FPL
19 May 2026 118 comments
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So, the title race is done. Arsenal are the 2025/26 Premier League champions, following Manchester City’s insufficient draw with Bournemouth.

The final relegation spot will go down to the final day, however, after Tottenham Hotspur failed to get a result at Chelsea.

And in the middle of all that, there are still European spots to decide.

So, in this article, we look at what’s left at stake on the final weekend.

We reiterate that ‘having something to play for’ does not necessarily mean that the Fantasy points are going to flow. Make-or-break fixtures can be tight, edgy affairs. Meaningless dead rubbers can sometimes produce goal bonanzas.

But a club having a tangible Gameweek 38 goal does often mean their starting XIs are easier to second-guess, which may be half the battle ahead of Sunday’s deadline!



FOUR EUROPEAN SPOTS

Gameweek 38 fixture

  • BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION v Manchester United
  • LIVERPOOL v BRENTFORD
  • Nottingham Forest v BOURNEMOUTH
  • SUNDERLAND v CHELSEA

Firstly, a reminder that sixth place could still be rewarded with a 2026/27 Champions League slot:

If Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifthAny other outcome
5thChampions LeagueChampions League
6thChampions LeagueEuropa League
7thEuropa LeagueEuropa League
8thConference LeagueConference League

However, regardless of what happens with Aston Villa, there will be four European spots left to play for on the final day.

After Tuesday’s results, six teams are in with a shout of these spots:

Gameweek 38 fixture

Liverpool are pretty much home and hosed for a Champions League spot. For the Reds to fumble that, they’d need to a) lose at home to Brentford and b) see Bournemouth win AND overturn a six-goal swing in goal difference.

The Cherries are, like Liverpool, already guaranteed European football of some variety next season. A point on the final day ensures sixth place – and who knows, that could mean a spot in the Champions League.

Brighton know that a win in Gameweek 38 guarantees at least a Europa League spot. Chelsea, too, will be virtually assured of a European place by beating Sunderland – who themselves are in the mix – on Wearside.

The Mackems and Brentford will be ready and waiting for a slip-up.

THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

  • TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v Everton
  • WEST HAM UNITED v Leeds United

It’s pretty simple for Spurs: a win at home to Everton, and Premier League survival is theirs.

A draw almost certainly does it, too – West Ham aren’t going to beat Leeds 12-0.

Both relegation-imperilled clubs face teams with nothing tangible to play for, although the Whites have certainly not looked ‘on the beach’ in Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Everton’s slim European hopes were ended on Tuesday, thanks to Chelsea’s win.

DEAD RUBBERS!

What's needed to win in FPL? Part 1: Composure 1

  • Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Crystal Palace v Arsenal
  • Fulham v Newcastle United
  • Manchester City v Aston Villa


And the Blues’ victory also nukes the prospects of Fulham or Newcastle sneaking into Europe. They meet each other on the final day.

So too do relegated Burnley and Wolves at Turf Moor.

Finally, two fixtures that looked like they would be nervy, high-stakes affairs but are now, effectively, meaningless for the clubs involved.

Arsenal and Man City’s fates are sealed – so what will their managers do in Gameweek 38?

The Gunners have a UEFA Champions League final to come at the end of May, so could Mikel Arteta rest some of his big guns ahead of a clash with Paris Saint-Germain?

Will Pep Guardiola want to sign off in style if, should rumours be believed, he really is leaving City this summer?

Friday’s press conferences will be an interesting listen. A team leak on Sunday afternoon wouldn’t go amiss, either…


118 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 10 hours ago

    I totally ruined my ML chase starting from picking Mitoma over Gross on WC GW32. But also then selling DCL for Gyo two weeks ago while keeping JP...

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 10 hours ago

      In another season it comes off mate. Fine margins

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

        It's funny, as I'm still only 30-40 behind after that disaster, so you would think that it was an easy job to nail it!

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

      Switching Outarra and VVD to Cherki and O’Reilly finished me

    3. FPL flop
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 10 hours ago

      ,

  2. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 10 hours ago

    Thoughts on Gordon + Lacroix -> Wirtz + Danso (-4)? 1FT, 0.0 ITB. Exact funds for the move.

    Raya
    Gabriel O'Reilly Danso
    Bruno Saka Wirtz Cherki Gross
    Haaland J.Pedro

    Dubravka Hill Thiago Bijol

    1. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      Not for me. Hill is likely to get points so can play him and save the -4. Wirtz also not worth the points hit. And not sure 37 weeks is a big sample size but spurs at home are not good (and Everton away are good)!!

      Gordon out looks right now- I’d consider Harvey Barnes, Rayan or Summerville

  3. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 10 hours ago

    Very strong feeling Gab and NOR both get rested last GW..

    1. Digital-Real
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      Why would Gab get rested? Arsenal will want a guard of honour, most will start and subbed off at the 60 mark.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        That's a 1 pointer...

