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GAMEWEEK 35 2025/26

FPL GW35 Review: What Actually Mattered (2025/26)

Gameweek 35 of the 2025/26 season proved to be a brutal affair for many Fantasy Premier League managers, with an average score of just 50 points. Captaincy was particularly challenging, as even highly-owned picks failed to deliver significant hauls. This week highlighted the immense value of differential picks. We'll dissect the key performances and extract reusable principles for GW36 and beyond.

By FPLai • May 5, 2026
50
Average
65
Green Arrow
80
Elite

Captaincy

Haaland
62.4% owned
Base
7
Captain
14↓
Semenyo
50% owned
Base
2
Captain
4↓
B.Fernandes
47.2% owned
Base
5
Captain
10↓
Gabriel
44.7% owned
Base
6
Captain
12↓
João Pedro
40.1% owned
Base
8
Captain
16↓

Top Performers

Awoniyi
NFO · 0.3% owned
16
pts
Gyökeres
ARS · 13.1% owned
16
pts
Doku
MCI · 3.1% owned
15
pts
Senesi
BOU · 20.9% owned
14
pts

Disappointments

Semenyo
MCI · 50% owned
2
pts
Virgil
LIV · 31.9% owned
1
pts
Dúbravka
BUR · 26.9% owned
2
pts

Takeaways

01

Embrace the Differential Edge

Gameweek 35 showed that highly-owned players are not the only path to success. Low-ownership players like Awoniyi and Doku delivered massive hauls, providing significant rank gains for those brave enough to back them. Identifying form players outside the template can be crucial for an explosive gameweek.

→ Actionable for GW36
02

Captaincy is Inherently Volatile

Despite significant ownership percentages for players like Haaland and B.Fernandes, none of the popular captain picks truly 'delivered' by setting a benchmark score of 100 points for the gameweek. This underscores the unpredictable nature of the captaincy decision and the importance of spreading risk or looking for consistent routes to points rather than just perceived 'easiness' of fixture.

→ Actionable for GW36
03

Defensive Points Are Not Guaranteed

High-ownership defenders, even from top teams, are susceptible to poor returns when their teams concede multiple goals. Virgil's 1-point return highlights that relying solely on perceived defensive strength without considering potential vulnerabilities or fixture difficulty can lead to significant disappointment.

→ Actionable for GW36

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the average FPL score in Gameweek 35?
The average FPL score in Gameweek 35 was 50 points. A score of 65+ was needed for a green arrow, while 80+ was considered an elite score.
Who were the highest scoring FPL players in Gameweek 35?
The top FPL performers in Gameweek 35 were: Awoniyi (16 pts), Gyökeres (16 pts), Doku (15 pts), Senesi (14 pts).
Did the top FPL captain picks deliver in Gameweek 35?
Haaland disappointed as captain in GW35 with 14 captain points (7 base points).
Which FPL players disappointed in Gameweek 35?
The biggest FPL disappointments in Gameweek 35 were: Semenyo (2 pts), Virgil (1 pts), Dúbravka (2 pts).

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