Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 380 – Final Gameweek decisions and differentials

Joe and Seb are joined by Karam to look at the key issues facing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Gameweek 38.

It’s been a tough year, with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting on all walks of life. Top-flight football has been no exception, with fans unable to attend matches for much of the campaign and players forced to isolate for periods.

The season has been tricky for FPL managers to navigate, but it has also provided a welcome distraction for many.

Now, after 38 long, arduous weeks, the final set of fixtures is here and Joe, Karam and Seb are on hand to guide viewers and listeners over the last hurdle.

The Scoutcast crew take in the prospects for teams with something to play for, most notably a seat among Europe’s elite in the Champions League. Winning is vital and lots of goals will be needed for the likes of top captaincy candidate Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) and the rest of his Liverpool team-mates.

For other teams there is still pride to play for, as well as some extra cash for final league placings. Leeds’s first Premier League home game in front of fans for 17 years, against West Bromwich Albion, looks particularly enticing.

Meanwhile, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio (£6.6m) and Burnley striker Chris Wood (£6.5m) offer intriguing alternative options for FPL managers to consider.

More differentials are discussed when Joe looks at his ‘unfashionable players’ list once again to find more low-owned gems with strong points potential. Over the last few weeks, this list has correctly predicted strong returns from the likes of Manchester City’s recent hat-trick hero Ferran Torres (£7.0m) and Arsenal’s impressive youngster Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m), who scored in midweek.

There are mixed fortunes for the community in the penultimate “Rough with the Smooth” round-up. This contrasts with Joe, Seb and Karam’s performance in Gameweek 37, as just a handful of points separated them.

This latest episode finishes off with the crew revealing their final transfer and captaincy plans of the campaign.

The Scoutcast will be back next week for the final show of the season to look at the lessons they’ve learned and their blueprints for FPL glory in 2021/22.

This episode was aired live via YouTube on Thursday 20 May. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. I am Fred
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    down by 2 points in ML - stupid to take a hit to improve team?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      not stupid if its for improvement

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      totally depends on your and your rival team

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If it's going to improve your team, it would be stupid not to.

    4. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m in the same spot and leaning against a hit. Two points is basically tied (unless you have few/no differentials). But depends on whether the hit you are contemplating is likely to pay off.

      1. I am Fred
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        agree, and that's the dilemma! I think taking a hit could improve my score by more than 4, but will be so angry if it backfires!! We have a small number of differentials, but I prefer his! E.g he has Bamford and I presume will sub Bruno for Mane or similar. Hence wanting to create a bit of a shift.

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          In my case, I think my differentials have every chance to carry me, so I will probably just do the one FT.

          If you think your rival’s differentials edge yours and the hit has a good chance to work, I would say go for it.

          Good luck!

          1. I am Fred
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers, you too!

  2. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    In order to fund Mane, which move should I make folks?

    A) Kane to Antonio/Bamford

    B) Son to Ferran

  3. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would you start Son or Greenwood? One of them will be sold

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son 100%

  4. Bart82
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hi)
    Lead 25 in ML

    Opponent have Kane and Greenwood.
    1. DCL-Bruno ---> Kane-Raphina for free to block Kane

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yes

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  5. Bart82
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hi, everyone)
    Lead 25 in ML

    Opponent have Kane and Greenwood.
    1. DCL-Bruno ---> Kane-Raphina for free to block Kane
    2. DCL-Bruno ---> Bamford-Greenwood for free to block Greenwood :))

    Alisson (Button)
    TAA-Dallas-Digne (Shaw, Veltman)
    Salah-Son-Bruno-Lingard (JWP)
    DCL-Antonio-Watkins

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood probably won’t start so just do kane

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        So who do you think plays striker position- Cavani not going to be risked with EL in 3 days, Martial not fit, Rashford being managing injury

  6. AutoFill 2021
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If you had Stones, Shaw, Bruno, Mahrez and Greenwood - can make one FT.

    Bruno to Mane but would you bring in cover for Mahrez/Greenwod - a Lingard or a Raphinha as cover?

  7. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Nnuno to quit?

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah. Spurs perhaps?

  8. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    (A) Antonio

    (B) Aguero

    Money makes no difference.

    Thanks.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Antonio

    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      a)

  9. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Livefpl shows points from top10k top1k etc but I would like to know points from 5k. How can I check?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      https://www.anewpla.net/fpl/report/index.php suggests it's 2453 points required currently (21 points above 10k).

