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. 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 & Ritchie > Sterling & Aurier

    1. Jones Town
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C then B for me. I think Sterling a must personally

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

        Leaning towards this, just don't know who to start up top

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

      C

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

        Who would you start up top?

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

    Good attacking TAA replacements if I want to free up some funds? Already have Aurier, anyone else?

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

      Robbo

      1. Jones Town
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Doesn't free up much but ok 😀

    2. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vvd can always score

      1. Jones Town
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Decent shout thanks

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

      Tierney

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bertrand, Tarkowski?

  3. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or Matic?

    Matic is due a brace..

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

      50/50

  4. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TAA Dilva or VvD Mahrez?

    1. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      TAA

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

      A

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A by a mile.

    4. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all

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

    A. Trent + Martial + Greenwood (352)
    B. Stephens + Martial + Ings (352)
    C. Stephens + Auba + Greenwood (343)

    Which would you prefer guys? Thanks!

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

    play one of:

    Braithwaite
    Diop
    BWilliams

    Thanks

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

    To play safe

    My original transfer

    Doherty rashford foden > sterling pieters wood

    Should I now do TAA instead? Can afford Gomez or someone ekse

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

    I have Doherty, Connolly and Robinson on my bench.

    Hit free till now.

    Should I upgrade Connoly or Robinson for a hit just incase there are no shows?

    Patricio
    Trent Dunk Aurier
    Salah Sterling Dilva Martial Son
    Jesus Greenwood

    Doherty Connolly Robinson

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

    Should I drop really good player for really good player (-4)

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

      Only if a really reliable source on twitter says player a is benched.

  10. wernerhedgehog
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Losing De Bruyne for Mahrez allows me to get Aurier over Targett.

    Good Shout?

    1. Jones Town
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes for me if Mahrez starts!

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

      I've done that for the extra funds to upgrade elsewhere

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

      ok i think ill camp for team news

  11. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    will jesus start?

  12. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or Dilva for (C) ?

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

      Sterling. By a mile

    2. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If chasing Silva.

  13. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why everyone is selling Trent? Has anything been leaked yet?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Alot of "ifs"

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

      Other cheaper options really

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

        Yeah and a Trent mother haul = tears

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

      i m keeping taa

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

        Same here unless sure shot news comes out

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

      Only the LIV defence recently.

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

      Neco fever

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

      I leaked gas few minutes ago ... 😛

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

    Choose TC:

    A) KdB
    B) Dilva
    C) Kane
    D) Salah

    Cheers all!

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      C or D

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

    If we get news that Trent is out, would you do the following for a -8?

    Trent Mahrez to Digne Sterling

    Mainly to get Raz

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

      Where will be the news?

    2. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I

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

      -8 is crazy at this stage of the season

  16. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Doherty and Wood
    B) Aurier and Ings

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

      B

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

  17. htfcbrad
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    AWB --> ? for a hit

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends who to

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

      No

    3. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Eh? Something I missed?

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

        Just think there's a few teams more likely than United to keep a clean sheet

  18. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    play Greenwood or Foden?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why would you bench greenwood?

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

        This. Play Green no mather Foden.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood

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

      Greenwood as more likely to start

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

    Keeping TAA. Just going to go with it now, whatever happens. I pray it works.

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

      Same here, more important issues atm.

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

    If you had to bring in one
    A) Sterling
    B) Kane

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

      B

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

      Kane

    3. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

        A

  21. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one to bench:
    A) Wood
    B) Greenwood
    C) Ings

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

      Wood

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

    Play Alonso or Pieters? Pope on goal.

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

      Pieters

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

      Pieters

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

      Thx!

  23. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Williams (Pool one) or 3th Bunley (Long)

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

      Long

  24. Sasquatch Slayer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    New Scarface account popped up . Says he will be back in 20

    1. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Link?

      1. Sasquatch Slayer
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I have no way of verifying legitimacy. Could be a fake

        But here’s the link

        https://twitter.com/FPL__Scarface

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

      I would not trust it.

    3. Mattious8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      link?

  25. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bardsley or Pieters?

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

      Pieters

  26. MosF94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How likely is Mane to be rested?

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

    If anyone has TAAs number can you fire him off a text to see if he is starting?

  28. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any early news?

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

      I love you.

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

      Yeah, that youre a casual 😀

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

        When have I ever claimed otherwise? It's other casuals who are in denial

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

      Sterling false 9 apparently

  29. conorbon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fernandes, Pulisic, Martial, D Silva and KDB.

    Bench one, first to 3

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

    If Mané's not playin I'll delete my fpl.