Pro Pundits

Five players who could help you win your FPL mini-league in Gameweek 38

Seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar looks at the Premier League’s in-form attacks and leakiest defences before picking out Fantasy assets to consider for Gameweek 38. He also reveals his own FPL team for the final day of 2020/21.


With the season drawing to a close, there are still mini-leagues to be won and ranks to be improved upon. In this piece, I will be looking at five players who I feel can give you the push you need.

Spoiler alert: I have resisted the temptation to add Timo Werner (£9.2m) to this list…

Who are the form attacks?

That’s it from me for the 2020/21 season. It has been a challenging one for all of us in many ways but I hope that playing FPL has provided some sort of escape from it all. I hope you have enjoyed the content this year, both on the podcast and in these articles. I look forward to seeing you again next year. 

Pro Pundits 20
924 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ok, think I've come around to the Bruno to Mane move. But which for second FT in place of DCL?

    A. Wood
    B. Nacho

    (have Antonio and can't do Bamf as maxed on Leeds)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nacho

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      Wood

    4. Inter Me Gran
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wood

    6. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  2. Inter Me Gran
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Son and Robertson

    B) Bale and TAA

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Tough, probably fancy B assuming no risk of Bale not starting

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

    Martinez
    TAA, Robbo, Dallas
    Salah (c), Son, Lingard, Raph
    Bamford, Kane, Antonio

    Johnstone, willock, holding, veltman

    GTG? Anything you would change? Bench correct?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good. Only change I'd want is maybe a different GK but think you'll do well

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah. I agree. But my transfers was jota and dias out for robbo and pereira. So -4 for a new keeper is a no go i think

        1. Inter Me Gran
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Not for minus points, stick with M

        2. Abaddon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Willock. Not pereira

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

          Yeah, wouldn't take a hit for it

    2. Inter Me Gran
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wish I had that line up! Martinez may be the only transfer out

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

    thinking about Bruno + Watkins >> Havertz + Bamford for -4. thoughts?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Havertz likely to start? I'd be tempted to just do the Watkins part of it considering it's a hit

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

        can't do Watkins to Bam without a hit

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          What about Nacho, Wood or Antonio? All good shouts in same bracket.

          Just don't fancy Havertz to pay off a hit

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

            Nacho is not a bad shout at all. Cheers

  5. Bart82
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Lead 25 in my ML... Opponent have Kane and Greenwood.

    A) DCL - Bruno -> Kanne - Raphina
    B) Watkins - Bruno -> Bamford - Pepe
    C) DCL - Bruno - Watkins -> Kane - Raphina - Bamford for -4

    Allison
    Dallas - TAA - Digne (Shaw, Veltman)
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Lingard (JWP)
    Antonio - DCL - Watkns

    2ft, 0.1

  6. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    More by luck than judgement, I have 10 from 11 players at home on Sunday. With crowds returning, I believe this could be a difference maker. How many do you guys have?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      8

      Kane, Son, Willock are the away players.

      Home advantage didnt work in GW37 😉 Lets see what happens in 38...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        GW38 is renowned for goals and strange results. Gw 37 was my first red flag in 12 GW's. Laboriously climbing the table to having the ladder kicked from under me.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Only 4. Looking to get 3 in below though

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Just goes to show how different sides still can be. Good luck Mate.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      10 as well

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Good lad!

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Priced out of Bamford now so;

    Kane+ASM+Jota >> Nacho+Mane(C)+Raphina (-4)?

    Mendy
    TAA. Holding. Rudiger
    Salah. Son. Greenwood. Jota. ASM
    Kane. DCL. Antonio
    (Forster. DCL. Digne. Ward)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Chasing 12pt lead who has a TC (Salah no doubt)

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What about DCL to a 6m mid (Bamf, Wood or Nacho) and then upgrade Jota or ASM and save the hit?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        6m forward, obviously....

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah was also looking at that

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      DCL twice?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Should be on the bench only. Thanks for the input

    4. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends what the rest of his team is and if already very similar. Salah so likely to outscore Mané that would be reluctant to chase it down that way

    5. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son, Jota, Dominic to Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford. GO all out.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        since cash isnt an issue, dropping Greenwood over Son is also an option

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thank you

  8. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Better option?

