FPL Double Gameweek 36 Best Players to Target | Man City & Palace Premium Picks

Complete guide to DGW36 targeting Man City and Crystal Palace players. Featuring Haaland, premium defenders, differential picks, and budget options with stats.

Written by
FPL Lab
Published
May 6, 2026
Reading time
8 min read
#FPL#Fantasy Premier League#DGW36#Double Gameweek#Man City#Crystal Palace#Haaland#Transfer Strategy
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FPL Double Gameweek 36: Best Players to Target 🎯

Looking to maximize your points in Double Gameweek 36? With Manchester City and Crystal Palace both playing twice, this is your chance to double up on premium assets and budget gems that could deliver explosive returns.

DGW36 features Man City hosting Brentford and Crystal Palace, while Palace face Everton at home before traveling to the Etihad. Let's break down the must-have players, differentials, and budget enablers to target.

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🔵 Manchester City Double Gameweek Assets

Man City have two home fixtures in DGW36 (vs Brentford, vs Crystal Palace), both with FDR 3. While not the easiest run, City's attacking firepower at the Etihad makes their assets extremely appealing.

⚡ Erling Haaland – MCI (FWD, £14.6m, 62.6% TSB)

Best Overall Captain | Two Home Games

The Norwegian goal machine is the #1 target for DGW36 with 219 total points and two home matches where City typically dominate.

Why Haaland is essential:

  • 24.05 xG this season – leading all forwards by a considerable margin
  • Form: 5.5 – solid recent returns with consistent goal threat
  • Two home games where Man City average 2+ goals
  • Captaincy locked in with double returns likely

The verdict: At 62.6% ownership, Haaland is the safest captain pick. With two home fixtures and City's attacking depth, expect at least one haul. Don't overthink it.

See Haaland's detailed stats for full season analytics and fixture projections.


🔹 Antoine Semenyo – MCI (MID, £8.1m, 49.8% TSB)

Premium Midfielder with Double Gameweek Value

Semenyo has quietly become one of the best value options in FPL with 183 total points – exceptional for an £8.1m midfielder playing for the champions.

Key stats:

  • 10.66 xG + 2.74 xA – strong underlying numbers
  • Form: 2.2 – recent dip but DGW could spark returns
  • Two fixtures to deliver attacking returns or DEFCON points
  • Nearly 50% owned – popular but not template

The verdict: Semenyo offers double gameweek upside at a reasonable price point. His attacking positioning and defensive contributions make him a solid pick for managers seeking Man City exposure without breaking the bank.


🛡️ Marc Guéhi – MCI (DEF, £5.1m, 32.8% TSB)

Budget Defender with Elite Ceiling

Guéhi has been the standout defensive option this season with 162 points from just £5.1m – incredible value that continues in DGW36.

Why Guéhi stands out:

  • 162 points – 2nd highest among all budget defenders
  • Form: 6.8 – in red-hot form with consistent returns
  • 3.90 xG + 2.28 xA – attacking threat from set pieces
  • Two home games = two clean sheet chances + attacking returns

The verdict: At £5.1m, Guéhi is a no-brainer for DGW36. The form, underlying stats, and fixtures align perfectly. Essential budget option.

Check Guéhi's full profile for defensive analytics and DEFCON points breakdown.


🔸 Rayan Cherki – MCI (MID, £6.6m, 16.9% TSB)

Differential Midfielder with Explosive Potential

The French attacking midfielder offers serious differential appeal with just 16.9% ownership and excellent creative numbers for Man City.

The case for Cherki:

  • 8.30 xA – elite creative output for a £6.6m mid
  • 4.00 xG – contributes goals too
  • Form: 7.0 – in fantastic recent form
  • Low ownership means serious rank gains if he hauls

The verdict: If you're chasing in your mini-league, Cherki is the differential pick. Two home games with Man City's attack flowing through him could deliver huge returns.


💎 Other Man City Options

Phil Foden (MID, £8.0m, 7.6% TSB)
Former premium asset available at reduced price after inconsistent minutes. 5.35 xG + 4.03 xA shows quality remains, but rotation risk is real. One for the brave.

Jérémy Doku (MID, £6.4m, 3.4% TSB)
Ultimate differential at just 3.4% ownership with explosive dribbling ability. 2.37 xG + 5.27 xA shows creative threat. Two home games could unlock massive hauls.

Explore more Man City options in our player database with full stats and comparisons.


🔴 Crystal Palace Double Gameweek Picks

Palace face Everton (H, FDR 3) and Man City (A, FDR 5) in DGW36. One favorable fixture and one nightmare matchup – choose wisely.

🛡️ Maxence Lacroix – CRY (DEF, £5.2m, 6.7% TSB)

Solid Budget Defender with Clean Sheet Potential

Palace's best defensive asset with 148 points and excellent value at £5.2m.

Why Lacroix works:

  • 148 points – top Palace defender by considerable margin
  • Form: 5.0 – decent recent returns
  • One clean sheet chance vs Everton at home
  • Low ownership makes him a differential

The verdict: Lacroix offers one good fixture (Everton H) and one write-off (City A). If you need Palace coverage, he's the safest defensive option.


