FPL expert Oscar, aka FPL Focal, reveals how he is approaching Gameweek 36 of Fantasy Challenge, with players scoring two points for every shot, whether it's on target or not!
You can enter your own squad any time up until 16:30 BST on Sunday, picking any players whose club have not yet started their match this weekend.
This week’s FPL Challenge is perhaps the most intriguing yet, with players getting two points for every shot, on top of all the other routes to points. My girlfriend might look at me confused when I celebrate a sliced attempt that’s gone out for a throw-in!
Let’s try and crack the code by looking at who has taken the most shots this season.
Most shots 2023/24
| Player | Team | Shots |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin Nunez | LIV | 105 |
| Erling Haaland | MCI | 104 |
| Ollie Watkins | AVL | 103 |
| Dominic Solanke | BOU | 102 |
| Mohamed Salah | LIV | 100 |
| Bukayo Saka | ARS | 99 |
| Julian Alvarez | MCI | 96 |
| Phil Foden | MCI | 93 |
| Bruno Fernandes | MUN | 92 |
| Cole Palmer | CHE | 88 |
That's a good starting point for picking a line-up. But since the players above have played different minutes, how about we look at the minutes per shot?
Fewest minutes per shot 2023/24
| Player | Team | Mins/shot |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin Nunez | LIV | 19.5 |
| Erling Haaland | MCI | 21.3 |
| Mohamed Salah | LIV | 22.9 |
| Cole Palmer | CHE | 25.2 |
| Phil Foden | MCI | 26.5 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | MCI | 27.2 |
| Julian Alvarez | MCI | 27.4 |
| Bukayo Saka | ARS | 27.8 |
| Ivan Toney | BRE | 28.3 |
| Ollie Watkins | AVL | 28.8 |
This week it seems very obvious that a back-three formation is the best strategy. Although some defenders are attacking, they pale in comparison with the midfielders and forwards for shot frequency, so I’d recommend a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2.
Defence
Let’s get the defence out of the way first. I’m going for Stefan Ortega (£3.7m) in goal. There is some doubt as to whether he will start for Manchester City at home to Wolves, with Ederson (£5.5m) in contention after making a quicker than expected recovery. I'll keep an eye on the team news, and if Ortega is not starting, look to bring in a replacement.
I’m doubling up on the Arsenal defence with Ben White (£6.1m) and Gabriel (£5.4m), who are the two most-attacking Gunners defenders. No one has more clean sheets than Arsenal, and they are at home to AFC Bournemouth.
I really wanted to find room for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m), who has registered a shot every 51.8 minutes this season, but he’s expensive. Instead, I’m going for the super-cheap Tino Livramento (£4.0m) and am spending big in midfield instead. Hopefully he starts again. If not, I’ll replace him or bench him for Sergio Reguilon (£4.5m) as they play at the same time.
Midfield
It’s a stacked midfield consisting of names cherry-picked from the lists above: Mohamed Salah (£13.5m), Bukayo Saka (£9.0m), Phil Foden (£8.3m) and Cole Palmer (£6.2m).
Captaining Salah feels a bit bold given his recent form, however I’m fully expecting him to start this one against Spurs and he could get plenty of joy up against Ben Davies (£4.3m) down that flank. Only Darwin Nunez (£7.7m) and Erling Haaland (£14.1m) have shot more frequently over the season.
Foden missed City’s last game with illness so I’m hopeful he recovers in time. A left-field shout is Jeremy Doku (£6.4m) if he starts, as he takes a flurry of shots, with one every 31 minutes on average.
Saka’s returns had dried up a bit until the weekend, when he got a goal and assist, so he’s going straight into my line-up, along with Palmer. Over the last six Gameweeks Palmer’s taken a shot every 13.6 minutes on average, which is absolutely wild! That’s by far the best in the league. I can’t even match that playing 5-a-side!
Forwards
Up top I’m going with Haaland, Alexander Isak (£8.3m) and Chris Wood (£4.8m).
Only Nunez has taken more shots than Haaland, but I’m not as confident with Nunez's minutes. Even if he starts, there’s every chance he comes off early.
Instead I’m opting for the in-form Isak around that price bracket. He’s been firing a shot off every 24.5 minutes on average over the last six Gameweeks, so he could finish with three or four shots against Burnley for a respectable 10-pointer if he blanks, or potentially so much more if he bags again.
Lastly I’m going with Wood, who had so many chances against Man City last weekend. The fun twist with this challenge is that our players don’t have to bury these shots - they just need to take them.
Nottingham Forest are facing Sheffield United, who have already conceded the most goals ever in a 38-match Premier League season. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Wood walks away with a hat-trick (or a hat-trick of big chances missed!).
Good luck this week!