Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 37+

To borrow Andy’s fancy word and a pun from Greyhead – it’s the penultimate Gameweek of the season and everyone’s getting Wood. 

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 37+

Due to FA Cup action this weekend the Premier League matches are a little more spaced out than we’ve been used to recently – today’s deadline is at the unusual time of 16:30 BST

Although, frustratingly for Fantasy managers, both semi-finals kick-off after the FPL cut-off. And with their cup ties taking place before their Gameweek 37+ fixtures, players from both Manchester sides, Chelsea, and Arsenal come with a slight health warning.

But, as we all know from painful experience, this is not a reminder we need when it comes to City players. As so often happens, there were more losers than winners on the Pep Roulette in Gameweek 36+.

This is despite Joe’s astute pick on last week’s Scoutcast.

Our generous host singled out David Silva ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to the Etihad – but failed to heed his own advice! Thankfully others benefited from his foresight. 

Burnley Appeal

As hinted at in the opening, a certain Burnley striker is getting people all worked up. Yes, a Burnley striker. 

In truth, the reason for the attraction has almost as much to do with the opposition as it does with Burnley’s goalscoring.  

Norwich’s defence allowed yet another team’s centre-forward upwards of eight chances in a match.

– David

Owners of Oliver Giroud were a little unfortunate that the Frenchman didn’t follow in the footsteps of Michail Antonio when Chelsea played Norwich on Tuesday evening. A single goal from eight shots could easily have been more.

Chris Wood, like Giroud, is also strong in the air – a perceived weakness in the Canaries defence. Daniel Farke’s men have conceded 104 headed attempts at goal, only Newcastle United have a worse record.

TheFantasyFreÆK made an strong case for the Clarets’ number 11 in his regular review:

Chris Wood, who is Burnley’s chief goal and aerial threat, looks poised to take advantage. He has already recorded a brace against the Canaries earlier in the season and that goal vs Wolves should give him confidence. Burnley’s strikers are often underappreciated hence this might have gone under the radar but only Vardy, Jesus and Abraham have recorded more big chances in the league than Wood this season.

– TheFantasyFreÆK

Pro Pundit Tom Freeman agrees with the recommendation.

Ahead of the Wolves match in midweek – in which Wood scored – the five-time top 1,000 manager noted:

He’s Burnley’s top goalscorer this season with 11, and has accumulated 27 big chances so far this season.

– Tom Freeman

Tom has previously highlighted Wood’s strike partner, Jay Rodriguez, in his differentials article. But the former-Southampton forward was withdrawn early in the second half of Wednesday’s game with a calf strain. 

Although, as Neale reports in his team news round-up, he has been passed fit to face Norwich. Nonetheless, Tom favours the New Zealander this Gameweek. In fact, Wood even gets the nod over Danny Ings and Raul Jiménez, both good options in their own right.

And if fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United put you off Pulisic, Willian or Antonio, consider Dwight McNeil as an alternative in midfield. His creativity was emphasised in Tom’s Pro Pundit article.

Tom was also on site for an hour-long Q&A yesterday lunchtime. Among the common questions and answers the Burnley defence was repeatedly mentioned.

James Tarkowski’s points potential at both ends of the pitch makes him the stand out option, especially with cut-price full-back Charlie Taylor ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Martial No. 1

And Tom has a lot of confidence in Anthony Martial. Even going as far to say:

Yeah, Martial would be my top pick in the entire game right now.

– Tom Freeman

High praise.

In his Scout Notes from Selhurst Park, Neale included a handy table detailing the performance of Man United’s main attackers since the restart..

Points per matchDouble-digit haulsBlanksGoalsAssists
Martial9.63264
Fernandes9.63155
Rashford5.71333
Greenwood5.62441
Above: The FPL record of United’s front four from Gameweek 30+ onwards

As mentioned, FA Cup participation puts a slight question mark next to Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, and there’s also the reduced recovery period between matches to consider, which Pro Pundit Zophar detailed last week.

Bournemouth Improvement

Don’t ignore Bournemouth was one of the messages on the Scoutcast. While Joe’s suggestion of Dominic Solanke wasn’t met with much enthusiasm, Andy was more convinced of the potential of Junior Stanislas.

Indeed, the Cherries midfielder is the headline pick in Tom’s latest differentials offering.

Since Gameweek 30+, Stanislas leads the way at Bournemouth for shots, shots in the box, created chances and crosses, whilst his three goal involvements (two goals, one assist) is more than any other teammate.

