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

    On a FH would you go nailed City players or high ceiling?

    A) Ederson, Dilva, Foden
    B) KDB, Sterling, Jesus

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

      I'd go with a mix of Dilva Sterling Jesus

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

        This

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

      If chasing then B

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

      B

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

      A

    5. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Any chance Rashford or Martial get a rest before FA Cup?

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

      Slim to none

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

      No

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

      Unlikely maybe early subs, especially vs Palace

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

    Captain?

    1. Pulisic
    2. Willian

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

      1

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

      1. Willian played 90 last match, assuming he'll also play in FA Cup, would expect him to get subbed off around 60 vs Norwich.

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

      Puli

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

    I have a FH left, my rival is 12 points ahead and has BB left.

    Best week to play my FH?

    A) GW36
    B) GW38

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

      depends what his bench is like for GW36+

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

        Martinez
        Nketiah
        Ward
        Lascelles

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

          He would be mad to use his BB on that bench this coming GW36+ imo.

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

      I think it's now with each big club (other than Pool) having at least on paper easy matches

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

        agree, I am using my FH this GW too.

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

      Your rival probably messed up with his BB leaving it so late. 35 was the last good GW to play it.

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

      A

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

      I'd free hit into Man City squad players this game week

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

    Mahrez, Jimenez > Pulisic, Ings the best move here? Any other suggestions? 2FTs 0.2ITB

    Fabianski
    TAA, AWB, Saiss
    Mane, KDB, Mahrez, Bruno, Foden
    Jimenez, Rashford

    Martin, Aurier, Connolly, Robinson

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

      Mané -> Sterling

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

        Sterling might not start tho, and is very unlikely to play 90min.

  6. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a free hit, this front 7 look good? I can't decide on giroud/ings or antonio/willian

    Bruno sterling antonio silva pulsic

    Jesus giroud

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

      Giroud > Ings

      1. RamboRN
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That change giroud to ings or giroud is better than ings?

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

          play Ings over giroud

          1. RamboRN
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks. How about Antonio/Willian?

  7. 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 > Egan
    b) Jimi > Ings
    c) Mahrez > Dilva
    d) KDB & Jimi > Sterling & Giroud

    (b/d would mean benching Rash or Greenwood)

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

    Want to do Salah>Sterling but got 3 city so need to remove one of the City boys with someone, will have an extra 1.2M to do it with, any ideas which one and who for?

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

    2FT 0.4ITB

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson to Pope/Fabianski

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Given that KDB is likely to be rested, he is a prime candidate to be removed. Can you do KDB to Sterling and keep Salah? Not sure how much value you have tied up in KDB + 1.2M

  9. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I think it's a travesty that Alonso isn't even on the captain poll. It's entirely feasible that Chelsea could rotate after a thrashing and with FA Cup to come. Alonso(c) at home to Norwich could be huge even if that's the only game he starts. Not saying it's the best option, but to not even be considered is poor imo

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

      Thinking about this. Instead of KdB to Pulisic, Aurier to Alonso.

  10. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I feel like this GW I can easily either roll my transfer or take a -8... Any advice would be appreciated.

    KDB • Mahrez • Bruno • Martial • Willian
    Vardy • Ings/Greenwood (have both)

    A. Save FT and have the likes of Greenwood & Saiss cover a potential KDB & Mahrez benching
    B. Mahrez > Pulisic for double Chelsea and likely no City cover
    C. Mahrez + KDB > Pulisic + Sterling (-4) double Chelsea + 1 potential City cover
    D. Mahrez + KDB + Martial > Pulisic + Sterling + Dilva (-8) double Chelsea + double (potentially) City cover

  11. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    best move here. So torn what to. 1 FT.
    Neck and neck between rival in ML.

    Want Sterling Foden Dsilva Ings Pullisic! ha

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Diop Aurier Fernandez
    Salah KDB Mahrez Martial Bruno
    DCL Vardy Greenwood

    0 ITB

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You have the same predicament as me above. So many good options - so little time! DCL needs to go I think. DCL + Mahrez to Ings and DSilva?

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yeah like that.Its Pullisic that worried me this week. Prime.captain material

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Hmm, see what you mean as you have no Chelsea cover. I am almost certain I would like to double up on Chelsea with Willian and Pulisic

  12. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is more of a priority to sell? Or sell 2 for a -4 hit?

    A) Mane —> Salah
    B) Mahrez —> Pulisic
    C) Jimi —> Jesus
    D) Aurier —> Azpilicueta

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends. Aurier unlikely to play the next couple if at all play again this season. However, if you have decent cover for him, I would say B

  13. nicholasporteous
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Am I crazy to consider this move to chase 50 points in the last few weeks (I still have TC and FH):

    TAA + KDB --> Egan + Sterling

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

      I wouldn’t because TAA has the capacity to score/assist and KDB is in a different league

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This move would've been brilliant a couple of weeks ago. Not sure about now.

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

        Agreed. Chasing the gameweeks - just trying to find something radical to catch up in my mini-league.

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

    Hello,

    2 FT, 0 ITB, advice greatly appreciated!

    Ederson
    TAA, Digne, Egan
    KDB, Salah, Sterling, Fernandes, Martial
    Jimenez, Greenwood

    (McCarthy, Basham, Lascelles, Nketiah)

    A) Jimenez & Martial -> Ings & Pulisic
    B) Jimenez, Martial & Basham -> Vardy, Antonio & 4.0 Fodder (-4)
    C) Jimenez & Salah -> Vardy & Pulisic/Antonio (leaves 3.6 ITB for no idea what)
    D) Nketiah & Salah -> Vardy & Antonio (would bench Jimi/Antonio/Greenwood each week but gives cover for rotation?)
    E) Jimenez & Basham -> Ings & Tarkowski

    Wouldn't mind a chelsea player for NOR but swaying towards E due to great Burnley fixtures/defensive form and not wanting to drop any of my mids!

