FPL GW36
Party at the Palace
We're getting closer to the final gameweek of the season and a lot is still up in the air. This will be the final double gameweek of the season with Man City and Crystal Palace playing two games, which forces us to at look consider their assets.
The preview content has already been covered more extensively on stream with world #1, Erik Ibsen, FPL Physioo, and Aesel FC.
Most teams are already set up with triple Man City. Haaland, of course, Semenyo, O'Reilly, Cherki, Guehi.
The main concern here is for the Semenyo owners - do you use a precious FT for Cherki? You certainly can, but I think you can use that FT in a better way. The main reason should be to free up the money to spend elsewhere. That being said, I have slightly higher expectations for Cherki this gameweek in isolation, but I think it's very even over the horizon to GW38.
If you really want to chase with GW, I think a good play is to captain O'Reilly instead of Haaland (or even on triple captain). Haaland numbers aren't amazing for a long time, and O'Reilly has both looked amazing and delivered great stats for some time now.
Arsenal are also interesting with West Ham coming up and Burnley right after. West Ham are fighting hard to stay in the Premier League, so it won't be easy, but it's still a good fixture. Gabriel and Saliba are good picks (still), even White can be considered now while being a bit risky. I think White will start at least the next two games. Raya is not a buy with most people on either Verbruggen or Henderson this GW.
But Saka and Gyökeres... are very interesting, especially for the Burnley game. Their minutes are very hard to read. Gyökeres I like the least - competition from Havertz means that a dull game state 60 minutes in will very likely lead to a substitution. That said, his stats has massively improved recently and he has looked good from the eye test as well. Saka on the other hand is both looking great and someone who will probably get the minutes he is able to play if Arsenal are not comfortably ahead. A half time sub if they're 3-0 up is not the worst in the world, as that is likely including a return or even two. FPL Physioo had a great point on stream with the load management of his injury and how it was scaled up slowly. With now only one game per week, he looks good to play 70 minutes from around here. With that, he will be the best captain in the game in GW37 against Burnley.
And then there is Palace... It's almost always worth targeting teams with two fixtures, but there is a lot of uncertainty. I can make it very clear: Anyone that is not a defender or a goalkeeper is not even up for consideration. Totally unpredictable minutes. Brennan Johnson probably starts Everton, but that's not enough.
If you have Henderson you obviously play him, and you can buy him if you don't have a good GK this GW.
And then the defenders, where we expect less rotation, but we cannot be really sure.
I have tried to rank them below:
Lacroix: Plays when available. Best CCB. Least likely to be rotated.
Canvot: Has taken his chance and stop is now his. No consideration for the World Cup.
Muñoz: Had one half of rest already and is usually a fitness monster. His numbers have dropped off a cliff second half of the season though.
Richards: Had a rest, but is the more fragile player and is a key player for his national team and the World Cup coming up.
Rest can't be considered. Based on Glasner's comments, the rotation will more likely happen against Manchester City than against Everton, where they can secure another Premier League season. It is certain that Palace will rotate their players at some point before the UECL final, which is played after GW38, but have in mind that each PL position grants £3m and Palace can very easily move from 15th to 9th (or even higher). They won't just play the second string team until the final, as they need to keep some rhythm as well. And the defenders are more likely to just play to keep rhythm as there are fewer alternatives and lower intensity/load.
Last point... If City don't beat Brentford and Arsenal beat West Ham, City may just fully rotate the game against Palace and forfeit the league title. Just saying.
Let's see whether it will be a proper party at the Palace or Glasner will be a party pooper.
Teams that are not necessarily sells especially if you have low free transfers are Chelsea, Bournemouth and Brighton. Many teams have their players, and they all have a lot to play for. While Chelsea have not looked great, it's not as bad as it is made out to be from a data perspective.
The team I'm the most concerned about are Man United, as they can't really move in the table. Not necessarily the lineup, but a lot of players could protect themselves from injuries and play on 90% to make sure they can play the World Cup.
Team Selection
I haven't made my transfers yet, but my plan is to get Lacroix for Struijk. That one is completely locked.
I want another Palace defender to attack the double, and the only one I can sell to enable that is Senesi and play 5 ATB. While Bournemouth will chase a European spot, their next three opponents are some of the worst to get DEFCON for CBs. Senesi has been great all season, but DEFCONs are spread more across him and Hill after Hill joined the team.
The last transfer is whether to transfer out Scott for Saka as it fits my budget exactly. Reasons for Saka mentioned above. I'm likely to make all three moves, but it could be anything - 1, 2 or 3 moves.
If I make all three moves, Enzo, Joao Pedro, and Thiago will make the bench in that order.
Haaland will captain the side.
Good luck everyone!