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. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon,

    No doubt this will have been asked but who is more likely to start?

    A. Jesus
    B. Sterling

    Seen alot of love for sterling but I'm sure he played full 90?

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

      I think both will play

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

        but sterling for sure

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

      Same I think both will start and score 🙂

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

      B he was rested GW34 before the full 90 in GW35

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Even though pep has said changes will be made with fa semi a few days later?

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

          Pep always rotates, this is nothing new.

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I honestly think Sterling is rested and isn't even on the bench.

      Jesus could be benched or play, depending on if Pep intends to start him at Wembley on Saturday evening against Arsenal in the cup.

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think jesus or sterling start....won't rest both

    5. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The only way at least one doesn't start is a Foden/Bernardo/Mahrez front 3, which feels unlikely to me. Especially as Bernardo is the big game player.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I am pretty sure Jesus will get an hour as usual. He's finding his rhythm and goals are good for his confidence, which is invaluable.

        Sterling is more of a gamble but has a huge upside. Also not sure Pep will bench him after a hattrick.

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I think your right, jesus to start playing an hour as usual.

          I suppose if mahrez is rested sterling starts....

      2. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        mahrez to be rested imo. He played full 90.

    6. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Except Pep is resting his best players to win a trophy.

        This is not a normal game week nor Watford away. Both squad games.

    7. Rashleigh Runabouts
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They'll both get minutes 30 / 60. No idea which one will start tho'. Pep talks about rhythm, hence why I think both get minutes. I'll go A, Pep to try and keep him scoring and build his confidence up. I might even of convinced myself to transfer him in!

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

    Who are you three ideal City players for this week?

    Foden, Jesus and Sterling?

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going Jesus, Sterling and Dilva

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

      I’m currently going between:
      1) KDB, Sterling and Jesus
      and
      2) KDB, Sterling and Foden

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

      For this GW, Foden, Dilva and Sterling

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

    Which mid-priced forward worth -4? Jimenez? Ings?

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

      Ings

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

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

      Ings

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

    Mahrez to D.Silva? I feel the Pulisic 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.

    1ft 1itb
    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Martial KDB Bruno Sterling Mahrez*
    Ings Greenwood
    Martinez Jimenez Saiss Taylor

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

      If you think that then get Dilva.

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

        Just wanted to see if anyone else thinks the same or has any counter arguments

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

      Same dilemma, think I’ve decided to hold, Mahrez could easily score points off the bench and should start at least 1 of the other 2 games

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

        I had the same thoughts about Foden in this GW but decided to transfer him out to Sterling

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

      I did it and expect Dilva to absolutely tear it up

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

    Anyone else capping Jesus next week?

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

    Who plays most mins vs BOU?

    a. KDB
    b. Foden
    c. Jesus

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      Foden.

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

      Dilva

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

      Foden

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

      Foden and Dilva

    6. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      Foden

  7. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Newcastle v Spurs, who to start:

    A. Lascelles
    B. Aurier

    1. Party time
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aurier is a doubt for the fixture

      • Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aurier wont play

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

      Sarr & Vardy ➡️ Dilva (c) & Ings

      For a hit?

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

        Yessss

    3. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A'noon all. 1FT, 3.0 ITB. Current team:

      Pope (Martin)
      TTA - Docherty - Lascelles - (Kiko - Robinson)
      Bruno - Salah - KDB - Martial (Gendouzi)
      Ings - Greenwood - Vardy

      A - Martial & Doherty to Sterling & Egan
      B - Free Hit to get in 3 x city, 2/3 x Chelsea, Antonio etc
      C - Other

      Ta!

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

      FH Team

      Pope
      Stevens Azpi Tarko
      Willian Stg Puli Dilva Foden
      Vardy Ings

      Patricio Lacazette Coleman Kiko

      2.3m ITB

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

        Vardy against Sheffield?

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

          Good spot. I subbed him out and put in Rashford but posted the old version. Thanks.

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

        Sorry, Vardy should read Rashford.

    5. 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 & Foden/Dilva (-4)
      C) Vardy & Mahrez > Jesus & Willian (-4)

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

        No sure I'd want 2 attacking Chelsea

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

      Pope Button
      TAA Robbo Boly Lascelles Lampty
      Bruno Martial KDB Mahrez Salah
      Greenwood Ings Jimi

      1ft 0itb - BB available

      Hi guys do I hold?
      Or do I look at getting in Jesus? Who do I replace? Jimi and Robbo (Egan) or Mahrez (Foden)? Both would give me the cash I need to upgrade Button to Martinez for my Bench Boost

    7. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez Martial Vardy
      To
      Sterling dilva ings (-4)?

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

        I'd keep Martial but get Jesus in?

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Can't afford Jesus & sterling without selling mane or Martial

      2. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No

    8. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah >> Sterling.

      Yes or no

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

        so difficult as noone knows if Sterling starts. I'd probably go for annother move

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

        Considering the same, its a gamble but could pay off.

    9. Oringer7
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best defender under 6 mil for the next 2 gameweeks, can’t be man u

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I like Digne as an option.

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Digne?

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

        Azpi or Digne GW36

        SHU defender GW37/38

      4. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I would go for a Burnley defender and bank the money

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

        Digne is a YC waiting to happen and also EVE far from secure

    10. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Whats better?