    Cheers.

  15. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Richarlison has Aston Villa and Bournemouth left at home.

    Worth it or are they too on the beach?

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

      Beach

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

      Depends on which team turns up, could rip it up or roll over?

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Too many other midfield options firing. Would prefer Digne/DCL

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

      Sipping his cocktails on beach(godison Park)

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

      Everton are trash

    6. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Stay away from Everton.

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

    GW36

    Worth doing Douglas Luiz to Puli -4
    *Puli (C)
    *Bench Greenwod vs Palace

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

    I would like to play my bench boost but need 2 nailed on defenders to complete my squad.

    two questions

    a) which Chelsea players are most likely to play against Norwich?
    B) which Man City players is Pep likely to select?

    I know there is no certainty but thoughts would be helpful

    Thanks

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

      Ederson

      Azi

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

    Should have said defenders in these above questions

  19. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah to Raz Y or N?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah against Arsenal defence

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      considering it.

      Salah v Arsenal could be good though, especially with amount ditching him.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      N

  20. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier's brother shot dead?

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

      Yes

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

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

      Sadly yes.

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

      Dial up out your way?

  21. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Think ppl are obsessing too much over who will start vs Bournemouth

    of the main attackers whoever starts will certianly be taken off very early and given that most of the goals are scored in 2nd half, the difference between playing 60 mins or 30 mins probably wont be much

    The best decision could very well be just sticking with what u have and hoping they are involved in the goals

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

      Inclined to agree somewhat. However, 4/5 goals in the last game came before 60 mins, and since Pep is prioritising the cup, it's not necessary to bring on the big guns once the game is put to bed. Maybe Tommy Doyle will come on instead.

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

        Totally agree i think first half will be 3-0 and all the big guns will jus be on the bench

  22. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi All

    needing to get another City (or at least a different one to Mahrez) and a Norwich player in:

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Egan
    Salah Fernandes KDB(c) Mahrez
    Vardy Greenwood Jimenez

    Pope Saka Taylor Tanganga
    1FT 1.6m ITB

    A) Vardy to Jesus & Mahrez to Pulisic
    B) Mahrez to Sterling & Vardy to Abraham (would have to hold out for team news)
    C) Salah to Sterling & Mahrez to Pulisic

    so stuck...

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

    FH team, risking with no utd but dont want to lose any of the front 7. Also In defence wanna keep TAA, fancy him against Ars.

    Toughts? Or keep Bruno instead of Rich? Should I use money from the bank on some upgrade?

    Pope
    TAA Azpi Digne
    Sterling Dilva Puli Willian Rich
    Jesus Ings

    3.9 Greenwood Egan 3.9

    2.2m itb

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

      I agree with the bench.
      Dilva
      Puli
      Willian should play
      Richarlison too.

      Everyone else is at risk of rotation including Ings with game time.

  24. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Salah/Mahrez/DCL - Martial/Antonio/Ings worth a - 4?

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

      Salah probably my captain

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

      I think salah gonna score against arsenal for sure

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

      I don’t like the idea of taking Salah out for a hit... but it might work out

  25. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys thoughts on FH below? 1.3 still in the bank 🙂

    Fabianski / McCarthy

    Alonso, TAA, Bertrand / Cresswell, Taylor

    Sterling, Foden, David Silva, Salah, Pulisic (C)

    Vardy, Ings / Greenwood

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

      Azpi instead of Alonso?

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain

    A. Dilva

    B. Giroud

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

      Dsilva for sure

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers fam

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

    Guys, need some help here

    What should i do. Am thinking of minus 8 to do kdb mane dcl to sterling dsilva and ings, should i? Or keep dcl against aston?

    Pope
    Vvd doherty awb
    Mane kdb bruno pulisic (C)
    Rash jimmy dcl

    Subs: button saka aurier lascelles

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

      I would just sell Dcl for someone, Ings, Giroud...

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

        Oh then keep kdb and mane?

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

          Well I wouldn’t get those two out for such a big hit! So yeah, I say keep.

  28. Patron
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys what do u think of Jimenez + Iheanacho (don’t ask me anything) > Ings and Giroud for a hit?
    Would then captain KDB.

    Initial thoughts were Salah and Iheanacho to Sterling and Ings for a hit but don’t like taking Salah out for a hit.

    Also no additional Man City players might hurt?
    Thanks...

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

      Captaining KDB seems risky. Maybe go for Giroud if he's starting and you buy him.

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

        Ye I know. This year I have that rule of “capping only 10m+ players” making it more fun for me. Thanks tho!

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

      Please don’t captain Kdb. I remember you from earlier, talking about this game frustrating you! Kdb will be benched most likely ahead of the FA cup semi game

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

        Haha was I that miserable? It’s just that I get easily frustrated, not like I’m depressed or something. Thanks for your concern tho and the advice!
        Not really sure hes gonna get benched, but let’s see! 🙂

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

          Yeah your choice! I reckon he’ll come on for 20 minutes. There’s no point of risking him before a much bigger game when Pep can just play Dilva who is a class player

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

            U might be right. U think Sterling will start?

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

              Yeah. Sterling’s had his rest vs Newcastle, whereas Kdb has started the last two. Personally I’m benching Kdb this week

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

      Who is your VC?

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

        Salahhh

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

    Best defender for 5.6 or under?
    Cheers

  30. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Got 2 fts and 0.9 to tidy up this team.Any suggestions?

    Ederson

    Taa Seiss Maguire

    Kdb Traore Foden Bruno

    Rashford Jiminez Auba

    Leno Cantwell Lascelles Lund