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. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone jumping back on Auba for the last two gameweeks?

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

      Cannot fit him in unless I shift Salah plus another hit.

      Not worth it.

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will FH him in for Watford final game, really fancy him there

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably be in my FH team gw38, should of scored yday

    4. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thinking I'll shift Vardy for him those last 2 weeks

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

    Patricio
    TAA, Doherty, Kiko
    Mane, KDB, Pulisic, Bruno, Foden
    Rashford, Greenwood

    (Jimenez, Lascelles, Holgate)

    1 ft, 1.2 in the bank.

    Fairly clueless as to what to do, benching headache with that front 8. Wait and see how United do tonight I guess?

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

      Jimmy bench and play Holgate sounds like he may be fit again.

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

        Everton looking shite at the back though, Villa have everything on the line

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

      Maybe I should just FH?

    3. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford to Jesus maybe?

      I'm in similar position regarding benching, don't know who to bench out of KdB, Martial, Pulisic, Greenwood. Think I might go for KdB since his minutes are limited and he's playing deeper.

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

        Oh that's a nice shout actually.

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

        I think I would be more inclined to bench Mane than KdB

        1. Villa Velour
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah in your case, I'd do that.

  3. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best transfer this week?

    A. Keinan Davis > Foden
    B. Vardy/Rashford > Jesus

    If B, which one?

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

      Vardy

    2. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ^

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

    Thoughts on FH, right defs and mids?

    Pope
    Azpi, AWB, Aurier
    Sterling, Foden, Pulisic, Willian, Bruno
    Ings, Jesus

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

      Aurier's brother was murdered. Could see him sitting out.

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

        Really? Other CHE def than Azpi worth bringing in?

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Id throw a SHU defender into that mix. Can see them frustrating Leic. Or a Burnley defender. That match v Wolves has draw written all over it. See my team below also for your comments.

  5. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Deeney -4?

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

      Not worth it

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

    Guys will kdb start for gw36?

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

      30% chance

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

      No idea

    3. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would be more surprised if he starts.

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

      Guys what are the lottery numbers for next week? 😛

      1. Nedvěd11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Danny Ings TC

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

      low chance imo

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

      50:50 imho.

  7. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I think I am done with my FH team for now. Any thoughts?

    DDG
    Azpi AWB Digne
    Salah Sterling D.Silva Foden Pulisic
    Ings Giroud

    Martin Greenwood Lascelles Kiko

    3.1ITB

    What changes would you make to this team?

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

      Like it!

    2. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If I was on FH, I'd make sure to get Jesus in.

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

      no kdb is crazy. Sterling played 90 mins

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

        Think Stirling will start again but play maybe 65mins

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think you should be having Bruno at least since you have no Manu attacking coverage

      Palace seems to be on the beach and Manu have everything to play for

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

        This

    5. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud >>> Jesus(C)

    6. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus / Willian in for Silva / Giroud?

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

      Very close to mine... iv gone for Jesus and martial Instead of Silva and Ings

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

    If Ings starts tonight, do we think he will be rested v BHA then play BOU ?

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

      Ings will play every game if fit until the end of the season.

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

        This

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

      Doesn’t sound like it from Hasenhuttl’s comments but always a slight risk I suppose

    3. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would have said no chance of an ings prior to writing this , now I really don't know. It's three games between Monday - sunday

    4. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Apparenrly he does not need rests any longer...

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

      Nah he's going for the golden boot/first Soton player to get more than 20 goals since Beatie.

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

    Anyone know if Lundstram is ready to rock the last 3 gameweeks? Or just go with Egan instead?

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Egan's a much better shout. Lundy won't start all remaining games.

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

        Thanks. On a very late wildcard this gameweeks.

        1. Villa Velour
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ooo who you looking at getting again?

          If I had WC, I'd make sure to get in Jesus, Sterling, Dilva/Foden, Ings, then punt on CHE attack.

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

            It will be something like this (will bench boost next gw) :

            Pope
            TAA, Saiss, Egan
            KDB, Salah, Antonio, Pulisic, Fernandes
            Ings, Auba

            Martinez, Greenwood, Tarkowski, Lamptey

            1. Villa Velour
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Nice, I'm not too keen on KdB though. His minutes will most likely be limited with their FA Cup game 3 days after BOU game plus he's playing deeper. Foden/Sterling/Dilva are all better prospects imo.

              I'd also play Tark over Saiss this week.

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

                Thanks. Yes will play Tarkowski this gw. Will think again regarding Man City player

                1. Villa Velour
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Punt on Foden. He's certain to start on the wing and will want goal contributions.

  10. 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)

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. yer old da
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus comfortably

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

      Jesus.

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

      A

  11. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you pick on FH out of these 2 def;

    a. Doherty
    b. Tarkowski

    Cheers

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What would you do with the funds saved by picking Tark?

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

        Nothing much as this is my FH team below;

        Ederson
        ??? , Azp, AWB
        Pulisic, Willian, Stirling, Bruno, Antonio
        Ings, Jesus

        McCarthy, Greenwood, Digne, Egan

        Thoughts?

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Doherty probably then, nice team

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

            thanks fam

        2. Villa Velour
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I can see one of Puli / Willian being rested if not both. Why don't you punt on Foden who's very likely to start and wants to prove himself.

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

            already got 3 city

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

              plus after being smashed 3 - 0 i think lampard will want a big win again

              1. Villa Velour
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                And you think a couple rested players will prevent that? I personally think he'd want to be more prepared for the FA Cup game 5 days later.

