Pro Pundits - Zophar

The Fantasy Premier League players and teams to target for Gameweek 38+

Six-time top 5k finisher Zøphar talks us through every match of Gameweek 38+ and discusses his Free Hit draft.


The final Gameweek of the season is here and if last season’s concluding matchday is any indication, there are serious point gains to be made.

A total of 36 goals were scored in Gameweek 38 of 2019/20, with six different teams scoring on three or more occasions.

For this article, I will be looking at the various fixtures and identifying players which can help you make that final push, whether you’re on a Free Hit or making transfers.

The Champions League chasers

Chelsea v Wolves


Hope you have enjoyed the articles this season, I have certainly enjoyed writing them for you. Good luck!

*stats correct after Saturday’s match between Norwich City and Burnley


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.

1,013 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why does Sterling have a tiny finger coming out of his mouth?

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

      It's all that remains of Shane Duffy

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

        Lol good one

  2. Bring back Rafa
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone like me and have played their FH but just slowly working players in and out of my squad to try to squeeze an extra $0.1m here and there?

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

      Lots of people do that. It can sometimes backfire when you sell a player you eventually want.

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

      that's the norm of many 🙂

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

      Dont have such issue because money is not a problem

  3. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early free hit thoughts for GW38:
    Button Martinez
    Trent Cresswell Pieters Aurier Lamptey
    Salah Moura David Silva Fernandes Antonio
    Kane Jesus Nketiah

    Would appreciate your feedback!

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone?

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

      when posting a FH its best to just post your starting 11 with subs at the bottom..will get you more responses

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Definitely endorse this (or putting the subs in parentheses). Even if it's not a FH. People need to be able to tell what formation you plan to play.

        Team looks good to me.

        1. Will J 256
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Okay. Sorry about that! Am new to this. Will do that next time definitely!

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks good, play Aurier over Cresswell if you arent already

  4. Bring back Rafa
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chances of Nketiah getting a start in GW38?
    He has served his 3-match suspension now and you'd think Arteta would wanna get him sharp if he needs to use him in the FA Cup final, right?

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

      GW 38? He's eligible to even play this week.

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

      Think that Nketiah will start 37 and Laca 38

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

        Yeah this.

  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts on this bunch?

    Pope (McCarthy)
    Alexander-Arnold, Doherty, Alonso, (Taylor) (Egan)
    Sterling, David Silva, Fernandes, Martial (Foden)
    Ings, Rashford, Jiménez

    1 FT, 0.5 in bank.

    Would like 3 starting MC attackers but that requires a hit at least.
    Triple United attacker is a bit of a basket job with little cover for other teams.

    Cheers for any ideas.

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

      Bank transfer for next season

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks mate.

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

          There is not much you can do here tbf. You have 3 City already and 2 will start at least and thats not bad.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd say your weakest points would be Doherty and triple Man U being over-kill, same as me.
      You could downgrade Doherty to Pieters and do Rash>Auba or Kane. But Martial is away, so if one Man U had to go, you'd probably want it to be him, but that said I wouldnt be surprised to see him get points despite the fact.
      Sensible thing is probably just considering a Doherty move, at least you have Dilva already.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, maybe an injury will change things.

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd probably do Foden + one of your forwards -> Mahrez + bench forward (play 3-5-2).

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, that or get a City defender and change Foden.

    4. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It doesn't look bad at all.. I would probably downgrade TAA and take one of united midfielders to salah or downgrade Doherty and upgrade jimi to Auba/Kane
      Depends on who you want more salah or Auba/Kane.

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

      Good team mate! Who you gonna captain?

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

    If Watford stay safe before last GW then i think it would be better to get Auba than Kane on FH

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

    Mahrez, Pulisic and Vardy
    To
    Silva, Antonio and Kane?

    I don't care it's for 8pts it's last weekend and I'm ahead by 75 before tomorrow.

    He's gonna spend to get those in I know it. Maybe Auba for Kane.

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

    with MC out of the FA cup would you still expect Foden to start on Tuesday?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Less likely but he should.

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

      Ive should

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

        He

  9. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Aurier dropping tonight ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unlikely but possible.

