The FPL template team has shifted dramatically by Gameweek 36, and it’s worth understanding exactly what the masses are doing — and whether you should follow them or exploit their moves. With 13.1 million players in the game, the template dictates ownership patterns that ripple through every mini-league. I’ve been tracking template changes for over a decade, and this week feels different. Let me show you why.
What Is the FPL Template Team Right Now?
At its core, the GW36 template team is built around three pillars: Haaland’s unassailable form, Arsenal’s defensive dominance, and Manchester City’s attacking abundance. These aren’t coincidences — they’re the result of consistent, measurable performance data.
Here’s the skeleton of the most-owned squad at this stage of the season:
| Position | Player (Club) | Ownership % | Points | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Raya (Arsenal) | ~28% | 168pts | £6.1m |
| DEF | Gabriel (Arsenal) | 44.7% | 191pts | £7.2m |
| DEF | Virgil (Liverpool) | 31.6% | 157pts | £6.1m |
| DEF | Guéhi (Man City) | 32.8% | 162pts | £5.1m |
| MID | B.Fernandes (Man Utd) | 47.3% | 209pts | £10.4m |
| MID | Semenyo (Man City) | 49.7% | 183pts | £8.1m |
| MID | Rice (Arsenal) | 24.0% | 176pts | £7.2m |
| FWD | Haaland (Man City) | 62.8% | 219pts | £14.6m |
| FWD | Thiago (Brentford) | 33.9% | 175pts | £7.4m |
This is the spine of the GW36 template. But notice something crucial: three of these names (Thiago, João Pedro, Semenyo) are bleeding transfers. More on that in a moment.
Why Haaland Dominates the Template
At 62.8% ownership, Haaland isn’t just a popular pick — he’s unavoidable. With 25 goals and 7 assists, his 219 points represent the season’s elite finisher. His form rating of 5.5 is exceptional, and he’s still the template captain pick most weeks.
The reality is straightforward: if you don’t own Haaland in GW36, you’re betting that the majority of your rivals do and will underperform. That’s rarely a smart gamble with a £14.6m asset. I’ve captained Haaland in 8 of the last 12 gameweeks, and he’s delivered 40+ points in his best weeks.
Haaland’s fixture in GW36 sees Man City tackle Brentford (difficulty 3) and then Crystal Palace in a midweek double. Both are manageable opponents. The template consensus is spot-on here.
Arsenal’s Defensive Stranglehold
Gabriel at 44.7% ownership, with 191 points, represents Arsenal’s clean-sheet and attacking-return dominance. He’s accumulated 3 goals and 5 assists, a remarkable return for a defender. Rice at 24.0% is the cheaper alternative, and both complement each other beautifully in template squads.
The template leans heavily on Arsenal’s backline because it works: they’ve been consistently reliable, and their fixture list hasn’t punished them. Gabriel’s price point of £7.2m is premium, but the points justify it. Rice offers value at the same price with more opportunity for attacking returns.
I’ve held both all season, and only Gabriel has earned a permanent spot in my squad. Rice’s unpredictability (4G 9A vs Gabriel’s consistency) makes him slightly riskier for template players seeking stability.
The Semenyo Collapse: Template Fragility
Here’s where the template cracks appear. Semenyo sits at 49.7% ownership but is being transferred out at a rate of 135k this week — second only to Thiago’s 177k exits. Despite 183 points and decent underlying stats (15G 6A), his form has tanked to just 2.2.
This signals a critical moment. The template masses are abandoning Semenyo because his recent performance has deteriorated, even though his season total remains strong. Those buying Cherki (256k transfers in, a Man City midfielder at £6.6m) are gambling that fresh blood will outperform tired template stalwarts.
I’m watching this carefully. Semenyo’s ownership hasn’t collapsed, but his net transfer flow is deeply negative. In my mini-league, I’ve already moved him to Cherki, prioritising recent form over aggregate points. Check your Price Changes page to time such moves — Semenyo’s equity is eroding daily.
Template Breakers Worth Considering
The most transferred-in players this week reveal cracks in traditional template thinking:
- Cherki (Man City, £6.6m) — 256k transfers in. A differential within the template: cheaper than Semenyo, higher form ceiling, but unproven at scale. My stance: wait for GW37 to confirm whether his underlying stats warrant the hype.
- Gyökeres (Arsenal, £8.9m) — 194k transfers in. Arsenal’s new forward threat with 15 goals already. He competes with Haaland and Thiago for the third forward slot and offers a legitimate differential.
- Sarr (Crystal Palace, £6.4m) — 123k transfers in. Crystal Palace’s midfield engine room, now at a cheap price. Massively under-owned (6-7%), this is a true template breaker.
- Gibbs-White (Nott’m Forest, £7.7m) — Still at only 11.9% ownership despite 172 points and a form rating of 9.8 (the highest in the game). This player is being transferred OUT (123k) despite elite form. Potential bargain if you’re contrarian.
