Gameweek 36 Sleepers XI: Draft EPL

Our Gameweek 36 Sleepers XI article provides Draft managers with a lineup of Fantasy EPL hidden gems. Our starting eleven of Draft Premier League differential picks will help you find a golden ticket to a big score this weekend! These hints and tips will give you a better chance of picking up an all-important victory, as any one of these under-the-radar picks could make the difference in a head-to-head game!

We'll be focusing on players that will bring us not only attacking returns or clean sheets, but also those players that score Ghost Points in the sophisticated and statistics based Fantrax Scoring System!

Fantasy EPL Gameweek 36 Sleepers XI

For this article, we use the percentage rostered calculation from Fantrax and Sleeper. Our only rule is that each player we highlight is rostered in 60% of leagues or fewer at the time of writing. Therefore, there's a good chance some of these players will be free agents in your Draft league! As always, we'll take form, fixtures, projected points, and a healthy dose of intuition into account to make our selections.

That's three 100+ FPts scores in a row now! We are absolutely killing it with the Sleepers picks recently, and just in time for those managers that are trying to secure league titles, or even chance their luck in the play-offs. So let's look back at what went right and wrong with our 109.5 FPts haul in Gameweek 35. Let's start with the poor performances. In net, unfortunately Darlow was unable to keep a clean sheet against Burnley, which resulted in him only scoring 4 FPts after conceding once. In our backline, Khusanov only managed 5.25 FPts after Man City shipped 3 goals versus Everton, whilst Rodon nearly matched his goalkeeper with a 3.75 FPts score including a yellow card. Our final single digit score came from midfielder James Ward-Prowse, who only lasted 64 minutes and put up 3.25 FPts. This means we had 7 double-digit scorers! In our front line, Tel got 12.25 FPts with an assist and a yellow card, Osula continued his hot streak with yet another goal, giving him 16.5 FPts in 67 minutes, while Igor Jesus only lasted 45 minutes but still managed to score 14 FPts with a goal. We also had attacking returns in our midfield from Keane Lewis-Potter (13.5 FPts, 1 assist) and Conor Gallagher (13 FPts, 1 goal, 1 yellow card). Finally, our 2 remaining players were defenders. Ben White scored 11.5 FPts with his clean sheet and Sven Botman scored 12.5 ghost points. A fantastic outing for our Sleepers XI, especially considering we got 5 attacking returns. This might not be sustainable, but let's hope we can pull a few more rabbits out the hat with only a few gameweeks left. Bring on Double Gameweek 36!

The Sleepers XI table below includes a full team of Starters, as well as 5 Reserves - high-upside players with some question marks around whether they'll start in Gameweek 35. So, keep an eye out when lineups are announced and pick them up if you see them starting, especially if you need to fill a spot on your roster. Read below for the rationale behind each of the Starter selections.

Matz Sels (G, Nottingham Forest)

Over the past 3 gameweeks, Sels has scored the 2nd most fantasy points of all goalkeepers in the game. The Forest shot-stopper has been averaging just over 12 PPS, keeping 1 clean sheet in 3 games, and making 10 saves in the process. It also helps his numbers that he saved the penalty against Chelsea, which shows good the Belgian has been under Vitor Pereira. He's actually registered 4 double digit scores in his last 5 games. Before Vitor's tenure, he was averaging 6.61 PPS, but under the Portuguese, he's been averaging 9.59 PPS. This improvement of form also made him the top goalkeeping asset since the start of March. Over the past few weeks, Forest have been massively hit with injuries across their strongest XI, so they'll need Sels to maintain his great form if they are to survive the drop, especially against a rejuvenated Newcastle team.

