Gameweek Guide

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Gameweek 37

Gameweek 37 sees the long-awaited return of fans to football stadiums and gives us plenty to ponder with appealing captaincy options and intriguing differentials.

To help you decide what’s best for your team, the Gameweek Guide covers the main talking points and the best nuggets of expert opinion.

We have an earlier cut-off time than normal with a Tuesday deadline of 16:30 BST today, before the final deadline of the season on Sunday at 14:30 BST.

The 12th Man

FPL relaunches with/without unlimited transfers for all managers

Up to 10,000 home supporters will be present at all matches for the final two Gameweeks – and no away fans are allowed. Will this galvanize the home team? 

Everton lost to Sheffield United at Goodison Park on Sunday evening but, with the crowd cheering them on, Joe feels it could boost their chances against Wolves tomorrow evening:

When they play the Z-Cars music, the roar at Goodison is absolutely huge, it takes your breath away, and that must have an impact on them, in a favourable way.

Joe, Scoutcast

And there are reasons to be hopeful: Nuno Espírito Santo’s side conceded five big chances in Gameweek 35, two more than any other side, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) ranks among the top four players for such gilt-edged opportunities over the last six matches. 

Az is among the managers thinking of holding the Everton frontman for one more match before a final-day switch when the Toffees travel to Manchester City. 

Greenwood No 1 Jota Replacement

The bigger question facing Az ahead of Gameweek 37 is – what to do with Diogo Jota (£6.9m)?

The Portuguese had been red flagged for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, although comments from Jurgen Klopp today suggest that might not be the case:

Nonetheless, Mason Greenwood (£7.3m) would be the number one target for Az. The 19-year-old has returned in five of his last seven games, producing three double-digit hauls.

He’s even considered the second-best option for the armband by our Captain Sensible writer Jan, chosen ahead of team-mate Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m).

Az explained his decision: 

As my captain for last week’s chaotic Triple Gameweek he really delivered for me and now goes up against a Fulham side who are conceding a big chance every 27.7 minutes, the worst in the league.

– Az

And Scoutcast regular Seb had further words of encouragement:

Over the season, Fulham have conceded 87 chances from the centre … 84 from their right flank, but 118 from their left flank. If we think Greenwood starts, we think he probably starts there, and we know the type of goal he’s going to score, it’s not too dissimilar to the Mo Salah, come inside, try to put it across the goalkeeper, so maybe there’s a little edge for Greenwood there.

– Seb, Scoutcast

Seb wasn’t alone in highlighting the deficiencies in the Fulham rearguard, with David pointing out their decline over the last three matches – Scott’s Parker’s men conceded seven goals in that trio of games.

Fulham’s defensive statistics between Gameweeks 23 and 32 (left) compared with Gameweeks 33 to 35 (right)

Compared to their previous 12 matches, David observed that Fulham’s shots in the box conceded per game rose from 6.5 to 8.5, while their big chances conceded per game went from 1.7 to 3.0, and shots on target conceded per game increased from 3.0 to 5.0.

Greenwood may be Jan’s top pick from his beloved Manchester United, but our double-points maestro acknowledged that Fernandes, in the number ten role, has less competition for his spot and is the safer option of the two.

The Race for the Golden Boot 

Taking top billing in the captaincy is Golden Boot-chasing Mohamed Salah (£12.8m). The Egyptian is tied with Jan’s third choice for the armband, Harry Kane (£11.8m), on 22 goals. 

In addition to personal motivation, Liverpool have team motivation on their side – Alisson’s magnificent last-minute header keeps Champions League qualification in their own hands.

Salah, who has produced attacking returns in each of his last six starts, offers all-round attacking potential:

Not only did [Salah] record four goal attempts at the Hawthorns, but he also created four chances for his teammates as well as.

– Jan

Meanwhile, Kane – who will be performing in front of home fans – was unlucky to score only once against Wolves, hitting the post twice. As Neale noted, Tottenham Hotspur have become far more attack-minded under interim head coach Ryan Mason:

Spurs had 24 shots and 13 attempts on target in this match – both figures surpassed any amount they had in a single Premier League fixture under [Jose Mourinho].

– Neale

Their upcoming opponents Aston Villa endured a torrid time in the lunchtime kick-off at Selhurst Park, especially in the second half, conceding a Gameweek-high 15 shots from inside the box. 

Seb offered further insights on the Scoutcast, highlighting a potential opportunity for Kane’s team-mate Son Heung-min (£9.7m):

So looking at Villa for where they’ve conceded their chances: it’s 24 from central locations, 20 from the left, and 27 from the right, so that would be Spurs’s left, so maybe a Son Heung-min shout there.

