Welcome back for another article 📝
58 points all out on the free hit, a small red arrow from 10.2k to 10.7k. Was certainly a what could've been week for free hitters with so many injury substitutions, not all of them in my team but Xavi, Salah, Solanke, Havertz, Eze all picking up knocks some more serious than others. The fairytale ending owning Salah for the last time ever wasn't to be but that's just life isn't it, it never goes perfectly to plan.
On reflection a more aggressive free hit with triple Arsenal defence and double Spurs defence would've been amazing, a back 5 ended up being the way to go. Thiago came frustratingly close to hauling against Man Utd, genuinely could've had a first half hat trick and probably his worst game of the season, which led to him picking up a yellow in frustration. Glad to have him for the run in though because they generate so many chances for him spear heading the attack.
Moving on to the team for GW35 then. 4 weeks to go. It's a Friday deadline again this week, make sure you don't miss it!
🧤 Goalkeeper
- In goal Darlow has a strong fixture with Burnley home, and will be lining up with double defence on a back 3 of Struijk, Hill and O'Reilly. 🧤
🛡️ Defenders
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Struijk, Hill and O'Reilly. Leeds are not mathematically safe, 6 points clear of the drop and this is a huge opportunity to essentially secure safety, they've still got to face Spurs and West Ham who are fighting for survival below them. The other remaining game is Brighton which won't be easy either given they're battling for Europe at the other end of the table. 🛡️
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Leeds are second on the clean sheet odds this week with a 44% chance. Top is Arsenal with 46% home to Fulham, City are third on 40%, then Bournemouth joint fourth with Chelsea on 32%. So it's just Arsenal defence missing and the big question is whether to get Gabriel back in now or delay a week.
- Buying Gabriel would mean benching Hill though, and it's perfect timing for Bournemouth to be facing Palace who have Shakhtar either side of the game, so it's Thursday to Sunday turnaround.
- Double Gameweek 36 was officially announced by the Premier League on Tuesday, Palace will play Everton home and Man City away. Man City play Brentford home then Palace home. So it's an incredibly strong double for City. Their schedule is a bit jam packed as well, from now until end of season they play on May 4th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 24th. Pep will need to find a way to balance the league and FA Cup.