Harry Maguire (D, Man Utd) 

Champions League has officially been secured for Manchester United for the 2026/27 campaign, and it could not have come against a better opposition than Liverpool. One of the main reasons the Red Devils had been able to achieve this goal was due to the return of Maguire to their backline. Not only does the English defender have massive set piece threat, his 7.8 gPP90 is one of the main reasons he's such an attractive option for most fantasy managers. He showed proof of this again, as he managed 5 FPts against Liverpool, despite conceding 2 goals. Up next, Man Utd visit the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have been quite goal shy at home, only scoring twice in their last 4 home games, so Man Utd could earn themselves yet another clean sheet. It also helps that Lisandro Martinez is returning as an option to partner Maguire, which further solidifies their defence and a chance of a shutout.

Hugo Bueno (D, Wolves) 

It feels strange that Hugo Bueno is eligible as a Sleepers pick, especially given that he's arguably been a DEF-1 during most of the season with a PPS of just over 10. However, it kind of makes sense as to why managers would have dropped him, particularly after a run of scores as 1, 8, 1.75 and 1 FPts. That being said, it was surely never going to stay this bad. His last 2 scores were very impressive, considering he conceded at least 3 goals in each game, with a yellow card in one of those games as well. Alas, he's punished his doubters over the last 2 fixtures with scores of 11.5 and 17.25 FPts with an assist, notably conceding 1 goal in each game. Although the fixtures were against similarly horrible teams such as Spurs and Sunderland, we're still confident he can maintain his high production of fantasy points, even against the inform Seagulls. He's definitely worth a start as your DEF-3.

Jaydee Canvot (D, Crystal Palace)

Over the past 5 games, Canvot was one of three players to have started every match for the Eagles. This bodes well for him as one of your double gameweek options. Seeing as Canvot is only 19 years old, he's probably young enough to recover quickly between the quick turnaround of games, especially with European fixtures sprinkled in and around Palace's regular league games. It's probably due to this congested period as to why Palace's league form has recently taken a hit. They haven't been consistently rolling out their best XI, which probably explains the back-to-back losses and conceding 3 goals in each. In spite of the fact that Glasner mentioned he'd rotate his squad off the back of their qualification to the Conference League final, we're still expecting Canvot to start. We're also banking on his form prior to these losses, as at one point the Frenchman was averaging 11 PPS across 6 games, along with 3 clean sheets. Palace need one more win to ensure they don't get sucked into the relegation scrap, so we're hoping Canvot benefits from at least one of their two fixtures this gameweek.

Kevin Danso (D, Spurs)

According to our Fixture Difficulty Tracker, of all teams with a single fixture in Gameweek 36, Spurs defenders actually have the 2nd best rated fixture. Despite Leeds seemingly safe in the Premier League, one more win could ease their tensions, as we go into the final stages of the season. However, Spurs will want nothing more than a win themselves, especially off the back of 2 wins in a row under De Zerbi, a feat that Spurs haven't replicated since the first 2 games of the season. Even though Leeds have been the 2nd best team in the league over the last 4 games, scoring 10 goals in that time, they actually didn't score a single goal in the 4 games before that. So there's a chance of a rare clean sheet for Spurs, especially with the likes of Okafor being ruled out due to injury, one of the main attackers that brought Leeds their success over recent matches. You could also do a lot worse than Danso's 10.2 gPP90.

Olivier Boscagli (D, Brighton)

It was a bit surprising to see Boscagli starting against Newcastle in Gameweek 35, but managers shouldn't be complaining one bit, as the Frenchman has been a breath of fresh air to the Seagull's defence. Replacing the aging Dunk with Boscagli has probably been one of the best decisions Hurzeler has made over the past few gameweeks, as his team has now kept 2 clean sheets in 4 games. Boscagli's 8.0 gPP90 easily qualifies him as a DEF-4 option for your roster, and even more so when he's facing Wolves, the worst team in the league. The West Midlands club have only scored 1 goal in their last 4 games, and they're showing no signs of improving either. Even if Boscagli doesn't start this weekend, the fixture is early enough in the gameweek for you to drop him and find a replacement elsewhere.