    2. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      Gabriel would but aren’t they short on options? I have saliba and Gabriel, so think one of them will be rested

      Man City have no game after but ait-nouri as a replacement means I can see it

      At least one defender off the bench is highly likely

  4. H Dog
    • 16 Years
    2 days, 9 hours ago

    Play DCL and Hinshelwood, or make a transfer to Kroupi/Rayan/Flemming?

  5. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 9 hours ago

    2FT 3 points in the second place of my ML. Third place is only 4 points off me,

    Roefs
    VVD Gabriel O'Reilly (Anderson Alderete)
    Saka Rice Wilson Bruno Cherki
    Haaland DCL Welbz

    Too many uncertainities, but I am thinking of Senesi + Tark + maybe Szoboslai for Anderson, Alderete and Saka for -4

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      3 points off the the first place***

    2. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 9 hours ago

      Ordinarily with that tight a position, I wouldn’t advocate a -4. However, there will be doubts over Arsenal and city players, and your bench wouldn’t be strong enough to deal with it, so don’t mind it. I’d wait until team leaks on Sunday before making any transfers.

      I don’t mind what you are proposing, but think I’d focus on making 2 midfielder transfers rather than defenders (more likely to score in 38?). Senesi + Szoboszlai + Rayan for Wilson instead?

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        thanks for the input. I am looking at Spurs at home against Everton and I can see another defeat for them. I think they will put a lot of effort so they are probably scoring a goal or 2 but I wouldnt be surprised if they lose by 2 or 3 goals. Tark can be at the end of the one of those goals + the defcon contribution. Senesi is another one who could do well.

        Issue is knowing Arteta, I wouldn't be surprised to see majority of the team, particularly defence starting. I remember the CL group stage where he was playing a very strong team even when top spot was confirmed. He loves winning whatever the case (so would put a stronger side) and that is sometimes his weakness.

        Do you think double Bou def is better than 1 Bou and 1 Eve?

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

      Wouldn't be taking a hit if you're chasing, especially for two defenders

      Saka and O'Reily > Anthony and Senesi

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 9 hours ago

        thanks. I dont rate Burnley so would not want to go with Anthony. Maybe Szobos and Senesi.

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

          What's the appeal with Pool players?

          1. ZeBestee
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            I think Szobos is the Bruno of Liverpool imo, even though he hasn't necessarily reached that Bruno level but I still think is a good pick. Burnley as a team are just not good enough although I can see Anthony doing well. I have very little margin for error and would have to pick the right players to have any chance of winning the ML.

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

              The 'right' player will be a random haul from a random player...someone exactly like Anthony

              I'd go Enzo over Szobo if you want to play it a bit safer

              1. ZeBestee
                • 11 Years
                2 days, 6 hours ago

                cheers mate

  6. THE CON MAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 days, 9 hours ago

    Got to get a result

  7. Johnh1995
    • 2 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    I have just transferred in Virgil, but totally stuck on who to captain.
    Any help between, Gabriel, Virgin, Bruno Fernandes, Haarland, Semanyo, Raya, Gyokeres

  8. Johnh1995
    • 2 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Who is the best captain for the last week.?
    Trying to actually find a player who is going to start is proving tricky with managers resting players

  9. jeffa79
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Is it worth doing either Mateta or Evanlison to Flemming?

  10. Dhiggins100
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      In desperate need of help, I was 22 points clear of 2nd before the GW, transferred in gyokeres for Watkins, 2nd captained rogers , long story short he’s now 2 points ahead- raging. 6 ars/Man City players , 1Ft, have a solid bench but not sure how to set up team and use my FT. See team below

      Kelleher Dubravka

      Gabriel saliba NOR Dalot hill

      Bruno Semenyo mbeumo KDH Wilson

      Gyokeres haaland Thiago

      Some options:

      A- bench gab/saliba and play Dalot and hill

      B- bring in enzo/szoboszlai for Semenyo

      C- bring in andersen/rayan for Wilson

      D- take out Gyokeres (leader has Bowen)

    • CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 6 hours ago

      Wkth Stach pretty much confirmed out, who ?

      A: Hinshelwood
      B: Rayan
      C: Ngumoha
      D: Gravenberch
      F: Someone else (5,4 max)
      G: Bench and do something else

      Rest of the team:

      FW: Haaland, Thiago, Bowen
      MF: Fernandes, Cherki, Gross, KDH
      DF: Gabriel, Tarkowski, O'Reilly, Keane, Justin
      GK: Raya, Kelleher

      1. CoracAld2831
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 6 hours ago

        *would be the best one to replace him?

    • JohnnyCroat
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 12 hours ago

      This could be a wild final GW. I gave up on FPL a few weeks ago anyway, but far too much on the line this Sunday.
      Basically everyone wants Villa to lose to open up a 6th CL slot.
      6/1 on Spurs going down is interesting since the Toffees also need a win to have hope of Europe, the Hammers absolutely needing that home win too.
      And Ted Lasso back in something like 10 weeks' time.

    • The real Chief
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      I was off on holiday and ended up taking the advice of FPL Harry which has totally screwed up both my Rank and Mini League. The only way back is with a bit od Divine Intervention but I don't think even the Big Man could fix my season. Lesson learned - never trust FPL Harry.