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. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    A. Thiago +4 vs Citeh

    B. Gyokeres -4 vs West Ham

  2. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    What do you think of chances of Cunha being rested, on background of rumours circulating on agreement between United and Brazil:
    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-matheus-cunha-brazil-33887170

    Predicted line-ups has him starting as striker, but could as well be Sesko I guess

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Looks like nonsense to me

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

        United has not much to play for though with CL all but secured

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          The article looks like it was written by a 5 year old. Belongs in the Daily Mail. Carrick has no obligation to Brazil and wants to win games. If he wants to play Cunha, he will. And Cunha wants to play

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

            Txs for good advice - can’t trust the press these days. And if hevplays, he should have a good chance of returns

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Cunha will start. Mbeumo most likely not to. Especially if Sesko is fit

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

      I can see his minutes being managed, but not a benching. Carrick may want to give some of the guys who haven't played much some game time and that's fair enough.
      But players get in a rhythm and a long layoff for Cunha could do more harm than good. The article quotes ESPN, that's enough to question the content.

  3. Mane Mane Mane
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    My team is
    Verbruggen
    Gabriel, O’Reilly, Hill, Van Hecke
    Doku, Bruno, Gross, Saka
    Haaland, DCL

    Darlow, Tav, Stujik, J Pedro

    Is this team and bench order correct, really can’t make my mind up on it?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      No J Pedro is playing a Pool D that ranks third worst for shots conceded, and second worse for shots conceded in box over the last 6 home games.

  4. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    What is most likely for MGW today?

    A) Cameo
    B) Starts
    C) unused sub

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      D) Not in the squad at all

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        That injury looked horrendous before they stitched it up! I think he wont be even allowed to head the ball…

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      C

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

      C

  5. Big W
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Start
    A) Hill
    B) Senesi

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      B

  6. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Who to start

    Pedro or Enzo?

    Any Chelsea fans out there who can advise also?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Pedro

    2. Toplad
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Pedro

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      P

    4. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Thank you lads. Appreciate the responses

  7. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Semenyo to O’Reilly for a hit (-4)?

    1. Toplad
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      No

      1. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Semenyo to Doku FT?

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      No

      1. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Semenyo to Doku FT?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Yes

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      No

    4. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I'm doing Semenyo to Cherki for a hit but I'm 180k and don't care

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        I’ve done this. We’ll probably regret it! 😀

        1. Yozzer
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Lol yeah. I regret my entire season so may as well end consistently

  8. Toplad
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    I have 3FT

    Verbruggen
    Van Hecke, Gabriel, O'Reilly
    Bruno, Semenyo, GroB, Palmer
    Pedro, DCL, Haaland
    (Darlow, Senesi, King, Esteve)

    Which one:

    A) Semenyo, Palmer, DCL > Cherki, Saka, Gyokeres

    B) Darlow, Semenyo, Palmer > Henderson, Cherki, Saka

    Or anything else ?

    Thanks in advance !

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A
      Verbruggen could easily outscore Henderson

  9. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Start MGW or KDH?

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      KDH

  10. XX SMICER XX
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    A. Start DCL
    B. Start Rayan
    C. Rayan to KDH / Ndiaye
    D. Rayan to Rice
    E. Rayan to Gakpo

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

  11. abaalan
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Hill or Struijk -> Lacroix ?

    Then bench 1:
    A) DCL
    B) Van Hecke
    C) Joao Pedro

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Hill and A

  12. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    I’m going to have to do MGW to Saka and a -4 Bowen to ? (Just .1 short of being able to get Welbeck)

    Bowen to :

    A. Igor Jesus
    B. Kroupi Jr
    C. Taty

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Richarlison or DCL.
        I'm in a similar situation (see my post below)

        1. Powers106
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Unfortunately i have DCL already - it’s the WC curse

      • AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        A bit I've not clocked all the remaining matches tho

        1. Powers106
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Igor Jesus does seem the appropriate choice to save my season.

      • G Banger
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        A or B, with B playing for a better team

    2. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Who goes for Kadioglu?

      A) Virgil
      B) Hill
      C) Bogle

      1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Bogle

        • RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          C

        • Feed tha Sheep
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          C

      2. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Semenyo > Gnonto?

        1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            Cherki

          • AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            Nah

            Was that for real?

          • RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            No

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              Thanks all.

          • Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            Gnonto is a brave Knight! He must surely be considered!

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Guys and gals

          Tav to

          1 Mitoma
          2 Hinshelwood
          3 KDH
          4 Ndiaye

          Or roll?

          1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              KDH

            • RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              3

            • Feed tha Sheep
              • 13 Years
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              3

          2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
              2 days, 7 hours ago

              Would you bring in
              A DCL
              B Richarlison
              C Osula
              D Igor jesus
              E Kroupi jr
              F someone else below 6.4
              Thanks

              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                2 days, 7 hours ago

                Can you afford Barry or Beto?

                1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Yes. which one?