    2. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Best non-Wolves 4.8 or under defender for this week?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Egan? Tark? Walker-Peters?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Tark 5.2 , looking at Bertrand myself

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      holgate

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

      just for this week Otamendi or Zouma

    4. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Garcia

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

    KDB or Willian for the (c) next GW?

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

      what for 36? surely Willian.... KdB huge bench risk

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Willian

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

    the sad news about Aurier's brother means might now be pushed into FH this week a little more.... alternatively could just play Saiss?

    current team

    Martinez
    Trent. Aurier. Doherty
    Pulisic c. Kdb. Salah. Bruno. Martial
    Greenwood. Vardy

    Subs: Button. DCL. Saiss. Holgate

    would free hit to something like

    Ederson
    Trent. Justin. AWB
    Pulisic c. Bruno. Sterling. Foden. Salah
    Ings. Jesus

    (risky re United I know)

    a. Free hit
    b. Keep current team

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

      B. Good to go as-is

  15. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else considering Bournemouth triple-up after hitting 4 against Leicester?

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

      lol

  16. jomikijiq
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA, Maguire, Holgate
    KDB, Fernandes, Mahrez, Martial, Willian
    Vardy, Jesus

    Button, Gomez, Kiko, Nketiah

    1 FT, 0.6 itb

    A) hold
    B) Vardy -> Ings
    C) Vardy -> Giroud
    D) something else

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

      I like C. But are we sure of Giroud starting?

  17. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need some help, can’t keep up with all the deadlines lately so, any idea what to do with this lot?

    Ederson, 3.9.
    TAA, Doherty, AWB, Holgate, Taylor
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Pulisic, Foden
    Jiménez, Ings, Greenwood

    2FT 0.4ITB

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm in a pretty similar position, who do you bench? Jiminez probably but that hurt me this week. Maybe Salah to Sterling or bring in Jesus? Very tricky this week.

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

    With FT

    Salah > Sterling/Dilva

    Or

    Vardy > Giroud/Jesus

    Thanks

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy to Jesus or Giroud, the latter could be a good shout

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

      Vardy to Jesus i reckon

  19. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts here? Maybe Mahrez/Vardy to Jesus/Giroud or Pulisic/Sterling for a - 4?

    Pope
    Doherty TAA Wan-Bissaka
    Mane Mahrez KDB Fernandes Foden
    Greenwood Jiminez

    Subs: Vardy, Aurier, Lascelles

  20. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need to spend a transfer and sort the line up.

    McCarthy (BHA)
    Digne (AVL) | Doherty (bur) | Aurier (new)
    Pulisic | Fernandes | KDB, Foden (BOU)
    Kane (LEI) | Rashford, Greenwood (cpl)

    Martinez (LIV) | Mahrez, TAA (ars), Saiss

    2FT. 0.6 ITB.

    TAA > Lamptey + 3.6m?

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

      Kane > giroud
      Kdb > sterling

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

        My first thought is that it's a waste of transfers. But my second thought is that maybe it's not. Doesn't feel right buying 2 players that might not start.

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

          Well giroud you’ll know from rockstar

          And Kdb has to be more odds on than sterling who literally just had a rest 1 gw back

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

    Nice effort Zophar. Appreciated.

    1. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks mate

  22. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling KDB Martial Bruno Foden
    Ings Vardy Greenwood

    Worth ditching any midfielders for Willian or Pulisic?

    Who on earth do I bench for this week?

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy, which seems ludicrous but the toughest game this week. So many transfer headaches

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For me not worth a one GW punt when fixtures later are quite difficult

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I would bench Vardy against well organised Shef Utd who are back to their best in defence

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

      Cheers all

  23. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain for next week?

    1. City palyer
    2. Chelsea player
    3. Ings

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

      Sterling for me most likely

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I may just stick it on Bruno again. Other considerations are Sterling, Pulisic and Ings but I really have no idea.

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

      Sterling would be the man if we knew he'd start but think a Chelsea player might be the way to go.

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

    Get Willian over David Silva as he's nailed to start?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I feel the Pulisic/ Willian is a one GW punt and their fixtures against Liverpool and Wolves will be difficult. I can see D.Silva playing in the BOU game, missing the Arsenal FA cup and playing the Watford and Norwich game.

  25. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth doing Mahrez to Willian/Pulisic for -4? Don´t like Chelsea last 2 fixtures

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for me

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

      I would be more tempted by Dilva or Foden - think there's a good chance of them starting GW36 and 37 (dropping out for the FA Cup game in between)

  26. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best move?

    A. Jimmy >> Giroud
    B. Vardy >> Jesus
    C. KDB >> Pulisic
    D. FH
    E. Save FT.

    Martinez
    TAA • Doherty • Holgate
    Salah • Martial • KDB • Bruno • Foden
    Vardy • Greeny
    (3.9,, Jimmy, Lascelles, Kiko)

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

      E

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        E leaves me with a tough captaincy decision

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

    Martinez
    TAA - Doherty - Saiss
    Salah - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Pulisic
    Ings - Greenwood - Vardy

    1FT, 0ITB. Best option here?

    A) Vardy > Jesus (bench Mahrez)
    B) Vardy & Mahrez > Giroud & Dilva (-4)
    C) Vardy & Mahrez > Jesus & Willian (-4)

  28. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    hows this team on FH chip

    ederson
    taa, awb, azp
    fernandes, sterling, pulisic, willian
    greenwood, jesus, ings
    subs- button, traore, lund, kiko

    1. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice! G2G

  29. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Richarlison worth a punt despite Everton looking on the beach?

    Everton have Aston Villa and Bournemouth left at home, surely a goal or two?

  30. Party time
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The tea lady just sent me Pep’s starting xi. It is an absolute roulette