FPL Challenge Gameweek 36 Best Picks and Team Reveal

As Challengers around the world struggle to put together an entry for the round ahead, we share our FPL Challenge Gameweek 36 Best Picks and Team Reveal to give you an edge.

As well as highlighting the Challenge framework, and the best players in each position, we also bring in fantasy whiz @FPLReaction to reveal his own team and look back on his previous round.

What is the Challenge this Week?

As we can see, the Challenge is ‘Liverpool v Arsenal’.

Players from Liverpool v Arsenal earn double points.

Challengers can pick five players, with an unlimited budget.

Top Picks

Goalkeepers

With double points potential for Arsenal, several save points will be enough to match non double points goalkeepers this week for David Raya. The Spaniard faces Liverpool away from home, which could mean plenty of shots to save for the man between the sticks. The Gooners have also been one of the best defences in the league this season, so Challengers can’t rule out a clean sheet either.

In the same match and arguably with the same if not more potential is Alisson Becker. The Brazilian plays for the best defence in the league in terms of total clean sheets. He also has a reputation for preventing big chances and shot stopping, which adds to his overall appeal.

Of course, there are plenty of other options outside of the Liverpool v Arsenal game. Among them is Manchester City’ Ederson for his match against a poor Southampton, and Nottingham Forest’ Matz Sels who faces off against Leicester.

Defenders

Even if a defender blanks in the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture, they are still very likely to pick up four points. So, a clean sheet or an attacking returns would likely provide owners with a double-digit haul. Of the options for Liverpool, centre-back Virgil Van Dijk (£6.7m) could be the standout. The Dutchman not only offers safety in terms of minutes but attacking threat from set-plays. The latter was displayed in his recent match against Chelsea after scoring.

You can’t rule out Arsenal either. The Gooners may play away from home, but Liverpool could be lacking in motivation due to having the title already wrapped up. Whilst William Saliba has clean sheet potential, similar to Van Dijk, he also has attacking threat from set-plays.

All eyes will be on Trent Alexander-Arnold to see if he makes the Liverpool line-up. Playing out his final matches of the season before moving over to Real Madrid, the full-back has been one of the most attacking defenders, if not the most, over the last several years in the league, so has potential going into any given match.

Outside of the double point players, there are some very enticing options. Arguably the standout is Josko Gvardiol. Manchester City face the worst defence and attack in the league next so the Croatian has potential across the board.

Some may also be considering Nottingham Forest defenders against Leicester. Names like Nikola Milenkovic and Neco Williams come to mind, considering they are their sides most attacking defenders.

Midfielders

Immediately recognising Mohamed Salah is crucial. For many an essential this week, Salah plays at home with an opportunity too add to his eye-watering 46 attacking returns this season. Not only will the Egyptian be a shoo-in for many, but some should also look to the Liverpool penalty taker for captaincy.

Liverpool’ recent match against Chelsea showed that although still likely looking to win games, there is a huge lack of motivation, which highlights their defence as a potential target. Because of this, and Arsenal’ hope to bounce back after their Champions League exit, star man Bukayo Saka could offer potential.

Other double point players Challengers should consider are Liverpool’ Luis Diaz if starting, and Arsenal’ Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Keeping an eye on the line-ups will be key when looking select any of those assets.

Bryan Mbeumo may not have the ability to produce double points this week. But, against a poor Ipswich defence, the Brentford penalty taker could have huge success. Similar could be said for Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne against an awful Southampton backline.

Forwards

There seems to be a major lack of viable options in the Liverpool v Arsenal match. Whilst the Gooners have no fit playing forwards available to select, Liverpool hold some hope. Monitoring the line-ups will again be key though. Because if Darwin Nunez or Cody Gakpo start, then they could well become the standout option up front.

There are several great options outside of the main fixture though. Nottingham Forest will be desperate to pick up a result against a poor Leicester backline. Leading their attack and chasing 20+ goals for the season is penalty taker Chris Wood.

Manchester City’ fixture against Southampton also offers a huge opportunity to Omar Marmoush. Keeping an eye out for an update around Erling Haaland is essential based on his form this season. If the Norwegian starts then picking between him, a Liverpool striker and Chris Wood could become the toughest decision Challengers make this week.

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Team Reveal

This is me at the time of writing. There is a big decision to make in defence this week. Do we back Arsenal, Liverpool or one of each? I’m going for Liverpool currently, although that could change. The safe thing to do would be to have one from both sides, doubling up on either is more aggressive.
Not owning Saka and Salah could be dangerous. I also like both this week. I’m going with Salah captain. If I decide to go even more aggressive then I could captain Van Dijk and go with a back three.
Gakpo is in for now, it could be Nunez if he starts. Or, I could move to Chris Wood.

Gameweek 35 Review

Last week I hit 50 points with a 36k round rank. This meant I broke back into the top 1k, somewhere I was for a while.
Newcastle didn’t keep a clean sheet, but neither did Brighton luckily.
My biggest return was obviously from captain Isak. I’d probably be in massive trouble if I didn’t captain him.
Good luck this week!