FPL Draft GW36: Hinshelwood, Botman & Double Gameweek Targets

GW36 Top Three Draft Targets

The standout picks for gameweek 36 start with Newcastle's Botman, who is currently healthy and nailed to start with ridiculous defensive contribution numbers that may be flying under the radar. At just 15.4% ownership, he's delivering elite defensive returns with 52 contributions across seven games, hitting the threshold five times in his last six appearances. Away at Nottingham Forest, I expect Newcastle to be strong as Forest may already be eyeing the Europa final and could rotate players.

Second is Brighton's Hinshelwood, who continues to be one of my favorites this season. Brighton face Wolves away, and Hinshelwood scored against Newcastle last week while his underlying data continues to support him being one of the standout midfielders for the run-in. At just 6.1% ownership overall but 31% in top leagues, he's averaging 5.0 points over his last five games with exceptional expected goal involvement.

Third would be Crystal Palace's Canvot for their double gameweek, though his specific analysis follows in the defensive recommendations. The key story for FPL Draft managers this week is maximizing the double gameweek opportunities while identifying single-game gems like Botman who offer elite underlying metrics.

Double Gameweek Overview: City and Palace

The key story for gameweek 36 is the double gameweek for Manchester City and Crystal Palace. City have a nice home double against Crystal Palace and Brentford, while Palace have Everton at home then travel away to City. This makes both sets of players popular pickups despite rotation risks due to the four-day turnaround between games.

While this is a decent turnaround, there's always slight rotation risk for any City or Palace player, though I don't see major concerns for most players to handle both games. The appeal is obvious - double the fixtures means double the opportunity for returns, making these players attractive waiver targets even at higher ownership levels in most FPL Draft leagues.

Defensive Double Gameweek Plays

Khusanov for Manchester City tops the defensive list despite 70.9% ownership overall and 99% in top leagues - he's expected to start both games with strong projections. His 5.2-point average over the last five games and consistent starting role make him the premium defensive play for the double.

For Crystal Palace, their defensive assets offer nearly 10 expected points for the double gameweek. Palace defenders have been putting up solid defensive contributions recently, with their home fixture against Everton particularly appealing before the tougher trip to face City.

Beyond the double gameweek, Brighton's Boscagli is highlighted as a very attainable asset available in most waiver piles at just 3.1% ownership. He's seemingly nailed down a starting spot next to Van Hecke with Brighton facing Wolves away, offering a solid single-game play for managers looking beyond the obvious double gameweek targets.

Midfield Targets: Bernardo Silva and Hidden Gems

Bernardo Silva leads the midfield recommendations with 54.9% ownership overall but still available in some leagues. He's a very steady way into the City midfield with strong projections for the double and expected to start both games. His 4.2-point average over the last five games might seem modest, but the double gameweek opportunity makes him an obvious pickup if available.

Crystal Palace's Eze sits at 93.1% ownership but could still be found in some waiver piles. With decent expected points and most value coming from the Everton home game, he's had three returns in his last six games and continues to be Palace's most likely player for attacking output, though his recent 3.0-point average over five games shows some inconsistency.

Hinshelwood remains my standout pick at just 6.1% ownership overall compared to teammate Groß at 40.7%. Hinshelwood scored away at Newcastle and now has two in two, five returns in his last nine Premier League appearances. His underlying data stands out with expected goal involvement of more than four across seven games - the highest of any player in my analysis. I'm unequivocal that Hinshelwood is the better pick over Groß despite Groß being the more popular FPL name with his 5.2-point recent average.

Forward Options and Injury Situations

Richarlison for Spurs is highlighted as the main man up front with Solanke injured, though there's been positive news about Solanke's injury suggesting he could return in GW37 or 38. At 93.7% ownership, Richarlison is likely already rostered in most leagues, but his role as the primary striker makes him valuable despite averaging just 3.4 points over his last five games. He averages more than six FPL points per start over the season and provides far more goal threat than Solanke has for many months.

Osula for Newcastle gets another mention following his goal last week - he has seven games, 263 minutes, and 28 FPL points with three goals. His 5.8-point average over the last five games at 55.3% ownership makes him an interesting target. I fancy Newcastle in their fixture against Forest, and his projected 7.7 points for GW37 against West Ham looks particularly appealing.

Muniz for Fulham could be available in many waiver piles at 34.7% ownership with Fulham facing Bournemouth away. After Raul had a lacklustre showing away at Arsenal, averaging just 2.0 points over his last five games, the door may be open for Muniz to get a start. Even off the bench, he's capable of popping up with goals, though his recent 1.6-point average suggests he's a speculative play.

Hold and Drop Decisions for the Run-In

Several strategic hold/drop decisions emerge from the current form and fixture analysis. For hidden gems, Manchester United's Heaven at just 5.9% ownership faces Sunderland away and is expected to get at least a clean sheet with 4.5 projected points, making him an interesting low-owned target.

For drop candidates, I recommend dropping Liverpool defenders like Konaté as they don't look likely to keep clean sheets in their upcoming fixtures. Despite 96.8% ownership, his 3.0-point recent average and tough fixtures against Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brentford make him droppable. Van Dijk is the only Liverpool defender exception due to his defensive contributions and goal threat, maintaining a 5.0-point average.

Szoboszlai is a definite hold after another double-digit haul with a goal and assist (13 points), bringing him close to 150 points for the season. His 5.4-point average over five games and 6.1 projected points across all remaining fixtures show he's fixture-proof. Conversely, Brobbey is recommended as a drop despite 75.1% ownership, with just one goal in his last 10 starts and a modest 2.8-point recent average making him expendable for FPL Draft managers seeking more reliable options.

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon: Injury Return Watch

Anthony Gordon for Newcastle could be a cheeky pickup if approaching return from injury, offering late season star power. At 77.1% ownership overall but surprisingly lower at 72% in top leagues, he might be available due to recent injury concerns. His projected 60% start probability suggests uncertainty, but if he does return, Gordon provides the kind of explosive potential that can win FPL Draft matchups.

His 2.6-point average over the last five games reflects his injury-affected period, but when fit, Gordon has been one of Newcastle's most dangerous attacking threats. With Newcastle facing Forest away, West Ham away, and Fulham away to close the season, there are opportunities for attacking returns if he can regain full fitness and his starting role.