FPL Question Time – How to close out the season

End of season strategy is the main focus of your questions ahead of Gameweek 37.

It’s the time of year where a player’s ownership, either overall, or in the top 10,000, comes into play more than ever.

With a late turn of fixtures for Manchester United, assets from Spurs and Liverpool are coming under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, some managers still have to play their Triple Captain chips and the division’s most in-form player has fixtures that are tough on paper.

Bringing you their thoughts on these subjects are our latest panel of Fantasy managers.

Who’s on the panel this week?

Ben McNair – One of Australia’s most well-known Fantasy managers with four top 5k finishes in his FPL career.

Holly Shand – Founder of Fantasy Football Community and a regular FPL Show guest. Currently ranked inside the top 5k ahead of Gameweek 37.

Zoumas Bloomers – One of our moderators on the site with two top 10k finishes in the last three seasons and currently ranked 22k ahead of Gameweek 37.

Question 1 – Ben

Should I transfer Trippier out with him more likely to be involved in the second leg of Champions League than Gameweek 37? If so, who is a good replacement for last two games of the season?

Ben: “If you don’t have him, get Trent Alexander-Arnold. He was benched in Barcelona, so looks likely to play both remaining Premier League matches.

“Points could come from either end of the pitch, with Liverpool racking up the clean sheets this season and the right-back having the highest expected goal involvement of any defender over their last six matches.

“Otherwise, take a look at Lucas Digne. Everton’s defensive form is outstanding, with only Manchester City having lower expected goals conceded over the past six matches.

“He has a share of set pieces and in the last six matches has created 11 chances for his team-mates.

“The fixtures are reasonable too, Burnley at home and then a trip to a visibly-tired Spurs.

“If you’re after a differential, Seamus Coleman, with just 1.6 per cent ownership, has twice the expected goal involvement of Digne over the past six matches (1.61 to 0.81).”

Question 2 – Holly

With Leicester playing Man City then Chelsea, would you keep or sell Jamie Vardy? If sell, which mid-price or budget strikers should we consider?

Holly: “I’m a Vardy owner and am resolute on keeping him.

“It’s form over fixtures here.

“He got an assist in the reverse fixture and a goal last season, a game in which City won 5–1.

“Vardy loves playing top-six opposition, he’s on penalties and still in the Golden Boot race, if only as an outside bet.

“Manchester City are definitely the sort of team he thrives against with the space that will be available behind the high line that their defence plays.“

Question 3 – ZoumasBloomers

Is Zaha a smart choice for the remaining matches?

ZB: “Zaha is a strong shout for the last two games, especially a plum home tie against Bournemouth in Gameweek 38.

“However, the bonus-shy Ivorian has not been racking up the Fantasy points at a rate of knots with only one goal and one assist in his last four games.

“Meanwhile, Cardiff will be scrapping for their lives this weekend as they hope to beat the drop.

“I’d personally look at Mitrovic for 0.6m less and two great fixtures.

“The big Serb is also sitting pretty at the top of the Goals Imminent table and is enjoying a resurgence since Fulham were confirmed as relegated.”

Question 4 – Ben

How essential is Mané for last two GWs? Would you get him in for Eriksen to block his owners or look elsewhere?

Ben: “I see the logic in selling Eriksen. He looks tired and there are doubts about how many minutes he will play against Bournemouth on Saturday ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg in Amsterdam.

“Mané has been in amazing form this calendar year. No midfielder has higher expected goal involvement over their last six Premier League matches. Liverpool are motivated. It’s a good move in any case, but if your main objective is to protect a narrow lead in your mini-league, then it looks like a no-brainer.

“Managers looking to take risks to make up ground in a mini-league may want to look elsewhere. Nathan Redmond is owned by just five per cent of managers (12 per cent in the top 10,000) and has good fixtures to round out the season.

“He has been taking around three shots per match recently and no midfielder has higher expected goal involvement over their last four Premier League matches.

“Although Paul Pogba is owned by 31 per cent of all managers, his ownership in the top 10 000 is just 15 per cent. The form isn’t there, but the fixtures certainly are, with Manchester United taking on arguably the two worst defences in the league in Huddersfield and Cardiff.”

Question 5 – Holly

If you still had your Triple Captain chip left who would you put it on over next two weeks? I’m second in my mini league and picking the right captain could get me over the line…

Holly: “With the options diminishing, it probably has to be a Manchester City or Liverpool attacker, both teams have plenty to still play for.

“With Liverpool still involved in the Champions League, I would lean towards Aguero or Sterling against Leicester this weekend, with Aguero slightly edging it given his form.

“Salah and Mane look great options for Gameweek 38, Salah has the slight edge with great potential.

“Meanwhile, Hazard against Watford this weekend could be a particularly explosive haul – and a differential one too! Good luck!”

Question 6 – ZoumasBloomers

Are United assets (Pogba) worth it over Eriksen/Son because of the fixtures?

ZB: “I think Tottenham are in a bit of a jam at the moment, with the fixtures piling up and injuries and fatigue taking a toll.

“I still see Son as a key asset with a rest in the first semi-final leg of the champions league, and eight shots in the box in the last four games.

“Eriksen, however, is a concern. He’s played almost every minute of every game recently and has been dropping deeper and deeper.

“He is still firing off four shots per game in the last four, but these have been mainly from distance.

“Pogba has excellent fixtures, gets a lot of penalties, and is nailed on.

“The main issue has been his lack of attacking intent in some games this season, and it’s hard to know which Pogba will turn up.

“The enigmatic midfielder has only managed nine shots in the last four games and created four fewer chances than the Dane.

“I’d strongly consider the Eriksen to Pogba move if you have no other fires to put out, since I have a feeling Manchester United should cruise their two easy fixtures… but it could well be a move that comes back to bite you.”