We are into the final four gameweeks of the season, and the most patient managers among us are triggering their wildcards. This guide picks out the best teams and players for those on a gameweek 35 wildcard.
Teams and Players to Target on Wildcard
Manchester City:
There will be little surprise to see City at the top of this list. With everything still to play for in the title race and a double gameweek in 36, it is just a case of which three assets to go for.
Erling Haaland (£14.5m) has back-to-back goals in the league and a hat-trick in the cup against Liverpool. It appears that he has rediscovered his form just when it matters the most. With Salah injured, there is even less reason to look elsewhere.
Nico O’Reilly (£5.1m) shook off his injury concerns in the double and came away with a respectable 13 points for his owners. He has nailed himself into City’s strongest XI, whether that is in midfield or at left back. The young Englishman has an eye for goal, finding the back of the net three times since gameweek 26.
Rayan Cherki (£6.4m) has become integral to the way Man City play. Not only is he a joy to watch, but he has been recording some great numbers of late. In the Burnley game alone, City’s number 10 took eight shots and created eight chances. He has double-digit assists for the season with four goals, and it would not be surprising at all to see both figures increase during the title run in.
Arsenal:
Speaking of the title race, Arsenal will be giving it their all after slipping off the top spot for the first time since October. With a Champions League semi-final to navigate, we can expect Arsenal to continue with their defensive style of play.
Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.2m) has every route to points a defender could dream of. He is part of the strongest defence in the league, often secures defcon and bonus while being a constant threat from corners.
David Raya (£6.0m) is literally a safe pair of hands. 10 points against Newcastle came easily to the Spaniard, who only had three saves to make. As Arsenal continue to shut games down, owners can expect a steady floor of points.
Brighton:
The Seagulls are in great form, unbeaten in five. They have a return to Europe firmly in their sights and good fixtures.
Pascal Groß (£5.5m) paid his owners back very kindly in gameweek 33, securing a 16-point haul. The points he gained summed up what he offers extremely well. His creativity is excellent for Brighton, which is helped by his share of set-pieces. An assist in each game of the double was enough to secure him five bonus points. He now also has five assists since gameweek 28.
Van Hecke (£4.6m) plays an integral role in the Brighton defence that ranks fifth in the league for expected goals conceded (xGC). He helps his case with a consistent defcon floor, having gained the extra points in five of his last eight outings.
Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) benefits from the same impressive defensive numbers as Van Hecke. A plum fixture at home to Wolves in gameweek 36 makes him a great rotation option for the run-in.
Leeds:
The most seasoned Leeds fans will still be looking back over their shoulder, but safety is almost guaranteed. A prime fixture at home to Burnley awaits and could be a chance for them to take the handbrake off.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.7m) had his chances against Wolves (as is so often the case) and eventually was saved by a late penalty. These penalty duties and his all-action style of play make him a very appealing option for the Burnley fixture and a fine hold for the rest of the season. He is joint-first for big chances since gameweek 16.
Pascal Struijk (£4.3m) is a budget option in the backline, but comes with plenty of defcon potential. Across his double in gameweek 33, he secured 27(!) contributions to go along with his one clean sheet.
Honourable Mentions:
Maxence Lacroix £5.1m) comes in for his double in gameweek 36. He has secured defcon at an extremely consistent rate this season, returning 10.94 per 90. The issue with Palace is their European commitments, hence the lack of suggested investment in their other assets.
Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m) was perhaps somewhat unlucky to come away with just one goal in Bournemouth’s double, having secured 1.66 xGI against Newcastle. He continues to take set pieces and has some penalty share. In gameweek 35, he can target a Palace backline who will have all their focus on Shakhtar Donetsk.
Cole Palmer (£10.5m) was looking good going into gameweek 33, but put in a poor display against Man United, before missing the second game entirely. His inclusion is fitness-dependent, but Palmer still has penalties in his locker and will need to be at his best if Chelsea are to end the season in a European spot.
Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) needs very little said. He is hunting the assist record and brings with him every avenue to points for a midfielder.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.8m) continues to drag West Ham to safety like his life depends on it. Every point matters to the Hammers and their captain between now and gameweek 38. He has five assists in his last three, and penalty duties should the moment arise.
Gameweek 35 Wildcard Draft
