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. germanyozil10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do you like my team?

    Pope
    TAA Laporte Pieters
    KDB Sterling (c) Martial BF
    Rashford Jimenez Ings

    Saiss D.Luiz

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

      Looks good

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

      2 much United.

      1. germanyozil10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Woods?

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

    Martial or Pulisic?
    Thanks

    1. germanyozil10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial

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

      Pulisic

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic

  3. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2FTs - thoughts on the following:

    KDB > Sterling
    Fernandes > Silva

    Opinions appreciated!

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

      Yes, do both imo

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good moves

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      i think i would

    4. Mumm-Ra
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've done the same

  4. Irish Villan 1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lads, VVD or Stephens (Southampton) in my starting 11?

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      VVD

  5. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play one

    A) Saka
    B) Nketiah

    1. germanyozil10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    Who are you all gonna be waiting for early team news from? FPL rockstar said he won't be providing anything

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Scarface

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

        Heard there was an issue with this guy to?

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

        His account has been deleted?

      3. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He deleted his account.

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

      It's going to be a minefield. Avoid if you can. Trust your own decisions

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

        Own decisions? That will send many into a cold shiver

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t think we will get any 🙁

  7. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GL luck everyone , hope you all have had a great season 🙂

  8. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    IF Neco Williams starts,

    A) Tarkowski/Aurier/Mahrez
    B) Long/Williams/De Bruyne

    Which is better?

    1. Sargasso C
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Little chance you will get this information before deadline. Even if Trent doesn't start he can come on and score

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Mumm-Ra
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez may not start due to it being Silva's last game, so may only get about 20 mins. I don't think Neco will start tbh. He may get 30 mins though

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

    Bruno, Jimi -> Antonio, Kane -4

    Good move?

    1. Sargasso C
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nope.

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

      No

  10. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone getting Richarlison?

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

      No 😀

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

      Sold him

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

        LOL

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

      would love to fit him in too but Antonio 1mil cheaper surely better option

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

      Won't get replies with pages flying like this.

    5. Mumm-Ra
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah

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

      I can see him getting a goal today. Along with a yellow card.

  11. Mumm-Ra
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a bench boost, drafted in Branthwaite, Sterling and DSilva for Thomas, Fernades and De Bruyne
    So will be
    Martinez McCarthy
    Branthwaite, Robertson, Wan Bissaka, Tarkowski, Otamendi
    Sterling, Mane, DSilva, Saka, McNeil
    Ings, Rodriguez, Rashford

    Could've gone Rod > Wood but didn't want to give up 4 points for the sake of it, or should I?

  12. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I've lost count of how many different combinations I've tried with differently City players.

    I've decided I'll just wing it in the last 15 mins based on w/e news we get.

    Here's hoping FPL doesn't crash...

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

    VVD or Doherty?

    ML rival had TAA and Doherty

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vvd

    2. Sargasso C
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      VVD

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

      VVD

  14. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fernandes or Pulisic

    1. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

  15. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    kdb or silva ? cant have both. thanks

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DS

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

      Silva

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

      Same dilemma, gone with silva, hope its not gone with the wind

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more?

    A) Pulisic
    B) Martial
    C) Antonio
    D) Ings

    1. Sargasso C
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A or D

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Who do you consider to have the highest points ceiling this GW?

    Sterling the obvious one, but who would be your top 3 or 4 others?

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

      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 likely to play more mins than Sterling

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

        Salah btw

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

        Where's this interview?

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

        interesting...if Liverpool are up for this game he could certainly haul big

        1. Mighty Banana
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I haven't even considered taking out Mane, hope he starts...

  18. Cluckfuster
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rank these players from most to least startable

    Greenwood
    Jimenez
    Pulisic
    Rashford

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They all start. The one I’d bench if needed would be Jimenez.

    2. bc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy least likely as he's had a baby.. utd need to get a result pulsic cert to start.. looked very sharp against the champions

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

    TAA, VVD, Robbo

    Who's everyone got? and who's switched to who following Klopps comments?

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

      Have got Robbo
      Will stay Robbo

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

      What comments?

    3. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vvd, neco williams first def sub

    4. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What comments?
      Please add your source

  20. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TAA not starting?

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

      Says who?

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Dunno everyone talking about him n robbo

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

          Where's the source?
          nothing quoted or added on here
          If there is none, I'd say it's just a rumour & best to ignore

  21. Hypnos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Mendy Pieters
    Salah Sterling Pogba DSilva(C) Pulisic
    Kane Greenwood

    How do you like this FH? Thanks

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Are you chasing?! I like apart from pogba and Mendy. I think
      You could have a better duo like mahrez and a defender like walker-Pieters for example.

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

    Really need City l

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

      ine-up

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        how soon do leaks come out before kick off usually?

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

          5 min. By then FPL could crash

        2. SuperMane Returns
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          2.44pm in Wales, 2.45pm in the rest of the UK.

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

    Aiks, some decent ITK accounts coming about. We have one with Man Utd lineup already.

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

    Scenes when FPL site go down 10 mins before deadline.

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nooo

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

    Puli or Antonio?

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

      Pulisic

  26. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Choose one
    A) Ederson + nketiah/Saka
    B) Martinez + Foden
    ?

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

    Chasing, and the leader will no doubt Sterling (C).

    I should got for Salah (C), correct?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would

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

      Only if he doesn't have Salah

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

    Tbh, if you're really worried about rest in Liverpool's defense, then go VVD, he is the safest

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

      And I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like below

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

    VVD played every single minute this Season!
    fresh legs perhaps lol

  30. Mini Mahouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 thing I can't decide on - And would be lovely to get early team news for this decision

    A) Aurier & KDB
    B) Robertson & Mahrez

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      B with a decent first Sub