An FA Cup-interrupted weekend has limited the Premier League’s action. Yet, fans still received results with repercussions at both ends of the league table.
Here’s what you need to be across, as we build up to FPL Gameweek 35.
When does FPL Gameweek 35 start?
Saturday 27 April, 10:30 pm AEDT
The Hammers host Liverpool to kick FPL gameweek 35 off. West Ham enter this clash fresh from a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Oliver Glasner’s resurgent Crystal Palace, a result Liverpool are too familiar with.
Much has been made about David Moyes and whether he is the right man to progress West Ham beyond their current level. Results like the Palace loss do nothing to help Moyes. Neither would a loss to Liverpool, whose title dreams remain alive heading into the final stretch of the season.
Both sides are without European football after failing to progress beyond the Europa League quarter-final stage, meaning their legs will be fresh for this clash. Expect West Ham to sit deep and attempt to outdo a Liverpool side hell-bent on chaotic attack on the break.
FPL Gameweek 35 notes
Brentford sink Luton’s survival hopes
For so much of this season, Luton has looked every bit like a Premier League side. That reputation has crumbled in recent weeks, capped by an affair to forget against Brentford. Thomas Frank’s side scored five for the first time this season, doing so without star striker Ivan Toney (£8.0 I 7.2%).
At the heart of their rampant performance was Yoanne Wissa (£5.7 I 5.2%), who scored his ninth and tenth goals of the season. By his side, Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8 I 6.8%) reminded everyone of the form he showed to begin the season, creating two goals, one each for Wissa and Keane Lewis-Potter.
Despite sitting just one point behind Forest in 17th, Luton’s valiant season looks all but certain for an unfortunate conclusion, especially if performances like these continue.
Arsenal two good for Wolves
After a week to forget, Mikel Arteta’s side needed a big response against Wolves. They got just that, comfortably taking home the two points after a goal apiece to Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard (£8.6 I 18.0%). Both strikes were wonderfully taken in their own right; Trossard’s a beautiful half-volley into the top corner and Odegaard’s a brilliant finish from a tight angle at the death.
With Champions League glory out of the question, Arsenal’s consolidated focus on the Premier League could provide them with a second wind. They remain right in this title fight, but will need their array of attacking talent to fire for the entirety of their run home.
Everton benefit from woeful officiating
Three penalty shouts, all valid, weren’t awarded in Nottingham Forest’s favour. I repeat, three penalty shouts weren’t awarded in Nottingham Forest’s favour. By the end of the season, we could remember this 2-0 Everton win as a momentous result in the relegation battle, especially given Forest’s precarious position heading into FPL gameweek 35.
For Sean Dyche, he’ll be relieved with the three points. Everton won’t care how they were secured, only that they were secured. Even more pleasingly for Dyche, his side kept just their second clean sheet in four months, against a Forest side who’ve scored goals against far better sides than Everton. Hopefully for Jordan Pickford (£4.7 I 14.3%) and Jarrad Branthwaite (£4.1 I 6.7%) owners, this defensive solidity continues into FPL gameweek 35 and beyond.
On a side note, what a brilliant footballer Morgan Gibbs-White is. Despite his side being held scoreless, the creative midfielder had a hand in most of Forest’s positive production, creating one big chance and looking threatening each time he received possession.
Villa prove they have weapons outside of Ollie Watkins
As has been the case with Erling Haaland recently, even the greatest strikers have goalless games. Ollie Watkins (£8.9 I 38.6%) isn’t in that category of greatness just yet. But he is very, very good. His 19 goals in the Premier League this season prove that.
But when he doesn’t find the scoresheet, Villa show everyone they’re still very, very good, and more than capable of finding the back of the net. Against Bournemouth, Watkins didn’t score. Instead, he assisted Moussa Diaby (£6.3 I 5.9%) and Leon Bailey as Villa ran home 3-1 victors, with Morgan Rogers scoring their other goal.
Elsewhere, Dominic Solanke (£7.3 I 30.5%) scored his 18th goal of the season from the spot.
Rejuvenated Palace put five past the Hammers
Oliver Glasner is a very good manager. Anyone who’s kept track with his feats in the Bundesliga will know that. It’s taken it’s time but it now appears as though his system is well and truly in place at Crystal Palace.
After dismantling Liverpool, Palace hosted West Ham, putting five past the helpless Hammers. Palace look freer and more comfortable in possession, with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze (£6.1 I 8.6%) given the freedom their talents deserve. Both found the scoresheet against West Ham, with Eze’s scissor kick a pick of the bunch.
Had they not found the scoresheet, both Eze and Olise would’ve caught widespread praise, such was the performances they put in; finding pockets of space, linking up effortlessly and swiftly with those around them. Jean-Philippe Mateta found the net twice, meaning four of his nine Premier League goals this season have come in his last five outings.
If Palace’s performances continue along this thread, they will be a headache for any side who faces them at the back end of this season and the beginning of next.
Liverpool keep their title hopes alive
A 3-1 win against Fulham is as regulation as they come for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Yet, given their recent form, even the most diehard Reds fans could be forgiven for their nerves during this affair. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4 I 9.6%), handed his first start in eight games, opened the scoring. Timothy Castagne brought Fulham level, before Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota put the game out of Marco Silva’s sides reach.
There was no start for Mohamed Salah (£13.6 I 40.7%), resigned to coming off the bench in the 74th minute. This shouldn’t be a concern ahead of FPL gameweek 35 given he played 66 minutes in Liverpool’s mid-week Europa League loss to Atalanta.
For Fantasy Premier League players, Rodrigo Muniz (£4.6 I 7.0%) grabbed an assist for Fulham’s only goal of the game.
Arsenal put five past embarrassing Chelsea
Prior to this outing, Chelsea had never gone 5-0 down in a Premier League London derby. That they did shows the quality of Arsenal and the widening gulf between the two sides. For the best part of two decades, Chelsea wiped the floor with the Gunners, consistently embarrassing their red neighbours. Now, the tides have turned.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring after five minutes after Chelsea’s brittle midfield offered Declan Rice too much space to roam into. At 1-0 entering half time, Chelsea fans would’ve been content, though not happy. This could’ve easily been 3-0 to Arsenal before the break. Or, had Nicolas Jackson connected with a header, 1-1 to Chelsea.
Something happened at half time. Mauricio Pochettino’s men came out of the dressing room playing like a side threatened with relegation. Arsenal scored four goals in 18 minutes to put this result beyond doubt.
Former Chelsea man Kai Havertz scored twice, taking his tally for the season to 11 and capping off a fine performance that created problems for Chelsea and options for Arsenal. The longer the German spends as the focal point of Mikel Arteta’s side, the more threatening he’s becoming as a complete striker.
Ben White (£6.0 I 19.8%) grabbed a second half brace too, with Bukayo Saka (£9.0 I 59.0%) and Martin Odegaard (£8.6 I 18.0%) looking menacing throughout, while it was another clean sheet for Arsenal’s impeachable defence.
Transfer targets under 15% ownership
DEFENDER: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4 I 9.6%)
MIDFIELDER: Eberechi Eze (£6.1 I 8.6%)
FORWARD: Yoanne Wissa (£5.7 I 5.2%)
