fpl gameweek 36-differentials tips: Leeds & Arsenal secrets
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 7 min read
Here are five differential picks for Gameweek 36 that can boost your points. Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin has 14 goals.
Gameweek 36 brings a mix of high‑intensity clashes and low‑key battles. The fixtures list is balanced, with several top teams facing defensively weaker opponents, creating opportunities for under‑owned players to shine.
The fixtures table
| Home | Away | Venue | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Nott'm Forest | Emirates Stadium | 14:00 |
| Aston Villa | Newcastle | Villa Park | 14:00 |
| Chelsea | Everton | Stamford Bridge | 14:00 |
| Coventry City | Spurs | Coventry Building Society Arena | 14:00 |
| Crystal Palace | Brighton | Selhurst Park | 14:00 |
| Hull City | Fulham | MKM Stadium | 14:00 |
| Ipswich Town | Man City | Portman Road | 14:00 |
| Liverpool | Brentford | Anfield | 14:00 |
| Sunderland | Bournemouth | Stadium of Light | 14:00 |
Arsenal lead the table with 85 points, 26 wins, and 71 goals for, while Nott'm Forest have conceded 51 goals. The gap in defensive solidity makes the Arsenal match an attractive outlet for a differential. Newcastle’s recent form shows a swing in their favour, but the away side’s 17 goals for and 55 against hint at a defensive opening. Chelsea’s 77 goals for and 35 against underline the attacking potency of the home side, suggesting a high-scoring environment.
The remaining fixtures show potential for goal‑heavy encounters. Coventry City’s 48 goals for and 57 against imply a defensive lapse, while Spurs’ 48 goals for and 57 against mirror the same trend. Crystal Palace’s 52 goals for and 46 against offer a balanced fight, and Brighton’s 52 for and 46 against provide a stable scoring platform. Hull City’s 48 for and 51 against suggest a mid‑range match, and Fulham’s 47 for and 51 against hint at a cautious game. Ipswich Town’s 58 for and 52 against paired with Man City's 77 for and 35 against set up a classic high‑output clash. Liverpool’s 63 for and 53 against face Brentford’s 48 for and 51 against, while Sunderland’s 42 for and 48 against meet Bournemouth’s 42 for and 48 against for a low‑scoring draw.
Captain picks (ranked)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - points_per_game 4.1, selected_by_pct 23.10, 14 goals, 2 assists, 8 clean sheets from 27 matches. Calvert-Lewin’s goal tally ranks him among the top three forwards in the league, and his 23.10% ownership keeps the risk at an acceptable level. The gap in defensive solidity keeps the match an attractive outlet for a differential. His 4.1 points per game, combined with a strong partnership with the midfield, make him a compelling captain choice.
Ollie Watkins - points_per_game 4.5, selected_by_pct 12.50, 16 goals, 4 assists, 9 clean sheets from 28 matches. Watkins’ 16 goals place him in the top five for the season, and his 12.50% ownership keeps him outside the mainstream. Aston Villa’s 56 goals for and 49 against indicate a moderate defensive record, but Watkins’ work rate provides a safety net. A 4.5 points per game return offers a high ceiling for a captain.
Victor Gyökeres - points_per_game 3.6, selected_by_pct 13.10, 14 goals, 1 assist, 12 clean sheets from 22 matches. Gyökeres’ 14 goals and 12 clean sheets show a balanced contribution. Arsenal’s 71 goals for and 27 against provide a strong attacking platform for the striker. His 3.6 points per game, coupled with 13.10% ownership, make him a reliable backup captain.
Players to bring in
Elliot Anderson - points_per_game 4.7, selected_by_pct 12.00, 4 goals, 5 assists, 10 clean sheets from 33 matches. Anderson’s role in Man City’s midfield has expanded, and his 4.7 points per game reflect that. The 1.20% ownership keeps the risk low, while his 5 assists contribute to the team’s 77 goals for. The 10 clean sheets from 33 appearances illustrate his defensive contribution.
