Dugout Discussion – Gameweek 38

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have one last chance for mini-league glory as the 2017/18 season comes to its conclusion this Sunday afternoon.

Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane, the top two players in our Captain Poll for Gameweek 38 and rivals for the Golden Boot, both start.

Three goals ahead of the Spurs striker, Salah seeks a tenth double-figure home haul as Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield.

Sadio Mane is passed fit to start for the Merseysiders, while Roberto Firmino and Dominic Solanke are also in the XI against a Seagulls’ side that they have already beaten 5-1 earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, Kane collides with a Leicester defence that he’s scored five goals against in their previous two league meetings. However, owners of Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Ben Davies are left disappointed as all three are named on the bench at Wembley.

Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho is true to his word and makes numerous changes to the Man United teamsheet.

The likes of David De Gea and Chris Smalling are – as their manager suggested – both rested, though there’s no Anthony Martial in the squad to face Watford at Old Trafford, as the Frenchman misses out through injury.

In the blue half of Manchester, Gabriel Jesus is the man to miss out up front, with Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva all starting against a Southampton side with two clean sheets in 17 home matches. Ederson and Kyle Walker are named among the subs, while David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi miss out altogether at St Mary’s.

Arsene Wenger rolls out the big-hitters for his final match in charge of Arsenal, with Alexandre Lacazette flanked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the trip to Huddersfield.

Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud are named on the Chelsea teamsheet at Newcastle but there’s no place for Marcos Alonso, who drops to the bench. Eight goals in nine against the Magpies makes Giroud a potentially big differential today.

The most transferred in player for Gameweek 38, Wilfried Zaha is again named up front by Roy Hodgson for Crystal Palace’s clash with West Brom. The Ivory Coast international has delivered 14 points in each of his last two at Selhurst Park.

Finally, Marko Arnautovic is another out-of-position starter who could have a big impact in the final standings.

The Austrian has ten goals and six assists since being moved up front in Gameweek 16 and could prove the difference as David Moyes looks to get one over former club Everton at the London Stadium.