MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 29: Arsenal’s Gabriel runs with the ball during the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at Estadio Metropolitano on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC (Getty Images)
Game Week 35 is one of the most unpredictable rounds of the season, with few clear favorites.
The competition at both ends of the standings makes team selection particularly tricky, as even “safe” drafts carry a degree of risk.
Personally, the past two weeks have been great for me, with returns of 96 and 73 points respectively.
Using Free Hit chips at the right time has proven to be valuable, and with Triple Captain and Bench Boost still available, I’m more than ready to finish the season strong.
This week, however, is all about balance, managing risk while still targeting players who can reap explosive rewards.
goalkeeper
I’m currently deciding between David Raya and Karl Darlow, and it’s far from straightforward.
Both goalies have favorable schedules on paper, but recent experience makes the decision more difficult. Choosing Darlot over Tottenham Hotspur’s Kinski over Raya cost me valuable points last game. Due to savings and bonuses, Raya received 10 points, while the alternative received only 6 points.
Darlow looks attractive against Burnley, especially given their struggles in front of goal. However, leaving the league’s best goalie on the bench with Raya feels like a huge gamble.
Right now, I’m slightly leaning toward Darlow’s schedule advantage, but this is definitely one of those calls that could go either way.
Defenders
My defensive setup is simpler this week. Diogo Dalot will play against Liverpool and I fully expect United to concede in that game.
As a result, Dalot fell to the bench. The remaining starting defenders are Gabriel Magalhães, Adrien Truvert, Nico O’Reilly and Jaka Bjorn.
Arsenal’s Gabriel is the defender with the most points in FPL this season, averaging 6.6 points per game. He is also the defender with the most possessions.
For a defender, his three goals and five assists are outstanding. O’Reilly really stepped up for Guardiola’s side in the second half of the season, seamlessly slipping into both midfield and defensive roles when needed.
His ability to get into the box in the final seconds has seen him score five goals and assist four this season.
Truvert and Behall round out the defense and are solid, dependable options with the potential to return.
midfield
Due to selection restrictions, I chose a four-man midfield this week.
Iliman Ndiaye dropped to the bench, largely due to a difficult game against Manchester City and a recent dip in form. My midfield now consists of Antoine Semenho, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ryan Christie and Bruno Fernandez.
Gibbs White is my big addition this week. After impressing in my free-for-all attack, he returned permanently due to his importance to Nottingham Forest’s attack. Everything is tested by him, especially in high-pressure games.
Bruno Fernandes and Gibbs White have been in excellent form of late, making them my best hope of picking up points from midfield.
Semenho is currently going through a bit of a drought, having failed to score or assist in the Citizens’ past four games, but the return of his 15 goals and six assists this season means he is capable of turning things around.
Christie provides excellent value as a budget mover and is able to provide funding when needed.
attacker
On the front, I’m sticking to the first two.
Joao Pedro started on the bench after missing the past two games, raising concerns about his fitness for the game. In this way, Erling Haaland and Dominic Calvert-Lewin became my main strikers.
Haaland hasn’t been at his best of late, but with City still firmly in the title race, he’s still a player capable of achieving big things at any time.
Calvert-Lewin returns to the starting lineup after finally ending his goal drought last week. His upcoming games look promising, especially against a Burnley side who have struggled defensively all season.
final thoughts
The Week 35 game feels like a “trust your gut” round. There was no clear captaincy or guaranteed clean sheet, which made the decision-making all the more important.
The key for me this week is to back in-form players like Bruno Fernandes and Gibbs White while trusting quality players like Haaland to step up when it matters most.
Two main dilemmas remain:
Should I keep Joao Pedro on the bench or replace him with Ryan Christie? Whose goal should I hold on to? Raya or Darlo? Both decisions can define game week, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.