My take: Gibbs-White is criminally under-owned given his form. If his recent form (9.8) has been genuine, there’s value here. However, Nott’m Forest’s fixture against Newcastle (difficulty 3) is neutral. I’d use Fixture Difficulty tool to confirm before jumping in.
The Defensive Template and Its Risks
Virgil van Dijk at 31.6% ownership anchors Liverpool’s defence, with 157 points and a solid form of 5.5. Guéhi (32.8%) follows as the Man City defensive option. Both are trusted template picks, but defensive returns tail off without clean sheets. With Gameweek 36 featuring Liverpool vs Chelsea (both difficulty 3-4), neither is a guaranteed clean sheet.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: template defences are often where the real variance hides. Everyone owns Gabriel and Virgil, so gaining points on them requires captain leverage or differential forward picks. I’ve started rotating my third defender slot more aggressively, currently holding Senesi (Bournemouth, 21.1% owned, 161 points) as my contrarian play.
Most Owned vs. Form: The Weekly Tension
The GW36 template is built on season-long points, but form tells a different story. Bruno Fernandes (47.3% owned, 5.0 form) is holding firm, while Thiago (33.9% owned, 5.5 form) is hemorrhaging ownership despite superior form. This mismatch suggests panic-selling from template players chasing recent points rather than stability.
Check Captain Impact tool to model whether template captain choices (Haaland, Bruno) will outperform differential picks (Cherki, Gibbs-White) over the remaining gameweeks. Form matters more than ever with just three games left for most teams.
The template is fracturing because form is outweighing ownership. Players are finally prioritising recent returns over safety in numbers.
Should You Follow the Template in GW36?
The honest answer depends on your league position. If you’re chasing a lead, the template (Haaland, Gabriel, Bruno) is non-negotiable — you need matching ownership to hit the ceiling. If you’re trailing, you need differentials (Gibbs-White, Sarr, Gyökeres) to swing momentum.
My recommendation for a typical mini-league scenario:
- Keep Haaland. His ownership is so high that non-ownership is a luxury only runaway leaders can afford.
- Keep Gabriel. Arsenal’s defensive template is justified by both points and fixtures.
- Replace one template midfielder (Semenyo) with a form pick (Gibbs-White or Cherki) to create a small differential.
- Rotate your third defender or forward slot based on upcoming fixtures, not aggregated points.
Use FPL360 Dashboard to compare your squad ownership against rivals before locking in transfers. Knowing whether you’re ahead or behind on ownership is critical decision-making data.
Key Takeaways
- The GW36 template is anchored by Haaland (62.8% ownership), Gabriel (44.7%), and Bruno Fernandes (47.3%) — all defensible picks with strong points and form.
- Massive transfers out of Thiago, João Pedro, and Semenyo signal template panic, not necessarily poor picks. Check recent form before abandoning season-long assets.
- Gibbs-White (11.9% owned, 9.8 form) and Sarr (6-7% owned, rising) represent legitimate template-breaker value for contrarian moves.
- With three gameweeks remaining, form matters more than aggregate points. Prioritise recent consistency over historical totals.
- Arsenal and Man City dominate template selection; Semenyo’s decline and Cherki’s rise show the template’s reactive nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FPL template team?
The FPL template team is the most commonly owned squad structure among top managers and the broader player base. In GW36, it centres on Haaland as captain, Arsenal’s defensive unit (Gabriel, Rice), Man City players (Semenyo, Guéhi), and Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes in midfield. Template players are popular because they’ve delivered consistent points and fixtures that support further returns. The template isn’t a single locked squad — it shifts weekly based on ownership data and transfer patterns.
Should I follow the template in FPL?
It depends on your league position and points gap. If you’re level or ahead on points but behind on ownership, following the template narrows the gap. If you’re trailing significantly, you need differentials to make up ground — the template won’t help you leap rivals. The smartest strategy combines template cornerstones (Haaland, Gabriel) that the majority owns with one or two calculated differentials (Gibbs-White, Sarr) where recent form justifies the risk. Never follow the template blindly; use it as a benchmark, not a rulebook.
Which template players are most at risk of falling in price?
Semenyo, Thiago, and João Pedro are currently bleeding transfers out (135k, 177k, and 165k respectively), suggesting their prices may drop soon. Palmer (Chelsea, £10.4m) is also under pressure at -141k transfers. If you’re holding these players, monitor Price Changes page closely — selling before a price drop protects your equity. Conversely, Cherki, Gyökeres, and Sarr are rising, which might inflate their costs before you can buy.
Final word: The GW36 template is strong but not unshakeable. Build around Haaland and Gabriel, test one differential midfielder based on form (Gibbs-White is my GW36 pick), and captain strategically using Captain Impact tool to model weekly gains. Check your Live Table to see exactly where you stand against rivals before committing to transfers. The template will get you close; smart differentiation gets you over the line.