– Tom Freeman  

Striking Options Can Profit

Danny Ings drew more praise from his manager following his goal against Brighton:

Now he’s fit and when Ingsy is fit, he can work hard and also play 90 minutes. Now, in this moment, I don’t need to sub him in the end, like in the beginning [of the season], when after 60, 70 minutes he was finished.

– Ralph Hasenhuttl 

After rotating against the Seagulls – including a rest for the impressive Stuart Armstrong – it is hoped the Saints will be back to near full strength for the trip to the Vitality Stadium.

Eddie Howe’s side remain without the influential Nathan Ake, who is sidelined with a groin injury.

Also hoping to capitalise on an injured-hit back-line is Raul Jiménez. On the scoresheet for the second successive match, the Mexican comes up against a Crystal Palace rearguard bereft of Gary Cahill and Patrick van Aanholt.

While Jimenez lacks explosive returns – only once this season has he scored more than a single goal in a match – his consistency sees him edging towards 200 FPL points.

How to Play Your Hand

Pro Pundits Simon March and Andy have both taken a look at the tactics you might want to employ over the final two Gameweeks.

Former FPL winner Simon focused on protecting a mini-league advantage. Outlining three potential strategies: ‘Follow the Follower’, ‘Playing it Safe’, and ‘Playing Your Own Game’. Worthwhile reading for those looking to hold off their rivals.

While Andy looked at ownership figures in the top 10,000 to determine who might be some of the best differentials going into the final two rounds of matches.

Looking ahead to Gameweek 38+, Liverpool’s premium pair could be worth considering. Finding themselves in a comparatively low number of squads, Salah and Mané face statistically the worst defensive team since the restart in Newcastle United. The Magpies have an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 14.02.

Since Gameweek 30+ only three players have a higher expected goal involvement (xGI) than Salah.

Expected goals is often a divisive statistic, with as many detractors as it has fans. But when revealing what’s brought him success in FPL, our Hall of Fame number three, Fábio Borges, credits the marmite metric:

Then, four seasons ago, I found out about xG. And since then it’s the only stat I use (along with xA) when making FPL decisions. Of course, it is not perfect but if the model is reliable – and you know how to interpret it – I believe it is, by far, the most useful stat for FPL.

– Fábio Borges

Perfect timing then for those who would like to find out more – Fantasy Football Scout is offering free access to the Members’ Area for three days. Discover all the benefits membership has to offer.

Final checks

Don’t forget to check out the latest Team News and Predicted Line-ups which is updated throughout the day and, as usual, G-Whizz has been kind enough to supply the best odds of a clean sheet. Only three teams managed shutouts in Gameweek 36+ although they were all in the top five when it came to odds.

Finally, a heads up that the final FPL deadline of the season is on Sunday 26 July at 15:00 BST.

Community Competitions

A full round-up of Community Competitions will follow this article.

The Head-to-Head leagues have been updated for Gameweek 36+, results and tables are currently showing on the main Head-to-Head page.

The fixtures for Gameweek 37+ are below:

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,915 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jota to wood or save????

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

      Do it

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Save

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

      Wood

    4. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood

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

      easy save

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

    TC? I'm on Rashford right now. Rival doesn't have him, but we both have Martial and Bruno. He's chasing, I'm about 50 pts ahead. Go safe or go Rash?

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

      Martial

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

      TC this week...

      I'd go Martial but he won't haul every week.

      Then Bruno followed by Rash.

      Think you need to make your own TC pick.

    3. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Go with your choice. Don’t try and second guess or be clever. Always ends painfully.

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

      Martial

  3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play
    1 Pope
    2 Martinez

    Bench 2 from
    A Digne
    B TAA
    C Lamptey
    D Mendy

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

      1

      Bench C A

    2. Le _ Professeur
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2
      C
      D

      1. Le _ Professeur
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        1*

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

    Vardy to ings for a hit?

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

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

    Any leaked team news?

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

      For Norwich or Burnley?

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Burnley are alway the same. Norwich are always Sh1t.

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

        Hold the back page!!

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

    How does this FH team look:

    Pope,
    Doherty, Boly, Laporte, (Pieters, £3.9m)
    KDB, Son, Bruno, Martial, (£4.2m)
    Ings, Rashford, Jimi

    £0.8m ITB

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

      Double wolves defence after so many late heart breaks? I think I’d prefer double Burnley

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Me too

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

        So many late heart-breaks? I think this is a bit of recency bias. When was the last one other then last week? 6 cleanies in the last 8

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

    Patricio

    Doherty, taa, Lund (aurier, lascelles)
    Sterling, kdb, Bruno, foden (pulisic)
    Kane(c) Jota Greenwood

    1ft, 0.8m itv

    A) taa > pieters, Greenwood > wood -4
    B) Jota > wood, mane sterling -4
    C) Greenwood > wood
    D) Jota > wood

    Chasing need a couple of differentials

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has Patrício upset the rest of your squad? 😉

      I wood go D

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

      C

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

        Patricio is preparing for what his area will look like tomorrow hopefully!

