Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 38+

It’s here: the final day of the season! Soon all the tinkering will stop and the rollercoaster ride will begin. Strap yourselves in! 

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 38+. Today’s deadline is at 15:00 BST, one hour before all ten matches kick-off.

The basics first: check the team news. Neale watches all the press conferences throughout the season and will have a sense for how each Premier League manager might approach their last game.

His predicted line-ups and notes contain the most up-to-date information about each team. Make sure your picks or potential transfer targets are included in his best-guess starting XIs. We might get some early team news but it helps to be prepared as much as possible beforehand.

There are a number of different ways to approach Gameweek 38+ and what you choose to do may depend on your overall rank and mini-league situation.

Mark Sutherns, for instance, hasn’t enjoyed his best campaign despite climbing the ranks since the resumption. And he revealed on the FPL show that Christian Pulisic will be his captain because he needs something different to break into the top 100k.

But this isn’t a recommendation that all FPL managers do the same, as Mark himself admitted a safe pick would be a Manchester City player such as Raheem Sterling or, perhaps, Kevin De Bruyne. In the conclusion to his Captain Sensible article, David wrote:

Sterling is clearly the most promising asset from Guardiola’s squad based on his last four performances. No Citizen can match him for big chances or shots on target during that period as he has rediscovered his clinical edge and an impassioned desire to hit 20 or more goals in the Premier League this season.

– David, Captain Sensible

Not only is Sterling in good form but he faces a team in bad shape. Norwich City have conceded 54 shots in the box over their last four matches; only Brighton have been worse. 

It’s easy to understand why so many are considering Pep Guardiola’s troops. To add fuel to the fire, Pep himself revealed that scoring goals will be a motivation for his players:

Every game there has to be a target, a focus, a desire to win the game, and maybe, scoring 100 goals is one of the reasons why.

– Pep Guardiola

The Citizens are currently on 97 goals for the season. So, is everyone tripling up on the former champions?

We’ve had five articles from our Pro Pundits this week: Zophar, Sam, Az, Holly, and Lateriser12 and they all have three City players in their teams.

Likewise Neale, who is preparing his Free Hit team, and Andy, who isn’t on a Free Hit but will have three City attackers.

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 9

On the Scoutcast, Az unveiled an alternative Free Hit team, one without Aubameyang, while both Joe and guest Aleksander will have two City attackers. Aleksander is currently third in the world and is debating whether he goes all out to win FPL – which means picking some differentials – or playing safe and trying to hold onto the bronze medal.

And in his regular review, TheFantasyFreÆK explained how he favours the City front three

It seems only Mark will have one City player as he considers swapping Willian for David Silva

Who knows where the points are going to go, it’s a bit of a lottery isn’t it?

– Mark Sutherns, FPL Show

But there are plenty of opportunities this week for captain and transfer options with a number of enticing match-ups. 

Newcastle, as Neale outlined on the Team News video, are down five of their recognised six centre-halfs, while David described them as being “among the most obliging defences of the last four matches”.

Good news for Liverpool and perhaps Mohamed Salah, who has, according to expected goals, been “the ‘unluckiest’ player in the Premier League from Gameweek 30+ onwards when we factor in both the quality of his chances and the execution of his shots”.

As Pro Pundit Holly notes:

[Salah’s] top for shots (21), shots on target (12) and shots inside the box (19), so ignore him at your peril.

– Pro Pundit Holly
 1

On the Breakfast Club, Neale explained that Mané’s aerial ability could lead to points against the Magpies. Steve Bruce’s side have conceded the most headed chances since the restart, which is consistent with their performance all season. 

There could be a lot of joy in the air for Liverpool.

– Neale, Breakfast Club

Crystal Palace are another side who are expected to struggle, with injuries across their backline. Good news for Harry Kane:

Not only are the Eagles giving up a host of high-quality chances, Spurs’ centre-forward has been steadily improving his total of big chances and shots on target over the last four.

– David, Captain Sensible

Kane’s teammate Son Heung-min was mentioned by Aleksander on the Scoutcast, and Johnny Orphan, currently 53rd in the world, has an interesting theory that the Eagles’ current right-back Joel Ward is a weak link in their defence.

Meanwhile, Watford’s recent poor form will give encouragement to those backing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. The latter was selected by Pro Pundit Tom Freeman as one of his three differentials this week.

[The Hornets’] 13 big chances conceded over the last four matches is the same number as Palace and Norwich but means giving up one every 2.7 shots in the box.

– David, Captain Sensible

Seven of those big chances conceded were against Manchester City, it has to be said. 

Tricky Calls

We might feel reasonably confident in predicting wins for City, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal but a number of matches are much harder to call.

Take Chelsea v Wolves, for example. Both teams need to get a result to fulfil their European ambitions. The boldness of Mark’s decision to hand Pulisic the armband is highlighted when we consider the strength of the opposition defence: 

Five big chances conceded by Wolverhampton Wanderers since the restart, which is the lowest total in the division. No club has conceded fewer goals (four), shots in the box (16) or efforts in the box (41) than Wolves from Gameweek 30+ onwards.

