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. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    -4 to do Mahrez > Dilva and Jimi > Kane?

    Or just do Jimi > Ings and not do the hit.

    Leading ML by 16 points and rival has Kane...

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

      really like Ings for a goal in 38 and Jimi is like 2/1 to score so yeah I'd make that free move

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

    just seen the video with Mark going Puli for captain, nice one:d

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      wow

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      At that rank it doesn't really matter

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

        I'd still be keen on making top 100k

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

    Which one as part of a hit to get Sterling in.

    A) Greenwood

    B) Wood

  4. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone going Salah (c) to be differential?

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

      Yep

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

      Depends on City line up if leaked.

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

      Definitely thinking about it
      He’s been my best captain choice this season but failed the past couple

    4. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Worth a shout

    5. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m considering it, waiting to see if he will start , if he is then I’ll captain him

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

      Yes. Triple City, Pool and Utd.

  5. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Garcia to start?

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

      I would think so

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

    A)
    Martinez
    TAA, Pieters, Bardsley
    Salah (c), Sterling, Dilva, MARTIAL
    Kane, Auba, GREENWOOD

    Douglas Luiz, Branthwaite, Rico - 0 itb

    B)
    Martinez
    BRANTHWAITE, Pieters, Bardsley
    Salah (c), Sterling, Dilva, ANTONIO
    Kane, Auba, JESUS

    Williams, Guendouzi, Tanganga - 0 itb
    **no Man Utd, bad bench**

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

      Antonio and Jesus for me

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

    Bruno or Martial?

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

      Martial

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

      tiredness v away form

      prob go with Martial but might get rid both

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

    Which combo scores best this week?

    a) Pieters & Greenwood
    b) Doherty & Greenwood
    c) Doherty & Wood

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

      A

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

    So no early lineups today?

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

      yes

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling Instagram story of a pic of him celebrating & City vs Norwich 😮

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

      Say what

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

    KDB/Doherty/Jiminez out for Sterling/Branthwaite/Jesus -4?

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And Capt Sterl?

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

        Yup

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

          Either that or just do KDB to sterling, Doherty to Aurier and play Jimi

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

    Martial + Bruno - - > Salah + Dilva/Mahrez for -4

    Yes or No?

    Got Greenwood, Sterling and KDB. No Liverpool mid.

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

    Please stay with me on this mates:)

    I lead in my ML with 19 pts before the final GW. However my opponent has his Triple Captain available and 2 FT:

    Me:

    1 FT

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

    Button, Robinson, Taylor, Hayden

    My opponent:

    2 FT

    Patricio
    Digne, Doherty, Aurier
    Sterling, Bruno, KDB, Martial
    Greenwood, Jimi, Jesus

    I already did Salah to Sterling as he will probably Triple captain him.
    “Cover him” tactic

    Wonder if I should do Jimi to Jesus for -4 to further cover him?
    Or maybe Fernandez to Walker?
    Newcastle will probably concede a few goals.

    I would appreciate all the input, mates!

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

      Don't take a hit, that's 20% of your lead and basically giving him a goal/cleanie.

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

        I know mate and thanks for the input.
        But can I have hopes for pts from Fernandes vs Liverpool?
        Isnt it better to get 2 pts from Laporte

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

    People really C Salah? 0 goals and 4 assists in away games when Mane starts.

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

      Final day punt you can say ..

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

      may go for Mane. Super differential and Newcastle weak at headers

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

      I dropped salah on that logic recently. Mane didn’t start and he got his biggest haul of the season. Salah is still salah he can haul anytime

    4. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      So is due a big haul

  15. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worried that TAA won't start.

    A) Taa, Greenwood
    B) Stephens, Antonio

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

    Anyone else afraid of Auba benched?

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

      Really doubt that will happen. He's pretty much Arsenals only source of goals.

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

      I am, tempted to drop him for ings or wood

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

        Why would he be benched? FA Cup is a week away and he's the most important player in the team..

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

          Avoid an injury or give him a rest

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

      Arsenal absolutely stink in the betting for today. Looks like the ladies team will be getting a run out.

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

    One has to go:
    A. Bruno
    B. Martial

    Who ya think?

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

      bruno

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

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

      I'm going Martial

  18. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Are D Silva + Antonio going to outscore Bruno + Greenwood by at least 4 points?

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

      Potentially

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

      No, Man utd fighting to win

  19. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1ft 0.1itb, not sure what to do, keep or sell Salah?

    Martinez
    taa, tierney, wan-bissaka
    fernandez salah antonio kdb
    vardy greenwood ings

    bench, foden, basham, taylor

    Im thinking vardy to kane and salah to son?

  20. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH Team Which is Best!?

    A.
    Martinez*
    Bardsley TAA* Aurier - Williams Branthwaite
    Sterling DSilva Salah Antonio - Soucek*
    Firmino* Ings Jesus*
    0.3 in the bank

    B
    Ederson*
    Bardsley Robbo* Aurier - Williams Branthwaite
    Sterling DSIlva Salah Antonio Martial*
    Ings Kane* - Connolly*
    0.0 in the bank

    Essentially Differential Striker line up alongside 3 city attackers (could also throw Lacazette in for Firmino) OR Ederson with Kane and Martial?

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

      Which are you more scared of? personally for me its Kane

  21. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which option:
    A. 4,3m defender Salah Mahrez
    B. TAA KdB Ings

    Thanks

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

    What’s the twitter account which is great for early team news?

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

      None atm.

  23. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    what to do?!

    Play-
    Foden or Greenwood

    currently playing Greenwood as more to play for then Foden.

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

      I think Foden's chances are slim to start, so yeah Greenwood imo

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

    Good to Go ?

    Martinez
    Aurier - Lamptey - Pieters
    Salah - Sterling - D.Silva - Martial - Antonio
    Auba - Kana (c)

    Subs: Ryan - B.Williams - Connolly - Simpson

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      stellar team. GL

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

      Auba C is risky, he could be benched

      1. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That's probably why he has C on Kane

  25. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any possibility of east team news and source please?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Early*

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

      Unlikely.

    3. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

  26. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FPL scarface deleted twitter. Now what!!!!

  27. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A KDB and Doherty to
    Sterling and Pieters

    B Martial and Jesus to
    Sterling and Wood

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

      B for me..... but depends on rest of squad?

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pope
        Doherty, TAA, Tarkowski
        KDB, Bruno, Martial, Salah, Dilva
        Jesus, Ings

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

          Similar dilemma to me then trying to get Sterling in!!

          B, if it’s free.... I reckon Sterling (c) and wood, outscore Martial and Jesus..... just!

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

    Graelish or Saka?

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

    How reliable is Fpl subscribe?

    1. MTPockets
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thought that account died ages ago

      • Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No. They just guess. They get it wrong more often than not.

      • Blandiblub
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mixed, I believe. Has got City right in the past but still question marks.

    2. Nemanja Vidic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope Martinez

      TAA Doherty Maguire Lascelles Robinson

      Salah KDB Bruno Willian Foden

      Raul Greenwood Nketiah

      2FT 2.3ITB

      A) Raul Foden Doherry -> Jesus D Silva Pieters
      B) Raul Willian(Bruno) Doherty -> Ings Sterling Pieters
      C) Wilian Doherty -> Sterling Branthwhite
      D) Bruno Doherty -> Sterling Tarkowski
      E) Raul Lascelles -> Jesus Pietets