        Just realised I can’t actually just do Greenwood>wood,

        Might take the -4 for wood and get pieters in to cover aurier

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

    Every time i am between Joshua and Callum i pick the wrong one.

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

      Go Callum

  9. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start 2, please!

    A) Willian
    B) Pulisic
    C) Foden

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bench A

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B
      C

  10. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gtg bench order etc?

    DDG
    Taa Boly Digne
    Salah C Mahrez DSilva Foden
    Rashford vc Greenwood Jimenez

    Martinez Pulisic Alonso Fernandez

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gtg

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Ballers, Martial over Bruno for the armband?

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Tark
    KDB, Bruno, Martial, Pulisic
    Greenwood, Ings

    Button, DCL, Aurier, Taylor

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

    2. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial

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

      Yep

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

      M

  12. FPLHaggis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Willian or Foden?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      W

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oh come on! You suggested me to bench Willian for Foden just 3 posts above this?

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

          hahaha

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

      Foden IMO but with similar doubts as me

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

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

    Start Greenwood or Foden?

    1. Lucas8406
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m leaning toward Greenwood atm

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

      GW

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one isn’t it!

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I was on benching Foden but changed to GW

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

      Same problem here. Starting Foden. But can't decide.

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden is miles better in terms of xGI

  14. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any Rashford cappers ?

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

      Lots and lots

  15. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one of Puli, Trent or KdB?

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

      Puli

  16. JRD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    fpl_rocktar locked his account 4 non-followers
    damn

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just follow it then?

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

      He won't post line ups today, he said earlier

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will be posted on here

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I know yeah! I even followed him and still locked out! Haha

  17. IL Fantasista
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On TC and chasing, who to select for the armband?

    A: Martial
    B: B. Fernandes

    Tks in advance.

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Me too Bruno

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B.Runo

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

      A

  18. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Greenwood to Rash -4?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably if you cap

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

    Martial captainers not concerned of Ighalo? Or do we think he might start in the cup? Or just Martial will play both?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ighalo probably starts in the cup

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

        but what if he doesn't. Could be a big captain fail vs WHU

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          True, it's a risk, but I think I'm willing to take it. Top 4 way bigger priority than FA Cup for them and Ole will be running Martial into the ground if he starts him in both.

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

            Think i'm going to be risking it as well

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can't afford to rotate for this top four battle

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

      No way he plays the FA Cup and gets rested the in the league game. Top 4 is definite priority for United over FA Cup.

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

        cheers

  20. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    McCallum goal

  21. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My armband just went from Bruno to KDB....just can’t ignore the last to scores against Watford!

    Going mad?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *two

    2. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And his rest last GW

  22. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain Bruno or Martial ahhhhh

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tony, incredible home form

    2. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

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

      Martial

    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      From those 2, Bruno

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

      Martial but can’t go that badly either way can it?

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

    GTG?
    Captain Martial or Sterling?

    Ederson
    Digne, Stevens, Boly,
    Salah, Kdb, Fernandes, VC Sterling, C Martial,
    Ings, Vardy

    Button, Greenwood, Lamptey. Taylor

    .3

    1FT

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has to be Martial, Sterling is full of question marks of starting, but still glad i own.

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

      going for Sterling chasing down my rival!

  24. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gtg?

    Pope
    TAA, Saiss, Egan
    Sterling(vc), Martial(c), Bruno, Foden
    Vardy, Rashford, Wood

    Martinez, Pulisic, Holgate, Lascelles

  25. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Mahrez or Greenwood?

  26. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rank these in order of most to last points this GW

    Willian
    Greenwood
    Foden

  27. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Giroud or Greenwood to Wood?
    Or anyone else up to 9.7m?

    One week punt

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

      Giroud to Wood

    2. kempc23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood got to worth a punt. If it is for one week, are you FH next week? How about Greenwood to Rashford?

  28. kempc23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic to someone worth a -4?

    Pope
    TAA Wan-B Boly
    Sterling Bruno Martial(C) Pulisic
    Wood Ings Jesus

  29. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Right order of starters and bench?

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Fernandez
    Salah, Bruno, KDB, Martial(C)
    Greenwood, Jimi, Auba

    Button, Taylor, Hayden, Robinson

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

      Yay!

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

    Play Foden or Pulisic?