This week’s FPL Challenge continues with the "Race for Europe" theme. This week, players from the match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United will score DOUBLE points, with managers selecting a 5-a-side team using an unlimited budget.
Here, FPL expert Sam Bonfield reveals how she’s tackling Gameweek 35.
Over the last few weeks I have deployed mixed strategies. In Double Gameweek 33 (DGW33) it made sense to target both players with two matches as well as players who were scoring double in their race for Europe match. In Blank Gameweek 34 (BGW34) I only invested in players from the double match to try and maximise my points. This week I am tempted to do similar again, with one potential acception.
Goalkeeper and defence
This is one area of the pitch that I don't feel comfortable investing from the race for Europe fixture. Both Newcastle and Brighton have been solid in front of goal this season and I can see both sides scoring.
With that in mind I have opted against investing in one of these goalkeepers. Both have the potential to end the match on two points, doubled to four and therefore choosing a goalkeeper with the potential for a clean sheet should outscore the Brighton and Newcastle 'keepers.
In goal I have opted for Mark Flekken (£4.4m). Having only kept six clean sheets this season, Flekken maybe isn't the obvious choice but the Brentford shot stopper however has made 138 saves this season, at least 27 more than any other goalkeeper. From those saves he has registered 36 save points, the next most is 27 from Aaron Ramsdale (£4.4m).
Flekken faces a Manchester United side who will be in the middle of their two UEFA Europa League ties which will take their full focus. I'm therefore expecting a weakened United side as well as an increased likelihood of a clean sheet for Brentford as a result.
Last week in the main game I brought in Kieran Trippier (£5.7m) on my Free-Hit and enjoyed his 15-point haul. I have opted for him in my Fantasy Challenge team this week with the potential upside that he brings with his set-piece responsibility. With strong attacking threat and his points being doubled meant that I felt it was worth risking Trippier over defenders who have more potential for a clean sheet this Gameweek.
I also considered Brentford's Nathan Collins (£4.5m), who has nine attacking returns for the season, more than any other Brentford defender. However, with Flekken in goal I decided not to double up on the Brentford defence as they have only kept six clean sheets this season.
Midfield
I have decided to double up on the forwards this week therefore only leaving me with one space for a midfielder. I am opting for Jacob Murphy (£5.3m), who has been excellent for a number of weeks in the main game.
The Newcastle winger has blanked just once in the last six Gameweeks and has registered 48 points in that time. I did consider Harvey Barnes (£6.0m) instead as he has also been in excellent form and has also scored 48 points in the same period.
I still might yet move for both Newcastle midfielders but I will have a close eye on the teamsheet just in case we see Anthony Gordon (£7.4m) pick up his first start since Gameweek 27.
Another option if I decide to change the formation is to go for Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma (£6.4m). Mitoma will also benefit from double points and has scored in each of Brighton's last two matches. He always feels likely to be involved in a Brighton goal.
Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) also shouldn't be forgotten here despite not scoring double points. The Egyptian made it clear after Liverpool won the league last weekend that he wants to achieve the goal involvement record for a Premier League season and therefore I can see him doing well away at Chelsea.
Forwards
In attack I have opted for the double points double-up! Alexander Isak (£9.6m) picks himself. He is on penalty duty and has scored the most goals this season among forwards, with 22. Alongside him is Brighton's Danny Welbeck (£5.5m). Joao Pedro (£5.5m) remains suspended after his red card in Double Gameweek 33 and therefore it is likely that Welbeck will once again lead the attack and should now be on penalties if Brighton were to be given one.
Welbeck has registered 13 attacking returns this season with nine goals and four assists and so the pull of the double points means that he could be a great pick in challenge this week.