Summary

  1. Recap: FPL GW36 summarypublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 9 May

    And that's your lot, folks!

    A big thanks to FPL expert Gianni Buttice for his time and to you lot for sending in all of your questions. We got through as many as we could.

    As is always the case, it has been a jam-packed last 90 minutes so here are the best bits for you to recap at your leisure:

  2. Gameweek 36 fixturespublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A with Gianni Buttice

    Premier League

    A reminder of the fixtures we have in store for GW36.

    Saturday's Premier League fixtures:

    Fulham vs Everton (15:00 BST)

    Ipswich vs Brentford (15:00 BST)

    Southampton vs Man City (15:00 BST)

    Wolves vs Brighton (15:00 BST)

    Bournemouth vs Aston Villa (17:30 BST)

    Sunday's Premier League matches:

    Newcastle vs Chelsea (12:00 BST)

    Man Utd vs West Ham (14:15 BST)

    Nottingham Forest vs Leicester (14:15 BST)

    Tottenham vs Crystal Palace (14:15 BST)

    Liverpool vs Arsenal (16:30 BST)

  3. Listen to the Fantasy 606 podcastpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 9 May

    Get another dose FPL on your Friday afternoon with the latest Fantasy 606 pod episode featuring Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton and Statman Dave.

    Media caption,

    Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton & Statman Dave are back as the title race continues!

  4. Postpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 9 May

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Ok, last recap for you before we round off for the day.

    Big thanks as always for getting involved, it has been an absolute pleasure.

    And for those that have been with me throughout the day - phwoar, go and have a lie down, you've earned it.

    Have a great weekend all.

  5. Captain Marmoush? 'This is not one for me'published at 16:50 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    My friend is going to triple captain Omar Marmoush, is this a good idea?

    Personally, this is not one for me. I would prefer players like Mbeumo this week or Saka/Salah on the final day. They all have more routes to points.

    They take penalties and set pieces, are the talisman for their team and often play 90 minutes.

  6. Postpublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 9 May

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Oh and he's snuck one more in at the back post just as time was expiring.

    Can't fault the work rate!

  7. What would my ideal Free Hit team look like this week?published at 16:48 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A with Gianni Buttice

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    This would be my squad if I were Free Hitting this week. Fit again Erling Haaland could be worth a punt as captain - especially if we get a team leak - but I can't see him playing more than 65 minutes.

    Bryan Mbeumo is the safe captain option.

    FPLImage source, Fantasy Premier League
  8. Postpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 9 May

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Before we let Gianni go and enjoy the rest of his Friday in the sun (and me, obvs) - a few of you have been asking about potential free-hit teams for this week.

    Here's what his would look like...

  9. 'Nottingham Forest defenders are also worth a look'published at 16:45 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Do I risk the 4 point penalty to get Gvardiol in and if not, who are some good other defender options?

    Gvardiol is perhaps the only defender in the game I would consider taking a -4 for this week. FPL managers will be hoping he plays left back and with Akanji back fit there is a chance he will. From left back, where he played in the final 20 minutes versus Wolves last time out he offers much more attacking threat. Nottingham Forest defenders are also worth a look this week, Neco Williams is a cheap enabler I happily own.

  10. 'This is such a team dependent chip'published at 16:42 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    I have my bench boost left and looking ahead, it looks optimal, fixtures-wise, to save it until the final week. I know rotation could mean blanks, but is it a crazy idea to play it then?

    This is a tough one as usually I say avoid bench boost at all costs on the final day because there are always a few surprise benchings - but you could get lucky, and if the players on your bench represent teams with something to play for then you should be fine. I am using my bench boost this week because it works for my squad but this is such a team dependent chip.

  11. 'Cunha a great option for Statman Dave'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A with Gianni Buttice

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    FPLImage source, Fantasy Premier League

    Matheus Cunha also looks like a great option up front for Dave while Alexander Isak comes up against some tough defences for me – Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton on the last day of the season.

    Neither of us have any chips left, Dave has £1.7m in the bank and I’ve got £2.5m.

    What would you do if you were Dave and what would you do if you were me?

  12. My team for week 36published at 16:37 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A with Gianni Buttice

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    FplImage source, Fantasy Premier League

    I like the fact I can bring in Nikola Milenkovic for Nottingham Forest’s home game against Leicester and if Josko Gvardiol gets to play left-back again at any point then that really increases his goal-scoring potential but it’s the midfielders who tend to regularly bring in the big points in FPL and that’s why I’m casting envious glances at Kevin de Bruyne and Jarrod Bowen sitting in Dave’s team.

  13. Fantasy 606 title race - six points in it!published at 16:35 British Summer Time 9 May

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There’s just six points between me and Statman Dave at the top of the Fantasy 606 mini-league and Chris Sutton, always a neutral observer, reckons Dave’s squad is in better shape for the run-in.

    I'll post mine and Dave's teams separately in a moment.

    It’s a long shot now for the listeners to win the title, 68 points off top spot, but this week’s manager Andy is playing the Bench Boost and captaining Chris Wood who neither Dave or I own.

    He’s making two transfers for a -4, bringing Matz Sels in for Dean Henderson and Bryan Mbeumo for Bruno Fernandes.

