Gameweek 35 provided more drama as Tottenham drew 1-1 at home to West Brom, meaning Leicester now just need three points to be Premier League champions. A truly remarkable achievement.
Relegation battlers Sunderland and Newcastle gained a point in tough matches again Arsenal and Liverpool respectively and Southampton continued their impressive season with a 4-2 victory away to relegated Aston Villa.
It was a strong week in FPL, with no player in the dream team scoring less than double figures. Kelechi Iheanacho, the Manchester City youngster, scored 16 points making him the player of the week. There are also appearances for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood.
Goalkeeper
Vito Mannone – The Sunderland stopper put in a fine display against his former club as Sunderland held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw, gaining what could be a valuable point in the fight for safety. A clean sheet, three bonus points and two save points gives him a total of 11 for the week.
Defenders
Jeffrey Schlupp – The Leicester full back hasn’t been a regular this season but he took his chance this week, helping his team with an assist as they beat Swansea 4-0 at the King Power Stadium. Two bonus points, along with a clean sheet, means Schlupp finishes the week with 11.
Pablo Zabaleta – It has been a season of inconsistency for Zabaleta as he has shared right back duty with Bacary Sagna for most of the season. He was given the nod over the Frenchman on Saturday and helped his team as they beat Stoke 4-0. An assist, two bonus points and clean sheet points means Zabaleta finishes the week on 11 points.
Alberto Moreno – Since rumours have been circulating that Liverpool are in the market for a new left back, Alberto Moreno has stepped up his game. He played a vital role in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle, creating two goals. Add in three bonus points and Moreno finished the week with 10.
Midfielders
Ashley Westwood – Aston Villa players aren’t a common theme in FPL dream teams, so it’s refreshing to see one pop up in here, even if it is gameweek 35. The central midfielder scored twice as Villa lost 4-2 at home to Southampton. Westwood finishes the week with 15 points.
Dusan Tadic – After a mid-season lull, Tadic seems to be back in form, scoring 6 points last week and further improving this week with 15 points. He was instrumental against Aston Villa, scoring twice in the process.
Eden Hazard – Like most Chelsea players, it’s been a massive season of underachievement for the 2014/15 Players’ Player of the Year. Chelsea fans will hope Hazard is back to his best next season, and if Saturday’s performance is anything to go by, they might be in luck. Two goals and bonus points means the dynamic Chelsea playmaker finishes the week with 15.
Cesc Fàbregas – The Chelsea midfielder continued his recent form with three assists in Chelsea’s 4-1 victory away at Bournemouth. It may be too little too late, but Fabregas’ – and the rest of the Chelsea team’s – recent return to form can only bode well for next season. 13 points this week is enough to earn him a place in the dream team.
Strikers
Kelechi Iheanacho – Manchester United may have Marcus Rashford, but City can be excited by a promising striker of their own. The Nigerian has always impressed when given the chance, and his two goals helped the Citizens to an easy 4-0 victory at home to Stoke. Iheanacho finishes the week with 16 points, making him the player of the week.
Leonardo Ulloa – There were many fears Leicester City would struggle to cope without Jamie Vardy, their top scorer for the season. Those fears were quickly allayed as Leonardo Ulloa scored twice in the 4-0 victory over Swansea, taking Leicester to within touching distance of the Premier League trophy. Ulloa scores 13 points for the week.
Shane Long – The Southampton striker was on the scoresheet and assisted two more goals in Southampton’s 4-2 victory over Aston Villa. Surprisingly, Long didn’t receive any bonus points, however, that didn’t stop him from scoring 12 points, earning him a place in this week’s dream team.
So that’s your team for the week, a 3-4-3 formation. Were you brave enough to take a gamble on Iheanacho, or did you use Ulloa to replace Vardy? If you did, it means you probably enjoyed a pretty successful gameweek. If you didn’t, maybe it’s time to get a bit more creative as the unpredictability of the 2015/16 Premier League season shows no sign of slowing down, even at this late stage.
Written by Simon Banks
