The penultimate gameweek of the FPL season is upon us, and decisions this week and next will decide the destinations of mini-leagues and bragging rights across the fantasy football landscape. To help swing things your way, check out our analysis of the clean sheet and anytime goalscorer odds for Gameweek 37 below…

City and Liverpool once again the go-to defences

As they continue to their battle for the title, Manchester City and Liverpool top the bookies’ defensive rankings for Gameweek 37 with 58% and 54% chances of keeping clean sheets, respectively. Pep Guardiola’s side have the second best defence in the division (22 goals conceded) and have recorded shutouts in 5 of their last 6 outings.

They host a dangerous Leicester outfit on Monday night, but the odds compilers clearly fancy them to dominate proceedings as they look to secure back-to-back Premier League crowns.

The Reds, who have the tightest rearguard in the top flight (20 goals conceded), haven’t been breached in their last 3 games, whilst their opponents, Newcastle, have the fifth-poorest attack in the league. With Aymeric Laporte mopping up the bonus points lately, and Liverpool’s full-backs rampant in attack, look no further than these 2 teams for your premium defensive picks.

Top 4 contenders offer plenty of choices

Manchester United (52%), Arsenal (51%) and Chelsea (48%), despite seemingly not wanting to finish in the top 4, are rated highly by the bookies from a defensive perspective this weekend. All 3 play on Sunday, with United travelling to Huddersfield, Arsenal welcoming Brighton to The Emirates, and Chelsea hosting Watford.

Defensive form has, generally, eluded the trio lately, but the Blues have 4 clean sheets from their last 6 home games, whilst the Gunners have 3 over the same period. In terms of fixture plumness, both Huddersfield and Brighton have failed to score in their last 3 on the road, boosting the appeal of United and Arsenal assets.

A side note – keep an eye on the Europa League lineups on Thursday evening, as these may offer clues to the Arsenal and Chelsea teams for the weekend, especially at full back where rotation is often more prominent.

Everton the form rearguard

Over the last 9 matches, Marco Silva’s men have managed to keep 7 clean sheets – resoluteness only Manchester City can match. They have a 47% chance of making it 8 in 10 when Burnley visit Goodison Park on Friday night, and French full-back Lucas Digne is ranked by the bookmakers’ as the defender most likely to score in Gameweek 37, with a 20% chance of doing so.

That’s not overly surprising, given the fact he hit a brace against the Clarets in the reverse fixture back in December, whilst he also found the net in his last home game against Manchester United. With 4 goals and 4 assists to his name this season, could Digne have one more monster haul left in him?

Lack of European commitments sees City attack set to prosper

Unlike their title rivals from Merseyside, Manchester City have no Champions League duties to contend with midweek. A single focus, allowing for targeted preparation and more rest, means the bookies favour Sky Blue attacking assets this weekend. Sergio Aguero (67%) and Raheem Sterling (59%) top the forward and midfielder anytime goalscorer rankings respectively, whilst Leroy Sane (50%) is also high in the bookmakers’ estimations.

With visitors Leicester leaky on the road – the Foxes haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 8 away games in all competitions, conceding 2 or more in 5 of those – a double up on Pep’s attacking juggernaut could pay dividends.

Wolves hunting for 7th

A win at home over already-relegated Fulham this Saturday will almost certainly see Wolves clinch 7th place and a potential Europa League spot. Whilst the Cottagers have won 3 on the bounce without conceding, only one of those has been away from home, and the fact still remains that the South West Londoners have the joint-worst away defence in the top flight (44 goals conceded).

Such a successful campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men has been made possible in no small part by attacking pair Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota, who have 23 (13G, 10A) and 17 (9G, 8A) goal involvements this term respectively. It would certainly be no surprise to see those numbers increase further this weekend.

Form vs Fixture: Manchester United

The best match a team could ask for at the moment, especially given Fulham’s recent upturn in form, is one against rock-bottom Huddersfield. The Terriers have lost 21 of their last 23 Premier League games, including each of their last 8.

They’ve also conceded 4 or more goals in 4 of their last 6 outings. What better opponent, then, for Manchester United, who have scored just once from open play in their last 6 outings (all competitions), to rediscover their attacking mojo against? Romelu Lukaku (52%), Marcus Rashford (51%), if fit, and Paul Pogba (43%) could all enjoy a late-season renaissance…

Gameweek 37 Bookies Dream Team

MORE GAMEWEEK 37 FPL TIPS:

Gameweek 37: Best FPL Picks According to xG

Gameweek 37: Who To Pick

Gameweek 37: Fantasy Weekly Podcast