    Send us an e-mail on fantasy606@bbc.co.uk if you want to come on the podcast and manage the listeners’ team.

    FPLImage source, Fantasy Premier League
  14. 'Buy Wissa as a priority'published at 16:32 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Mateu: Hi Gianni! It feels like the right week to break up my Palace triple up and Mateta will be the one to go. My gut is telling me to bring in Cunha, but Wissa is perhaps the obvious/right move? Am I wrong?! Thank you.

    Hi Mateu, I was having this very discussion with the BBC’s Kelly Somers this morning, who is also torn on the duo. My advice was to buy Wissa as a priority. His form is too good and Brentford produce lots more big chances than Wolves, with Wissa the main beneficiary.

    If Brentford beat Ipswich, Fulham and Wolves on the final day, they will likely qualify for European football next season - a huge incentive for Wissa to keep scoring.

  15. 'I am not interested in buying Fulham players'published at 16:29 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Lee, Florida: I have 8 of the same players as Gianni, should I change the other 3? What are your thoughts on Fulham?

    You’ve made me jealous, Lee. It's nice weather in London today but I would very happily be in Florida instead.

    I wildcarded two weeks ago, so my squad feels like it is in a good place. Fulham had to beat Aston Villa last week in their pursuit of European football next season and with a defeat, together with rumours around Marco Silva’s future, I personally am not interested in buying their players.

    I do think Raul Jimenez is a good option for the Everton match this weekend though.

  16. The view from Fantasy 606published at 16:26 British Summer Time 9 May

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Your decision of who to captain in the last three gameweeks of the season could well make the difference as to whether you win your mini-league or not, particularly as there aren’t any obvious choices that everyone is going to steer towards.

    We identified three main candidates for gameweek 36 on the Fantasy 606 podcast – Kevin De Bruyne away to Southampton, Bryan Mbeumo away to Ipswich or Chris Wood at home to Leicester.

    Mbeumo looks like the safest choice as Wood’s goals have dried up a bit in recent weeks and you’re still never quite sure what Pep Guardiola’s going to do with his team selection.

    De Bruyne is playing without pain though and looks determined to finish his City career with a bang. However Erling Haaland’s return to the team could see the Belgian dropping back into a slightly deeper role and taking him further away from goal. It also complicates what might happen with Omar Marmoush who is another potential candidate for the captaincy this week.

    Going with Haaland himself would be the boldest play and could easily pay off even if he’s only on the pitch for a limited amount of time. That one’s not for me though. Too risky and too costly in terms of budget and transfers.

  17. Who's a maybe to start?published at 16:23 British Summer Time 9 May

    Man City forward Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    Where do we start... or not start?

    Erling Haaland is in contention to start for Manchester City, so some of you might be thinking about captaining him against already-relegated Southampton this week. Pep Guardiola says he is fit and available but it is still a bit unclear whether he will start.

    Nottingham Forest defender Murillo will need to be "assessed" after being forced off with an injury at Selhurst Park on Monday. Nuno Espirito Santo offered "hopefully" when asked about his return this weekend - so make of that what you will.

    Facundo Buonanotte has recovered from a concussion picked up against Wolves, so he will be at Leicester City's disposal once again.

    Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is available after missing last weekend's game due to a "personal issue", but will he go straight back into David Moyes' starting XI?

    Graham Potter could select midfielder Edson Alvarez, who is back after picking up a "slight back injury".

    And Vitor Pereira will have to make a "late call" on Hwang Hee-Chan and Jorgen Strand Larsen.

  18. Which big names are unavailable this week?published at 16:21 British Summer Time 9 May

    Aston Villa midfielder Youri TielemansImage source, Getty Images

    Midfielder Youri Tielemans is not available for Aston Villa tomorrow. Marcus Rashford is also unavailable for Villa and is not confirmed to play again this season.

    Dango Ouattara is out for Bournemouth with a serious injury which is not expected to be long-term, but could means he is out for the rest of the season.

    Eddie Howe remains "unsure" whether Joelinton will play again this season for Newcastle. Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi will be unavailable for Forest and Nuno Espritio says there is doubt for Murillo as well and he will need to be assessed tomorrow.

    Sasa Lukic is out for Fulham, alongside Harrison Reed who had some concerns from their last game.

  19. Postpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 9 May

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Missed today's Premier League news conferences and unsure on who and who isn't available in gameweek 36?

    Well, while Gianni sifts through his next mountain of questions - here's those important team news lines revealed from managers throughout Thursday and Friday...

  20. 'Man City attackers offer a huge upside against Southampton'published at 16:18 British Summer Time 9 May

    FPL Q&A

    Gianni Buttice
    FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher

    Roberto:Is Omar Marmoush to Chris Wood worth a -4 Gianni? I’m thinking it could backfire in Gameweek 36, but it may pay off in the 3 GWs remaining. However, I’m tempted to not take the hit and sell Marmoush in GW37 anyway for Vardy/Cunha instead? Thoughts? Thank you.

    Hi Roberto. Marmoush is a very dangerous sell this week and I would not sell for a hit. Manchester City attackers offer a huge upside against Southampton and this feels like a move that could punish you.

    I too am open to selling him next week with his Gameweek 37 fixture only three days after the FA Cup final, so I would wait until then.