  10. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit thoughts?
    Martinez
    Trent Pieters Aurier
    Salah Fernandes D Silva Moura Antonio
    Kane Jesus
    Subs:
    Button, Cresswell, Nketiah, Lamptey

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

    Pulisic, Doherty > Dilva, Alonso ? Yes or no

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably ok, the Alonso move is nice. The Puli>Dilva, idk I guess so. Feel people are over-hyping Dilva a bit tbh, if Puli gets a return then did you gain anything?
      I assume this entials a -4?

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

        Yes it does. Thanks for your thoughts

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

        Over hyping David Silva?

        Spits tea out.

        Chelsea Wolves got nil nil on it for me.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          lol, I think most people are expecting 90 points from Dilva

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

            Double digits is a very real possibility. Dare say probability.

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              yea who am I kidding, I'd do it

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

        he really isn't being overhyped, it's being descriptive of what is....

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

        I agree with David Silva being overhyped for GW38 tbh. Can he score well? Yes. But all this clamour about him being on all set pieces, even on penalties etc. has got a bit out of hand. (I hope he's not on penalties for the record. He's hardly ever taken one in his professional career and he'd be up against Krul.)

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

          Alrighty then

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

    so who thinks Man City will win the champions league?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Given what Arsenal did...

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

      No chance and I am a Blue

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

      Unfortunately madrid has found their form at the right time.

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

    which one?

    A. Dilva and Pieters for free
    B. Sterling and Pieters -4 points

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling has a higher ceiling I guess but a higher risk. Like last time he got 45 minutes and 1 point.

      Dilva should get something in his farewell game, shouldn’t he?

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

      Def B

  14. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play:

    A) Jimenez - che
    B) Wood - BHA

    ?

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

      A

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  15. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Jimenez or Greenwood? (already playing Rash and Fernandes)

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raul, better player, fair chance of scoring.

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

      Jimmy for sure

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood

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

      jimmy

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B?
    A. Doherty>Pieters (to go with Pope & Tark) - I feel a very good chance of a CS
    B. Doherty>Tierney - Im not so confident of a CS but its more exciting and maybe Tierney gets an attacking return

    Aurier isnt an option

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A, Gooners 1 eye on the cup, you don't want a sub-60' cleanie.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks

  17. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane or Auba to replace Vardy in this squad?

    Pope, 3.9
    Trent, Doherty, Saiss, Aurier, Holgate
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Pulisic, Douglas Luiz
    Vardy, Greenwood, Jimenez

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

      Normally would say Auba but Watford fighting for their lives and perhaps mins managed for fa cup final.
      Palace are useless so Kane this week

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah. After today, my thoughts on Kane have changed.

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

          I know he score twice but did he really look good and hungry?

          They were written off 3 gameweeks ago

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

            I think Kane is the same kind of player as in previous seasons - i.e. a bit of a troll, can do well against most teams but can also blank against the worst. The only difference is that he's getting fewer good chances.

            Having said all that, I'm probably getting him for GW38 just because Palace are not good right now.

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

              Have to check his record v them

          2. tokara
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Dun get kane

          3. jdp219
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Did he? Didn't see much of the game.

            Still, Kane has 4 goals and Son has three straight weeks of returns. Not sure they get memo, it would seem.

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

            Ya they were 2 great goals.

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

      Auba

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

    What you reckon to this for NON FH team?

    Patricio
    Aurier Taa Tarkowski
    Salah Sterling KDB Antonio Silva
    Ings Wood

    Martin Nketiah Doherty Holgate

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only lacks united attack but it looks good tho

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

        Yea my city leagues dont allow it so I dont play for OR the years they play well hahaha. Just play to win leagues I am in.

        Been a good few years til now!

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

    What’s going on with the mobile version of the website? Zoom parameters are all out of whack. Developers please address

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fine for me.

      Have you hit the button bottom left and put it in desktop mode? Hit it again and it should go back, should be showing a Computer screen logo when on mobile mode.

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Failing that, grab a screenshot of what you're seeing and email it over to me and I'll take a look tomorrow when I'm more awake 🙂

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

          Went to Iphone Settings > Safari and Zoom was set to 125%. Have rectified. Thanks all - was doing my head in!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Posting on an iPhone with no issues.

