Pro Pundits - Zophar

How each team’s rest periods could affect the final few FPL Gameweeks

We are now in the final few Gameweeks of the season and the minutes have been racking up for players in a congested schedule.

For this article, I look at the rest periods for each team in the final three Gameweeks to see if any match-ups stand out in particular.

I have outlined my methodology for the colour coding in my earlier piece.

The first thing that stands out to me is that most teams have a good recovery period for Gameweek 38+, which makes it ideal for the Free Hit chip.

We can, for example, expect Pep Guardiola to put out his strongest team as he would have had nearly five days after the Watford game in Gameweek 37+.

It also means that the final column (F) of total recovery period is a bit distorted, as certain teams have over a week off to prepare for Gameweek 38+. It’s just the FA Cup teams that are in the red in terms of the total recovery period, so let’s instead look at the recovery period for Gameweeks 36+ and 37+ (Column E).

Naturally, the teams with FA Cup involvement have the lowest recovery period – Arsenal (145), Chelsea (145), Man Utd (140) and Man City (160). The turnaround between the FA Cup fixture and Watford in Gameweek 37+ is particularly short for City (68) so it would be a surprise to see many players from the FA Cup semi-final start their league fixture against the Hornets.

Apart from the aforementioned four, Southampton (134) have a harsh schedule as well, something for us to keep in mind as owners of Danny Ings (£7.4m).

Now let’s have a look at the individual match-ups for Gameweek 36:

The teams at a disadvantage are highlighted in red.

Wolves, Arsenal, Spurs and Bournemouth have nearly a day’s less rest than their opponents.

Manchester United and Southampton (who play each other in Gameweek 35+) are particularly disadvantaged in terms of rest periods with their opponents having significantly more time to recover. If that match on Monday is as high energy as we expect, it could have a bearing on their performances and team selection in Gameweek 36+.

The Cherries are likely to find it difficult to go to the Etihad with less than 72 hours of recovery as well. City assets could once again be great picks if you can predict who Guardiola will start.

Now we move on to Gameweek 37+, which is in my opinion the trickiest week with the FA Cup ties preceding the league fixtures:

As mentioned earlier, Manchester City’s recovery period of 68 hours from their FA Cup fixture stands out. Maybe whoever starts against Bournemouth in Gameweek 36+ starts this one as well? I really don’t see Guardiola giving the likes of Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) a start against Watford with him likely to feature for 90 minutes against Arsenal in the cup.

Southampton have a recovery period of just 64 hours from the Brighton game, which might affect their high-intensity style – something to watch out for if you’re looking to possibly captain Ings that week.

Liverpool have over double the amount of recovery time as Chelsea and will be looking to end their last home game on a high. Selecting Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) as captain looks a legitimate shout that week given the Blues’ defensive woes.

The likes of Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) will probably get a start against Villa given the short turnaround and his unavailability for the FA Cup semi-final due to suspension.

It will be interesting to see how much Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tinkers with his line-up with the short recovery period, too. We might need our benches in Gameweek 37+.

In terms of my own team, I was originally thinking of doing the Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) to Ings move but the Saints’ congested schedule has me a bit worried. Ings has been a machine of late but his fitness issues in the past are well documented and will they possibly flare up again with matches so close? The Saints’ pressing style could suffer too with low recovery periods. Something to ponder.

Good luck and stay safe.


An FPL veteran of 10 seasons, Utkarsh Dalmia has been a member of the site right since 2009 and has finished in the top 5k in six of those campaigns, with a best finish of 17th in 2010. A Chelsea fan based in India, he relies heavily on statistics for his FPL decision-making process.

FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

1,206 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who’s going to start upfront for Chelsea against Norwich

    1. Tev
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud- Tammy played 90 last game and was terrible

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

        Just wondering if Lampard will want to keep Giroud fresh for the FA Cup semi.

        Surely a 2nd string will have enough to comfortably see off Norwich

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

          CL is priority, lifeline for Chelsea with Leicester losing yesterday

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

      Giroud

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

      Girpud because Tammy is League 1 quality

    4. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just wait for fpl_rockstar to tell you...

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

    How did City score 5 with zero involvement from KDB...

    KDB(c) left me in tatters

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

      Season over?

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

      City just have so much quality they don’t need to rely on one individual to be involved.

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

    Anyway, what to do with this front 8:

    Mane, KDB, Bruno, Pulisic, Foden
    Rashford, Greenwood, Jimenez

    Current benching headache with Greenwood/Foden/Jimenez. Thoughts?

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m free hit this week as it’s when Chelsea and Newcastle both have great fixtures over Man Utd although there’s isn’t to bad

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My exact front 8. I've got no idea.

      Depending on tonight, maybe Rash > Ings?

      KDB > Antonio (this hurts to type)

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

        Yeah I kinda need Ings, Jimi to Ings also an option but doesn't solve benching headache.

        Yeah I'm going to pretend I didn't see that second option

      2. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Might end up free-hitting

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

    Henderson
    TAA Doherty Egan
    KdB Fernandes Willian Pulisic Foden
    Vardy Rashford

    Nyland DCL Lundstram Aarons

    Aarons, KdB, Vardy > Alonso, Sterling(C), Jesus (-8)?

