Big GW36 calls on the injury list
Jurrien Timber, Arsenal, 16.7% selected, injured, hold. Timber is the biggest ownership concern in this batch and the latest Arsenal update included Arteta discussing both Timber and Merino. Unless you need the cash immediately, this is still a hold for most managers. Arsenal defenders can repay patience quickly if he is back inside a gameweek or two.
Hugo Ekitiké, Liverpool, 16.6% selected, injured, sell. The Guardian reports Ekitiké is injured and sidelined for Newcastle, which makes him an easy sell if he is sitting in your squad. At 16.6% ownership he is a major rank swing, but availability matters more than ownership this late in the season.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, 13.9% selected, injured, cautious hold. Salah at 13.9% ownership is different from a standard injury flag because effective ownership can still be huge whenever he is fit. The mention on the FPL Pod keeps this one live, but unless your bench is unusable, selling a premium with captaincy appeal can backfire. Hold if you can cover one week, sell only if squad structure demands it.
Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham, 9.2% selected, injured, sell. Kudus is the most-owned mid-price attacker on this watchlist and the injured tag makes the decision straightforward. With only a few weeks left, there is little room to carry doubtful attacking minutes. Move him on for a fit midfielder with secure starts.
Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham, 4.8% selected, injured, sell. Goalkeeper injuries are easier to solve because the replacement pool is wide and cheap. Vicario is injured and at 4.8% ownership he is still damaging enough to matter, but not valuable enough to bench. Sell and use the spot on a confirmed starter.
Pedro Neto, Chelsea, 4.2% selected, doubt, sell. Neto being only a doubt would usually make him a possible hold, but his role and minutes have rarely been secure enough to justify patience. At this stage, a doubtful attacker with rotation risk is a sell.
Alexander Isak, Liverpool, 4.1% selected, doubt, sell unless you have strong bench cover. The Guardian Football notes Isak is injured and absent from Newcastle’s squad. That is enough to make him a likely sell for GW36. If you own him and can bench him, there is some upside in waiting for clearer news, but most managers should move for a fit forward.
Other notable flags
- Joško Gvardiol, Man City, 3.2%, injured, hold if bench allows. City are also in talks over a new long-term deal, which does not change the short-term FPL issue, but suggests no wider concern. If your squad is deep, he is worth one week of patience.
- Rúben Dias, Man City, 3.1%, injured, sell. Less attacking upside than Gvardiol, so the threshold to sell is lower.
- Dan Ballard, Sunderland, 3.0%, suspended, sell. BBC Sport reports Ballard saw red for hair pulling, so he is unavailable for the upcoming matches.
- Ola Aina, Nottingham Forest, 2.3%, doubt, hold. At low ownership and with decent baseline value, he is benchable if needed.
- Murillo, Nottingham Forest, 1.9%, doubt, hold. Similar logic to Aina, keep if your bench can absorb the uncertainty.
Returners worth buying
- Fit Arsenal defenders. If Timber’s issue pushes managers away from Arsenal’s back line, any confirmed starter there becomes more attractive.
- A nailed Chelsea goalkeeper. With Sánchez already sidelined, the confirmed starter offers immediate value for anyone selling Vicario.
- A secure Newcastle replacement in attack. If Isak and Ekitiké remain out, the minutes funnel to the fit options, which is exactly what matters in GW36.