Emiliano Buendia (M, Aston Villa)

Aston Villa absolutely decimated Nottingham Forest in the 2nd leg of the Europa League, and one of the main contributors of their success in midweek was the Argentine midfield maestro. Buendia hasn't had the most consistent season, mainly due to injuries, but he's now gotten 3 attacking returns over the last 2 games for Villa. His goal in the league came off the bench against Spurs, while he got the assist for the opening goal against Forest in midweek, as well as scoring the rare penalty that Villa were awarded. It should be noted that the likes of Watkins and Rogers were also on the pitch. There's always a chance that Emery rotates his team to rest legs, but with Burnley up next, you certainly have to punt on a Villa attacker, so why not do it with the man in form.

Jefferson Lerma (M, Crystal Palace)

When he's been fit, Lerma tends to start every game possible for Crystal Palace. He's usually a very reliable steady-eddy, averaging 7.6 PPS for the season, which makes him a no-brainer of an asset for the double gameweek. Across his last 9 starts, he's scored 10+ FPts on 4 occasions. He arguably did even better than what his other scores suggest, as two of those sub-10 FPts games included 2 own goals. He's a massive threat from set pieces, and his attacking upside shouldn't be taken lightly either as his 3 assists in his last 9 starts suggests. If he starts both games in Gameweek 36, you're expecting around 12-14 FPts, which is fantastic returns as your MID-4/5.

Sasa Lukic (M, Fulham)

If you're looking for a MID-5, then you might be in luck with Lukic. The Serbian has started the last 3 games for the Cottagers, and despite scoring 3.75 and 2 FPts against Brentford and Arsenal respectively, with yellow cards mind you, we're still hopeful that he can add value to your roster this weekend. You see, it's the 17 FPts against Aston Villa that's sandwiched between those two sub-par scores that really catches the eye. Not only did he get an assist against Villa, he also managed to notch a counting stat in almost every default category, except in successful dribbles and blocked shots. He's even been taking some set pieces as well, taking 4 of the 9 corners that Fulham were awarded over the past 3 games. With Fulham at home against Bournemouth, we expect Lukic to be kept busy by the Cherries' attacking players, which should translate to loads of defensive ghosts, which should match his 6.2 gPPS for the season.

Brennan Johnson (F, Crystal Palace)

I wouldn't typically suggest Johnson as a pick in a regular gameweek, but given it's a double gameweek, we surely have to partake. It's clear that Glasner had started prioritising the Europa Conference League a while ago, especially after he started benching talismen like Sarr in the Premier League. However, believe it or not, Crystal Palace are actually in danger of getting pulled into the relegation zone. The Eagles currently sit 15th in the table, and are only 7 points above West Ham. So they'll be wanting at least one more positive result in the league before they fully down tools. Johnson has been averaging just under 3 PPS in the last 5 games for Palace, but he's also only 1 of 3 outfielders that has started every game. So if you're going to have 2 bites of the cherry, you might as well get it through 2 starts. Although the lack of points are not a great indicator of his potential, you might be pleased to learn that he's actually attempted the most shots (7) over that 5 game spell. So if Palace are to score in this double gameweek, Brennan could be an unexpected source of points.

Mateus Mane (F, Wolves) 

With relegation confirmed for Wolves, Rob Edwards looks like he's fully focussed on building for the future. He has started reintroducing young players into his starting XI again, with players such as Pedro Lima and Mateus Mane. Our focus is on the latter though. Mane has started the last 2 games for Wolves and played 90 minutes in each. The young Wolves forward was a hot commodity when Edwards started his tenure, as at one point, he scored 4 double digits within a span of 5 games. Ultimately his age and maturity showed, and the teenager eventually fizzled out, along with Wolves' survival in the league. Nevertheless, Mane's last 2 games have both been double digit ghost games (12 and 10.75 FPts) and he's also taken 5 of Wolves' last 11 corners. He's a great FWD to have on your roster, especially with teams rotating their regular starters.

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