Gameweek 35 of the Premier League is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable rounds of the season. With few clear-cut favorites across the fixtures and intense battles at both ends of the table, squad selection has never been trickier. Even the safest picks come with a level of risk, making every decision count.
On a personal note, the last two gameweeks have been a joyride, with impressive returns of 96 and 73 points. Timing the Free Hit chip perfectly proved to be a game-changer, and with the Triple Captain and Bench Boost still in hand, I'm well-positioned for a strong finish. This week, however, it's all about balance—managing risk while targeting players capable of explosive returns.
The biggest dilemma? Choosing between David Raya and Karl Darlow in goal. Both have favorable fixtures on paper, but recent experience makes this a nerve-wracking call. Last gameweek, opting for Darlow over Tottenham's Kinsky instead of Raya cost me valuable points—Raya bagged 10 points thanks to saves and bonus, while the alternative managed just six. Darlow's fixture against Burnley looks appealing, especially given their struggles in front of goal, but benching the league's top-performing goalkeeper in Raya feels like a huge gamble. At the moment, I'm leaning slightly toward Darlow for the fixture upside, but this is one of those calls that could go either way.
Defensively, my setup is more straightforward. Diogo Dalot faces Liverpool, and I fully expect Manchester United to concede in that fixture, so Dalot drops to the bench. That leaves a starting backline of Gabriel Magalhães, Adrien Truffert, Nico O'Reilly, and Jaka Bijol. Arsenal's Gabriel has been a revelation this season—he's the highest-scoring FPL defender with an average of 6.6 points per game and the most-owned defender in the game. His three goals and five assists are remarkable for a defender, and he's a constant threat from set pieces. Meanwhile, O'Reilly has stepped up impressively for Pep Guardiola's side in the second half of the season, seamlessly slotting into the starting XI and offering attacking potential from the back.
With the season entering its final stretch, every point matters. Whether you're chasing a mini-league title or just aiming for a personal best, Gameweek 35 is the perfect time to make bold moves—and maybe a little luck goes a long way.