– Neale, Big Numbers

And Manchester United’s trip to Leicester City is another game with a lot potentially riding on the result – a place in the Champions League could be at stake.

Their recent schedule afforded Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men very little time to recover between matches, which may well have contributed to some tired-looking performances. However, as Az warned on the Scoutcast, taking out United players could hurt given their huge ownership levels. 

But, equally, this could be a very cagey match as a draw will be good enough for both teams should Wolves beat Chelsea.

Go cheap at the back?

With many managers looking to invest in appealing attacking assets, identifying cut-price defenders with clean sheet potential could be key to Gameweek 38+ success.

So Chris Wood’s comments ahead of Burnley’s match against Brighton were music to our ears:

As a team, we’ll be fighting like hell for [Nick Pope]. He’s an outstanding goalkeeper. Hopefully, we can get him one more so he can get his hands on the Golden Glove.

– Chris Wood

Not only do Burnley offer several cheap defensive options but there’s also the chance they could produce some attacking returns too:

36 chances conceded by Brighton and Hove Albion from their right flank since the restart. Only relegated Norwich City have allowed more opportunities to be created from that zone than the Seagulls… Erik Pieters could potentially exploit that weakness when the two sides meet on Sunday, then.

– Neale, Big Numbers

Since replacing Bernd Leno in goal in Gameweek 30+, Emiliano Martinez has saved 83.3% of the shots on target he’s faced. At £4.4m, he could help enable more expensive options further forward.

And Southampton have the fifth-best chance of recording a clean sheet according to the latest odds supplied, as ever, by G-Whizz. Alex McCarthy, Jack Stephens and Kyle Walker-Peters are all sub-£4.5m options for our squads.

Enjoy the final day

Lateriser12 reminded us that we should try to have fun, and one way of doing that is by playing the game our way:

… you still need to make well informed decisions that are based on stats and the eye-test and on the correct side of probability. The point is that you have to be happy you made the right choice for your playing style, regardless of the outcome.

– Lateriser12

In his article this week, he quoted former community member Eunuch Jelly, who defined what made playing FPL so enjoyable for him:

If you keep your eye on the ball, you can set yourself up for hours of enjoyment at the expense of your rivals. I urge you to transcend points and find the true heart of the game, where those who take a different path can mock others for a few minutes on the weekend and be the real champions of the game.

– Eunuch Jelly

Whether it’s getting one over on a rival or reaching a certain rank, FPL is a game which unites us all.

And speaking of the Fantasy community, here’s your chance to get more involved with the site by joining the Scout Network.

Be it a cool tool, a video channel, amazing tech skills or anything else in between, we want to hear from you.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions – including the winners of both the Head-to-Head league and Last Man Standing – please click here to read the latest round-up.

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 38+ can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in (although you probably know by now!), follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

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

3,847 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So we won't be getting any leaked team news, so might as well set up our team as we normally do and hope for the best

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't rule it out.

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

      seems like it yes

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      10 chances of getting leaked teams today.

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

    A) KDB+Kane

    B) Sterling+Vardy

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

      A

  3. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is having Sterling KDB and Silva too much?

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

      The best 3 City you could have

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

        nah don't think so but 3rd pick is tough, Jesus Mahrez or KDB. KDB a bit easier to rule out because of price impact elsewhere.

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

      no

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      too much points? yes 😀

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The perfect combo IMO.

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

      If I could I would. Just Sterling & Dilva for me.

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

    A) KDB + Auba
    B) Salah + Jesus

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

      That’s tough.

      Probably B. By a gnat’s whisker

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

        Thanks. Your username just about sums it up!

  5. Sir_Durs8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I think both teams I’m competing against in ML’s will both go Sterling captain. Main league I’m 30 points behind with no chip left. Other league I’m 32 points ahead but he has his free hit this week. Not as bad if I lose this one money wise.

    Do I go:

    A) Bruno to Salah(c) and either Rashford>Ings or Azpi>Aurier for -4.

    B) Mahrez to Sterling(c) leaves me with -0.1 and then something like Pulisic>Antonio for -4 but could do a lot of different transfers.

    C) Foden & Bruno out for Trezeguet & Sterling(c) for -4 (Can also afford Salah instead)

    D) Foden to Silva (no hit) and go Jesus captain

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

    Bench 1:

    Sterling-Pulisic-Dilva-KDB-Bruno
    Jimi-Greenwood-Rash

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gwood

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

      Greenwood, I got exact same players except mahrez for kdb. Enough Man U coverage to bench greenwood

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      gReenwood

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry for the RP:

    Final check guys, anything worth a hit?

    McCarthy
    Saiss | Pieters | Kiko
    Salah | KdB | Sterling | Martial | Antonio
    Kane | Ings | Greenwood

    Button* | Lascelles* | El Mohamady

    BB Active hence layout.

    0FT, 0ITB

    Thanks guys

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team. Kane (c) yes?
      Only player I'm not keen on is Saiss (I have him too), however I don't think he's worth a hit

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Collin yes I agree. Kane is tempting as I’m chasing and even though Sterling is a differential I fully expect the 2 above me to put Sterling in

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth downgrading Aurier to Long so I can upgrade my bench??