– Seb

But, looking at recent form, Neale picked out Dele Alli (£7.4m) over the South Korean:

Since [Dele Alli’s] return to the starting XI in Gameweek 34, he actually trumps Son for shots (eight v five) and efforts in the box (five v three).

– Neale

A decision backed up by Tom in his differentials piece.

Alli is enjoying a decent run of form under Mason, and for those in search of a real midfield differential, could be worth a look.

Joe’s FPL Nightmare

The one player Joe doesn’t own that he fears the most is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m). Understandably so:

Alexander-Arnold has been particularly good at converting his underlying statistics into points of late, scoring once and providing five assists in his last seven Premier League appearances. Over his last six, no player in the division has created more chances than him either (22).

– Jan

Joe’s co-host on the Scoutcast, Seb, tried his best to help him get a good night’s sleep but ultimately the glaring weakness down Burnley’s left flank isn’t going to dispel those bad dreams:

Trent Alexander-Arnold, firstly you need a clean sheet from Trent, to be a safe captain – Liverpool are ninth in the league for xGC over the last six with 8.07 expected goals conceded, so not great from that perspective. And Trent’s xGI is actually 2.49, which is pretty good for a defender, but the thing that caught my eye, if you really wanted to punt it, is that Burnley have conceded 82 crosses from their left hand side, which is the most in the league by a mile, and that’s where you’d expect Trent to be putting them in, so maybe there’s an assist there for him.

– Seb

Intriguing Differentials

Seb joined Az and Tom in praising Joe Willock (£4.8m), who, to quote Az, has “a rather incredible five goals in his last five games played, despite only starting two of them”.

With matches against Sheffield United and Fulham to come, he is a genuine contender for our starting XIs. Over the last two matches, he has more penalty area touches (eight) than any of his team-mates. And his budget price tag, as Tom pointed out, would allow more flexibility with transfers. 

While Willock remains an option for Tom’s side, potentially for Diogo Jota, his more likely switch is that of Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.2m) to Michail Antonio (£6.6m). 

Despite a blank against Brighton & Hove Albion, Tom was encouraged by his performance and underlying statistics. He noted that:

No forward with substantial game-time to their name has a better rate of expected goal involvement (xGI) per 90 minutes this season [than Michail Antonio].

– Tom

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football is back - what you need to know 3

RedLightning brought us his regular update on the community competitions.

In the Head-to-Head leagues, the relegation battles are hotting up as we enter the final two rounds of matches. Seven managers will be hoping to escape the drop in League 1 with six teams already relegated and four spots still to be determined.

At the top, there’s a three-way tussle to be crowned 2020/21 champion, with Meet the Manager guest Aleksander Våge Nilsen (aka AleksanderVN) in pole position.

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 37 can be found below. 

The scores and tables update every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

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

1,348 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I don’t get the salad love. I own him but Burnley have just had their poor result. They rarely have 2 in a row and first game with fans in a notoriously tough place to go

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Poor typo.

    2. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Just goes well in some sandwiches and with some meals. Admittedly it has very little taste.

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Salad and LIV have something to play for. Extra motivation.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I get that and they should have loads of momentum, it’s just Burnley...

        1-1 or narrow win

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      GW32 + GW33?

      In the games Peacock-Darrell has played:
      - 5-0 loss (MCI)
      - 1-2 loss (NEW)
      - 3-1 loss (MUN)
      - 0-4 loss (LEE)

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        It’s good stats, I just think we’re going to see a big fan impact this week for the home team.

        Gut said Bruno in first home game v a poor Fulham team who were dreadful v saints. Fully expecting 5-1 demolition

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You don’t make friends with salad!

      You don’t make friends with salad!

  2. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy -> Henderson for TGW continues to haunt me.

    Stupid, stupid transfer.

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not really. I was all set to do it as logic was there. But story of the season.

      Well thought out moves will be punished!

  3. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I did Son + Siggy > Raphinha + Bruno (-4)

    Just pure moves to block my ML competitors.
    Will it pay off though?

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I don't like removing Son vs. his "battle" with Elmo...

      1. _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah me neither, probably getting him back again next week for Bruno.
        This move was just to block my opponents

  4. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone saw the benching rumours and take Greenwood out of their XI?
    I was close...glad I decided to hold strong... for now...!

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I saw the rumours, but I had a Jota fire to put out as priority.

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Benefit of early kickoff is no time to see rumours and react badly haha

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

      I saw the rumours and kept the captains armband on him. Twitter is full of twots.

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        mad respect to you.
        I took the vice off him...

        1. Hooky
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Occasionally you do get some decent leaks but most if the time it's rubbish. When you're at 350k OR like me you need differentials!

    4. Kno
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hovered over the button but thankfully I didnt trust the rumour. Gl this gw Az, really been enjoying the blackbox stuff this season

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        thanks bud!

    5. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I was fortunate I didn't log on until after deadline (not intentional). Probably would have benched him for Watkins if I had heard.

    6. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nah, it wasn't ideal but was planning to start him even if he was off the bench. Fulham are bad and he's had impact off the bench before.

      I do have Bale(!) & Holding as subs though, so didn't have many great alternatives.

    7. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It did put me off a move to him. Let's see how it works out ..

  5. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Fudgy still spamming "end of season" posts or is it safe to come back?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It starts up again when Greenwood scores

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        But also when Greenwood doesn’t score.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Omg this!

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He has Greenwood so that will be the opposite

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          But took the armband off him at the last second (due to bench rumours) ... so it’s a win/win whatever Greenwood does/doesn’t do .... Fudgy in heaven.

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Lol

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      To be fair, the season is actually over now...

  6. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have triple UTD... Didn't want to put all eggs in one basket by captaining Bruno. Good luck all!

  7. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What a goalkeeping nightmare since the wildcard. Mendy/Forster, got Guaita on the FH and missed Mendy’s pen save, fear of Mendy rotation led me to get Fabianski, fear of no Bruno led me to get Meslier as a makeweight. *smashes self in face repeatedly*

  8. djman102
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Interesting. I'm listening to Southampton-Leeds on talksport and it's been nothing but the crowd noise!

    Sounds wonderful but I hope the announcers come on once the game starts so I can know what's happening.

  9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Planning DCL + Mane to Wood + Mane for -4. Sensible?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Meant DCL + Bruno to Wood + Mane!

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I don't like the Mane -> Mane move for a hit.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bad move that. Hence corrected!

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Was joking. 😀

          I am not a fan of hits in the last GW, too much rotation goes on. Any other move you can make with 1FT?

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Hahaha! Just DCL to another striker maybe. Don't want to play him against City. Will have to play Bruno in that case but if he does not feature I will have El Ghazi coming on and he plays Chelsea.

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

    I am tied for first in my mini league.

    My opponents team is very similar including our captain choice.
    The only differences are mentioned below. Which of these score more.

    Left or Right?
    L R
    Fofana v Philips (LIV)
    Son v Fernandes
    Lingard v Willock
    Antonio v Bamford

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Right

    2. richarlison2348
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd have to go right

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      R

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looking like DCL & ASM out for Iheanacho & Lingard on the final day.
    Leaving me with:

    Martinez
    Trent | Dallas | Lindelof
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Lingard | Raphinha
    Kane | Iheanacho

    Forster | Rudiger | Phillips | Davis

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Torres if he doesn't start today may be a good shout.
      Wood/Antonio may be better than nacho too

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Surprised to see Nacho in!?

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Won't Bruno and Lindelof be benched?

  12. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mixed start to the gameweek, happy I still brought Greenwood in despite the benched rumours and brought Dallas in too. Henderson benched but Lloris is my backup so shouldn't be too bad. Main rival captained Salah over Bruno despite me not owning Bruno so I'm annoyed I went Kane now!

  13. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    hmm just curious.. anybody inside top100k has taken more than 84 points hit this season?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Is there an easy way to find out hits taken without adding up?

      I’ve tried to be way more aggressive this year and sitting ~150k so not exactly worked but I know it does for others

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        It’s on your gw history

        1. TomSaints
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Haha I know, I meant stats for top 10k / 100k or even genera return on investment over 1 / 3 / 5 gameweeks

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes .. just inside top 50k and taken -104 points in hits so far ...

    4. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      60pts in hits here, 66k.

      Don't normally take that many, usually would be less than 40. But with such a crazy yr of doubles and blanks it made more sense. Generally not a fan of hits though, they never work out for single gw punts but pay off when there's fixture swings and you can suck it up for several weeks before it pays back

    5. BaltimoreCity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      -24 on hits. 17k rank though my keepers this week are Meslier/Henderson so chance of 10k not looking good.

  14. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What minute will Bruno get a penalty?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Only if its 0-0 at 80 mins.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That. Would be. Amazing. And euphoria when he skies it ....... pure fantasy of course.

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Prob 3 minutes in this week.

  15. Hooky
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    That Fulham team is quite attacking. They could get battered here..

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Werner