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No free hit left?

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

        Nope.

  5. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A. Mane to Sterling

    B. Mane and DCL to Silva and Jesus (-4)

  6. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone think sterling won’t start vs Bournemouth? I’m on a free hit and trying to get my city trio as best guess I can

    Currently on KDB, Sterling, Jesus but maybe swap KDB for Dilva?

  7. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Salah -> Sterling
    B) Vardy -> Ings
    C) Martinez -> 5.5 GK

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah Sterling

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

      A

      Might do it myself but a huge risk.

    3. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah is playing Arsenal

  8. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry for the long post!

    Trying to decide the best time to use my FH to close the 5 point gap at the top of my ML. My rival has no chips left.
    I've laid out my current team below and their fixtures for GW36+ and GW38+ respectively. After this, I've laid out my preferred FH teams for GW 36+ and GW38+. Which week do you think would be the better option to use the FH on? Thanks!

    GW36+ current:

    Martinez (LIV)
    TAA (ARS) - Doherty (BUR) - Saiss(BUR) - Lascelles (TOT)
    Salah (ARS) - KDB (BOU) - Mahrez (BOU) - Fernandes (CRY) - Pulisic (NOR)
    Ings (BHA) - Greenwood (CRY) - Vardy (SHU)

    GW38+ current:

    Martinez (WAT)
    TAA (NEW) - Doherty (CHE) - Saiss(CHE) - Lascelles (LIV)
    Salah (NEW) - KDB (NOR) - Mahrez (NOR)- Fernandes (LEI) - Pulisic (WOL)
    Ings (SHU) - Greenwood (LEI) - Vardy (MUN)

    GW36+ FH:

    Ederson
    Azpi/Alonso - Doherty - Wan B
    Sterling - Dilva - Bruno - Pulisic - Salah
    Giroud/Tammy - Ings

    GW38+ FH:

    Martinez
    TAA - Taylor - Lundstram
    Salah - KdB - Sterling - Martial
    Auba - Jesus - Greenwood

    1. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’d say your team is good enough to get thru this week so do that and hit him with your FH last game..

      1. grennans2
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. What would you suggest using my FT on this week then? Was considering Vardy > Giroud or Jesus?

        1. PompeyUpNorth!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Vardy to giroud is nice call. Should play n destroy Norwich

  9. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I am having triple City from GW37, rotation or not.

    Pulisic to Dilva start of GW36

    Dilva Sterling and Jesus for 37 and 38 and hope for massive hauls.

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You’re selling Pulisic before Norwich ?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No, start of GW36. So Dilva in for 37.

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ok got ya... which 3 do you have for 36

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Team for 36

            Patricio
            TAA Doherty Azpi
            Salah Sterling(c) Pulisic Martial Fernandes
            Jesus Greenwood

            1. FCSB
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Sexy

            2. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Have you brought in city players yet?

              1. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Yes, Mane to Sterling, Ings to Jesus this week.

        2. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Good move I think. Debating the same, but will wait to see who gets minutes in the cup.

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

      You’re going from no-City to triple-City?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ha ha. Shows you how quick things change.

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

          GL.

  10. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    RMFHT

    de Gea
    Alonso, Doherty, Bavies
    Sterling, Bruno, Martial, Willian, Antonio
    Jesus, Giroud (c)

    Cresswell, Hause, Conolly

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't trust Giroud(C) when Tammy could start.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will be around pre-deadline to see if there are any team news changes...

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, keep a close eye. Pulisic over Willian for me btw but your team in the end.

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

    I'm not yet certain that OGS would change starting line up too much. Pogba and Bruno might share minutes and Ighalo might perhaps start?

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

    Bruno blank and Rashford haul is my prediction for tonight.

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

      please god let it happen

      1. SkeletONv01
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Please god dont let this happen ^^

    2. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Form suggests the opposite

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That would be lovely

  13. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one:

    Foden (BOU)
    Greenwood (cry)
    Jimenez (bur)

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

      Jimi

    2. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any other options?

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

        Nope. Mane would be closest after them.

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

          Yeah id consider Mane as well

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy I think

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

      Jimi. Looks tired. Lucky to get points last game from a pen.

  14. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best option to bring in for GW36+ and GW37+? Will use FH on the last GW

    A) Jesus (BOU, wat)
    B) Giroud (NOR, liv)

  15. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Patricio
    Maguire Doherty Justin/Kiko
    Sterling KDB Pulisic Martial Bruno
    Vardy Jimi

    1 FT, 0.9 itb. Will use FH for 38.

    What transfers do you like here?

    A) Jimenez > Ings/Giroud for free
    B) KDB > Willian
    C) Vardy > Ings/Giroud/Jesus
    D) Other options

  16. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How’s this for a FH team?

    McCarthy
    TAA. Dinge. Alonso.
    Sterling. Pulisic. Salah. Bruno. D.Silva.
    Jesus. Ings.

    Martin. Connolly. Lascelles. Kelly.

