With four gameweeks left, Gameweek 35 demands careful moves. Managers still chasing mini-league gains should prioritise reliable returns and inexpensive enablers that free funds for captains in the final stretch.

Goalkeepers: David Raya (£6.0m) remains the standout option among keepers after a 10-point haul last weekend and offers value alongside Arsenal’s defence. Fulham have blanked in four of their last six league games, making a home clean sheet plausible. At the other end of the budget spectrum, Karl Darlow (£3.9m) has accrued 24 points across his last five games and faces relegated Burnley at home, serving as a low-cost enabler. For managers planning ahead to double Gameweek 36, Dean Henderson (£5.1m) is an alternative given Crystal Palace’s two fixtures next round, despite a tricky away match with Bournemouth this Sunday.

Defenders: Gabriel (£7.2m) is a must, while Nico O’Reilly (£5.1m) has become increasingly attractive for managers preparing for City’s double in the next round; he has returned 27 points from his past three fixtures and faces low-scoring Everton away on Monday. Crystal Palace options include Jaydee Canvot (£4.5m) and Chris Richards (£4.4m) as budget routes into their backline, and Daniel Muñoz (£5.8m) offers more attacking upside after scoring in the defeat at Liverpool. Leeds defensive targets such as James Justin (£3.9m), Jayden Bogle (£4.4m) and Pascal Struijk (£4.3m) are also useful given a favourable fixture.

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) stands alone as the essential midfield pick; he is chasing the Premier League assist record for a single season and has delivered returns in each of his past seven matches, even ahead of Manchester United’s home game with Liverpool. Other options highlighted are Eberechi Eze (£7.2m), who made an impact after being brought off the bench in Europe, Rayan Cherki (£6.5m) with 23 points across his last three matches, Ismaïla Sarr (£6.3m) ahead of a double, Noah Okafor (£5.6m) despite a slight injury concern, and Enzo Fernández (£6.5m) under Calum McFarlane.

Forwards: Erling Haaland (£14.5m) is essential following recent goalscoring exploits. Support options include Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.7m), who could benefit from Burnley’s struggles after Scott Parker’s dismissal, and Jarrod Bowen (£7.8m), who has produced 24 points across his past two home games for West Ham ahead of a trip to Brentford.

Gameweek 34 brings fresh headaches for Fantasy Premier League managers after an eventful double gameweek. Several clubs are blanking, but there remain clear options across all positions for those setting their squads.

Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City do not play this gameweek, narrowing choices for many managers. Among goalkeepers, Arsenal’s David Raya (£6.0m) stands out. He faces an out-of-form Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday, remains the highest-scoring stopper and has kept two clean sheets in his last four despite Arsenal’s slump. At the other end of the budget scale, Robin Roefs (£4.8m) has impressed in his Sunderland debut season and offers a favourable fixture against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at home; he returned 11 points in his most recent home match.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper situation has opened an intriguing enabler route. Freddie Woodman (£3.9m) is poised to make his first Premier League start against Crystal Palace at Anfield after injuries to Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Defensive coverage can be provided by proven performers. Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m) has delivered 58 points across his last eight matches and remains a goal threat following his late winner against Everton. Arsenal defensive assets also merit consideration, notably Gabriel (£7.1m) who has seven goal involvements this season and will target a clean sheet against Newcastle. Jurriën Timber (£6.2m) is an option if passed fit.

In midfield, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro (£5.1m) looks lively after a 10-point return last weekend and has a favourable trip to relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers while operating in a more attacking role under Roberto De Zerbi. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) continues to matter; he reached 18 assists for the season last time out and remains central to United’s remaining fixtures. Casemiro (£5.7m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) provide cheaper United routes.

Other midfield and attacking choices include Mohamed Salah (£14.0m), who looked lively and scored at Everton, Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.1m), Harry Wilson (£6.0m), Morgan Rogers (£7.4m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) after his hat trick and 20-point haul. Xavi Simons (£6.5m) impressed with a goal and assist versus Brighton. In attack, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) has six goals in his last five matches across all competitions and Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) has amassed 41 points across his past five home games for West Ham and remains their primary threat against Everton at home.

These selections use only fixtures and performances relevant to Gameweek 34 and reflect the available options ahead of deadlines this weekend.

Gameweek 33 brings both headaches and opportunities for FPL managers as several teams play twice. The double fixtures make prioritising players from the right squads crucial, with Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City all on double duty.

Goalkeepers
Karl Darlow (£3.9m) stands out because of his low price and fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) and Bournemouth (A). He has scored 16 points across his last three fixtures and looks nailed on for the remainder of the season. Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.6m) also offers two fixtures, Arsenal (H) and Burnley (A), but his inclusion uses one of three Man City slots managers may prefer to spend on midfield and forward assets. Đorđe Petrović (£4.6m) is a Bournemouth alternative after three clean sheets in his last six outings versus Newcastle United (A) and Leeds (H).

Defenders
Bournemouth defenders Marcos Senesi (£5.2m) and James Hill (£4.2m) present clean sheet potential and solid defensive contribution totals, while Adrien Truffert (£4.7m) provides more attacking upside via assists. Leeds options Pascal Struijk (£4.3m), Jayden Bogle (£4.4m) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (£3.8m) offer differing mixes of defensive reliability and attacking threat. Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) is the main Chelsea defender to consider despite matches with Manchester United (H) and Brighton (A) being tough for clean sheets. Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) would be an obvious pick after a 14-point weekend and 52 points in six gameweeks, but he is an injury concern; Marc Guéhi (£5.1m) is a viable alternative if O’Reilly is ruled out.

Midfield and attack
Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m) remains an attractive midfield option despite high ownership. Rayan Cherki (£6.3m) offers a differential and Jérémy Doku (£6.4m) provides explosive potential. Cole Palmer (£10.5m) will start both Chelsea games and is on spot kicks. Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m) is notable for set-piece and penalty responsibility versus Rayan (£5.5m) and Alex Scott (£5.0m). Pascal Groß (£5.5m) and Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) could be short-term Brighton values.

Forwards
Erling Haaland (£14.4m) is the obvious captaincy candidate across two fixtures, with particular promise in the Burnley match. João Pedro (£7.7m) is a reliable pick given Chelsea’s double and his 82 points since Liam Rosenior took charge; he faces little competition for his starting role.