Can anyone catch the world No 1 in FPL?

Current world No 1 Jonas Sand Labakk extended his lead to 52 points at the top of the Fantasy Premier League standings after his team, Onkel Blaa, scored 113 points in Gameweek 36.

Labakk, from Norway, gained 42 points from his countryman Erling Haaland (£14.2m) following his decision to give him the captain's armband.

Further double-digit returns from Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) and Bukayo Saka (£9.0m) helped take Labakk's Gameweek score over 100 points for the fourth time this season. 

With such a big advantage and his Bench Boost chip still to play, can anyone catch the high-flying Liverpool fan?

Top 10 managers in the world

*BB = Bench Boost, FT = Free Transfers

All of the top 10 are in a similar position, each having their Bench Boost chip still to play. 

Arguably Labakk's biggest threat comes from second-placed Euan Thompson and his team Pinky and De Bruyne.

Thompson, from Scotland, has a slight edge in transfers, with two free transfers available compared to Labakk's one.

And, having Wildcarded in Gameweek 35, five rounds later than Labakk, he will be hoping his team is in a stronger position to take advantage of Double Gameweek 37 (DGW37).

There are five differences between their teams before any transfers are made. Fortunately, neither manager has any injured players to deal with at present.

Differentials between the top two managers

Notably, Thompson only has Andre Onana (£5.0m) from Manchester United, despite them playing twice in DGW37.

The Scottish manager will be hoping William Saliba (£5.9m) and Anthony Gordon (£6.4m) can outscore Labakk's United duo of Diogo Dalot (£5.2m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£5.0m).

Thompson also backed against the Chelsea defence on his Wildcard, selecting only Cole Palmer (£6.2m) and Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) from Mauricio Pochettino's side.

With two free transfers and one Chelsea slot available, Thompson could decide to bring in the fit-again Malo Gusto (£4.3m) or the in-form Noni Madueke (£5.3m), who has produced two double-figure hauls in three appearances.

Battle of the Arsenal midfielders

A key battle is set to be between their Arsenal midfielders. Labakk owns Saka, while Thompson opted for Kai Havertz (£7.5m).

Both players have impressed of late, each registering two double-digit returns over the last three Gameweeks.

Looking over a longer period, however, Havertz has the edge. The German has produced 15 attacking returns and 105 points since Gameweek 25, compared to Saka's 10 attacking returns and 80 points.

The underlying stats suggest that Saka has perhaps underperformed, leading his team-mate by 38 shots to 30, and 27 key passes to 21 in that time.

But it's quality rather than quantity that has helped Havertz thrive.

During his good run, he's created six big chances to Saka's three, and has been presented with 11 gilt-edged opportunities to Saka's five.

The chasing pack

One tactic Labakk could employ is to take a few hits to reduce the differences between his team and Thompson's. With such a significant lead, he can afford to spend a few points in order to nullify his rival's differentials.

Of course, such a move could open the door to one of the other challengers.

Third-placed England's Ashley Marsh has Alfie Doughty (£4.4m) in his team Flying Without Ings. The Luton Town defender created six chances in his last match against Everton to take his tally to 67 for the season, the most by a defender.

Former No 1 Sundeep Jaswal, who was the leader for nine out of 11 rounds between Gameweeks 23 and 33 with his team Alexandra Greats, has a decision to make about James Maddison (£7.8m). 

Maddison has failed to start either of Tottenham Hotspur's last two matches, but if he can regain his place in the first XI he could prove a handy differential, with Spurs hosting Burnley and Manchester City in DGW37.

Meanwhile, Ireland's Ben Houghton has put his faith in Richarlison (£6.8m), who recently returned after a spell on the sidelines. Encouragingly, Richarlison came off the bench to score and assist in Spurs' 4-2 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Fifth-placed Hjalmar Schorling and his team Schorlings Schakaler will be pinning their hopes on Joao Pedro (£5.2m).

Brighton's Brazilian returned to goalscoring form in Gameweek 36 and plays twice in DGW37, with a trip to Newcastle United followed by a home match versus Chelsea.

But Schorling, from Sweden, will be eagerly awaiting more news on Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m), who missed Man Utd's 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace due to injury.

Explosive differentials

Elsewhere, two of the top 10 managers own Mohamed Salah (£13.4m).

South Africa's Rishaad Khan and Adam Price from the USA will be crossing their fingers that the Egyptian can propel them up the leaderboard when Liverpool visit Aston Villa.

And, unique among the leading contenders, Stefan Josimovic and his team FK Kolonija is the only one with triple Man City attack. 

Ranked ninth overall, Josimovic was the last of this elite group to use their Wildcard, playing the chip in Gameweek 36.

He brought in Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) alongside Phil Foden (£8.4m) and Haaland, two players with near 100 per cent ownership in the top 10 - only Rishaad Khan doesn't own Foden.

Tripling up on Man City attackers could prove a clever tactic. 

Should Pep Guardiola's side finish level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table, the Premier League title could be decided on goal difference.

The Gunners currently enjoy a six goal advantage over their rivals, so scoring goals will be a priority for City.

De Bruyne has 42 points across his last five matches, thanks to three goals and three assists. He's created 15 chances and taken 17 shots in those games, suggesting he could continue to deliver. If he does, it will be good news for Josimovic.