FPL
9 May 2026 939 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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On Thursday, Aston Villa overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat Nottingham Forest and reach the Europa League final.

At the same time, Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk to make the Conference League equivalent.

Let’s check how these developments will affect the final three weeks of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).


1. Sixth place may reach the Champions League

If Villa win the Europa League and, domestically, finish exactly fifth, then the team below them will also qualify for the Champions League.

That place is currently occupied by Bournemouth. But Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion are close behind. It’s an intriguing thought that one of these clubs might be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite next season.

It means that there’s an extra incentive for the chasing pack to aim for sixth place, and should ensure strong line-ups from their respective clubs’ managers while it’s mathematically possible to do so.

However, if Villa win the trophy and finish fourth, that extra Champions League place will be allocated abroad.

2. Crystal Palace’s Conference League final takes place after Gameweek 38

FPL Gameweek 4 Free Hit: Pros, cons + best team

Meanwhile, at Palace, Oliver Glasner is already rotating his attackers and hinted at more over the coming days. It greatly reduces the appeal of their players for this Double Gameweek 36.

Expect this to continue until the final day, as Gameweek 38’s hosting of Arsenal happens three days before meeting Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.

That might annoy Manchester City fans.

“Again, I don’t know right now how we will plan this because it’s also the first time for me playing the last league game on Sunday and then [the final] on Wednesday. When we had this with Frankfurt, we played the last league game on Saturday and we… played the same team that we played in the [Europa League] final as the last test.

“But I don’t know if this makes sense if you play Sunday and Wednesday. Fortunately, I have a bit of time to think about it and do my research and talk with my staff, and then we will plan the last week, but now it’s really getting the win against Everton to be really safe in the league and then making the second step.

“To be honest, if somebody criticises… for me, sorry, if I can say this, it would be nonsense. It’s just the last game but there were 37 games played before. That means if another team on Matchday 25 rotated against City or Arsenal, they affected the title race as well. I’m not responsible for Arsenal, I’m not responsible for Manchester City; I’m responsible for Crystal Palace and I get paid for doing the best things for Crystal Palace and not for City and not for Arsenal.

“Again, I don’t know what we’re doing [in Gameweek 38]. Maybe we’ll be playing with the same line-up that we’ll play against Vallecano but again, maybe it feels like the league title is decided on the last day but at the end, it’s a result of 38 Matchdays and at the end, everybody gets what he deserves.” – Oliver Glasner, speaking on Thursday, about his Gameweek 38 plans

3. Aston Villa’s Europa League final takes place between Gameweeks 37 and 38

Buy, keep, sell? Transfer trends ahead of Gameweek 13 1

Then again, Pep Guardiola’s lot will be against another distracted side at the same time.

That’s because the Freiburg v Aston Villa showcase is on Wednesday 20 May, between Gameweeks 37 and 38.

Should this weekend’s top-flight action help Villa secure Champions League qualification, Unai Emery may deem it necessary to rest the likes of Morgan Rogers (£7.5m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) in the build-up to Istanbul.

FPL notes: Villa rotation, no shots for an hour + Richarlison 3

4. The Gameweek 37 deadline has moved

Speaking of European finals in the dual-continent Turkish city, Liverpool is Villa’s Gameweek 37 opponent.

Originally scheduled for Sunday 17 May, that match between the two clubs has been shifted to two days earlier (20:00 BST kick-off).

It means FPL’s Gameweek 37 deadline is now 18:30 on Friday 15 May.

Don’t get caught out!


price change predictions

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

939 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 13 hours ago

    Welp, with 750K rank and already -8 spent, Doku TC seems on brand.

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      For sure just go for it. Don’t have Doku or Cherki so going O’Reilly - if Haaland hauls so be it.

  2. Wardinator
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 13 hours ago

    Would you start Kroupi.Jr or Thiago?

    1. DBry
        2 days, 13 hours ago

        Kjr

      • The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Kroupi

    2. DBry
        2 days, 13 hours ago

        Raya or Gyokeres?

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          Raya for rank hold. Gyokeres if chasing

      • Vasshin
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 13 hours ago

        Who to start among these:
        1. Calvert-Lewin ( Tot A)
        2. Joao Pedro (Liv A)
        3. Tavernier (Ful A)

        Thanks

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Probably 1.
          Had all 3 went Hinshelwood for Tav and benching Pedro over DCL

      • SomeoneKnows
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 13 hours ago

        Bench boost squad below, 1 ft

        A) Roll
        B) Struijk > Hill
        C) Watkins > Welbeck
        D) Bowen > Welbeck

        Henderson, Raya
        Gabriel, Lacroix, NOR, Struijk, VanHeck
        Bruno, Cherki, Rice, Gross, KDH
        Haaland, Watkins, Bowen

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          C

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          D. Arsenal are trying to win a PL title and their defense is hard to crack. Watkins has Burnley so can't see the sense in removing him.

