FPL Gameweek 36-team-news tips: Haaland or Fernandes?
By Arasi Rex · Updated 15 August 2026 · 5 min read
The injury list is the story of Gameweek 36, not the fixtures. These fpl gameweek 36-team-news tips start with the names who cannot play, because Arsenal and Liverpool have already lost key pieces.
FPL's news list has Jurrien Timber out with a groin injury, William Saliba out with a back injury, and Hugo Ekitiké out with an Achilles injury. Joachim Andersen is suspended until 30 Aug. None of those players can return points in Gameweek 36.
The fixtures table
All ten Gameweek 36 matches are scheduled for 15 May at 14:00 UTC.
| Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Nott'm Forest | Emirates Stadium |
| Aston Villa | Newcastle | Villa Park |
| Chelsea | Everton | Stamford Bridge |
| Coventry City | Spurs | Coventry Building Society Arena |
| Crystal Palace | Brighton | Selhurst Park |
| Hull City | Fulham | MKM Stadium |
| Ipswich Town | Man City | Portman Road |
| Liverpool | Brentford | Anfield |
| Sunderland | Bournemouth | Stadium of Light |
| Man Utd | Leeds | Old Trafford |
Captain picks (3 ranked)
1. Erling Haaland - Haaland has 27 goals and 8 assists in 2,953 minutes. His 239 total points and 6.8 points per game are the best in this player pool, and Man City travel to Ipswich Town. If you have the armband on anyone else, you need a strong reason to ignore the fixture and the numbers.
2. Bruno Fernandes - Bruno Fernandes has 24 assists, the standout assist number in the data, plus 9 goals. Man Utd host Leeds, and his 235 total points make him the only captaincy option close to Haaland's season-long output. He is the alternative if you want a player who creates for others as much as he finishes.
3. Bukayo Saka - Saka has 7 goals and 10 assists in 31 appearances, with 157 total points. Arsenal host Nott'm Forest, and Saka's numbers do not depend on the injured defenders. He is the conservative attacking captain, but his 5.1 points per game trails the two names above him.
Players to bring in
Ollie Watkins - Watkins has 16 goals and 4 assists for Aston Villa, who host Newcastle. He has 167 points and a fixture that should create chances. If Ekitiké is your injured striker, Watkins is the cleanest replacement in the forward line.
Gabriel - Gabriel is the Arsenal defender who is still available. He has 18 clean sheets, 3 goals and 5 assists, and 209 points. With Saliba and Timber out, Gabriel is the most reliable way to hold an Arsenal defensive share without spending on a player who cannot play.
João Pedro - João Pedro has 15 goals and 9 assists for Chelsea. Chelsea host Everton, and Pickford and Tarkowski each have 11 clean sheets in the data, so this is not a free hit. João Pedro's goal involvement is strong enough to make him the pick of the Chelsea forwards.
Enzo Fernández - Enzo Fernández has 10 goals and 5 assists from midfield. He gives you a second Chelsea route into the Everton match without forcing you to triple up on forwards. His 157 points match Saka's total at a lower position.
Bryan Mbeumo - Mbeumo has 11 goals and 3 assists for Man Utd and faces Leeds. He is 18.2% owned, so he still carries value as a semi-differential in a fixture that already makes Bruno Fernandes a captain pick.
Players to move on
Hugo Ekitiké - Ekitiké has an Achilles injury and an unknown return date. FPL gives him a 0% chance of playing, so holding him through a home game against Brentford is wasted value.
William Saliba - Saliba has a back injury and an unknown return date, with a 0% chance of playing. Even if you believe in Arsenal's clean sheet potential, a defender who is not in the squad cannot help you.
Jurrien Timber - Timber is out with a groin injury and is expected back 21 Aug. That makes him a next-season asset, not a Gameweek 36 one.
The differential
Richarlison - Richarlison has 11 goals and 4 assists in 1,954 minutes. At 1.9% ownership, he is the best combination of attacking output and low selection in the data. Spurs travel to Coventry City, and for managers chasing rank, he offers a different route from the Man City and Arsenal template.
fpl gameweek 36-team-news tips: The final call
The team-news flags point one way: replace injured premiums, keep the healthy Arsenal set-piece threat, and choose between Haaland and Bruno Fernandes for the armband. The fixture between Ipswich and Man City is the strongest captaincy fixture on the sheet, and the 27-goal, 8-assist season puts Haaland above the rest. For fpl gameweek 36-team-news tips, that is the highest-conviction call in the data.
FAQ
Is Saliba fit for Gameweek 36?
No. Saliba is listed with a back injury, an unknown return date and a 0% chance of playing.
Who should I captain: Haaland or Bruno Fernandes?
Haaland has 27 goals, 8 assists and 6.8 points per game. Bruno Fernandes has 9 goals, 24 assists and 6.7 points per game. Haaland also faces Ipswich, so he is the safer pick.
Which Arsenal defender should I pick with Saliba and Timber out?
Gabriel. He has 18 clean sheets, 3 goals, 5 assists and 209 points.
Is Ekitiké injured?
Yes. Ekitiké has an Achilles injury with an unknown return date and a 0% chance of playing.
Key takeaways
- Haaland is the top captain pick: 27 goals, 8 assists, 239 points and a trip to Ipswich.
- Bruno Fernandes is the closest alternative: 24 assists and 235 points in the Leeds home fixture.
- Saka remains the Arsenal attacking route: 7 goals, 10 assists and a home game against Nott'm Forest.
- Move on Ekitiké, Saliba and Timber: all three have a 0% chance of playing in Gameweek 36.
- Richarlison is the differential: 11 goals, 4 assists and 1.9% ownership, away to Coventry City.