FPLAIInsights
Captain9 May 2026

GW36 Captain Picks: Cherki, Haaland and the Differential That Could Win Your Mini-League

Man City host both Brentford and Crystal Palace in GW36, creating one of the most favourable captaincy set-ups of the season. Haaland remains the armband anchor for the majority, but with three gameweeks left and mini-league gaps narrowing fast, Cherki at just 19.5% ownership is the differential that could separate you from the pack.

Erling HaalandMCI | FWD | £14.7m
Form 5.5Owned 64.1%Transfers In +350,517Fixture Difficulty 5 (H)

With City facing Brentford at home, Haaland is the floor-raising captain choice. His ownership means captaining him is effectively template, but he limits downside risk when the title race keeps City motivated. At 64.1% owned, he will not move the needle in most mini-leagues on his own.

CAPTAIN (SAFE) -- 76%
Rayan CherkiMCI | MID | £6.6m
Form 7.0Owned 19.5%Transfers In +546,708

Cherki is the standout differential this week: form of 7.0 backed by 546k managers transferring him in tells you the crowd is catching on fast. At 19.5% ownership his armband can create a gap of 30 or more points on rivals in a single gameweek if City put Brentford to the sword.

DIFFERENTIAL CAPTAIN -- 82%
Jeremy DokuMCI | MID | £6.5m
Form 7.8Owned 4.6%

Doku carries the highest form of any City player this week at 7.8 and sits at an ultra-low 4.6% ownership, making him the ultra-differential option. His explosive style suits attacking home fixtures, though rotation risk at City means he is a bold rather than recommended armband call.

ULTRA DIFFERENTIAL -- 61%

GW36 Top Form Players

Gibbs-WhiteNFO | MID | £7.6m9.8
DokuMCI | MID | £6.5m7.8
CasemiroMUN | MID | £5.8m7.5
O'ReillyMCI | DEF | £5.3m7.0
CherkiMCI | MID | £6.6m7.0

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