⚫ Tyrick Mitchell – CRY (DEF, £5.0m, 2.3% TSB)

Budget Enabler with Attacking Threat

At £5.0m, Mitchell is Palace's cheapest route into DGW36 with 127 points and set-piece involvement.

Key metrics:

  • 1.12 xG + 2.34 xA – surprisingly high attacking stats
  • Form: 3.2 – steady recent performances
  • Just 2.3% owned – ultimate differential

The verdict: Mitchell is a pure punt for managers needing funds elsewhere. Two games means double the chance of attacking returns, even with one tough fixture.


🧤 Dean Henderson – CRY (GKP, £5.1m, 8.9% TSB)

Goalkeeper Option for Differential Hunters

Henderson has delivered 126 points with solid shot-stopping, though DGW36 fixtures are mixed.

Considerations:

  • One saveable fixture (Everton H) where he could rack up points
  • Man City away = likely hammering
  • Cheap route to double gameweek returns

The verdict: Only target Henderson if you're chasing ranks and need goalkeeper differentials. High risk, moderate reward.


🔵 Jean-Philippe Mateta – CRY (FWD, £7.6m, 8.3% TSB)

Forward Differential with Goal Threat

Mateta offers 101 points with 13.45 xG – excellent underlying numbers for a mid-price forward.

Why Mateta could deliver:

  • Form: 4.0 – showing recent goal threat
  • Everton at home is winnable fixture
  • Two games = two chances to return

The verdict: Mateta is a risky differential pick. The Everton fixture offers goal potential, but expect nothing vs Man City. Only for brave managers with free transfers.

See Mateta's detailed profile for shot maps and xG breakdown.


📊 DGW36 Fixtures Summary

Team Fixture 1 FDR Fixture 2 FDR
Man City Brentford (H) 3 Crystal Palace (H) 3
Crystal Palace Everton (H) 3 Man City (A) 5

Key takeaways:

  • ✅ Man City have two home games – back their attackers heavily
  • ⚠️ Palace have one good, one terrible – risky but could pay off
  • 🎯 FDR 3 for both City fixtures = moderate difficulty but City quality prevails

Use our fixtures tool to plan your next 5 gameweeks with detailed FDR breakdowns.


🎯 Transfer Strategy for DGW36

Priority 1: Get Haaland (C)

If you don't own Haaland, use one (or two) transfers to bring him in. Captain locked. Two home games = haul incoming.

Priority 2: Double Up on Man City

Aim for 2-3 City assets – Haaland + one of Semenyo/Guéhi/Cherki. City's attacking potential at home is too good to ignore.

Priority 3: Consider One Palace Punt

If you have a spare transfer or wildcard active, one Palace defender (Lacroix/Mitchell) offers differential appeal with limited downside.

Budget-Friendly Moves

  • In: Guéhi (£5.1m), O'Reilly (£5.2m), Mitchell (£5.0m)
  • Out: Non-DGW defenders, injured players, BGW36 blanks

Use our transfer planner to optimize your moves while staying within budget.


💡 Captain Picks for DGW36

1️⃣ Erling Haaland (C) – 90% Confidence

Two home games. Leading xG. Man City's focal point. Don't overthink this one.

2️⃣ Antoine Semenyo (C) – 70% Confidence

Differential captain with double fixtures. High risk, high reward for rank chasers.

3️⃣ Marc Guéhi (C) – 60% Confidence

Ultra-differential captain pick. Two clean sheet chances + attacking threat from set pieces.

Track your captain's performance live with our gameweek tracker during DGW36.


🔥 Differential DGW36 Picks

Looking to gain ranks? These low-owned options could explode:

  • Cherki (MID, £6.6m, 16.9% TSB) – Creative force in City's attack
  • Doku (MID, £6.4m, 3.4% TSB) – Ultimate differential with explosive potential
  • Lacroix (DEF, £5.2m, 6.7% TSB) – Palace's defensive leader
  • Mitchell (DEF, £5.0m, 2.3% TSB) – Budget punt with attacking stats

💎 Find More: Discover hidden gems with our differential finder.


✅ Final Recommendations

Essential picks:

  • Erling Haaland – Captain, essential, two home games
  • Marc Guéhi – Budget defender in elite form
  • Antoine Semenyo – Mid-price coverage of City attack

Differential targets:

  • 🎯 Cherki – Low ownership creative midfielder
  • 🎯 Maxence Lacroix – Palace's best defensive asset

Avoid:

  • ❌ Palace attackers not named Mateta
  • ❌ Rotation risks like Foden without team news

Use the next few days to finalize your transfers, monitor press conferences for injury news, and prepare your DGW36 squad. With City and Palace both in action twice, this gameweek offers serious template-breaking potential.


📊 Take Action: Use our transfer planner to implement these picks
🔍 Explore More: Find alternatives in our player database
📈 Stay Updated: Monitor price changes on market watch


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