Best Picks for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 36 – Midfielders and Forwards

Gameweek 36 follows on from last week’s depleted fixture list, meaning that we are back into the swing of things and heading towards the home stretch for the season. With just three gameweeks left it is now or never for many people who want to climb to the top of their leagues, so it could be time to take a few risks. Hopefully this Best Picks article, part two of which focuses on midfielders and forwards, can help you find some glory.

Midfielders 

Budget Option: Theo Walcott (6.8m)

Everton have been a bit like Chelsea this season – not very trustworthy on a week-to-week basis. They did play well last time out however, beating Newcastle 1-0 at home thanks to a Theo Walcott goal. The former Arsenal man is probably the Toffees’ most exciting player at present and he gets another good opportunity to get on the score sheet when Everton take on Huddersfield. The Terriers have conceded 54 goals this season, making them a fairly soft defensive target.

Premium Option: Mohamed Salah (10.6m) 

As you will read later in this article I think Jurgen Klopp will rest some key names to keep them fit and fresh for the Champions League. Salah could be the main exception however, mainly because Klopp should give the Egyptian a chance to break the Premier League goal soring record for a single season. Salah is also the Merseyside club’s top option and they won’t want to drop points again in the league, so the PFA Player of the Season is a great option against Stoke.

Forwards

Budget Option: Ashley Barnes (5.4m)

Burnley always present a risky option in terms of forwards as they don’t score a huge amount of goals – only 35 for the season in fact. Barnes has been prolific however, especially in recent weeks, with six goals in his last eight Premier League games. That hot streak should continue as the Clarets take on Brighton – a side that has conceded 47 goals this season. This could be a tight game, but when Sean Dyche’s men do score it is often Barnes who gets involved.

Premium Option: Gabriel Jesus (10.3m) 

Last week I talked about how winning the title wouldn’t make Manchester City any less prolific and they proved me right with a 5-0 win over Swansea. This weekend the Cityzens get to take on struggling West Ham, who have leaked a whopping 63 goals, and I can’t see anything other than a big win for the away side. Jesus got a goal and an assist last time out and with Aguero still side-lined, his good form should continue into this gameweek.

Premium Option: Harry Kane (12.9m)

While Jesus is a great option this week, he is yet to reach the status of reliable weekly captain in FPL. That is a stage that the ever-reliable Harry Kane has reached however, and Tottenham get a juicy clash with Watford on Monday night. The England international still has an outside chance of winning the Golden Boot and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bag a few goals in this game, especially with Watford’s poor defensive record.

Bonus Tips

There are some great fixtures for some of the top teams this week, but Jurgen Klopp rested players last weekend for the Champions League and he will likely do that again this time around. If your team is packed full of Reds then consider some alternatives elsewhere.