Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 33+

You’ve got to think for yourselves. You’re all individuals. You’re all different.

– Brian, The Life of Brian

The concept of the template has come under the microscope ahead of Gameweek 33+. But with managers agonising over differential transfers, Pro Pundits Simon and Andy reminded us that our teams – however template they may appear – are wonderfully unique.

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 33+.

An 11:30am BST deadline begins a sequence of Saturday-Tuesday cutoffs in FPL, as the season-end draws ever closer. 

Indeed with six Gameweeks to go, transfer decisions assume a greater importance for many:

Anyone I buy now will have to be justified as someone I am happy to have in my team until the end of the season.

— Pro Pundit Ash

No pressure then.

Conscious that home advantage was largely nullified in the Bundesliga, Pro Pundit Ash is treating the fixture ticker with caution. Although a reduction in home victories from 44.8 per cent to 41.7 suggests that Premier League teams still benefit from familiar surroundings.

Perhaps of greater significance will be the quickfire turnaround times between games, as rest periods between matches vary significantly. Pro Pundit Zophar was on the case this week, revisiting the findings he shared over the busy festive period.

Recent research has shown that muscle injury risk increases by almost 20% when recovery time is reduced from six to three days.

– The British Journal of Sports Medicine

So who are the winners and losers in the scheduling lottery?

Manchester United have the most favourable timetable, with Wolves the other victors.

Man City and Liverpool, in contrast, have particularly compressed schedules, while Everton and Spurs fare worst of all.

Bournemouth were absolutely terrible, they made Jonjo Shelvey look like Iniesta.

– Lee Bonfield, Scoutcast

Things are looking good for Man United. Not only the best rest periods between fixtures but an enticing encounter against Bournemouth to start things off. The question recently has not been whether to triple up on Man United assets, but rather which three should we buy?

Anthony Martial is the best pick according to United-fan Andy. The Frenchman has averaged 5.7 points per match this season, and David even selected him as his captain in the Scout Picks.

Writing in his regular Captain Sensible article, David revealed that Martial’s underlying numbers mark him out as the best candidate from the quintet of United attacking options (Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood, and Pogba the other four).

The out-of-position midfielder averages a shot every 31.4 minutes and a big chance every 62.8 minutes, putting him ahead of his teammates.

However, there’s a split in the Fantasy Football Scout boardroom.

Still reeling from his last minute decision to switch the armband from Bruno Fernandes to Marcus Rashford before the Gameweek 32+ deadline, Neale is adamant he will select the Portuguese on this occasion.

His mind was made up when Fernandes was withdrawn early against Brighton, ensuring he is rested for this weekend’s encounter.

But TheFantasyFreÆK fears Neale could be setting himself up for further disappointment:

Will Fernandes continue to outscore Rashford and Martial? I would think the Brighton game was the exception rather than a new norm – past trends show that Rashford and Martial will be involved more regularly which is why I’m hesitant on putting the armband on a Man United asset this week fearing that points might be spread.

– TheFantasyFreÆK 

All three main attacking assets are included in the Gameweek 33+ Scout Picks

An alternative for the armband, if you find choosing between the Red Devils too dicey, would be Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané.

Comments on Friday from Jurgen Klopp suggest Liverpool will be fielding a strong side against Aston Villa, who have tightened up defensively since the restart. But as David pointed out, that might count for little at Anfield on Sunday:

Facing a stiff defence is not always an issue for the Liverpool pair, Salah’s 11-point haul against a supposedly resolute Crystal Palace side in Gameweek 31+ proves that point perfectly.

– David

The Egyptian has seven goals and one assist across his last six home league matches.

Despite their compressed schedule, Manchester City have an appealing fixture run. Although picking the right players to take advantage of it is unlikely to be straightforward.

Kevin De Bruyne, following his recent exertions, is not included in Neale’s predicted line-up for the trip to Southampton. Whereas a midweek rest sees Riyad Mahrez handed a place in the Scout Picks XI. The Algerian has attacking returns in every match he has started since Gameweek 30+.

Another City player who is again being talked up is Phil Foden. Pro Pundit Tom Freeman was ahead of the curve when he picked out the Man City youngster as a differential back in Gameweek 29 and he is considering him now as a fifth midfielder.

Whilst many see Foden as a no 8 and David Silva’s long-term replacement, his versatility is appealing. We’ve seen him through the middle, coming in off the right against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup final, and now on the left against Burnley.

– Tom Freeman

Among his three differential picks this Gameweek, Tom selects Allan Saint-Maximin. The elite FPL manager notes that the upturn in the Frenchman’s form has coincided with Steve Bruce’s decision to switch from a defensive 5-4-1 system to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 in Gameweek 28. 

Although when it comes to making transfers, Pro Pundit Simon March challenges the idea of template and differential. He argues that if you consider the specific combination of players in your team you’ll discover that it’s essentially unique, no matter how highly-owned the individuals are. 

However complicated we make FPL, it ultimately still comes down to picking the players who will score the most points. There is a potential benefit to a good differential, but it’s important to ask yourself; are they ‘good’, and not just ‘different’. Will they really outscore the more popular alternatives?

– Simon March

A player who is both good and different is 8.0%-owned Christian Pulisic. The American has impressed since the restart and did so again at the London Stadium on Wednesday night.

While the Chelsea winger is challenging for a precious midfield slot in our FPL squads, one player who has failed to live up to recent expectations is forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin. 

Three successive blanks is testing the patience of his loyal ownership – the Everton striker still features in 10 of the 12 squads among The Great and The Good –  but David suggests that their patience could be a virtue: 

The recent obliging nature of Spurs’ defence, which has conceded 31 shots in the box over the last four matches, could offer some last hope for Dominic Calvert-Lewin owners.

– David
Eliteserien

ReindeerHotdog set the scene for the next round of fixtures in Norway. He delved into goal and shot statistics to highlight the over and under performing teams in the league.

Community Competitions

A full round-up of Community Competitions will follow this article.

The Head-to-Head leagues have been updated for Gameweek 32+, results and tables are currently showing on the main Head-to-Head page.

The fixtures for Gameweek 33+ are below:

Best of luck in Gameweek 33+

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,361 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Good luck everyone....

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ...apart from those with higher ranks. So that’s about 2m players I hope have a shocker....

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        😆

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which option is better for this team?

    Patrício
    TAA - Aurier - Doherty
    Mane - Kdb - Son - Fernandes - Richarlison
    Jimenez - DCL

    A) Richarlison - DCL —> Martial - Greenwood (free)

    B) Son - Richarlison —> Martial - Mahrez (free)

    C) Richarlison - Son - DCL —> Martial - Pulisic - Rashford (-4)

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like C

    3. joelsprylar
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  3. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to put first on bench?

    A) Nketiah

    B) Lascelles

    1. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Attacker first

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  4. Pukki Party
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    On BB, better combo?

    A) Greenwood, Mahrez, Mount

    B) Fernandes, Origi, Cantwell

    Thanks

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      For this week?

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        BB this week yes.

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    3. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Grazie

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  5. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain

    A) Bruno
    B) Salah

    1. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A, thoughs above?

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    4. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    5. Dele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  6. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench jimmy or kdb?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bench boost

      1. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Done on double

        Pulisic/mahrez/martial/salah
        Kane/greenwood

        1 other

        1. Pukki Party
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I'd play both over Greenwood, could be rotated.

          1. timmmuh
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            This

  7. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ballers, Right Team, Right Captain?

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Taylor
    Mane, KDB, Bruno, (M)artial, Pulisic
    Jimenez, DCL

    Button, Aurier, Nketiah, Lascelles

  8. Better Call Raul
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    If I have 1 FT and use FH will I have 2 FT next week?

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No, just 1

  9. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ings and Grealish -> Pulsic and DCL? (-4)

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely not imo. Bringing in DCL for Ings for a -4 is just wrong

    2. Dele
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      DCL for a hit, no way

  10. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Greenwood or Foden or Origi?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve got all three 😆

  11. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son to Mahrez for free?
    A) Yes
    B) No

    Bench 1:
    1) Ings
    2) DCL
    3) Aurier

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A2

    2. No_Mo_Salah?
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A 3

    3. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A3

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B3

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B3

  12. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play:
    A, Foden
    B, Gayle
    C, Mee

    Captain:
    1, Salah
    2, Bruno
    3, Mahrez

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C1

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A1

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A1

  13. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed

    Which 2 would you start

    A) Saiss (ars)
    B) Foden (sou)
    C) Ings (mci)
    D) Lacselles (whu)

    I currently have ings and foden but very unsure. Want to avoid 1 point cameos

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      BC

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        For sure

  14. Eugeniekwh
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Really want salah.

    Only way to do this
    Ings, cantwell, laporte out
    Salah, greenwood and fernandez (newcastle) in.

    All these for a - 8 will you guys do it?

    1. Eugeniekwh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah vs aston villa seems too tasty.

      Or is trent enough.

  15. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    just seen lascelles a doubt?any news, cheers

  16. JDrama
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) TAA, Ings, Sarr (bench)

    Or

    B) VVD, Pulisic, Ings (bench)

  17. Strchld
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go or something for a hit?

    Ddg
    TAA - Lascelles - Doherty
    Mane - KdB - Mahrez - Foden - Bruno (C)
    Rash - Jimi

    DCL first on bench, Saiss second.

    Would you start DCL or Foden!

  18. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So when I went to bed last night there was rumours about certain Utd players being out injured. Has that all been confirmed as nonsense now or is there really some level of chance it could be correct?

    1. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It's a 90% chance that it's nonsense

      1. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Because there was a parody website that posted a similar thing 2 days before this post.

        1. DeadStarComing
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah I saw last night. It's all very bizarre though. All the major newspapers are still reporting it despite the parody website thing.

  19. Jimmy Boy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Currently have Fernandes set as my captain, but should I be concerned about these reports of a training injury?

    1. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Well if he's injured he won't play at all so set up a nice vice captain. But most probably it was fake news

    2. Philip Jones's Diary
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Haven't read too many reputable articles about it. Just make sure you have Salah or KDB as vice.

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'd be wary about a possible rest for KDB - just my opinion he could get one this game week. There could be some double blows this game week when it comes to captaincies.

  20. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Really appreciate some help here guys, 2FTs and 0itb:

    Martinez (Button)
    TAA Doh Lascalles (Saiss Simpson)
    Salah KDB Bruno Son (Guendouzi)
    Jimmy DCL Rashford

    Thinking just Son > Mahrez unless any one can see what I could do with the other FT?

  21. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    B for this week.
    C for rest of season.

  22. No Professionals
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you prefer for the next few weeks
    A) mahrez
    B) pulisic
    C) son

    1. Pickle juice
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same dilemma ....i have son at the moment but probably change to pulisic

  23. fakelund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Worth a -4 to get Foden in this week...?
    My bench is looking weak now Lascelles is a doubt and KDB could be rested...
    Would be Foden starting, Cantwell first sub.

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Foden also good chance of being rested

    2. waldo666
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not for a hit, he could be benched himself.

  24. waldo666
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2FT and 0.0 ITB

    Pope
    TAA Lascelles Doherty
    KDB Salah Bruno Bergwijn
    DCL Rashford Jimenez

    (Button Hayden Kiko Ngakia)

    A) Bergwijn and Ngakia to Foden and AWB
    B) Bergwijn and DCL to Mahrez and Greenwood

    1. No Professionals
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Your team is the same as mine more or less and I’m thinking B)

      Bergwijn has been a dog hasn’t he

      1. waldo666
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He sure has, cheers.

  25. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Origi or Greenwood

    1. waldo666
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Greenwood

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I went origi.

      Sh1t or busy for me, thinking of even captaining him !

  26. Ronny Sandstone
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    On a WC, best one week striker punt - becomes Kane next week

    Giroud, Maupy, someone else under 7.3?

    Cheers

    1. Goooo Rickie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud

      1. Ronny Sandstone
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers gonna go for it!

  27. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Origi meant to start then? Could be a nice DCL replacement

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      thats what i wanna know

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve done this move.

      It’s a calculated risk IMO.

      Could yield big returns

  28. BigBillyBass
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play 1? Already have Doherty

    A) Boly
    B) Ings

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  29. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Genuine question:
    If picking one; Rashford or Greenwood for this team?

    Foster
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Traoré - KDB - Fernandes - Salah
    Jiménez - DCL - Aubameyang
    (McCarthy - Fernández - Stephens - Hayden)

  30. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Martial for a hit or should l keep Mount?

    Have Bruno an Greenwood

    Thanks for replies