Recap - FPL GW35 summarypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 2 May
With that, we have come to the end of the Q&A with our FPL expert Holly Shand.
If you have missed it, here's some of the topics that we discussed over the past hour and a half:
Summary
All the big Fantasy Premier League talking points and team news before gameweek 35
Q&A with FPL expert Holly Shand - read her best answers
Holly is an FPL content creator and pundit for the Premier League, The Athletic & Sky Sports News among others, with two top-10k finishes
Who is the best captain this week?
What's the best wildcard 35 team?
Recap - FPL GW35 summarypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 2 May
What are the GW35 fixtures?published at 15:27 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A with Holly Shand
Here's another reminder of this weekend's Premier League fixture schedule, which starts tonight - so make sure you don't miss the 18:30 BST transfer deadline:
Friday, 02 May
- Manchester City v Wolves (20:00)
Saturday, 03 May
- Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)
- Leicester City v Southampton (15:00)
- Everton v Ipswich (15:00)
- Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30)
Sunday, 04 May
- Brighton v Newcastle (14:00)
- Brentford v Manchester United (14:00)
- West Ham v Tottenham Hotspur (14:00)
- Chelsea v Liverpool (16:30)
Monday, 05 May
- Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest (20:00)
Image source, Getty ImagesListen to the latest Fantasy 606 podcastpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 2 May
Get another dose of top FPL analysis with the latest episode of the Fantasy 606 pod.
Third in the world leads BBC Sport Leaguepublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 2 May
Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Fantasy Premier LeagueThe BBCSport league, external has almost 55,000 managers in it and Max Littleproud has made a decisive move towards claiming the title with his 91 points on Free Hit in gameweek 34.
Max is up to third in the world, 35 points behind the leader Lovro Budisin.
The Fantasy 606 podcast is out every Wednesday on the BBC Sounds app.
Focus on the Fantasy 606 title racepublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 2 May
Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Fantasy Premier LeagueWe’re enjoying our closest title race ever on the Fantasy 606 podcast with Statman Dave just six points behind me at the top of the table.
All of us are back to our “normal” teams having played the Free Hit in gameweek 34 so it’s about trying to make those couple of signings over the next four gameweeks that are going to make the difference.
Dave has announced he’s bringing Ollie Watkins into his team this week which makes a lot of sense given the injury to Marcus Rashford. I’m sticking with Alexander Isak in my front line so there’s one point of difference between us and Dave is also a Kevin de Bruyne owner who turned a load of mini-leagues on their heads three seasons ago when he scored four goals against Wolves who he’s up against tonight.
The manager of our listeners’ team, Tim, also went for Ollie Watkins this week and is giving him the armband for the home game against Fulham.
The listeners’ team is currently 56 points off top spot with the Bench Boost still to play although we now know there won’t be any further double gameweeks this season to try and maximise that.
If you want to come on the Fantasy 606 podcast to manage the listeners’ team then please send us an email on fantasy606@bbc.co.uk
Postpublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 2 May
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporterCheck out the poll at the top of the page if you want to have your say on the best captain's pick this week.
Bryan Mbuemo currently leads the way with 29%, just ahead of Mohamed Salah.
Right, we brought you news from the Fantasy 606 podcast team earlier, let's check out how their title race is hotting up...
'I always start from the position of is there a good reason not to captain Salah'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherWho are the best captain picks this week?
I always start from the position of is there a good reason not to captain Mohamed Salah. Given his incredible form this season, where he’s broken the record for the most points in an FPL season, he is difficult to ignore.
One of his 17 double-digit hauls this season came in the reverse of this fixture against Chelsea.
For those managers keen to back against the Egyptian there are alternative options, including Alexander Isak, Bryan Mbeumo and Omar Marmoush...in that order.
Image source, Getty Images'As things stand, we expect four normal gameweeks to end the season'published at 15:17 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherAre there any blank and double gameweeks remaining?
As things stand, we expect four normal gameweeks to end the season. The two fixtures postponed over the weekend of gameweek 37 due to the FA Cup final have been rescheduled for the following midweek, and remain in gameweek 37.
It’s been reported that Spurs have requested for their gameweek 37 fixture at Aston Villa to be brought forward to the midweek of gameweek 36, to give them more time to prepare for a potential Europa League final.
Postpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 2 May
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporterWe have heard a lot of talk about double gameweeks and best captain picks.
Holly can clear those questions up for us...
Fancy a differential? Jake O'Brienpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A with Holly Shand
Thomas Woods
BBC Sport FPL writer, best finish 9,100th
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton defender O'Brien (£4.5m) faces Ipswich this week and also has Southampton at home in week 37.
Ipswich did not defend set-pieces well last week, conceding twice from corners (well, one was a short corner).
O'Brien has been by far and away the most threatening Everton defender, based on his statistics per 90 minutes on the pitch.
He is top of shots and shorts on target of all Everton defenders and his 0.21 big chances is miles ahead of his team-mates - Jarrad Branthwaite is next with 0.08.
'Explore both gameweek 35 and gameweek 36'published at 15:13 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherAnon: I still have my Bench Boost chip to play. Do you think there is a specific week I should play it or just study the fixtures and see what’s best?
