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21 May 2021 770 comments
J0E J0E
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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

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  1. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Emotional weekend ahead

    1. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      To quote Ian Holloway - the FPL season is like a night out, you spend ages planning it, then you head out on a complete rollercoaster of a night, then at the end most of us end up with a minger

      1. MJF
          4 years, 11 months ago

          I hope the bloke who had a go at me for daring to state that FPL Family came as a husband and wife team, accusing me of being sexist, is going to come along and respond to this from his high horse.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Nano nano

          2. Mork calling Orson
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Minger isn’t gender specific trust me.

            1. MJF
                4 years, 11 months ago

                It isn’t, but when Holloway said it he wasn’t referring to men.

                I also do not have a problem with the use of the term.

              • The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Mork and Mingy was a great show.

      2. moz_1983
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I have a 13 point deficit to make up on my ML rival, we both have Salah, Bruno, Kane, Bamford, Lingard.

        Is it worth taking a massive punt and switching one of those out, Bruno to Mane perhaps? Kane to Kun?

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Kane outscores Kun for sure. Bruno out makes sense although I've not seen a compelling argument for Mane given his recent lack of returns

          1. Poetry in motion
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Mane has returns in 6 out of the last 7 games in which he started.

        2. Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Mane has the stats

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Underlying stats perhaps. But two goals and four assists since his haul vs TOT in GW21 isn't exactly promising

        3. 3 A
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Mane . Not Kun

        4. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Mane, Antonio Chel mid?

        5. jtreble
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Do you think your rival is going to make a “Bruno to Mane” move?

      3. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Chasing 25 points.Who to captain?

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          For a start, whoever your rival is not captaining

        2. Silecro
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Ferran Torres

        3. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Tarkowski

        4. lugs
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          KDB, surely he plays this week

        5. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Not salah if your chasing an assume rival has him?
          Depends on likeness off your teams to

      4. Party time
          4 years, 11 months ago

          At this rate, Bruno could be a differential this weekend

        • Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          This season
          Dallas top scoring defender
          Bamford second top scoring forward

          Who'd have thunk it?

          1. MJF
              4 years, 11 months ago

              No one!

              I’d based my attitude to Bamford on his failed spells elsewhere in the PL - Boro and Palace I think.

              Dallas was a definite preseason favourite along with Ayling but no could’ve foreseen just how good an option he’d be.

            • Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Yeah, they have been great,,Onto next seasons gems now

            • Sheffield Wednesday
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Not me, though I had Dallas, Harrison and Bamford in my team up the point the fixtures were announced at the start of the season.

              1. Sheffield Wednesday
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                What doesn't surprise me is they all ended up in the top 10 for Value (season)

            • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 16 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Bamford will be an FPL stalwart next season if he avoids the 8.0 - the new Jiminez/Ings figure

              What more do want for 7.5 than 25-30 attacking returns & a guaranteed starter every week....

              Same with Raphinia & Harrison if they creep in around 6.5 (wishful) or 7.0 (possible) - Leeds are just a super team

              See also - Aston Villa - Watkins & Grealish will be great picks if they can avoid massive price hikes

          2. 3 A
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            What have to change guys?

            Areola vs NEW

            Trent, Robertson vs CRY, Allioski vs WBA,

            Salah vs CRY (C), Harrison vs WBA, Benrahma vs SOU, Willock vs ful,

            Nacho vs tot (VC), Antonio vs SOU, Bam vs WBA

            Subs: Leno vs BRI, Chillwell vs avl, Soucek vs SOU, Tarkowski vs shu

            Thanks

              1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Oh my days, ...........WTF were they thinking...........

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Play Soucek

            2. Rains of Castamere
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Bench boost?

          3. Gideons Rolling Another One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            A: Bamford
            B: Nacho
            C: Wood

            Already have Kane and Antonio...

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

            2. Il Capitano
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

            3. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

          4. Daghe Munegu
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            My defense is TAA Shaw Digne Holding Fofana

            Would you do Digne to Robbo -4?
            Or Shaw to Dallas -4?

            1. Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Wouldn’t personally do hit for a def for one week
              Think most taking hits for attackers

          5. Il Capitano
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            1FT 1.4m ITB

            Martinez
            TAA Digne Shaw
            Son Lingard Salah Raphinha
            DCL Bamford Kane

            Fabri - ESR Targett Mitchell

            Triple up on Leeds with Dallas, triple up on Liverpool with Robbo or move DCL to Antonio?

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Normally would say Antonio but your defence needs work.

              Dallas a better pick than Robbo imo

              1. Il Capitano
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Cheers, think Targett/Shaw > Dallas with Digne starting/first sub might give me the strongest possible XI without hits.

          6. Nolberto Solano
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Would you take a hit on this team?

            Martinez

            TAA Dallas Shaw*

            Salah(c) Mane Harrison Greenwood*

            Kane Antonio Bamford

            Subs: Fabri Zaha Targett Veltman

            *don’t think Shaw/Greenwood play

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              No

          7. The Mantis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Struggling with who to bring in and who to play with my team below. I'm thinking Wood but not 100%

            Pickford (Meslier)
            TAA / Coufal / Dallas (Digne / Stones)
            Bale / Son / Salah / Raph (Greenwood)
            Ings / DCL / Antonio

          8. Trippier Hazard
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I've been frustrated like many around the use of VAR and how it paralyses and potentially ruins the game - although I'd agree with this article and stress it's the use of VAR, and not VAR itself, which is the problem - plus the ambiguity in rules, which themselves need better and sometimes simpler explanation. FWIW - I'm in favour of favouring the attacker, so for offside decisions, if it's ambiguous after zooming in 1x or something - give the damn goal!

            https://www.sportingferret.com/2020/12/07/why-var-is-not-the-problem/

          9. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Which of these looks good?

            a. Meslier & DCL -> Alisson & Bamford
            b. Digne & DCL -> Robertson & Wood (can't be Bamf as 3xLeeds and have Antonio)
            c. Bruno & DCL -> Premium Mid (TBC) & Wood

            Feel like I want to shift DCL, hence in all, but could do varying combos with Meslier/Digne and Bruno.

          10. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Morning all!!! Who to play???

            A- Martinez
            Or
            B- Areola

            Cheers!!!

            1. Jeremy Corbyn
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              I went B

              1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                I’m leaning that way too mate at the moment!!

            2. Biggsy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Think they'll both conceed so go with the man with the major save points this season (A)

              1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Yeah this is my final thoughts mate, gotta think will Areola get a clean sheet, if I decide I think he won’t il be going for Martinez, eating to hear from the Newcastle press conference to see who’s definitely out for them in attack and will make the decision after that I think, thanks mate

            3. OptimusBlack
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A for saves but I think both would conceded

              1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Yeah could be absolutely right mate!! May as well just go for Martinez and not overthink it!!

            4. Rains of Castamere
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Have both, playing Areola

          11. Cheeto__Bandito
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Who drops out for Hernandez in the Leeds team? I assume Rodrigo but could it be Raphinha?

          12. Sandy Ravage
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Bench Kane or Son?

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Son if you had to

          13. Ruudy Van
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Got 15 points to make up in the ML. Same back 3 and Greenwood Bruno salah Kane bamford lingard

            Difference me zaha Mendy v raphina Lloris.

            Probably captain Bamford but to create another difference
            A) Bruno to mane
            B) Greenwood to Torres
            C) other suggestions?

            1. Ruudy Van
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Just a thought, Bruno to KDB?

          14. House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            B could pay off beautifully or fail spectacularly

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              I failed spectacularly 🙁

              Was meant as a reply to.streetfriend

              1. Ruudy Van
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Haha thanks. I guess I’m in the camp of beautiful or fail tbh. It’s the only option I have.

                Holding first sub it all else fails and vydra around.

                Bruno to KDB or mane to risky?

                1. House Frey Wedding Planner
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  You're chasing so you gotta take the risk. Manè more likely to have game time than KDB imo

          15. shabalala
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Pick one for this gw:
            1.Bruno vs Wol
            2. Sigurdson vs City
            3. Mane (-4) vs Cry
            4. Lingard (-4) vs Sou
            Thanks

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              3 grudgingly

              1. shabalala
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Thanks mate

          16. I am Fred
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Is it madness to take a -4 hit when only 2 points behind in ML?! And I do I go the obvious Salah captain which rival will also do, or differentiate? Main differential rival has over me is Bamford. Also trying to protect a 38 point lead in work ML.

            Mendy (Martinez)
            Dallas TAA Digne Holding (Shaw)
            Bale Greenwood Salah Lingard (Jota)
            Antonio Kane

            1 ft, £0.1m itb

            Don't think there'll be many clean sheets this weekend so taking a hit would, for example allow me to go 3-5-2 and bring in Robbo/Harrison for Digne/Jota, or Alioski/Torres for Shaw/Jota.

          17. Daghe Munegu
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Bench one

            A. Lingard
            B. Greenwood
            C. Raphina
            D. Son
            E. Kane

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              B

          18. DavvaMC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Hi Guys

            Who would you bench from the below?

            A. Greenwood
            B. Lingard

            Thanks

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              A

          19. House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Best move? I missed the boat to do Dias to TAA for free with the recent price rise

            A - Dias + DCL >> TAA + Bamford (-4)
            B - Shaw + DCL >> TAA + Bamford (-4)
            C - Bruno + DCL >> Manè + Bamford (-4)

            Am 28 pts clear of rival who has TAA. Suspect he may end up doing Bruno to Manè (c) to try and catch me

            Cheers

            1. FPLord
              • 16 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              If you think he will captain Mane I probably would do C. Do you have another Liverpool defender, if yes, then definitely C

              1. House Frey Wedding Planner
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Yeah I have Phillips

                1. FPLord
                  • 16 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  then you have my answer 🙂

                  1. House Frey Wedding Planner
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 11 months ago

                    Cheers

          20. JY84
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Im leading by 40 pts n hv 2FT while e 2nd placed team still have bench boost.... As such, im in a dilemma what my priority shd be! Current squad is

            Martinez
            Struijk Cresswell Philips
            Bruno Salah Lingard Willock
            Watkins DCL Kane
            (Forster, Zaha, Holding,Shaw)

            Shd I aim to match up to e second placed team by transferring in e likes of TAA n Harrison ie players which he has or shd I aim to make my squad stronger by getting in Bamford n Antonio or even Mane to replace Bruno??? My defence currently is all right in my opinion but my attack sucks so was wondering whether I shd still persist with matching him or just focus on making my squad stronger!

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Any 2 out of Bamford, Antonio and Manè for Bruno and DCL will work fine

              1. JY84
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                So in ur opinion, I should not be matching up with the 2nd placed team by bringing in e likes of TAA n Harrison and should just focus on strengthening my squad?

                1. House Frey Wedding Planner
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  40 points is a big hurdle to overcome.....I don't think TAA and Harrison will make that up between them two.

                  Better to stick to your own strategy than trying to block your rival

                2. FPLord
                  • 16 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  40 points are enough and you have Phillips to cover the CS points so yes

                  1. JY84
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 11 months ago

                    Thanks both for ur advice! Cheers! 🙂

          21. TeddiPonza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Sell DCL or Watkins for Bamford? The one I keep will be 1st sub.

            Thanks.

            1. Efan Ekoku Pops
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              DCL

          22. Nemanja Vidic
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            1FT 0.0 ITB
            -14 behind rival in mini league

            ME
            Mendy
            TAA Rudiger Holding
            Salah Son Greenwood Raph
            Kane DCL Antonio
            Forster Regulion Ward Jota

            RIVAL: 1FT
            Mendy
            Philips Holding Dallas
            Fernandes Salah Son Greenwood Raphinha
            Bamford Kane
            Forster Coady Vydra Amartey

            a) Son Jota to Mane ESR
            b) DCL Jota to Firmino Saka
            c) Something else

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Think you need to take a long shot punt and hope it pays off. With 2 transfers you're 18 points behind....

              I'd do Jota (or Greenwood if you don't have the money) to Torres and put the armband on Torres or Antonio.

          23. FPLord
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Leading by 29p. What to do to finish first?

            Mendy (Forster) TAA Dallas Rudiger (Godfrey Shaw)
            Salah Son Lingard Mahrez Raphinha
            Kane DCL (Davis) 2.1

            A. Shaw > Robertson
            B. Son, DCL > Mane, Bamford/Antonio -4
            C. Davis, DCL > Bamford, Antonio -4 (probably bench Mahrez)

            Rival has Bamford, Antonio and Mane (probably as c), otherwise I would skip B as I quite like the look of Son in this fixture.

            1. House Frey Wedding Planner
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              C seems a good option. 2 superior in form forwards for one with a tough fixture and the other who is bench fodder

          24. Efan Ekoku Pops
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            First time poster this season. Glad to see the site is still going strong. I sit 8 points behind my ML rival who owns Bamford.

            Should I do Bale + DCL > Mané + Bamford (-4)
            A) Yay
            B) Nay

            Thanks and good luck everyone!

            1. FPLord
              • 16 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              wouldn't take a hit unless you captain Mane. Difficult to tell without knowing your teams. Antonio over Bamford could be an option

              1. Efan Ekoku Pops
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Thanks! I already own Antonio. Might do DCL > Firmino instead.

          25. OptimusBlack
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 11 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.

          26. TeddiPonza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Which one scores more points in 38:

            A. Son
            B. Mane -4

            1. FPLord
              • 16 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Son

            2. No Professionals
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              with Mane, you would be surprised if he didn't get something. With Son, you wouldn't be surprised if he blanks. But the hit makes it close.

              Always a risk taking hits taking good players out for a hit.

            3. OptimusBlack
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Mane