FPL expert's Wildcard squad for Double Gameweek 35
With a Double Gameweek 35 (DGW35) and Double Gameweek 37 (DGW37) coming up in Fantasy Premier League, FPL expert Lee Bonfield is among the managers using their Wildcard this week, making unlimited free transfers.
Here, he reveals his current 15-man line-up and explains his choices.
A number of factors need to be considered when planning to use the Wildcard for DGW35.
Firstly, you should target players from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, who are the two clubs that play twice in DGW35. This is especially important as they both also have a DGW37.
Secondly, the Wildcard has to be used to prepare for DGW37, when I will be playing my Bench Boost. Finally, it also has to target the players who have something to fight for this season, especially with the title race and the European spots.
This is how my line-up looks as it stands. I will be ready to react if necessary should there be any injuries or suspensions during the midweek matches.
Chelsea have been poor defensively this season, having kept just six clean sheets. However, they have two Double Gameweeks to come and fit the budget nicely. Petrovic has started 15 matches this season and kept three clean sheets. He has also made 52 saves to collect 13 save points.
Martin Dubravka (£4.2m)Newcastle United have a great run of fixtures between now and the end of the season, including an attractive set of matches in DGW37 where they will play Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United. The prospect of Nick Pope (£5.3m) returning to training from injury over the next few weeks is a concern though, especially as I would want to use Dubravka for my Bench Boost in DGW37. I’ll be listening carefully to Eddie Howe’s press conference. If Pope’s return might impact DGW37, I will likely swap to a different goalkeeper and then bring in a Newcastle defender instead.
Pedro Porro (£5.8m)The injury to Destiny Udogie (£5.0m) will likely have an impact on Spurs' defence, with Ben Davies (£4.3m) likely to deputise until the end of the season. However, you don’t invest in a Spurs defender for clean sheets - you invest for their attacking threat. Porro has had 42 attempts on goal this season, more than any other defender, and he has also created 45 chances. Only four defenders have created more.
Gabriel (£5.4m)The double-up in the Arsenal defence has gone well over recent weeks, but with no Double Gameweeks left I am dropping down to just Gabriel, who has the most attacking potential of Arsenal's defenders. He has had 28 attempts on goal this season, with 26 of those coming from inside the box.
Josko Gvardiol (£4.9m)Manchester City have disappointed this season defensively. They have kept just nine clean sheets so far this season, which looks like it will be less than the 13 that they produced last season. However, Gvardiol has found his scoring boots in both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League in recent weeks. He has had 25 attempts on goal in his 23 appearances for the champions this season so far.
Malo Gusto (£4.3m)The second of my Chelsea defenders, Gusto, has had 11 attempts on goal in his 23 appearances this season. He has also created 30 chances - seven of those being big chances - and has supplied 62 crosses. With the upside of attacking threat and at just £4.3m, he is a great option as a budget defender who can maximise the two Double Gameweeks by playing twice in both.
Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.1m)Van Hecke’s price point makes him a great option as he helps to balance the spend across the rest of the team. But he is also a good option beyond that. Van Hecke and Brighton have two fixtures in DGW37 against Newcastle and Chelsea. I likely won’t play him much, but for the DGW37 Bench Boost he looks a decent option.
Son Heung-min (£9.8m)Playing as Spurs' No 9 and with two Double Gameweeks, Son is the best pick across Spurs' attack.
Bukayo Saka (£9.0m)Many managers are thinking about selling Saka. Between Gameweek 22 and 27 he produced 66 points. Between Gameweek 28 and Double Gameweek 34 he has acquired just 26 points and only returned in two of his six matches in that spell. I am planning to hold him as Arsenal will need him on form if they are to win the title.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m)As a Liverpool fan, selling Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) is never easy. However, Man Utd face Burnley in DGW35, Crystal Palace in Gameweek 36, Arsenal and Newcastle in DGW37 and they finish with Brighton in Gameweek 38. Fernandes has returned in his last three Premier League matches and scored in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend so he seems to be finding form at the perfect time.
Phil Foden (£8.2m)If Man City win all of their matches that they have left this season they will lift the Premier League Trophy. Without the potential rotation that comes with Champions League football, Foden should get plenty of minutes across the rest of the season. He has had 90 attempts on goal this season - only Saka and Salah have had more - and he has created 61 chances for his team-mates. Only Julian Alvarez (£6.4m) has created more chances in Man City's team this season.
Cole Palmer (£6.2m)Palmer was in my team before Wildcarding and is one of only six players who will remain as it stands. Palmer is essential, especially given the two Double Gameweeks he will likely play in.
Erling Haaland (£14.2m)Haaland keeps his place despite missing the FA Cup semi-final through injury. I will be keeping an eye out for Man City's teamsheet on Thursday evening to see if the Norwegian is available against Brighton. If we see Haaland, or Pep Guardiola says he will be back for the weekend, then he is an essential pick.
Ollie Watkins (£8.9m)A few weeks back I sold Watkins for Darwin Nunez (£7.8m) on the basis that Nunez had a Double Gameweek and Watkins didn’t. That was a decision that has hurt week upon week as Watkins has scored goals and registered assists. His 36 attacking returns are more than anyone else in the league and he looks set to break the 40-mark before the end of the season. Yes, he doesn’t have any Double Gameweeks, but his form and Aston Villa’s determination to qualify for the Champions League means that I will invest in him.
Alexander Isak (£8.0m)He's returned in five of his last six Premier League matches and has the fixtures to end the season on a high. With matches against Brighton and Man Utd in DGW37, he feels like a great option, especially as I am struggling to fit Anthony Gordon (£6.1m) into my midfield. Having both Gordon and Isak makes a lot of sense if you can make it work.