  10. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Raphinha (C) madness this weekend?

    Can either safe in 2.nd place in ML or go for the fame and glory.

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Slightly mad, Raph doesn’t really haul to give decent captaincy numbers...

  11. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think guys

    A) Bruno to Torres
    B) Bruno and Nacho to Torres and Bamford -4

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A no doubt

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A Keep Nacho & hopefully get some info from pressers on Torres

  12. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mentioned on here back in March Wolves where sounding out Nuno replacements, even contacting Steven Gerrard.

  13. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Nacho and M.Pereira
    B) Bamford and Raphinha

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B) for me, pretty comfortably in my opinion.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Balls - i wrote it the wrong way round, should have been a Leeds option in each

        Nacho and Raph

        Bam and Pereira

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Both good options I think. Bam and Pereira edges it for me, but it's close. Pereira is flagged as late fitness test, so hopefully pressers will give some info.

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If chasing down 10 point lead in ML and knowing leader and second will almostly certainly captain Salah would you

    A captain Salah and rely on differentials to make up
    B captain Mané
    C captain Bamford

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A - 10 points is just one decent haul from one of your other players

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  15. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who To play ??
    A- Digne MCI (A)
    B- Dunk ARS (A)
    C- Konsa CHE (H)
    Or Sell one of them but already -4.

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Any Help here ?

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Digne as city may field a weak side

    3. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d go for Dunk

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers

    5. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      i have digne and dunk and currently dunk is edging it for me

  16. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Those who watched the Leeds match vs Southampton...

    Was Raphinha back on set pieces / corners or did Harrison and Dallas take them again?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      only saw first half but it was Phillips and Harrison from what i remember.

  17. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Just clocked United have gone LLD in their last three games, albeit caveat of short turnaround time of course.

    Any chance OGS goes stronger than expected to try and get a W in the tank before Gdansk?

  18. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    after recent pep comments, is aguero captain more mad or less mad than originally thought?!

    Chasing massively!.

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      would be but everton away are a very solid defence

  19. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Tempted by Aguero but too many other good options... Firmino, Antonio etc..

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      aguero will be on penalties, probably most dangerous free kicks and also he’ll be passed to regularly by all his team mates to get that final city goal...

      I’m massively sold, especially with that list you’ve given!

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Who would you sell for him though? I'd love to go there if he's fit, but he could also just get a cameo.

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I think this is the only time Pep will go with his heart over his head and start him!

          I’m selling DCL for him

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I'd sell DCL if I had him, but I've got Kane, Bam & Antonio and I'm also chasing 5 pts in ml.

  20. Oringer7
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FH last day of the season, squad value is terrible, thoughts on this with 0 left itb

    Norris (Casilla)
    TAA Dallas Coufal (Krafth Mitchell)
    Salah Mane Raphinha Torres (Willock)
    Kane Wood Antonio

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Casilla probably a waste of a Leeds spot. Better going with Bamford instead of Wood, Holding for Coufal, and then maybe Randolph as second keeper? Or Mendy if you can afford.

  21. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy
    TAA Dallas Holding Coady Fofana
    Salah Lingard Mahrez Greenwood Jota
    Kane DCL Bamford
    2m itb 2FT

    A Mahrez & Jota to Mane & Willock
    B Jota & Fofana to Raphinha & Robertson

  22. AutoFill 2021
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Asked whether he will rest players against Everton ahead of next weekend's Champions League final with Chelsea, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said: "I will pick the players that can win the game.

    "We will have six days before the Champions League final and if someone gets injured, unlucky."

  23. Mike2795647
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Was set to take -4 to bring in Raph and Mane for Bruno and Greenwood.

    Now tempted to take bench Greenwood and take -4 for Raph in midfield and Kun upfront, worth the punt?

  24. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Do we think ole will field a weak side or play the first team?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Weak side

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No one has a clue - Ole is a weirdo (see: starting Bruno when 4-0 up for Socidead second leg)

      Obviously with 2nd place in the bag, and EL a final 3 days later you’d *think* he rests players

      But he could do anything

  25. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Nacho to Bamford for a hit probably isn't worth it right?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think so, it's like starting the gw 1 goal down. I fancy Nacho to do the business v Spurs.

  26. Shadow4896
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Harrison or Son?

  27. dansully3
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Trent or Robbo captain? 2nd in ml after leading since Dec. 20 pts to cover