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. Gomolon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My mini league rival (who is only 1 point behind me) also played their WC this week and has Son and DCL - please fpl gods, you can't reward that. Third place also played WC and brought in Traore, Kelly, Guendouzi

    1. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Third place is likely to stay there!

      1. Gomolon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        In fairness third place is trailing by a lot, just can't understand keeping Son or DCL on a WC

  2. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Please don’t start Bruno. If you’re not injured you deserve a break.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He will have a break at the end of season.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He just played 60 mins in a romping win ole got to have lost his marbles to rest him

    3. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He got a break at Brighton after 64 minutes

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    oh dear, forgot to set my Captain - Fernandes and Greenwood V 🙁

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Terrible choice mate, Bournemouth are so solid at the back x

      1. tokara
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Lolz

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who would you have captained. Bruno is decent.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would liked to have considered it a bit more rather than being caught out - Mahrez or Salah maybe but certainly my VC would be different

    3. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Brunos the highest captained player this week, whats ur problem?

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        VC ...

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Eh don't worry, we're pretty confident the injury news is fake and he came off early last game. Should start

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            hope so, not checking my team and missing the deadline shows my lack of interest I suppose ... but i did punt on Mahrez so I am hanging in there 🙂

            1. Tempestic
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              U'll do just fine 😉

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden benching this GW would be sweet. Can bring him in for NEW....

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just bring him in anyway.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’ll accept as long as he comes on for 20 mins and grabs a goal

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And if he plays this GW?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He won't be coming into my team. Youngster. Can't handle so many games in a short space of time.

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But he will be benched again you see

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno 120% EO

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can't even cheer him on now!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Expected isn’t it?

  6. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah’s EO?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      97%ish

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Good lord. Time for that sofa

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          (Top 10k btw - may be higher outside it)

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        😮
        Sh.t
        He can kill OR man. I thought it must be lower

  7. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Generally best week to play FH if it’s the only chip you have left?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nobody knows. GW38 is a popular pick - should get some early lineups. (Although if places are still to be won, best to expect strongest teams anyway.)

  8. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno and Pogba both doubts in FiT fantasy. 😮

    1. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There just guessing though

      1. Shipstontrev
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *They’re

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They're going off false information. The Mirror even removed the tweet now coz they've realised they've been spreading false news

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ahh ok

        Fingers crossed

  9. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain next week looks tricky again

    1. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son’s time to shine. Pun intended.

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mo captain no problem

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Crap away form all season

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Home and away really a thing anymore?

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe KDB

    4. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane for me if bournemouth still look terrible.

    5. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane 😉

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Troy Deeney

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think so, yes.

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB

  10. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would love a piece of Kane next GW but team looks solid otherwise.

    May have to hold steady and save a FT.

  11. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I just noticed that my starting XI is quite red 😉 Some blue and yellow also. Triple Liv + MU + Wol and double MCI.

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In virtually every city which has both a red and a blue team, the team in red is the more successful.

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Except London

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Erm. I think you'll find Arsenal have more trophies than Chelsea.

  12. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    90% sure I'm WC'ing this week.

    How does this first draft look?

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Digne Holgate Taylor Boly
    Salah KdB Foden Pulisic Fernandes
    Kane Rashford Greenwood

    0.7m

  13. Party time
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Where’s my Maupay goal

    • Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Awb

      Worst decision ever

    • EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial assist added!

    • BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Woo wee, baby! It is on like Donkey Kong!