                  • Powers106
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    You’d go with Barry or Beto over that list?

                2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Surely their guaranteed to split the minutes

                  • SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      Ok the Richy or DCL?

                  • Feed tha Sheep
                    • 13 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Best move this week?

                    A. Sanchez > Verbruggen (Dubravka other keeper)
                    B. Thiago > Welbeck
                    C. Thiago > Gyokeres
                    D. Semenyo >Doku

                    1. RamaJama
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      D

                    2. AC/DC AFC
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      C

                    3. Powers106
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      C seems best, i read somewhere he’s back with his gf so there ya go

                      1. Feed tha Sheep
                        • 13 Years
                        2 days, 7 hours ago

                        Was considering doing welbeck this week and then welbeck > Gyokores next week but maybe better just going straight to him this week?

                  • mr_jones
                    • 7 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Kelleher
                    Gabriel, Senesi, NoR
                    Saka, Semenyo, Cherki (C), Bruno, Szobo
                    Bowen, Evanilson

                    Dubravka, Thiago, Virgil, Aina

                    not optimal but gtg?

                  • G Banger
                    • 8 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    On bench boost, had originally planned Thiago to Wellbeck (to join Gross and Van Hecke), but Struijk flag had put a spanner in the works:

                    a) Thiago => Welbeck
                    b) Struijk => Kadıoğlu

                    1. RamaJama
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      A

                    2. Cojones of Destiny
                      • 8 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      A

                    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
                      • 16 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      B

                  • Cojones of Destiny
                    • 8 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    play 1
                    a. Heaven vs Sun
                    b. Andersen vs BOU
                    c. Muki vs MUN

                    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
                      • 16 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      That’s a hard one
                      Muki on form
                      Anderson best fixture on paper but on beach?
                      Heaven seems punty but could be ok

                      Coin flips

                    2. RamaJama
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      A

                  • HuttonDressedasLahm
                    • 16 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Start 1
                    1st sub
                    2nd sub

                    MGW NEW
                    Tavernier ful
                    Hill ful

                    Playing Senesi already

                  • Gazwaz80
                    • 6 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Rogers to Saka or keep for this week?
                    Cheers…

                    1. RamaJama
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      Get Saka

                    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
                      • 16 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      Rogers is a troll
                      Wherever you go will be wrong

                      1. Powers106
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        2 days, 7 hours ago

                        I concur

                  • The_FF_King
                    • 13 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Play one (other 2 will go on bench)

                    A) Hill
                    B) Tavernier
                    C) DCL

                    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
                      • 16 Years
                      2 days, 7 hours ago

                      Play DCL v Spurs. They are fighting relegation for a reason

                  • TheBiffas
                    • 5 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    Now that Tav seems to have lost pen duties ....

                    Bench one:

                    a) Tavernier
                    b) Rayan
                    c) Senesi

                  • Lecky Legs FC
                    • 10 Years
                    2 days, 7 hours ago

                    136 pts behind my ML triple captain Semenyo as differential to try catch up?

                    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                        2 days, 7 hours ago

                        Why not?

                        1. Lecky Legs FC
                          • 10 Years
                          2 days, 7 hours ago

                          Just the why not encouragement I needed cheers

                    2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                        2 days, 7 hours ago

                        A richarlison LEE che EVE
                        B dcl tot BHA whu

                        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
                          • 16 Years
                          2 days, 7 hours ago

                          Richy was my option after Gyokeres.
                          I’d get him

                        2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                            2 days, 7 hours ago

                            Ok so start 1:.
                            Van Hecke
                            Hill
                            Richarlison

                        3. BlzE_94
                          • 11 Years
                          2 days, 7 hours ago

                          Start one:
                          A) Bowen vs ARS(H)
                          B) Virgil vs CHE(H)
                          C) Andersen vs BOU(H)

                          1. FDMS All Starz
                            • 10 Years
                            2 days, 7 hours ago

                            VVD

                          2. JBG
                            • 8 Years
                            2 days, 7 hours ago

                            B

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

                          Start one

                          A. Pedro
                          B. Tavernier

                          1. RamaJama
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 13 Years
                            2 days, 7 hours ago

                            A

                        5. FDMS All Starz
                          • 10 Years
                          2 days, 7 hours ago

                          Gyokeres or Saka just for this week?

                          Personally think Saka minutes get managed after midweek surely?

                        6. Zero
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          2 days, 7 hours ago

                          A) Bruno G away to Forest
                          B) Van Hecke home to Wolves

                          Opinions are appreciated thanks!

                          1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
                              2 days, 7 hours ago

                              B

                            • Vurt
                              • 5 Years
                              2 days, 7 hours ago

                              B

                            • Bobby Crush
                              • 11 Years
                              2 days, 7 hours ago

                              Not so straight forward, as BG is a beast.
                              Forest decimated.

                              You are in a sense banking on a clean sheet for Brighton, or not.

                            • Under my Cucurella
                              • 10 Years
                              2 days, 7 hours ago

                              B