Gameweek 36: What can we conclude from the midweek European line-ups?
Studying the midweek European line-ups could help FPL managers predict this weekend’s team selections and decide their transfers.
European line-ups
Two Premier League sides took part in the Champions League semi-final second legs, with one each in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Let’s look at their starting XIs.
Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (after extra time)
Naturally, Pep Guardiola went full-strength in Madrid. He risked playing Kyle Walker, admitting: “There are moments in a season you have to risk, this is one of them.” It backfired, as the right-back eventually had to be replaced.
Man City have a promising Double Gameweek 36 against Newcastle (H) and Wolves (a) but have just played 120 minutes. Does Guardiola rotate or – with only a few weeks left – realise that they simply have to win the league? Names like Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko were on Wednesday’s bench. Expect a couple of these to start versus Newcastle – with perhaps Gabriel Jesus making way after starting their last four.
Furthermore, it was a surprise to see star man Kevin De Bruyne replaced after 72 minutes. It’s unknown whether he’s carrying a knock, as with centre-back Aymeric Laporte.
Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool
A comfortable first-leg victory was quickly wiped out by Villarreal in a scary opening 45 minutes. Yet Jurgen Klopp’s players found a way to turn it around and book their place in another final.
He went full-strength here, opting for the usual European centre-back of Ibrahima Konate over Joel Matip. Therefore Matip is a great FPL option at £5.2m, banking at least six points in all-but-one of their last seven league outings.
It was Luis Diaz’s turn to sit on the bench, before replacing Diogo Jota at half-time and scoring the equaliser. As with Man City, Liverpool should be full-strength to face Spurs on Saturday, with a slight chance that Andrew Robertson sits out Tuesday’s trip to Aston Villa.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham
There was also an exit for West Ham, with Frankfurt never looking likely to surrender their advantage. Although they only play once in Gameweek 36, it’s away to Norwich. With fourth place already out of reach and top six highly unlikely, there’s no real reason for David Moyes to take risks at Carrow Road.
Expect substitutes like Said Benrahma and Andriy Yarmolenko to get starts, with Lukasz Fabianski likely in for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Roma 1-0 Leicester
As noted in our recent analysis of Leicester’s Double Gameweek 36, predicting their league and European line-ups is tough. In fact, the only outfield players to start at least five of their last six league games are Youri Tielemans, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Nampalys Mendy.
It was another underwhelming night for Harvey Barnes – taken off at half-time alongside Ademola Lookman. All 90 minutes were played by James Maddison and, having been rested last weekend, he probably keeps playing now that the Foxes’ European adventure is over.
Full-backs continue to rotate but not goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. It’s also interesting to see Jamie Vardy get more game time. Those activating a Free Hit for Gameweek 37 may be tempted.
