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.

Four rounds remain in the Premier League and Gameweek 35 stretches across four days. The title race between Arsenal and Manchester City will dominate attention, while the relegation battle and the fight for European places remain finely poised.

Leeds United suffered FA Cup semi-final disappointment at Wembley last weekend, beaten by Chelsea, but they return to Elland Road in a strong league position. The Whites sit six points clear of safety and host already relegated Burnley, who have lost their last four and have parted ways with manager Scott Parker. Leeds were 3–0 victors at Elland Road in their last outing and are predicted to win again.

Prediction: Leeds 3–0 Burnley

West Ham remain in the scrap, one point clear of Tottenham after Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time winner last weekend. Unbeaten in three, the Hammers travel to Brentford, who are chasing European qualification and have been drawing frequently. A share of the points looks likely.

Prediction: Brentford 1–1 West Ham

Eddie Howe faces pressure at Newcastle with the club only eight points clear of the drop. Brighton top the form table with 13 points from their last five and arrive after a 3–0 win over Chelsea. Brighton are tipped to take three points at St James’ Park.

Prediction: Newcastle 1–2 Brighton

Wolves have failed to score in their last three and appear low on confidence. Sunderland, recovering from a 5–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, travel to Molineux and are favoured to respond.

Prediction: Wolves 0–2 Sunderland

Arsenal, fresh from a narrow win over Newcastle, host Fulham. Arsenal’s European exertions in Madrid are noted, but a deep squad and recent returns leave them expected to edge the London rivals.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Fulham

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace face a contest between two clubs preparing for managerial changes this summer. Palace may be content with a point after recent European commitments.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1–1 Crystal Palace

Manchester United and Liverpool meet with Champions League places likely at stake, but pride the main motivator. Home advantage could prove decisive for Man Utd.

Prediction: Man Utd 2–1 Liverpool

Tottenham remain in real trouble and visit Aston Villa, who have beaten Spurs twice this season. Villa are slight favourites.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1–0 Tottenham

Chelsea, now under interim leadership after Liam Rosenior’s exit, beat Leeds to reach the FA Cup final under Calum McFarlane. They host Nottingham Forest, who returned from Europa League action this week, in a tight fixture.

Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Nottingham Forest

Manchester City finish the round at Everton on Monday. City need perfect form down the stretch and are expected to take all three points.

Prediction: Everton 0–1 Man City

Pep Guardiola’s attention to detail is well known. The manager’s dedication to tactical preparation once led him to pull a muscle in his back after watching hours of footage of an opponent at Bayern Munich ahead of a preseason match. That same obsessive approach now meets a tighter calendar. The Premier League have belatedly announced dates and kickoff times for remaining fixtures, handing Manchester City a compact schedule which has left them “frustrated,” per BBC Sport.

City’s remaining fixtures are:

Monday, May 4 — Everton — Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Saturday, May 9 — Brentford — Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Wednesday, May 13 — Crystal Palace — Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Saturday, May 16 — Chelsea (FA Cup final) — Wembley Stadium, London
Tuesday, May 19 — Bournemouth — Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Sunday, May 24 — Aston Villa — Etihad Stadium, Manchester

The scheduling headache stems from the unresolved Crystal Palace fixture. The match was first postponed in February once City qualified for the Carabao Cup final and has not been rescheduled because of Palace’s run in the Conference League. City reportedly preferred playing Bournemouth on May 13 to finish with consecutive home games, but the Premier League instead placed that trip on May 19, three days after the FA Cup final. Andoni Iraola’s final home game as Bournemouth boss could prove to be an emotional setting for City’s penultimate league contest.

Arsenal face their own congestion with the Champions League semifinals, but the sequence is more manageable. Their fixtures are:

Wednesday, April 29 — Atlético Madrid — Metropolitano, Madrid
Saturday, May 2 — Fulham — Emirates Stadium, London
Tuesday, May 5 — Atlético Madrid — Emirates Stadium, London
Sunday, May 10 — West Ham — London Stadium, London
Monday, May 18 — Burnley — Emirates Stadium, London
Sunday, May 24 — Crystal Palace — Selhurst Park, London

Arsenal’s Champions League complication produces four games in 12 days, but Mikel Arteta has a five-day break before the West Ham trip and free weeks before Burnley and Crystal Palace. Arsenal also remain in London for May unless they reach the Champions League final in Budapest after the league season.

Chelsea’s remaining fixtures are:

Monday, May 4 — Nottingham Forest — Stamford Bridge, London
Saturday, May 9 — Liverpool — Anfield, Liverpool
Saturday, May 16 — Man City (FA Cup final) — Wembley Stadium, London
Tuesday, May 19 — Tottenham — Stamford Bridge, London
Sunday, May 24 — Sunderland — Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League qualification remain alive under a specific condition. Should Aston Villa slip into fifth place and win the Europa League, the team which finishes sixth in the Premier League would also get a spot at the continental top table.