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

        Posting ok but the page isn’t fitting in my screen. Maybe I’ve changed the magnification on iPhone inadvertently but never had this issue before

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Try the bottom left corner as Rotation says.

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

            Nope was webpage settings in Safari. Thanks

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fine for me too

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Whenever I try to post from my phone all my comments are marked for review. Maybe I was bad :/
      IDK, but its the same account and if I post from my computer they arent marked for review

      Any ideas?

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

    Already own Kdb Dilva Jesus
    Any reason to switch this city combo for a hit?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope. Not even for free

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

        Cheers. Tempted to captain kdb as a lot won’t. We’ll see

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          If he doesn't get his assists vs watford to break henry's record, Norwich will be a great chance for KDB haul.
          He can pass the peno to silva too.. What a scenario

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just an injury.

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

        Had to take the chance due to price changes
        Went Rashford / Bruno to Antonio / Kane
        Yolo!

  21. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which Burnley defender under 5m to go with Pope?

    1) Bardsley
    2) Pieters
    3) Long

    Leaning toward #2, but open to arguments.

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Brighton have been tight away since the 3-3 @whm. Might be worth going Long, could be some easy passing about for baps.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer pieters out of those

  22. Mortal.Swinbat
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Azpilicueta & Foden > Pieters & DSilva for a -4? Or is that madness

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds decent if you think Wolves score. 2 starters vs 1 most likely.

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

    Spurs with 29% possession and Kane extremely accurate for a change. Anyone tempted by him in GW38?

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

      Probably, but I don't really trust him or Spurs. He's not really getting good chances either for the most part.

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

    How’s this for a first draft of a FH team? Only downside I can see is no 3rd Man C player but pretty strong regardless.

    Playing 3-5-2:

    Martinez
    Aurier, Bardsley, Pieters
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, David Silva, Antonio
    Aubameyang, Kane

    Subs: Martin, Greenwood, Lamptey, Thomas

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

      Wow amazing tbh

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

        In fact I’ll change Lamptey and Thomas for Erik Garcia and Williams and still have 0.1 spare.

  25. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Price Changes - 20th July 2020

    Rises : Antonio 7.1

    Falls : B.Williams 3.8

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

      Williams definitely in my FH team then.

      1. tricky80
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Williams back to 3.9 by the end of the week.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Based on?

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

              Based on being a 3.8 enabler who will likely start

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  Would not be surprised at all if he doesn't start

          • @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Why(

          • Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Damn it now I can't get Antonio with the moves I had planned!

            Waiting can have it's downsides.

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

              That sucks.
              I had to take a chance before rest of the games are played to not be outpriced

          • waldo666
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers TM.

          • Francescoli
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers TM

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

          hello dz, any early thoughts on my bunch?

          Pope, Martinez,
          TAA, Doh, Aurier, Stephens, Taylor*
          Raz, KDB, Mahrez, Bruno, Pulisic
          Rashford, Ings, Greenwood

          2 FTs, 0.1m itb. Burnt all chips

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

            Thinking of:

            Rashford -> Auba
            Mahrez -> Dilva
            Doh -> Cheapie to fund the above 2 for -4

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

              Cheapie can be AWB or Maguire!

        3. Najoman86
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Rather envious of FH chip holders heading in to the final GW.
          With 2FTs available & £0.9m, any thoughts on the below? Vardy the likely out for Jesus or Auba

          Pope
          Alonso Maguire TAA
          KDB Sterling Martial Pulisic
          Vardy Jimenez Greenwood
          (Martin Saka Saiss Lascelles)

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

          A) Sterling and Antonio
          B) KDB and Fernandes

          1. waldo666
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            B

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

            Ha I’m on kdb and Antonio

        5. kamdaraji
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          it would be classic FPL if everyones pre FH team outscored the FH team

          1. Mortal.Swinbat
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Happed to me last week, FH cost me 10 points lol. Love it

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

            I think there will be plenty of cases where this will happen. The FH is only an advantage if you can pick the right players, and in a normal GW there are no guarantees. The only occasions where the FH will (almost) definitely work out in your favour are doubles and blanks.

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

              yes I agree. Hard to nail every player on a free hit that you think might do well