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. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rice or Stephen

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

    Bruno or Mahrez(-4)??

    1. Champions united
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno to okay safe

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

      Wouldn't take a -4 for Mahrez

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

      No

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

    Take Hits Guys !!
    😛

    1. Champions united
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What hap

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

      FH says hello!

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

        😉

    3. Champions united
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bhai rice lun ya Stephen

      12 th man

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Stephen

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

        Stephen midfielder ya defender ??
        If Midfielder, Rice

        1. Champions united
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Rice midfield
          Stephen sou ka def

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

            Southampton defender

            1. Champions united
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Done
              Thanks
              Going with this FH team
              martinez /3.9
              aurier pieters bardsley/3.9/3.8
              sterling ,kdb silva , salah, rice
              auba kane,green

  4. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    G2G? Lock it?

    Martinez

    Bertrand Pieters Bardsley

    Salah Sterling© Mahrez Dilva Martial

    Kane Ings

    3.9 Connolly Lamptey BWilliams

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone? Plss...

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

        yea looks good, fck me Betrand is a wild pick 😀

        1. Moose™
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cant afford Aurier and TAA.. Low TV haha..

          Between him and Dunk tho..

    2. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good to me who is the VC incase?

      1. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Dilva

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

    Deadline is now or in an hour? Kind of stoned

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

      Now.

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

      Tomorrow

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

      an hour

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

      An hour

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

      Damn u guys are meaaaan

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

        You're on a trip my friend

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

      Smoking after the deadline

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good luck Woy - hope that you get in the top 10

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

      Yesterday

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

      There are no deadlines, only lines. You decide if they die.

  6. That Fantasy Guy
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane + jiminez to sterling plus auba? I have exact funds to do this. Have a bit of fun for final day?

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice. Or Kane.

  7. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost

    Hey guys, who do you think will get more points this week between Ings (SHU) or Antonio (AVL)?

    Cheers

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

      Danny Boyyy

    2. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have ings tryna find a way to have Antonio as well

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

    Triple Burnley defence anyone ?

    1. Pepp Erlanepie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dont like it, 1 is enough

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        here with Pope

    2. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Was initially 3. Just Pieters for me now

  9. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I got feeling Sterling will be benched and come on second half score 4pts

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

    TAA and VVD to Vardy and Kane -4?

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

      Lol sorry
      Meant TAA and Vardy to VVD and Kane -4

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

    Why so many thinking of ditching Salah?

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

      Cause they want Sterling prob.

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am only thinking about it because otherwise I can't afford Sterling without taking a hit.

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      To get Sterling because my minileague rival has KDB and Jesus to my Foden.

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

      Cause they have seen him play and his decision making has been shocking

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

      Seems silly
      Said in an interview he is going for a hattrick today
      Newcastle 1 fit centre back
      Mane may be a doubt which is good for Salah
      Most big chances, shots in box, shots on target of all players over last 4
      Seems more likely to start and play most of the match than Sterling

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

    reposting looking for replies

    play:

    A) jimenez
    B) greenwood

    triple captain:

    1) sterling
    2) salah
    3) D.silva

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

      B1.

  13. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Bruno to Dilva for a hit madness?

    Already have Sterling. Cheers!

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yep keep bruno

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

      Probably not for a hit.
      Would you do Bruno to Sterling for a hit?

  14. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like TAA will be benched for Neco Williams based on Klopp’s comments?

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

      Impossible to tell - could apply the same comment to any Liverpool player

  15. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rice or Stephen as backup player

  16. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all. Best of luck today and make sure you enjoy the day.
    My instinct is against the grain today. I have a feeling results will fall kindly to Aston Villa and Grealish is going to play his last game for them today with an MOM performance, keeping them in the Premier League.
    An even more unpopular opinion is that I feel Leicester are going to beat Man Utd. Vardy will score putting any doubts of claiming the Golden Boot to bed.

    Its going to be a fantastic day for football. Embrace it.

    For the record, I've took a -4 to bring in these 2 players replacing Jimmy and Bruno.

    I've no need to play safe so going aggressive with my initial instincts.

    Enjoy your day

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good luck with those moves, could be golden! I looked at Grealish too but just so much choice in midfield, it's tough to leave any of my current guys out.

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

    Paniccc. A or B

    A) Martinez + Robbo
    B) McCarthy + VVD

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

      A

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

    Lalala

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

      Off to Brightontonton.

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

    Leaked United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Williams; Matić, Pogba, Bruno; Greenwood, Martial, Rashford.

    From @UtdDistrict was right last time, choose at your own risk.

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Expected lineup this.

      No real suprise

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

        Yeah, only seen few punting on Williams.

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

      Groundbreaking lineup

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

      United don’t rotate anyway

    4. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty expected to be honest, only place you might rotate is Matic or Williams; neither of which matter that much in FPL.

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

      Sadly a bit useless. We could have called that one.

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just need a city XI now...

  20. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who starts alongside Laporte?
    A) Garcia
    B) stones
    C) otamendi

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

      Does Laporte even play in home matches

  21. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope Martin
    Trent Laporte Stevens Tarkowski Kelly
    Kdb Bruno Martial Antonio Traore
    Greenwood Auba Jesus

    Is it worth going Kdb+Bruno+Jesus to Sterling+dSilva+ Kane for -8?
    Or just Kdb for Sterling ?

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you want the hit risk go for it, but I'd only remove 1 of Jesus/KdB (keep it -4, don't go to -8)

  22. RoboVanBasten
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any early team news? Especially Man City game?

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

    Who scores more points?
    a) Mahrez and Kane
    b) Son and Jesus?

    1. caddy118
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A for me

  24. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one of:

    a) Foden (NOR)
    B) Jimenez (che)
    C) Greenwood (lei)

    Currently on C

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

      A least likely to start?

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

        Thanks both. Expecting a Foden benching, but question is whether he can do more in 30mins Vs Greenwood's 70 mins?

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

      Greenwood starting apparently

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

    Is Bruno & Jimi to Sterling & Jesus worth -4?

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

    Saka or Grealish in the final?

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

    Have KDB. Need another City attacker.

    A) Bruno > Dilva (C)

    B) Bruno & Rashford > Sterling (C) & Greenwood -4

  28. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Buddies rice or Stephen

  29. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What's happened to FPL scarface Twitter account? It says cant retrieve tweets.

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

    Are both certified twitters that provide team news finished then as in Rocky and Scarface? I guess there is no one else that can be truly trusted now?

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

      yes

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There is this fpl subscribe but he isn't always spot on.
      Last time he got man city's 11 right