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. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Went Willian or Pulisic and already regretting it!

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

      over**

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

      Why?

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

        tbh I do not know! Ha penos

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

    Thoughts on being a crab?

    Martinez (Button)

    TAA/Aurier/Doherty/(Holgate/Pieters)

    Salah/Mahrez/KDB/Martial/Saka

    Rashford/Greenwood/Jiminez

    As Bruno is killing my rank, is it worth using 2 FT to go sideways

    Rashord ->Jesus

    KDB -> Bruno

    Aurier a worry with the sad news about his brother too

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

      Rash-Jesus

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

    Which 1 to leave out on FH?

    A) Salah
    B) Pulisic
    C) Willian

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

      Salad

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

        +1

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

          Leaning towards Salah

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

            Same but not comfortable with it

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

              Same

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

    Season over if Bruno blanks tonight

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

      Season over if Bruno hauls tonight 😀

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

        Season over

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

    Current team is:

    Pope (Martin)
    VVD Digne AWB (Kiko Holgate)
    Sterling Bruno Martial Pulisic Antonio
    Kane Vardy (Connolly)

    Would you play the FH chip to get this team, or save it till GW38+?

    Henderson (Virginia)
    Alonso Digne Tarkowski (Dawson Lamptey)
    Salah KdB D.Silva Bruno Pulisic
    Jesus Giroud (Ighalo)

    And then do Kane/Pulisic > Salah/Ings ahead of GW37.

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

      Alonso would become Azpi if team leaks show he doesn't start

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like it but confident of Dilva and Giroud starting?

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

    Who do we fancy more this week?
    A. City v BOU
    B. Chelsea v NOR

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

      Both thats why I will be playing FH and have 6 players from these two

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Bottomed.
    Gtg? Anything worth a hit

    Martinez
    Doherty • Digne • Lamptey
    Mo • Sterling • KDB • Bruno • Foden
    Rashford • Greenwood
    (3.9 / Jiménez / Lascelles / 3.9)

    Might punt on Foden(C)

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

      Gtg, Foden exciting c punt

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

    Not sure what to do here so thinking of saving FT...

    Thoughts?

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez Pulisic
    Vardy Greenwood

    Reina DCL Saiss Taylor

    Cheers.

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy to jesus? Or Ings?

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

      You have decent Aurier cover so that's no issue. Mahrez will likely not play though. I have him in my team and am doubling up on Chelsea. Mahrez to Willian?

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

      Save

  9. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?
    A) take some hits
    B) free hit
    C) keep as is

    Patricio
    AWB VVD Doherty
    KDB Salah Fernandes Pulisic Willian
    Rashford Jesus

    Button;Nketiah, Lascelles, Simpson

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks fine to me tbh bro

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers man

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

      C

    3. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm chasing so who would you captain?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Chasing? Whichever Chelsea boy you trust more

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope (3.9)
    TAA Doherty Aurier* (Lascelles 3.9)
    Mane KDB Bruno Mahrez (Guendouzi)
    Vardy Rashford Greenwood

    1FT 1.1m ITB. Was thinking to save FH for 38 but...
    Aurier possibly out (brother) - and don’t trust Lascelles cover this week
    Mahrez possible benching
    Vardy/Rashford not doing too well
    No Sterling or Chelsea

    Wwyd?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tricky tricky. Mane and Vardy out for
      sterling and ings
      Or
      Pulisic/Willian and jesus

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

      Tough. Mahrez + Aurier to Willian/Puli + Digne or some such?

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

      Same problem as me. On paper team looks good, but all you need is KDB and Mahrez rested and it all falls apart. Ditto if Chelsea go to town on Norwich.

      What would your FH look like?

  11. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez isnt playing this week is he?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No way of knowing with Pep, but isn’t looking likely.

      Would you rather DSilva or Willian/Pulisic to replace him? Help above?

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

      I've been banging my head trying to figure this out myself. I am about 90% certain he does not start the game

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

        ye its so tough I took out Martial for Willian instead of Mahrez for Willian! Poor move but could look away from BOU vs City at home

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

      Very unlikely that he starts.

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

        Same problem, I’m going to see tonight - I have triple utd greenwood c and if he hauls I’ll have some leeway and will take the hit to bring Dilva in for him

        Mid will then be Bruno,Willian, kdb,dilva, puli

  12. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rash KDB to Jesus Willian -4 ? Something else ??

    Current team:
    Ederson
    TAA/Doherty/Kiko
    Salah/Sterling/KDB/Bruno/Puli
    Rash/Green

    Martin/Lasc/Holgate/Connolly

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would be wary losing KDB for -4...

      Just rash to Jesus if you can?

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

        This

      2. RA88IT
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Can't do just that move because he already has 3 City.

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

    Ok, sorry... here’s V2 Free Hit

    Ederson
    AWB Azpil Bertrand
    Willian Pulisic Sterling Salah Antonio
    Ings Rashford

    Tossing up between:

    1) Vardy vs Rashford
    2) Pulisic vs Bilva
    3) Rashford & Salah vs Fernandes & Jesus

    I’ve clearly overthought this

  14. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Predictions for today?

