m). The winger has been brilliant this season and almost talismanic for his side. In terms of recent form, Rashford has also secured four returns in his last five starts, including two double-digit hauls, which reflects his explosiveness in FPL.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s uptake in form has gone hand in hand with their goal scoring. The Reds have put away two or more goals in five of their last six matches in the league. They face a Leicester side who are not only battling relegation but in the last six matches rank the worst in the league for shots in the box conceded (80) and joint second worst for shots on target conceded (39).

The best player to select to scrutinise his opponents defensive fragilities is Mohamed Salah (£13m). The Egyptian can churn out points even when playing below par, which is very appealing when deliberating any player. Salah has picked up a return in all but one of his last six matches, including two double-digit hauls. Salah is becoming inevitable and because of that and his opposition, walks into the top picks for Gameweek 36 with ease.

Forwards – Callum Wilson

Newcastle have a great double Gameweek ahead. They have also been in fantastic attacking form as of late. Amongst all teams in the last six Gameweeks they rank first for goals (22), third for attempts on goal (117), second for shots in the box (87) and third for big chances total (26). Because of this, investing in their frontline could be absolutely key for the round ahead.

One of the best ways to invest in the Newcastle offensive line is with penalty taker and focal point Callum Wilson (£7m). In his last six Gameweeks when compared to every other player in the league he ranks first for goals scored (eight), joint third for big chances total (eight) and first for non-penalty expected goal involvement (5.33). His form and fixtures suggest he could be one of, if not the best option for the Gameweek ahead.

Alexander Isak

One of Newcastle’s upcoming opponents is Leeds who are in a torrid run of form whilst also battling relegation. To emphasise the fragilities of the Leeds defence, in the last six Gameweeks they rank the worst for goals conceded (23) and the worst for big chances conceded (23).

The Leeds defensive data is so bad that managers could even consider another Newcastle striker. That player is Alexander Isak (£6.9m). The Swedish international has proven his quality since joining. In terms of returns, he has managed four in his last six games, including a double-digit haul.

Danny Welbeck

Brighton’s brilliant campaign is largely contributed by their exciting offensive frontline. In terms of season stats, they rank amongst the best six teams for goals scored (62), attempts on goal (516), shots in the box (344), big chances total (58) and shots on target (193).

Whilst many choose to back their midfielders, and rightly so, some could go for a different option. Danny Welbeck (£6.5m) can be the focal point to the free-flowing and scoring Brighton attack, giving him plenty of potential to return. A good example of his explosiveness in FPL is his recent haul of 15 points.

Erling Haaland

Manchester City not only sit at the top of the table but they also dominate the majority of the key offensive data points amongst all teams in the league. The have a game against the struggling Everton in the round ahead. The Toffees have been poor lately, conceding two or more goals in four of their last six games.

One man who can continue his relentless run of form is record breaker Erling Halaand (£12.4m). No only does he lead the lethal frontline but he also takes his sides penalties. Haaland has also managed an incredible 35 goals and seven assists in the current campaign. The Norwegian is a must and because of that was one of the first names into the top picks for Gameweek 36.