    A. Play Watkins
    B. Watkins > bamford -4
    C. Watkins > Antonio -4

    1. CSF150473
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’ve got the same dilemma, I’m choosing option A as I’m getting in raphina for Leeds cover

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

      Strongly considering B myself

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

      Tough, B or C should pay off, but Watkins could snatch one and Bamf/Ant could blank even if Leeds or WHU win

    4. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Either B or C all day if for free. If chasing, bit of a coin toss, but still probably worth it. I like Bamford personally

  9. CSF150473
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hey chaps ,pick one
    A: TAA and raphina
    Or
    B: Mane and rudiger

    1. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A for me, B if chasing

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  10. Crazy RedDevil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What is the chance of mahrez playing this week?

    1. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure anyone can answer this!

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Fairly good.

  11. Stannio234
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hiya, 16 point lead, 1 FT

    Allis
    Coad - TAA - Hold
    Marhz - Ling - Mane - ESR - Bruno
    Ant - Kane

    Patric - DCL – Godf - Lorent*

    Who goes and for who?

    1. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d want Salah for Bruno but looks like you have 3 Liv, so maybe ditch Coady

  12. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son to Mane
    Foden to ESR
    (-4)

    Mendy
    TAA Dallas Rudiger
    Son Salah Lingard Greenwood
    Antonio Kane Bamford

    Forster Foden Holding Strujik

    1.1 ITB

    ESR likely to play? Could cover a no show from Greenwood

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood a hard one. Limitation in minutes will affect him less than others though IMO

  13. SFC Fan 123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Forster/McCarthy
    Trent Robbo Dallas
    Bruno Son Raphinha Salah
    Nacho Kane Wood

    Currently benching both Ayling and Willock but not entirely sure on it! Think I might start Willock over Son but that just feels silly as I'm trying to just protect rank.

    Any thoughts?!

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruno to Mane if you can?

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d bench Bruno & play willock - Bruno won’t play.
      I’d bench Ayling, Leeds will concede so just play the attacking defender.

  14. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1FT 1.4m ITB

    Martinez
    TAA Digne Shaw
    Son Lingard Salah Raphinha
    DCL Bamford Kane

    Fabri - ESR Targett Mitchell

    A) Targett/Shaw > Dallas (play Digne)
    B) Digne > Robertson (Targett autosub for Shaw)
    C) Shaw + Digne > Robertson + Dallas (-4)

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      For those with money B a common choice. Defensive "all in" if chasing.

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, only thing putting me off just going with B is the double-up of Villa I'll likely end with. Might be wiser to go with Dallas and spread the risk. At 42k with most of my MLs wrapped up, so not much to play for this week

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hmm I like C

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C looks nice

    4. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

    5. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks all, last season's me would be very disappointed by the fact that I'm considering a hit for a defender in the last GW! TAA Robbo Dallas does look like a great backline to finish the season on though

  15. #Swish41
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1. Bruno > Mane (bench Watkins)

    2. Watkins > Antonio (bench Bruno)

    Are we all just guessing Bruno will get a rest? He’s hardly had a rest all year…

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2 but Watkins is on a good run and the Villa boyz are hoping for England call ups.

      Mings and Grealish too. Could beat Chelsea and Leicester qualify 4th.

      Chelsea could win the Champions League too and 5 English teams qualify and an extra Europa spot for Arsenal and Spurs to fight over!

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That's not how it works for Europa if there's 5 PL in CL

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          The same number but 1 lower place, the Europa conference spot in 7th becomes Europa proper in that scenario I think.

          1. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            It remains the same as is now as far as I've read. We won't have 8 teams from PL in Europe.

      2. #Swish41
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        All good points. 2 chasers have Antonio so that will probably sway me…

  16. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    This is how I'm set up at the moment. At 111k, would love to get into top 100k, or at least end on a green arrow !
    Mendy
    TAA shaw dallas coufal
    Salah son greenwood lingard
    Kane DCL
    (forster vydra holding jota)

    Which moves?
    A) Jota and DCL - Raph and Antonio
    B) Jota and DCL - Willock and Firmino
    C) Son, Jota, DCL - Mane, Raph and Antonio (-4)
    D) Jota, DCL, Vydra - Raph, Bamford and Antonio (-4)

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I like C

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D looks good

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      For me both picks for B are not as good as A
      All depends on a captain pick I think.

