FPL
9 May 2026 940 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.

940 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    A. Thiago +4 vs Citeh

    B. Gyokeres -4 vs West Ham

  2. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      Looks like nonsense to me

      1. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

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

    3. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days 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
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

    What is most likely for MGW today?

    A) Cameo
    B) Starts
    C) unused sub

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      D) Not in the squad at all

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      C

    3. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      C

  5. Big W
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Start
    A) Hill
    B) Senesi

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B

  6. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      Pedro

    2. Toplad
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Pedro

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      P

    4. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Thank you lads. Appreciate the responses

  7. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    1. Toplad
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      No

      1. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Semenyo to Doku FT?

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      No

      1. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Semenyo to Doku FT?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Yes

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      No

    4. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

        1. Yozzer
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

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

  8. Toplad
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      A

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      A
      Verbruggen could easily outscore Henderson

  9. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Start MGW or KDH?

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      KDH

  10. XX SMICER XX
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      A

  11. abaalan
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      Hill and A

  12. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

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

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

    3. G Banger
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      A or B, with B playing for a better team

  13. FantasyClub
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Who goes for Kadioglu?

    A) Virgil
    B) Hill
    C) Bogle

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Bogle

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      C

    3. Feed tha Sheep
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      C

  14. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Semenyo > Gnonto?

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Cherki

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Nah

      Was that for real?

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      No

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Thanks all.

    4. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

  15. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Guys and gals

    Tav to

    1 Mitoma
    2 Hinshelwood
    3 KDH
    4 Ndiaye

    Or roll?

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      KDH

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      3

    3. Feed tha Sheep
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      3

  16. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      Can you afford Barry or Beto?

      1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Yes. which one?

      2. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

    2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Surely their guaranteed to split the minutes

    3. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Ok the Richy or DCL?

  17. Feed tha Sheep
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      D

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      C

    3. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

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

  18. mr_jones
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    Dubravka, Thiago, Virgil, Aina

    not optimal but gtg?

  19. G Banger
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      A

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      A

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B

  20. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      A

  21. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Start 1
    1st sub
    2nd sub

    MGW NEW
    Tavernier ful
    Hill ful

    Playing Senesi already

  22. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Rogers to Saka or keep for this week?
    Cheers…

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Get Saka

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Rogers is a troll
      Wherever you go will be wrong

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I concur

  23. The_FF_King
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Play one (other 2 will go on bench)

    A) Hill
    B) Tavernier
    C) DCL

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

  24. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    Bench one:

    a) Tavernier
    b) Rayan
    c) Senesi

  25. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Why not?

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Just the why not encouragement I needed cheers

  26. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
    2 months, 19 days ago

    A richarlison LEE che EVE
    B dcl tot BHA whu

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

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

    2. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Ok so start 1:.
      Van Hecke
      Hill
      Richarlison

  27. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 19 days 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 months, 19 days ago

      VVD

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Start one

    A. Pedro
    B. Tavernier

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      A

  29. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Gyokeres or Saka just for this week?

    Personally think Saka minutes get managed after midweek surely?

  30. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

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

    Opinions are appreciated thanks!

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B

    2. Vurt
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B

    3. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days 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.

    4. Under my Cucurella
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      B