Morgan Gibbs-White - points_per_game 5.1, selected_by_pct 11.60, 15 goals, 4 assists, 10 clean sheets from 31 matches. Gibbs-White’s goal tally places him in the top three for the season, and his 11.60% ownership makes him an attractive differential. Nott'm Forest’s 48 goals for and 51 against provide a balanced field for a striker, and his 5.1 points per game guarantee a high return.
Bryan Mbeumo - points_per_game 4.5, selected_by_pct 18.20, 11 goals, 3 assists, 8 clean sheets from 27 matches. Mbeumo’s 11 goals and 4.5 points per game make him a valuable option in Man Utd’s attack. His 18.20% ownership keeps him in the mid‑range of the market, and the 8 clean sheets from 27 matches signal defensive support.
Nico O'Reilly - points_per_game 4.7, selected_by_pct 22.70, 5 goals, 4 assists, 14 clean sheets from 26 matches. O'Reilly’s 4.7 points per game reflect his role as a defensive midfielder for Liverpool. His 22.70% ownership offers a moderate risk, and the 14 clean sheets from 26 appearances underline his reliability.
Dominik Szoboszlai - points_per_game 4.4, selected_by_pct 47.00, 6 goals, 7 assists, 9 clean sheets from 32 matches. Szoboszlai’s 7 assists and 4.4 points per game show his creative influence. Despite a 47.00% ownership, his 6 goals and 9 clean sheets keep him within reach for many squads. Liverpool’s 63 goals for and 53 against provide a conducive environment for him to thrive.
Players to move on
Harry Wilson - points_per_game 4.7, selected_by_pct 8.50, 10 goals, 9 assists, 9 clean sheets from 27 matches. Wilson’s 8.50% ownership means he is already on the move for many teams. His 4.7 points per game are respectable, but the 9 clean sheets from 27 matches suggest a defensive contribution that may not be needed if you have a higher‑scoring option.
Jérémy Doku - points_per_game 4.0, selected_by_pct 6.40, 5 goals, 8 assists, 8 clean sheets from 17 matches. Doku’s 6.40% ownership and 4.0 points per game place him in the lower tier of options. His 8 assists are offset by a small number of appearances, making him a risky pick.
Kevin Schade - points_per_game 4.0, selected_by_pct 2.20, 8 goals, 5 assists, 11 clean sheets from 24 matches. Schade’s 2.20% ownership signals a low engagement from the market. His 4.0 points per game do not justify keeping him in a high‑budget squad.
The differential
The best differential for this week comes from Morgan Gibbs-White. His 15 goals, 5.1 points per game and 11.60% ownership make him a high‑scoring risk that few managers have yet to field. The Nott'm Forest side keeps a respectable 48 goals for, and the striker’s recent form shows a sharp uptick in both goal contribution and clean‑sheet share. Dropping a high‑priced attacker like Harry Wilson or a low‑value defender such as Kevin Schade frees budget without sacrificing overall return.
Key takeaways
- Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin offers 14 goals and 4.1 points per game at a 23.10% ownership rate.
- Morgan Gibbs-White brings 15 goals and 5.1 points per game with 11.60% ownership, making him a prime differential.
- Moving Harry Wilson and Kevin Schade can free budget while still keeping decent return.
- Ollie Watkins remains a solid captain option with 4.5 points per game and 12.50% ownership.
- Victor Gyökeres provides 14 goals and 3.6 points per game, a reliable mid‑priced forward.
FAQ
What is a differential in FPL? A differential is a player whose ownership is lower than the league average, allowing a manager to gain a points advantage if that player scores well.
Which captain should I pick for Gameweek 36? Dominic Calvert-Lewin tops the list with 4.1 points per game and 23.10% ownership, balancing high returns with manageable risk.
Is Dominic Calvert-Lewin a good differential? While his ownership is 23.10%, his 14 goals and 4.1 points per game give him a strong upside that many teams overlook.
Can I use Morgan Gibbs-White as a differential? Yes, Gibbs-White’s 11.60% ownership and 5.1 points per game make him an ideal differential pick for a high-return strategy.