Pras’s Gameweek 35 Wildcard team + thoughts

Our team of Hall of Famers and guest writers are writing about all things Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in 2023/24. Here, The Wire co-host Pras discusses the main decisions to be taken on his Gameweek 35 Wildcard. He also reveals his latest Wildcard draft.

After a wildly swingy Gameweek 34, we head to the next phase: Gameweeks 35-38.

I see them as a block given the ‘double-doubles’ for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. But, also the good fixtures for other teams like Newcastle United, Manchester City and even Manchester United.

Before discussing my Gameweek 35 wildcard, I thought I’d pen down my views on these five teams to see areas where I could veer as we find out more about injuries by Friday.

I isn’t the best time to be tripling up on a team that was been humbled 5-0 by their London rivals. However, with Cole Palmer (£6.2m) hopefully back and Nicolas Jackson (£6.8m) making a Houdini escape from a 10th yellow card, I think those two are solid picks.

Their upcoming three opponents have an xGC in the last six Gameweeks of:

Aston Villa – 11.94 (17th)
Spurs – 9.21 (12th)
West Ham – 12.8 (19th)

If Palmer isn’t fit or uncertain, I’d be tempted to keep and play him anyway. Unless, there is some confirmation he misses the full double. Then there is a real decision to be made.

As things stand, adding Malo Gusto (£4.3m) (again if fit) or Djordje Petrovic (£4.6m) to the above two attackers is where I am leaning.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

With the latest updates around Kieran Trippier (£6.6m) not being fit, I think the top three pick themselves in Alexander Isak (£8.1m), Anthony Gordon (£6.1m) and Fabian Schar (£5.7m)/Dan Burn (£4.5m). I do worry about their away form, though, after another loss to Palace on Wednesday night.

A minutes per xG of 40 is only bettered by Liverpool in all home games, but this drops to 75 mins/xG on the road – the eighth worst in the league. A huge difference.

With two home games in the next three, and the others being away matches at Burnley and Man Utd, I expect goals. I do not love their Gameweek 38 fixture and will have an eye on moving one of these picks on the final day if an opportunity emerges.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola was quite honest about the chances of Phil Foden (£8.2m) and Erling Haaland (£14.2m) making Brighton on Thursday. If he is similarly forthright with his injury updates on Friday, then there are some interesting decisions to be made.

If, as assumed, Haaland is out short term, then he is an easy hold and bench in Gameweek 35. There are a lot of benching dilemmas that week anyway with Newcastle playing Sheffield United, Manchester United facing Burnley, and Spurs and Chelsea having a double. Holding and benching is what I’d be inclined to do unless there is a setback we find out about pre-deadline.

For the other two spots, I prefer Foden over Kevin De Bruyne (£10.4m). On a per 90 minutes basis, he has three times the xG that the Belgian has accumulated and holds a minute advantage in my reckoning – despite no Europe.

For that third spot, I am not confident about any defender so it comes down to De Bruyne or Ederson (£5.5m). Given the scarcity of midfield slots, I am leaning towards the Brazilian, but I haven’t ruled De Bruyne out yet.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Spurs are proving the most difficult team to pick on the Wildcard. It’s not just the injury uncertainties around Pedro Porro (£5.8m) and Richarlison (£6.8m), but also the effect of losing Destiny Udogie (£5.0m) to their attacking and defensive shape.

James Maddison (£7.8m) looks best for minutes out of all their midfielders but is woefully out of form. At the moment, I am left with no choice but to ignore their midfield, unless Richarlison is declared fit.

Moreover, their defensive fixtures in Gameweeks 37 and 38 are not the worst, with Burnley and Sheffield United sandwiching the Man City game. Perhaps Guglielmo Vicario (£5.3m) and Porro aren’t the worst for those fixtures. I don’t expect much in Gameweek 35, though.

MANCHESTER UNITED

In his last six games, Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m) has registered an xGI of 1.94, 1.03, 0.47, 0.56, 0.41 and 1.18. He is in absolutely superb form, even though the team overall are struggling massively.

In attack, Alejandro Garnacho (£5.0m) and Rasmus Hojlund (£7.0m) are decent picks, but I think there are better alternatives especially since I wouldn’t advocate a double-up in attack.

At the back, Diogo Dalot (£5.2m) or Harry Maguire (£4.2m) are both fine. No huge upside, but the potential is there for an odd attacking return. I don’t envisage anyone playing them outside of the double in Gameweek 37, anyway.

To continue reading, use this link here. There you will find out Pras’ thoughts on single Gameweek teams. You can also check out his latest Gameweek 35 wildcard draft.