    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Curved ball, what about DCL & Vydra to Antonio and Bamford?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Otherwise A

      2. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        0.8 off that unfortunately! Thanks

    5. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Like D

    6. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers guys! All decent options I think. Leaning towards C or D. Would really like firmino but it would mean losing Kane

    7. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I like B or D.

  18. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What to do with this lot lads?

    Mendy
    Dallas Phillips Dias
    Salah Son Lingard Greenwood
    Kane Antonio Iheanacho

    Forster JWP Shaw Semedo

    2.3itb 1ft

    Cheers

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dias to Trent? Or Robertson if funds won't strecth

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah can get Trent or Robbo, just worried about double Liverpool defence. Thanks for the reply mate

  19. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    with 2 FTs and no budget limits
    Which player is the best option for Triple captain ?
    Thx

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dependent on your situation and whether you're playing got rank or ML

      1. FootballFanatic365
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        450K overall

        20 odd pts in ML to catch up

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Salah or Mane then whoever rival doesn't have

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Salah is safe choice

      Bamford or Pulisic or Aubameyang as out of the box picks

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I was going to do bamford captain but after the ‘team news’ pod I’m not 100% sure he gets 90?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Should get, who can instead of him?

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Salah Mane probably

  20. afsr
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mini league already won, rank around 5k, just want to get as high an OR as possible. G2G or take a hit?

    Martinez
    Rudiger - Targett - TAA
    Mane (C) - Salah - Greenwood - Lingard
    Antonio - DCL - Bamford (VC)

    Lloris - Mahrez - Digne - Shaw
    0FT, 0.0 ITB

    Did Bruno->Mane already, anything else? Could get Dallas or Iheanacho...

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nah leave it at that. Good team. Good luck.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Digne to Dallas?

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

    Only concerned about starting Godfrey or Thomas rest happy with.

    GTG Took -4?

    Martinez
    Trent, Dallas, Godfrey
    Son, Salah, Lingz, Mane
    Antonio, Kane, Bamford

    Button, Rapha, Thomas, Shaw

  22. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bruno & DCL --> Mane & Antonio/Iheanacho for free?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane and Antonio

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      See top of page. Good moves. Would go Ant over Nacho

  23. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have 2 fts
    1) shaw + Watkins to Dallas + antonio (433)
    2) jota + Watkins to raphina + antonio (343)
    3) shaw + jota to Dallas + raphina (352, bench Watkins)

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1

  24. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Finally set on the team, irrespective of leaked lineups.

    Dubravka | Casilla
    Alonso Tierney Dallas
    Salah Son Auba Torres
    Firmino Wood Antonio
    | Harrison Cresswell Phillips

    0.3 ITB

    Thoughts?

    1. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Very different that’s for sure

  25. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For -4
    A. Bruno & Zaha to Mane and Lingard (352)

    B. Bruno and Watkins to Mane and Wood
    (343)

    Already have Antonio

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

      1. Taegugk Warrior
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        So… wood is more essential than lingard…?

    2. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I prefer A by some margin

  26. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Shaw > ..........? for a (-4)

    Robbo
    Cress
    Dallas
    KT

    ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Robbo

    2. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas or robo

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on your bench and your position.

      If you're chasing then it may be worth a punt.

      But if you're happy with your current rank and have someone who can come off your bench to cover Shaw, then I'd probably just leave it

  27. VAR United
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pick one

    Lingard
    Willock
    Mane (-4)

  28. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looking on here and everybody's bringing in exciting players and having decent punts on players who *could* bring home some big hauls.

    I'm sat with 0.0 in the bank and 2 injured cheap DFers (Veltman & Coleman) plus Coady (crap) and Shaw (rotation?). My DF is an absolute mess basically apart from one shining light in TAA.

    May do something mightily boring as my FT...

    How does
    Coleman > Alioski sound? (and bench Coady)

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Shaw to RItchie and Coleman to Alioski? 😉

  29. GGGGGOOAAALLLLLL
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On a free hit and and in a play off to win ML. Who are the must haves for GK, Def, Mid & Fwd?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      GK: Mendy/Leno
      DF: Robbo/TAA/Dallas
      MF: Salah/Mane
      FWD: Antonio/Kane/Nacho

      In my opinion

  30. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Rudiger and Foden to Robbo and ESR

    B) Son to Mane, Foden to ESR

    For a hit. Both instances benching ESR

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd play Forden if I had him.

      Of course he could be benched but I'd expect Pep to play close to his Champions League final team for the first hour or 65 mins.