I wouldn’t wait as long as gameweek 37 or gameweek 38, since more teams could be “on the beach” and looking to rotate their squads, giving surprise results.
Some may also be distracted by FA and European cup finals. Explore both gameweek 35 and gameweek 36, and decide which week the bench looks strongest. If it’s marginal and you have no injury issues this week, it might be best to get it out of the way. Good luck!
'This week is perfectly fine to Bench Boost with three Bournemouth players'published at 15:12 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherRob: I’ve got Bench Boost and Free Hit left. Now there’s no double gameweek, when’s best to use Free Hit and should I Bench Boost with three Bournemouth players this week?
Patience with the chips hasn’t paid off here, but it’s important not to panic!
I think this week is perfectly fine to Bench Boost with three Bournemouth players - Arsenal are likely to rotate for this home game which sandwiches their Champions League semi-final tie against PSG, with their crucial away leg coming up in Paris on Wednesday evening.
In terms of Free Hit, the last day of the season is often a fun one, as narratives and motivation comes into play. You could also consider Gameweek 37, where Everton play their final home game at Goodison Park against bottom of the league Southampton.
'Final-day Free Hit would be a lot of fun'published at 15:08 British Summer Time 2 May
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherAnon: I saved my Free Hit for a potential double Gameweek 36. Now I can't decide when to use it. Any advice? Many thanks!
There’s still a small chance we see a double in Gameweek 36, but if that doesn’t transpire then the final day of the season would be a fun gameweek to attack with a free hit! We could see Erling Haaland as a relative differential away at Fulham as Manchester City look to secure a top-four finish.
Fancy a differential? Marco Asensiopublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Thomas Woods
BBC Sport FPL writer, best finish 9,100th
Image source, Getty ImagesMorgan Rogers is the popular Villa pick but Asensio (£6.2m) is the high-risk, high-reward midfield choice.
Since he arrived he has topped every stat among Villa midfielders.
The Spaniard has taken 3.56 shots per 90 minutes on the pitch (Rogers is 1.56) and his xG per 90 is 0.78. Rogers is next best on 0.24.
Asensio has 6.96 FPL points per 90 - and don't forget he missed two penalties.
The issue is game time, but Marcus Rashford's injury should make Asensio's path to the first XI smoother - and there are big rewards waiting if you take a punt.
'Palace have just one win in six since the international break'published at 15:04 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherWhat to do with Crystal Palace players?
I believe it’s time to move Crystal Palace players on, as the FA Cup final becomes a bigger priority than their league position. They have just one win in six since the international break.
For managers who own a Crystal Palace midfielder like Eberechi Eze or Ismaila Sarr, an upgrade to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo seems logical ahead of his home game against Manchester United.
Likewise, Mateta owners could make the switch to Yoane Wissa. Hold Daniel Munoz unless you have no other issues.
Image source, Getty Images'Saka is a sell in my eyes'published at 15:02 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherWhat to do with Bukayo Saka?
Bukayo Saka is a sell in my eyes, the risk hasn’t paid off. He has started just one Premier League game since his return from injury, scoring once.
Arsenal have it all to do in the second leg of their Champions League tie against PSG in midweek, and could well rotate for the home game against Bournemouth.
They then have tough fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Image source, Getty Images'Palmer would be my priority sell'published at 15:01 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherJoe: Should we be getting rid of all the big hitters from Arsenal who are secure in 2nd and also shipping out players from Chelsea and Palace, who have hard run-ins?
I think Arsenal’s attack is now a sell, but I’d hold on to defensive assets if you have them, including David Raya and William Saliba, in particular, who should avoid any rotation. Their defensive numbers remain sound with high clean-sheet potential this weekend and on the final day.
It’s time to part company with Chelsea and Crystal Palace assets if you have multiple free transfers and no bigger issues to deal with in your squad. Cole Palmer would be my priority sell!
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 2 May
Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporterFPL is a bit like musical chairs at this stage of the season. You don't want to be left holding a dud or two when the music ends.
So which players should we be looking to get rid of?
Holly has the answers...
'I like both the form and the fixtures for Newcastle'published at 14:58 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherWho are the top teams to target for the season run in?
The race for Champions League qualification is going to be interesting over the run-in. Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are all in the mix.
Of those sides, I like both the form and the fixtures for Newcastle United. They’ve kept three clean sheets in six since the international break, scoring 18 goals in this period.
Aston Villa have also been in form, winning four in five since the break and can now concentrate solely on the league after recent exits from the Champions League and FA Cup. They have 13 goals and two clean sheets in the same spell.
'Newcastle are more attractive for the attacking double-up'published at 14:56 British Summer Time 2 May
FPL Q&A
Holly Shand
FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisherAnon: I can’t decide between Eze and Murphy in midfield, can you help? Bear in mind Isak and Mateta are two of my strikers so I would be doubling up on either Palace or Newcastle.
Murphy! Newcastle United are more attractive for the attacking double-up given their recent goalscoring form, plus their motivation to gain Champions League qualification.
Image source, Getty Images