    3-1 Man U for me.

    2 from Rash and a large one from Ighalo. Armstrong scores for SH.

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Late**

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

    Anyone else leaning closer to a Free Hit this week? The major benefit is being able to load up on Chelsea v Norwich and not be saddled with them afterwards. Also it would be possible to get your preferred City players in based on best lineup guesses.

    Obviously 38 is a good shout for a FH, but can anyone guess what lineups will be on that final day? Seems a FH might mitigate benching issues, but would be v difficult to second guess lineups regardless.

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea are risky business in their current form.

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

        It's Norwich though

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m leaning more towards it as team falls apart, as above

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

      Rather FH 38
      more uncertainty on team news now than it'll be for 38
      City & Liverpool will play their full strength side in last match of the season, west Ham will have a important game, Aubameyang is also an option

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why will they both play full strength?

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

        This.

        Would suck big time if you got the City big hitters and they are benched. Likewise if you don't get them because you think they are benched, then they start and haul. Too much uncertainty for me this week. And have people forgotten about the stats on the last day, how teams usaully score more goals then.

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

    Mahrez Martial
    To
    Sterling foden (-4)
    Yay or nay?

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don’t think sterling starts, so nay from me.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Go for it

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

    Best transfer;

    A) Jimenez >> Ings

    B) Son >> Pulisic

    Tnks.

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

      I did B already. Good luck.

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

    Fill the empty spaces on this FH:

    Pope (McCarthy)
    TAA AWB Doherty (Boly Stevens)
    Fernandes Pulisic Sterling ? ?
    ? Giroud (Fodder/Greenwood depending on below)

    1) KDB + Willian + Jesus
    2) KDB + Foden + Greenwood
    3) Foden + Willian + Jesus

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

    Hendo
    Boly-Alonso-Awb
    Salah-Bruno-Foden-Bowen-Pulisic
    Rash-Jimmi

    Jimmi to Ings -4?

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

    Digne (villa home) or TAA (arsenal away) on FH?

    1. Test Eagles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Digne just

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

        Ok and AWB or TAA?

        1. Test Eagles
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          AwB

  21. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden (C) next week for me. Fun punt and I’m 380k overall so feck it

  22. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any suggestions lads? Was thinking of KDB to Pulisic for one game?

    Martinez
    TAA Doherty Taylor
    KDB Salah Sterling Bruno
    Greenwood Rashford Giroud

    Nyland Saka Lascelles Ward

    1.8 itb, 1 FT, only BB chip left
    Cheers!

  23. timmmuh
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cracking week (FH and had Antonio and Sterling (C)); on 94 with three ManU players to go (Bruno-Greenwood-AWB). Transferred in Pulisic for Son ... then the Aurier news hit. Do I:

    A) play Lascelles v Tot
    B) take -4 hit to transfer in any non-ManU/City Defender (have 3.3 ITB, so 8.3 to spend)? ... Doherty/Robbo/Tark/Digne ???

    Other Defenders are Saiss/TAA/Jack Robinson (and Lascelles)

    Cheers!

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

      A

  24. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    For those with triple captain left, the answer to 'when should I play it?' was Antonio away at Norwich. Hth.

  25. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah to Sterling?

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

      Not sure I would chase that ... Salah for GBoot ...

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

      if your chasing yes

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Defending a lead and he has Sterling

        Worrying to say least after his haul and Salah fail

  26. 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

    Thanks!

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

      Like it!

  27. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which move do you rate more this week and why?
    A) Mane to Sterling
    B) Vardy/Rashford to Jesus

    Team above

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

      Maybe B

  28. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Vardy to jesus
    B) vardy to giroud
    C) Mahrez to dilva
    D) mahrez to foden
    E) 2 of the above for - 4

    Henderson
    TAA Doherty awb
    Kdb mahrez Bruno martial pulisic
    Vardy ings
    (Leno egan lund nketiah)

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

    A) Ings, Greenwood, Salah, Pulisic, TAA (Egan)
    B) Vardy, Greenwood, Salah, Antonio, TAA (Egan) (-4)
    C) Vardy, Greenwood, Martial, Pulisic, TAA (Egan)
    D) Vardy, Jimenez, Martial, Antonio, TAA (Greenwood)
    E) Ings,Greenwood, Salah, Martial, TAA (Tarkowski)
    F) Ings, Greenwood,Salah, Martial, Azpi (Egan)

    Edging towards E (Burnley defence/fixtures) or F (Chelsea home to Norwich) as I don't really want to lose Salah or Martial, but I have no Chelsea players for (NOR)!

    Cheers!

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

    Rate my FH team:

    McCarthy
    AWB, Digne, Azpilicueta
    Salah, Sterling (c), Dilva, Pulisic, Fernandes
    Ings, Jesus