    1. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Need three Chelsea and 3 Citeh

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Two Chelsea is enough

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          With all this FA cup situation and CL battle it is better to have 3 che then 3 city. They have more rest between the games and bigger motivation in Nor game.

      2. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Already have three city

    2. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will sterling start??

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

      Would reconsider Alonso because he’s played so little recently but the rest of it looks good

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team, I'm on free hit as well. I've got Willian over salah and pope in goal at the moment.

  17. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fernando (c), Rashford, Greenwood.
    Come on United

    1. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same.

      20 points behind my money league rival who has:

      AWB, Martial, Greenwood.

      Captain already played.

      Need Bruno and Rashford hauls!

  18. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I'm very sad to hear about serge auriers brother.

    I'm a big fan of aurier and hes in my team. I'm thinking he won't play this week but will do the final 2 games. What do you think is likely?

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah. Reckon he’s out now. Season ends in two weeks

  19. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How’s this for a FH team?

    McCarthy
    TAA. Wan Bis. Alonso.
    Sterling. Pulisic. Salah. Bruno. D.Silva.
    Jesus. Ings.

    Martin. Connolly. Lascelles. Kelly.

  20. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rockstar is going to lock his account.

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why?

      1. dicky2014
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Too many followers from here haha

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

    Which of these moves?

    A) Mahrez > Pulisic (and probably captain)
    B) Nketiah > Giroud
    C) Something else?

    1FT 4.3ITB
    De Gea
    TAA Doherty Justin (Holgate Lascelles)
    Salah Bruno KdB Mahrez Foden
    Greenwood Jimi (Nketiah)

    Thanks

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

        Cheers

  22. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    https://imgur.com/a/iEpXXeZ

    Have all 3 chips left, my plan to play BB this gw, TC in 37 and Free Hit in 38. Or would you change it up? Also, who would you TC in 37 from this team?

  23. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just thought, is Wes Morgan likely to play the last 3 now that Soyuncu is banned?

    Only 4.1

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ryan Bennett is fit (and he's a Rogers signing, unlike Morgan).

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He’s been playing anyway?

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

          Yeah, Bennett seems to be playing full-back (badly) on either side

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            True, though FFS' team news page has him at CB in a back 4 against Sheffield.

        2. Forza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He started on the bench vs Bournemouth but was subbed on, so he wasn't nailed while Soyuncu was starting.

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not a bad enabler if on WC/FH, but otherwise surely better assets to spend transfers on at the business end of the season.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not much funds, and looking to setup for BB and swap out El Mohamady (same price)

  24. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH or TC?

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Kiko
    Salah KdB Bruno Pulisic
    Rash Vardy Greenwood

    3.9 Fernandez Holgate Fernandez

    1ft, 0.2itb

    If I FH it would be something like this:

    Pope
    TAA Azpi Digne
    Sterling Dilva(C) Puli Willian Rich
    Jesus Ings

    3.9 Greenwood Egan 3.9

    2.2m itb

    1. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I dont like the FH team, no United? What if they explode today again? Why Dilva C? Why Azpi, they are bad at defending 🙂 TBH i like the team before FH much better 😛

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Well cause I have 1ft and would love to have 3city and 3che. Would prefer Alonso but Azpi is safe pick and want to have 3 city attackers more then 3che, also dont know on who to use TC this week. Dont trust Puli enough. Utd is biggest risk but need to risk, last few weeks have been disaster...

  25. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ideas here with 1FT and 1m itb. Wish i had FH last gw for sterling but opted against it grrr

    DDG
    Taa • Doherty • Holgate ----------- Kiko Lamptey
    Mahrez • KDB • Bruno • Pulisic --- Guendouzi
    Jimmy • Rashford • Vardy

    A: Mahrez >> Foden
    B: Jimmy + Guendouzi >> Ings + Foden and bench Mahrez
    C: FH to bring in sterling, dilva, ings, 3 chelsea, antonio

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

      C

  26. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Pulisic a genuine captain option if we get lineups early & he starts? Not sure I'll chance my City players due to rotation uncertainty/lack of form, may end up capping Salah or Ings otherwise.

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, I own him and I definitely wouldn't captain.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah good option, definite brace potential against hopeless canaries

  27. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wonder if Pepe vs Watford GW38 is a good punt? Between him and Martial.

  28. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My money is on a Jesus benching - sterling false nine. Sterling to come off at 60.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling Jesus Foden front 3 is my prediction.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could be, Jesus racking your starts but pep rarely giving him more than 60 mins

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez Foden
    Greenwood Vardy

    Henderson Lascelles Connolly Lundstram

    1FT, 3.2 itb

    1. Connolly >> Ings (bench Mahrez 36+)
    2. Mahrez >> Pulisic, do 1. next week (risk no Mahrez v wat in 37+)

    Thanks

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

      1

  30. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If you had the following front 8, which 1 would you bench?

    Salah Fernandes KDB Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Ings Greenwood

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings or Foden - but that's with a gun to my head as neither player is suitable for the bench

    3. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one. Between Foden and Greenwood for me.

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez

    5. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood