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. Mike2795647
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Currently got 2 injured defenders, Is it worth a -4 hit to chip one out for Airier one for Aurier and start over Trent (Saiss or Trent then on bench)

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

  2. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Someone talk me out of getting Antonio over Pulisic, my thoughts are Wolves will be a harder to break down then villa

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

      Pulisic may be rested

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

        lol

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

        For what ?

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

        No way Jose

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

      There be goals in SB

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

      I think you are correct, actually.

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

      Antonio is up against a Villa defence who’ve only conceded one in three games, and who only need a point to stay up. West Ham have nothing to play for so likely to be a very cagey game.

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

    Who here starting 3 burnley def (goalie too)

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

      Yup.

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

    Hi which is the better move please
    A.) Boly - Mendy
    B.) Fernandes - D.Silva
    D.) KDB - D.Silva
    E.) Boly & Fernandes - Mendy & DSilva for a -4 points hit
    Thank you

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

      B

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

    On fh.
    Taa, Mahrez > Digne, kdb? Need security of starts

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

      Will KDB deffo start?

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

        Yes

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

          id go with the latter then providing kdb does start i just wouldnt be sure

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

      Prefer Mahrez and TAA

  6. Oringer7
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lock this is and check back for team news?

    Pope
    Pieters Walker Gomez (Brathwaite, Williams)
    Antonio Salah Sterling Dilva (Luis)
    Kane Greenwood Ings

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

      like it

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

    Last call! Pick one to play:

    a) Doherty (che)
    b) AWB (lei)
    c) Saka (WAT)

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

      AWB

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

      A

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

      A

    4. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  8. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Many fearing TAA will be benched.

    Klopp referred to 'protection' and that will come from midfield.

    Fresh legs = midfield. Milner, Ox, Lallana, Keita are all fresh. Could even see Shaqiri start.

    Hold Trent IMO.

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

      I agree with you TAA will start

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

        Only thing is Neco does start often so it's either TAA or Robbo if that happens, just not sure who. Would seem TAA but yeah

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

      No panic until TAA double assist.

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

    Branthwaite and Sterling or Aurier and KDB????

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      first

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

      Branth/Sterl

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

      Cheers guys

  10. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys. Has Liverpool official twitter been early with team news plst this season?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Post.

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

      Never

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ok, last season they were 30 seconds early.

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

    Which move is better?
    A. Bruno to Sterling
    B. Jiminez to Jesus
    C. Both for -4

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

      C

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

      A

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    Dilva or Mahrez?

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

      Mahrez

    2. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva!

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

      Dilva

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

      David Silva

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

    Martinez in scout picks on bench , surely that is a typo and should say McCarthy

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

      Why?

  14. CarsonYeung
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which twitter account is the early team news plug for Man City? Not fplrockstar but there was another bloke who nailed it a couple of GWs back

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Scarface - he's deleted his account apparently

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

        yeah that was the one, looks like we're going in blind then

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

      Fpl scarface?

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

        RIP

    3. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fplscarface. But his account seems to be inactivated today...

  15. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings or Auba is money no issue?

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *if money no issue

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

      Ings

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gotta be Auba I think

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

        Agree with this

  16. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best option with this team?

    Pope,
    Taa, Ritchie, Bardsley
    Mane, Bruno, Martial, KDB, Mahrez
    Jimi, Ings (Greenwood)

    A: Taa & Jimi > Aurier & Jesus
    B: Mane & Jimi > Dilva & Kane
    C: Mane & Taa > Sterling & Branthwaite

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

    Keep Salah or bring in Sterling for -4? Will TC one of them then.

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

      TC Salah

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

        Nice mate nice. Like that. Go big or go home style. Cheers.

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

          Definitely the way to go

  18. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hmm,odds on Arsenal win from 1.90 yesterday to 2.30 today

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

      They adjust based on number of bets placed either side, so wouldn't read too much into it.

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

      Just following the money. Doesn't necessarily mean anything

  19. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno to Antonio / Pulisic?

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

      Have Martial & Green

  20. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno & TAA > Salah & Braithwaite - 8?

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

      no

  21. theBoose
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    13 points ahead in my ML..

    A) Bruno + Jesus
    B) Dilva + Kane for -4

  22. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to go for
    1) Son + Aurier
    or
    2) Long(BUR) + Auba

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

      1

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

      1 for me

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

    Grealish differential?

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

      Not for me

  24. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FPL Towers right now.......

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFGmhvx1elk

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

    Is 16 points a big enough lead to block with? Opponent has TC

    Attack (A) or Block (B)?
    (* are players my opponent owns)

    A. Martinez, Lamptey, Pieters, Ings

    B. Pope*, Tarkowski*, Aurier, Greenwood*

  26. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Currently sitting in 40k Mane and vardy to sterling and kane -4 worth? Gonna tc kane..

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

    Need some help with my FH team.

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

    Already have Sterling, Dilva, Son & Ings

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

      Id go A

  28. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lot of focus (understandable) on Dilva and Sterling but anyone captaining KDB?

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

      no. did last week.

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

      I've an awful feeling he may not start otherwise i would be tempted if i thought he'd play the full game

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

        Its impossible to guess which, if any of the city attackers play the full 90. Sterling does more than most.

  29. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I reckon Im going to score today.

    Missus winked at me from the couch.

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

      Why even create the possibility of an assist joke?

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

      Mines already asleep, don't be putting the C on me

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

    Foden , Jimenez or Fernandes?