This article is part of our FPL Bargain Bin series.
Gameweek 35 was an interesting week that saw four players score multiple goals while another two added multiple assists. The question coming into Gameweek 36 is whether or not the stars from Gameweek 35 can be relied upon once again or if they should be avoided. Because here at the Bargain Bin we only provided low-cost alternatives, we will not concern ourselves with a discussion about Christian Benteke or Alexis Sanchez (in case you were wondering, both are very solid plays the rest of the season, especially Sanchez, who has an extra game in Gameweek 37).
Leicester City maintained their impressive form with a big win over Newcastle United. The big benefactors were fantasy owners of Leonardo Ulloa and Marc Albrighton. Ulloa scored twice while Albrighton picked up two assists. Many are high on the Foxes right now, and rightfully so. Their remaining schedule looks promising, as they host Southampton (looks like someone is ready for summer), travel to Sunderland (allowed the most goals in home matches) and host Queens Park Rangers (allow the most goals in away matches). Clearly owning Leicester City players is a great strategy with three weeks to go.
For a midfielder, there may not be a safer play than Albrighton. He has only made seven starts this season, but he is making the most of his new-found playing time. Since becoming a member of Leicester City's starting XI in Gameweek 33, Albrighton has become a cross machine. He has had an extra match because of a double gameweek, but no other player has attempted as many crosses as Albrighton's 71. In fact, the next closest player is Charlie Adam with 45. That is absurd, and it paid off for fantasy owners with a two assist performance against Newcastle.
Up front, it is a different story for predicting the best forward option for Leicester City. Ulloa is certainly the flavor of the week, as he has three goals in the last four matches, but we've seen this before from him. He was everyone's favorite darling after scoring five goals in the first five matches of the season. However, from Sept. 27 to April 11, he managed just two goals. Not to mention there are two other strikers that are capable of scoring, and it's easy to see why you should not be too high on Ulloa. Both Jamie Vardy and David Nugent could be available for this weekend's match against Southampton. Should both be healthy, it will be a significant hit to Ulloa's fantasy value. In fact, if all three are healthy, I would rank Ulloa behind Vardy but ahead of Nugent. Vardy has done a great job creating shot attempts for himself, as well as his teammates, and should be more reliable to be involved in any scoring Leicester does the rest of the season.
Defensively, there were lots of clean sheets to go around. In all, six teams kept clean sheets and provided many good fantasy goalkeeper options. However, none made more noise than Boaz Myhill. The West Brom goalkeeper made nine saves, including a penalty stop on Robin van Persie, as he blanked Manchester United. It was one of the more spectacular fantasy goalkeeper performances of the season, but what can we expect in the final three gameweeks? A matchup this weekend looks promising, as it comes against lowly and struggling Newcastle United. However, Papiss Cisse is eligible to return from his suspension and would provide a serious attacking lift to a team that needs it. Following that comes the hardest two-week stretch to finish out the season of any club: home to Chelsea and then away at Arsenal. It does not look like a clean sheet is in the books for Myhill in any of the remaining matches and now would be the time to sell.
For great bargain options to play in Gameweek 36, here is this week's Bargain Bin:
Goalkeeper
Steve Harper
Do you know the last time Burnley scored a league goal? It was nearly two months ago when they beat Manchester City 1-0. They have gone six consecutive matches without finding the back of the net. The last time a Claret player scored on the road was back in February. Needless to say, playing defenders against Burnley right now is a great option. Even in allowing three goals last week to Arsenal, Harper made six saves to salvage some fantasy value. Since being named to the starting XI, Harper has kept two clean sheets in four matches. A home match to Burnley will give him a great opportunity to add another.
Defender
Hector Bellerin
Bellerin has found a regular role in Arsenal's defense in 2015. In return, he has rewarded Arsenal with fine play and fantasy owners with great stats. He has scored two goals and been a part of six clean sheets. Only four other defenders can boast a similar stat line over that time and each of them (Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Phil Jagielka and Laurent Koscielny) costs at least £1.0m more than Bellerin. In addition, a home match against Swansea City will provide Bellerin with a great clean sheet opportunity.
Midfielder
Charlie Adam
He has not played in many of them, but we may soon be calling Adam "Mr. April." Since the calendar turned over to April, no midfielder has scored more goals than Adam's three, and only Philippe Coutinho has attempted more shots. Last season, an injury forced Adam to play only 98 out of a possible 540 minutes from April through the end of the season. He still managed to score a goal and assist on another. The season before, Adam picked up three assists to go along with one goal over the same time. The end of the season seems to bring the most out in Adam, and he's showing those same flashes this season. This week, he gets to face Tottenham, who has struggled defensively on the road this season, and Adam should be in the right place to take advantage.
Forward
Dame N'Doye
A quick look at the stats and it seems N'Doye has struggled since scoring twice against Crystal Palace. He's managed just two shot attempts, with one on target, in home matches against Liverpool and Arsenal. However, those are two top teams defensively in terms of preventing shots. This week, Hull City hosts Burnley and will likely provide an opposite scenario. Only two teams have allowed more shot attempts this season than the Clarets and that is what a team like Hull City needs as they fight to avoid relegation. More shot attempts will be a good thing for N'Doye, as Hull City will look for one more win to secure Premier League play for next season.