      A. Jesus & pulisic
      B. Sterling & giroud

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

        A

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

        Probably A

      3. Rashleigh Runabouts
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Too close to call for me

    11. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on, Aurier who to replace with 5.4?

      Gomez/Stevens or play bench?

      Bench a FWD, who?

      Ederson
      Digne, Aurier, Boly,
      Salah, Kdb, Fernandes, C Sterling, Martial
      Greenwood, Ings

      Button, Vardy, Taylor, Lamptey.

      .4

      FT

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

        Does "FT" mean 0FTs or 1FT or Financial Times?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          1 FT 🙂

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

            I would play Aurier and let your bench do what a bench do.

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

        Taylor for Aurier would work this week anyway. Bur v Wol will be a low scoring affair i think

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

        Taylor or Egan for me.

      4. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Let Taylor come in gives 2 FT next week?

          Which one of the 8 forwards would you bench?

    12. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which strategy seems better? Team for this week looks ok, but FH could be an upgrade given the rotation risk of my City players.

      Team with one transfer Mane > Pulisic
      Pope (Leno)
      TAA Stephens Aurier
      Pulisic KDB Mahrez Fernandes Martial
      Greenwood Jimi (DCL)

      FH team:
      Pope/McCarthy (Martin)
      Azpi Digne AWB (Stephens Diop)
      Pulisic (c) Fernandes Sterling Dilva Antonio
      Jesus Ings (Greenwood)

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

        FH teams looks great.
        How many hits would you take in GW37 / GW38 if you play FH now?

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

          Definitely getting Jesus and Ings for DCL and Jimi. One transfer per GW.

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        FH team bigger upside, gotta use it sooner or later?

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

      If you had the TC chip left, when would you use it?

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

        Save for next season

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

        this week on Pulisic or even better in 38 on a City player

      3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Afternoon mate.........DSilva GW38.....its written in the stars

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

          Hi mate. It’s not mine, it’s my rival 😯 trying to guess his move. Also trying to decide if I should FH this week or 38! Team below if you have any advice?

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

          1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I would look to FH 38, as all games start at the same time and will have leaked news on ALL teams. City v Norwich, and others look good

      4. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling Bournemouth or Norwich.

      5. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Salah vs CHE in GW37

        or Auba vs WAT in GW38

      6. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling vs Norwich GW38

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

      Martinez
      TAA Doherty Holgate
      Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno Foden
      Rashford Greenwood
      (Jimi Saiss Lascelles)

      2FT + 0.5ITB

      a) Holgate > Walker-Peters
      b) a) Holgate > Egan
      c) Jimi > Ings (bench Greenwood/Rash)
      d) Jimi > Giroud (bench Greenwood/Rash)
      e) a combo of a/b and c/d

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

        Holgate expected back this week right?

    15. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which better for next 2?

      A) Dilva
      B) Foden (+1.8itb)

      Other mids would be:
      Salah, Sterling, Bruno, Pulisic

      Then FH in 38+

      1. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Silva unless for have plans for that money next week

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Possibly bolstering my defence as it’s TAA, Doherty, Lascelles, Kiko, Simpson atm!

    16. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What is everyone doing with TAA? I'm tempted to move him to Alonso (1 week punt) and I'm also looking at getting Digne for remaining 3 fixtures.

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

        Probably selling for fodder 3rd sub to reduce money on bench in general

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

      Jesus or Auba in for GW37 and 38..?

    18. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best option;

      A) Son --> Pulisic (c)

      B) Jimenez --> Ings

      B would mean keeping Son + Bruno (c)

      Tnks.

    19. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think Ole is more likely to rest people in the FA Cup rather than the league?

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

        Hopefully he'll rest Fernandes the whole game today..

        Let Fred have the Bruno role today 😛

      2. Party time
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yes. Same as Fergie

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

          I don’t think he’ll rest any key players one way or another

      3. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A) Willian
        B) Pulisic

        Which one for this GW?

        1. Sotamendi84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          puli

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

            sic

      4. Sotamendi84
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ddg
        aurier saiss taa
        bruno tony Mahrez*puli kdb
        vardy DCL*

        jimenez kiko gomez

        1) mahrez, DCL -> foden, ings (-4)
        2) DCL -> Giroud
        3) Vardy -> ings or Jesus (and start DCL or Jimenez)

        best option?

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

        Which 3 NOT to own on FH this week:
        Sterling, Dilva, Jesus, Bruno, Martial, Pulisic, Giroud, Antonio, Kane (v New) Ings

        1. Sotamendi84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          kane sterling antonio

        2. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Kane, Antonio, Dilva

      6. Fergymac
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        On a FH, which 2 of these city mids do you think are best bets? Money no object

        a) KDB b) Sterling c) Dilva d) Mahrez e) Foden

        1. Sotamendi84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          c-e

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          C and E.

      7. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Man Utd vs Sou score predictions?

        1. Sotamendi84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          2-0 (bruno tony)

        2. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          3-1

          1. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Perfect, 2g Martial, 1g Greenwood, 3a Bruno

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

          1-1

        4. Party time
            3 years, 8 months ago

            3 nil Utd win

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

            Head 2-1 - Martial and Greenwood v. Ward-Prowse

            Heart 0-2 - Ings x2

          • dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            4-1