      • The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Would you start Cunha (sun), who is rumoured to be getting his game time managed, or KDH (cpl), who isn’t?

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Play KDH seems an easy call to me

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          KDH. Palace have a dreadful record after midweek euro games.

        3. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 4 hours ago

          Cheers both

      • Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Do we think doku will start both games?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          He better...

        2. Leo14CFC
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Yes

      • The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Rp

        Which looks better given I have zero Arsenal defense since WC32?

        A: Palmer + Sanchez -> Saka + Henderson this GW, Senesi -> Calafiori/Hincapie next week
        B: Palmer -> Saka this week(start Darlow), Sanchez + Senesi -> Dubravka + Saliba next week

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          With the CP result Arsenal could destroy teams in the last 3 games maybe more the last 2. I have Gabriel Saliba and Saka. Kinda thinking 2 attackers and 1 defender might be the way to go now if you can make that option work. I wouldn’t touch CP now even in a dgw

      • Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        World Cup ticket prices
        from MSN
        Resale prices change by the minute and vary by site. On SeatGeek, for instance, the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City edged out Portugal-Colombia for the priciest group-stage game. The Mexico game had a get-in price of $2,771 this week, compared with $2,761 for Portugal-Colombia, according to SeatGeek.

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          FIFA is a joke - they are more corrupt that a decade ago. Got my 140 dollars tickets for a nothing game. I don’t think that’s unreasonable for the worst seats in the house but it still galls me that fifa will see any of it.

      • Hazardous1983
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Is this good to go no ft now

        Verbruggen (darlow)
        Oreilly gabriel van hecke (hill strujk)
        Bruno saka gross tavernier semenyo
        Pedro haaland (dcl)

        Anything worth a hit

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Nah but Pedro or DCL is a tight call

      • Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        looking to do these moves (3 FT)--good moves?
        Pedro-->Gyokeres
        Semenyo-->Cherki
        Gordon-->Sarr

        I know lots not too big on Sarr, but it would surely be fun for DGW, no?

        current team (before moves)
        Verbruggen
        Van Heck, NOR, Gabriel
        Saka, Semenyo, Tavernier, Bruno
        Haaland (TC), Welbeck, Pedro

        subs: Darlow; Hill, N. Williams, Gordon

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          I haven’t looked at Havertz injury news but I would be looking at option 1 - crazy game makes us pick players that we know ain’t good but he is the definition of a flat track bully and I think the goals will flow for Arsenal soon.

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          I'd be surprised if Sarr plays both games. Glasner will want to keep him fresh for the Conference League final.

      • Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        Start Wilson (BOU) or DCL (tot)?

        1. Bill Car
          • 16 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          Wilson I reckon. Fulham going for Europe and Spurs fighting relegation.

        2. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          W

        3. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Id rather DCL

      • La Roja
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        How’s she looking? Chasing 60 pts so not sure about TC.

        Woodman
        O’Reilly Gabriel Lacroix
        Cunha Cherki Saka Rogers
        Watkins Gyokeres Haaland

        Dubravka Gibbs-White Heaven Mavraponis

        TC?

        A) O’Reilly
        B) Cherki
        C) Haaland

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          going C .. Man City need goals along with points (ARS are +4 ahead in goals as well)

        2. The Philosopher
          • 5 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          Will Woodman start?

        3. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          A

      • kanuforpresident
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        Best Okafor replacement? Under 7.5m

        A) Wilson
        B) Szob
        C) Bruno G
        D) Other

        Already have 3x MC and Saka for Ars MF so not wanting Rice

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          C

      • it lies in the proles
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        Semenyo and DCL or Doku and Mateta?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          D & D .. possible ?

      • Koflok
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        GK is Verbrugen

        Play
        A) Joao Pedro
        B) Van Hecke

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          play B

          A .. max 2 points

      • it lies in the proles
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 11 hours ago

        Thoughts on Hinshelwood home to Wolves?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          good option .. I am playing Gross

          1. stumanchuu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            Same

        2. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          I took a hit to get him for Tav - so a yes from me.

      • #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 10 hours ago

        Bench 1:

        1. Thiago
        2. Bowen
        3. Tav

        Currently benching Tav

        1. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          Thiago

        2. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          2

        3. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Tav

        4. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Bowen

      • Taegugk Warrior
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 10 hours ago

        Semenyo to Doku for a hit..?

        1. Hutchiniho
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          No

        2. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Either do do well potentially

        3. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          No

      • Hutchiniho
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 10 hours ago

        Gros and Gyokeres
        Or
        Szoboz and Welbeck?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          A

        2. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          A

        3. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          A as well

      • Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 10 hours ago

        Which one?
        A. Wilson + Welbeck
        B. Hinshelwood + DCL

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          B

        2. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          A

        3. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          I like B

      • SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        Senesi > lacroix -4 yes or no?

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          No

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            Thanks

        2. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          For free yes, not for a hit

        3. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          No

      • Ha.
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        2FT

        JP > Gyokeres
        Tavernier > King (bench and play DCL)

        Or wait until next week?

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Wait next week

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            Thanks, leaning that way

        2. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Maybe ready it wrong, but i like Gyokeres this week and id play DCL (if no transfer needed)

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            Prefer Tav to DCL this week

            And Gyok/JP is 50/50 for me this week given how poor Liverpool defence is

            1. stumanchuu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              2 days, 9 hours ago

              Gotcha

      • OptimusBlack
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        I have two questions
        1- Thiago > Welbeck
        Yay
        Nope

        2- Darlow Justin DCL Rogers
        Good To BB or wait ?

        1. stumanchuu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Same thoughts on Thiago, to keep or sell, not sure…i think spurs score a goal

        2. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Yes
          Wait

        3. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Yay
          Wait

        4. OptimusBlack
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Thx Guys cheers

      • stumanchuu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        1 FT, on bench boost, would you sell Thiago to someone else or just keep till end of season? Something else or leave it cheers

        Rays/henderson
        Gabriel/ O’Reilly/ Saliba /Laqoix/Muniz
        Rogers/ Fernandez/ Gross/ Cherki / KDH
        Haaland(c) / Thiago / DCL

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Welbz

        2. Winston.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Save

      • Kaptenen
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        Play Kroupi or Senesi?

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Kroupi

        2. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Easy Senesi for me. If this season thought is anything it’s be boring

          1. kingbails
            • 15 Years
            2 days, 8 hours ago

            Lots of defenders getting into offensive positions this season plus added benefit of clean sheets and DCs.

      • SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        Team g2g for the gw? Haaland TC activated.

        verbruggen
        gabriel oreily senesi
        saka bruno semenyo gros
        haaland pedro welbeck

        darlow tavernier hill struijk

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          Yeah I would consider Hill start over Pedro. But maybe that’s my anger at owning Palmer Pedro Enzo since WC

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 8 hours ago

            Tough one mate. Benched senesi and hill for their haul last gw. Just feel they concede to Fulham away.
            Pedro could easily get a return against this Liv defence.

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          I'd bench Pedro and play Tav.

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            Really? Thought Pedro could get a return against the Liv defence. Tav being off pens is not ideal either.

            1. Ausman
              • 2 Years
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              I'm just not a fan of Chelsea assets right now. They're are a team struggling to find any sort of cohesion, self belief or confidence.

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 12 Years
                2 days, 6 hours ago

                Also true. Cheers

      • Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        200k still shooting for 100k so O’Reilly over Haaland TC is a no brainer?

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 9 hours ago

          No

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 8 hours ago

            Why not ? TC Haaland isn’t enough gain - I know it only about 20 points needed, but the rest of my team is so template there won’t be much gains elsewhere.
            To understand my perspective I would rather finish 100k or 500k than 300 or 400k

            1. Ha.
              • 10 Years
              2 days, 8 hours ago

              Because I think Haaland out scores OR

              1. Albrightondknight
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                2 days, 8 hours ago

                That the kinda of logic I can’t argue with I will say no more than ha.

        2. kingbails
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          At this point why not, if you feel it could genuinely pay off.

        3. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          Absolutely.

        4. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          The only way to gain rank now is to take some calculated risks, so it's a Yes from me.

      • kingbails
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        Option
        A)Darlow > Raya (other keeper is Dubrav) and play DCL
        B)DCL > Gyok and play Darlow in goal

        Basically is it better to spend the transfer on upgrading the keeper and play DCL or spend it on Gyok and keep Darlow.

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          A

        2. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          B as the flat track bully looks a proper diff to end of the season .
          Caution on this based on Havertz fitness and return dates.

      • -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        Worth a -4 on bench boost to replace Okofor and Struijk?