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. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any hits for Sterling/Kane/Auba/Ings lads?? 0FT 2.4 ITB

    Pope (3.9)
    TAA Aurier Pieters (Doherty 3.9)
    Mane KDB DSilva(c) Mahrez (Guendouzi)
    Vardy Rashford Greenwood

  2. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or Dilva captain ? Torn between them

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

      Raheem

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling.

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’ve gone David but don’t have Sterling... playing for fun and hoping for the best is go silva. Safe is sterling

    4. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks guys

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

      Sterling

    6. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Silva is the billy big b******s move and hope Sterling fails.

      That’s your best chance of gaining/losing ground.

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

    Patricio in goal (rival has neither utd or wolves def)

    Start Maguire or Doherty?

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

      Doh

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

      Doherty for sure

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

    a) Foden,Fernandes, Vardy ->sterling, D.silva , gayle
    b) Foden, Vardy, TAA -> sterling, pieters, calvert-levin

    A or B ?

    1. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dcl may be dropped for kean so just watch out with that

      1. Easy Cheesy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I was close to getting dcl as i see goals in that match but didn’t want to risk it

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

          who for him to 6.1?

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

      A)

  5. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I'm gonna miss you people.

    Not all of you, obviously.

    You know who you are.

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

      If not all how do you select? 😉

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

      this is so subtle

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

    Pieters or Long? xD

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

      Pieters

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

      Pieters

    3. Party time
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pieters

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

      On FH:

      A) Antonio, (Rice)
      B) Pulisic, (Dendo)
      C) Martial, (Nketiah) - have to downgrade Tark > Pieters

      In all above I have Greenwood as first sub

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

        B

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

        C

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

          Damn. Another spanner. You keep liking different ones of my options bro :lol

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

            There were 2 players in previous question tbh 😉

            From all above i seriously believe Tony should score more

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

              Still if it means downgrading Tark and having Greenwood on my bench?

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

                Tark downgrade means nothing IMO.
                Greenwood is on bench in every option right??

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

                  Yeh I think he has to be. But I like the idea of a great first sub in case of surprises!

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

                    Agreed
                    I also have good bench cober now

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

                I mean botg Tark Peiters will score similar points IMO

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

      A) Mahrez & Martial
      B) Son & Pulisic

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

        A

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

          Thanks

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

      Fernandes and Doherty to Sterling and Aurier (-8) yes or no

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No

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

        Nope.

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

      Liverpool players out of my team after that Klopp statement!

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

        Crying later

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

        definitely

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

        What are you talking about man can you explain me pls?

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

        Are you taking a -12?

      5. Gegenpress
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nah on FH.. Did Martinez TAA Salah Greenwood to Pope Bardsley Martial Auba

        Given me

        Pope

        Bardsley Aurier Pieters

        Son Dilva Sterling Mahrez Martial

        Kane Auba

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

      Dilva and Laporte or Mahrez and Aurier?

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

        Dilva and Laporte ... and it's not close. 🙂

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

      A / B lads

      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**

    10. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you had Neco Williams would you start over Boly? Already own TAA

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

      circus time on here now.

    12. Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah and Foden > Sterling (TC) & Antonio -4

      Yay or nay?

      1. D1B
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nay imo, depends on if you are chasing or not. I don't rate Antonio much for this game

    13. D1B
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Going with Kane C but need to decide where the money comes from, need 1.0 so options I am considering are:

      A) Fernades -> Silva
      B) Willian -> Foden
      C) Willian -> Any cheap mid and play Giroud instead of having him 1st bench.

      Already have Pulisic, Sterling, KDB, Greenwood

      Any thoughts? Thanks peeps

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

      Final decision. 13 points ahead in my ML..

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

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

        B)

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

        B

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

        B

      4. D1B
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If ahead I would say A, but I'm considering B myself (But have Vardy instead of Jesus) because I am chasing hard

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

      Bring in: Antonio (-4) or D. Silva on (-8)

    16. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A Mahrez Tarkowski Or
      B D Silva Bardsley

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

        B

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

        Mahrez and Aurier?

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

          Thanks got Aurier

      3. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        dsilva and pieters

    17. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any worth in getting Bruno out for Silva or Antonio for a hit. Only have sterling as city cover.

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

      Emi
      Taa saiss tark
      Willian kdb dsilva puli bruno
      Laca jesus
      Bench: greenwood, taylor, lundstram
      TC available
      1 FT
      KDB --> SON and TC DSILVA?

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

      Is it worth bringing in Pieters for a -4 to avoid playing 2 wolves defenders?

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

        No

    20. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      triple captaining silva with sterling in my side , lets go

    21. BurnMyBread
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A) Jesus, Auba, Soucek (3-4-3)
      B) Auba, Mahrez, Pulisic/Antonio (3-5-2)
      C) Jesus, Auba, Pulisic/Antonio (3-5-2) [Ings is downgraded]

    22. Alexanderjg23
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB, Salah or Silva Captain?

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

        KDB will assist a lot.

    23. A Betting Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any final day of season tournaments for £?

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

      Pope-Antonio-Auba
      OR
      Martinez-Salah-Wood

      I'm afraid that Auba could be rested

    25. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How many minutes for Foden guys
      Thinking Foden to Mcniel for a hit , boy is due

      1. Party time
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Probably 15 mins

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

        Are TAA holders starting? Final Q and I'm set to go. As many replies will be appreciated please thanks!

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

          Yes started 37 gws not benching now

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

            Benvched in 37, still kicking myself. not again

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

              Aargg

        2. R583637
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not on a fh so I'm holding

        3. D1B
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not even considering a bench, Newcastle's defense is ravaged

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

        Are we completely confident Pulisic starts today?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Can't be 100% but very likely to start over Mount imo.

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

          I am gl Bubz