Looking for the edge in Gameweek 35? This week’s selection is a clinical blend of high-volume shooters and the league’s most creative sparks, all primed for a massive haul. From “pressing monsters” to tactical “high-line specialists,” here is the Scout’s Top 8.
1. Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Player: Kaoru Mitoma
Kaoru Mitoma remains the creative heartbeat of a Brighton side that has found its rhythm at the perfect time. Despite a difficult 3-1 loss to Newcastle in Gameweek 35, the Seagulls remain a potent attacking force that relies heavily on Mitoma’s elite ball progression and chance creation. Throughout the 2025/26 campaign, Mitoma has maintained high-level performance metrics, currently ranking in the 81st percentile for progressive carries and the 72nd percentile for key passes among all Premier League wingers. He has recorded three goals and one assist across 24 appearances this season, consistently serving as the primary outlet for a side that is 6th in the league and fighting for a European qualification spot. Facing a Wolves defense on Saturday, Mitoma’s long-term reliability is underscored by his 14 career assists for the club, making him a high-usage asset with the “magic” required to unlock the visitors at the Amex.
2. Sunderland vs. Manchester United
Player: Bruno Fernandes
For Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, the trip to the Stadium of Light is a date with destiny. Fernandes enters Gameweek 36 with 19 league assists, sitting just one shy of equaling the all-time single-season Premier League record of 20. His creative dominance this year has been historic, having recorded 120 total chances created and 83 key passes, the highest figures in the division. Beyond his playmaking, he offers a level of durability that is unmatched in the United squad, having logged 2,796 minutes this season, which is the most of any midfielder in the top six. Having just guided United to a critical 3-2 victory over Liverpool on May 3, Fernandes maintains a league-leading average FotMob rating of 8.02 and recently notched his 19th assist in a 2-1 win over Brentford. He is the absolute focal point of the United attack and the most likely player to define the weekend through a record-breaking performance.
3. Manchester City vs. Brentford & Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
Player: Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki has become the crown jewel of Pep Guardiola’s tactical system during his debut season in Manchester, and he stands as the premier pick for this Double Gameweek. Cherki has seamlessly adapted to the demands of the title race, recording 10 assists and four goals to rank second in the league’s playmaker race behind only Bruno Fernandes. His underlying stats confirm he is an elite individual creator, ranking in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and averaging 1.73 key passes per match. This high creative volume is supported by an expected assists (xA) figure of 6.45, suggesting his teammates are consistently finishing the high-value opportunities he provides. With two home fixtures against Brentford and Crystal Palace, Cherki’s ability to dismantle deep-sitting defenses through his 1v1 dominance makes him a massive threat for any scout report this week.
4. Manchester City vs. Brentford & Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
Player: Jeremy Doku
If Cherki provides the creative architecture, Jeremy Doku provides the explosive breakthrough that has defined City’s late-season surge. Doku enters this double gameweek as the most in-form winger in the country, coming off a sensational two-goal performance in a 3-3 thriller against Everton on May 4 where he registered a near-perfect 9.6 match rating. His impact in the final third is constant; he currently averages 160 touches in the opposition box and has completed 69 dribbles in the league this season, highlighting his role as the most direct threat in the City squad. This activity is backed by a strong expected assists (xA) of 5.59, proving he is a dual-threat asset capable of both finishing and facilitating. Facing two matches in five days, Doku’s ability to draw fouls and create chaos for tired full-backs will be a vital tactical weapon for a City side that cannot afford any slip-ups in the championship chase.
5. Burnley vs. Aston Villa
Player: Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers has established himself as a “must-own” asset for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, maintaining a level of consistency that has made him a breakout star of the 2025/26 campaign. Rogers has started every one of his 30 Premier League appearances this season, contributing eight goals and five assists while averaging a massive 89 minutes per game. His statistical profile reveals an elite ball carrier who attempts 3.33 dribbles per game and completes over 14 final-third passes per match, frequently driving Villa into high-value positions. Although Villa suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to Tottenham in Gameweek 35, Rogers remains the team’s primary creative spark, having already created 10 big chances this year. Facing a Burnley side on Sunday that has struggled for defensive stability, Rogers’ high volume of shots (2.27 per game) and relentless box presence make him a priority pick for those targeting a Villa resurgence.
6. Crystal Palace vs. Everton & Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
Player: Jean-Philippe Mateta
For those navigating the Palace Double Gameweek, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains the undisputed target man and the primary route to attacking returns. Mateta has been the form player for the Eagles throughout 2026, netting five goals in his last eight appearances as the club fights to secure their end-of-season standing. His finishing has been remarkably clinical this campaign, recording 10 goals in 28 appearances, with exactly half of his 60 shots hitting the target. At 192cm, his physical dominance is a significant tactical asset, having won 62 aerial duels while serving as the focal point for Palace’s direct transitions. While Palace suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the previous round, Mateta’s status as the primary penalty taker offers a secure points floor in a week where the Eagles will play twice against Everton and Manchester City.
7. West Ham United vs. Arsenal
Player: Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres has officially etched his name into Arsenal history during a debut season that has exceeded even the loftiest expectations. He recently hit the 20-goal mark across all competitions, becoming only the 13th player in the club’s history to achieve the feat in their first year in North London. His league form is equally daunting, currently boasting 15 Premier League goals following a clinical brace in the 3-0 demolition of Fulham on May 2. What makes Gyökeres truly elite is his efficiency; he has netted his 15 league goals from an expected goals (xG) of just 9.35, representing a massive overperformance that underscores his status as an elite finisher. Averaging 4.2 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes, Gyökeres is the spearhead of a title-chasing Arsenal attack that will look to dismantle West Ham on Sunday.
8. Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leeds United
Player: Richarlison
With Dominic Solanke sidelined by injury, Richarlison has stepped into the breach as the primary leader of the Tottenham Hotspur attack. He made an immediate impact in his return to the starting XI, scoring in Spurs’ critical 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on May 3. Richarlison has consistently shown a knack for delivering in the most intense away fixtures, including recent goals against Liverpool and Fulham earlier this spring. Heading into the Monday night clash against Leeds United, the statistical outlook is favorable for the Brazilian; he remains a high-volume threat who can exploit the spaces left by an aggressive Leeds defense. Having already scored twice in his last four starts, Richarlison’s physical style and high work rate make him the most dangerous asset in the Spurs frontline as they look to secure a strong finish to the season.
The statistical landscape for Gameweek 36 is defined by those who can capitalize on the unique opportunities provided by the Double Gameweek and the chase for historic milestones. From the record-breaking assist volume of Bruno Fernandes to the explosive finishing of Viktor Gyökeres and Jeremy Doku, the data points toward a high-scoring weekend for the league’s top offenses. As we move into the final two weeks of the campaign, identifying players who combine high xG with guaranteed minutes will remain the difference between success and failure in the scouting report.