    Connolly to Nketiah
    Tangana to Nico Williams
    Williams to Bardsley

  9. Casp123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What are the chances of Foden playing today?

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

      32% I'd guess

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

        well 32% to start, to come on as a sub like 85%

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          the maths doesn't add up

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

      50/50

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

      He should play. No one knows if he starts

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

      starting? feels unlikely, coming on though I think is very likely with all the sub options

    5. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Prob on as sub and score hattrick.

    6. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will play, no start.

    7. nach248
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      cant see him starting, already started 2 PL games in a row

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

    One to start;

    A. Foden
    B. Grealish
    C. Greenwood
    D. Azpi

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

      C

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

        Yeah. Most potential. Grealish if you’re chasing - most likely to get BAPS if Villa do it.

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  11. royaljoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On FH...

    Antonio or Martial

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

      Both great options. Antonio for me.

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

    Need some help with my FH team.

    Sterling, Dilva, Son locked
    Ings locked

    Then I either have:

    A) Salah, KDB & Wood
    B) Salah, Antonio & Jesus
    C) Mane, KDB & Giroud

  13. Bububuzz
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sell Jimenez for Ings?

    What about if it was a hit?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes but not for hit.

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

        Agreed

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

    This is my “sticking to my gut” FH team. What do you think?

    0.1itb
    Pope
    TAA, Laporte, Tarko, Aurier
    Salah (v), Sterling (C), Dilva, Pulisic
    Kane, Ings
    (Martin) (Greenwood, Dendo, Branthwaite)

    GL all!

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks great to me

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

        Thanks mate!

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

      Looks nice

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

        I'm also contemplating
        Taa KDB
        Vs
        Laporte Auba

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

          Yep. Had same debate. I can’t take the headache with the mids tbh!

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

      Looks strong mate. Not a million miles off my team;

      Pope
      TAA, Aurier, Pieters
      Salah, Sterling(C), Dilva, Mahrez, Pulisic
      Kane, Ings

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

        Lovely team mate. GL!

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

      Greenwood for the win

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

        I love him but bench Pulisic?!

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

    Is it worth doing Salah to Sterling(TC) for -4?

    Scared of all that rotation talks...The team is:

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Kiko
    Salah KdB Dilva(TC) Bruno
    Kane Ings Green

    3.9 Fernandez xxx xxx

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've been pondering over the same transfer for a few days, but I'm sticking with Salah (TC).

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

    Anyone with Dilva-Sterling-Mahrez on FH?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tempered. Desperate for some team news!!

  17. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have Kane, no other Liverpool attackers:

    A. Son
    B. Mane

    1. The hope that kills...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane. Spread it round a bit

  18. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost

    A) Sterling + Antonio or
    B) Mahrez + KDB ?

  19. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Antonio Doherty
    B) Bruno Pieters

  20. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So is the thought that we might get some team news leaks with 5 mins to go?

  21. ChipsnGravy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    points prediction for

    Foden
    Sterling
    KDB
    Jesus

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

      2
      8
      10
      5

      1. nach248
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden is a 1, coming on as 80min sub

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

    Possibility of Mahrez starting?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think he will, has had managed minutes of late

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

      Low.

  23. bros
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any changes needed here

    Pope
    Walker Bardsley VVD
    Son martial Fernandes Dilva Sterling (c)
    Ings Kane

    (Greenwood Pieters Diop)

    Thanks

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

    Not feeling confident, 1ft 0.7 itb
    Not sure where to use ft, kinda relying on team news like everyone else, any suggestions?

    Martinez
    Taa, tarkowski, Doherty
    Martial, kdb, Bruno, mahrez, Salah
    Greenwood, vardy

    Button, nketia, kiko, holgate*

  25. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Big desicions on my FH team:
    -KDB over Mahrez
    -No Liverpool

  26. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fresh legs hey Jurgen...

    *checks to see who did the least celebratory dancing

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

    On FH

    1) Martial & tarkowski > Salah & Long (keep Antonio)

    2) Antonio & TAA> Salah & 5.0 def (keep martial)

  28. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jurgen Klopp ahead of kick-off: "With the line-up, I try to make sure that we have fresh legs on the field and that we really can go for it."

    One or both of the full backs to be rotated?

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

    Imagine the jubilation of Sterling(C), KDB, Dilva owners if Jesus is benched and Raz up front. Would be a dream scenario

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

      Lol, can finally be like, "we told you so Brosstan". Thats worth more

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      noooooo

      Sterling(TC), KDB & Jesus owner here

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

    1FT, 2.0 itb. Assuming my three City players start, what would you do here with 1FT. Bruno to Son or Antonio? Doherty to Robertson? Something else?

    Pope
    Pieters, TAA, Aurier
    Sterling(c), KDB, Martial, Fernandes, Pulisic
    Jesus, Greenwood
    (Mccarthy, Doherty, Niketiah, Kiko)

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

      Doherty to Robbo, and you know what - bench Fernandes. Okay, no one will agree, but it's what I'd do.

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

      doh to robbo. gotta hopefully be more chance of cs, also had few assists and a goal in last few games