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. Zogzeg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Targeting Leeds and Liverpool, which is best:

    A - Robbo, Raph
    B - Alioski, Raph
    C - Alioski,Mane

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

    3. Robin Cook
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

    4. Zogzeg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Thank you, that's they way I was leaning too.

    5. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      C

    6. Igz08
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A seems a bit safer

    7. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

    8. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

  2. fplfansss
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA, Phillips, Digne
    Salah, Greenwood, Son, Lingard, Willock
    Wood, Kane

    Subs: Fabri, DCL, Shaw, Veltman

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Gtg

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    How’s she cuttin?

    Mendy
    Taa, Dallas, Coufal
    Salah, Torres, Raphina, Lingard
    Kane, Antonio, Wood

    Martinez, Bruno, Struijk, Mitchell 0ft .4itb

  4. Crazy RedDevil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    My current team for final gw is as below:
    Martínez
    Trent
    Phillips
    Dallas
    Greenwood
    Mahrez
    Salah
    Son
    Iheanacho
    Kane
    Bamford
    McCarthy
    Shaw
    Traoré
    Ward

    I've taken 1 hit to bring Trent & Bamford for digne & dcl. My current global ranking is 688 and in my mini league, I'm leading by 13 points only. Further, my rival has got lingard, Mendy & rudiger as differentials... Should i take more hits to win the mini league as well as to finish among top 500? What do u think,guys? Pl suggest.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      More hits may block your rival and help you win your mini league but it will likely push you down the overall ranks. Which is more important to you?

    2. Igz08
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Wow that’s some ML you have! I don’t think you need to take hits given it’s only 13 points between you

    3. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      No more hits

  5. Igz08
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Any more advice on this guys?

    Martínez
    TAA Dallas Ayling
    Bale Raph JLingz Salah Bruno
    Kane Nacho
    Forster DCL Shaw Coady

    I’m 16 points clear in my ML, opponent is without Salah, but has Son and might bring in Mane. Am worried Bale won’t play again and can’t afford Bruno -> Mane

    A) DCL -> Antonio, bench Bruno
    B) Bruno, DCL -> Mane, Antonio (-4), bench Bale

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      A

      1. Igz08
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        Bale injury concerns don’t warrant a hit ?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 day ago

          He wasn’t ruled out though was he? Yeah could be. I’m looking at Manè for a -4 also but it just leaves me with a benching headache so likely just going to bench Beuno

          1. Igz08
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 day ago

            Mason just said something about him playing through the pain etc and that players decision was not to start vs villa. Don’t see why he’d bother playing vs Leicester then you know?

            1. Paqueta Rice
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 day ago

              Likely Bales last game for them though I’d say he features if fit enough

              1. Igz08
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 day ago

                He might well come on though, but I guess with a hit I’m taking a gamble on him not playing. Hmm

    2. Cognitive Dissonance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      It’s Bale’s last appearance in a Spurs shirt so I’d expect him to start, but Leicester is a tough game. Bruno probably won’t play at all so on balance B seems the better choice

  6. Little Frank
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Either of these worth a -4:
    a. Son -> Mane
    b. Watkins -> Antonio

    1. balint84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I would do both, if not chasing

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        Do Manè and Antonio outscore Son and Watkins by 8? Tough

      2. Little Frank
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        Can't afford both sadly.

  7. balint84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    A) Firmino+Willock (no pool def)
    B) Phillips+Antonio
    C) Taa+Carvalho
    D) Taa+Greenwood (no bruno)

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      You don’t need Bruno or Greenwood this week I reckon. I like A and B

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I like B

  8. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Heard the FPL Wire boys talking about this. Good way to see where your points have come from.

    https://fploptimized.com/highlights.html

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Thanks, Kane

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Martial in my XI

      That's an achievement!

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      nice

    4. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Martinez was a hero for me in defence. Captained Salah 16 times. Can't believe I owned Doherty and Mitrovic.

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Only 48% captain success ratio absolutely stinks.

      This is making relive the perma captain Salah nightmare just as the witch doctor curse started.

      Also loading up on Wolves and City on gameweek 3 wildcard along with Werner. What a mess. Roll on 6pm tomorrow.

    6. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      This is amazing thank you !

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        Watkins got me 166 points with not a single cap, need to give him my player of the season trophy 🙂

    7. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Nice one, thanks!

      65% cap success! Not bad

  9. bobwils
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Did I hear something about team sheets being out early this week?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      there will be rumours as usual. Not many which you can trust

  10. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Any reason to OGS not to field attacking four players as below? And give cameo to Bruno/Rashford/Greenwood for example.

    Elanga/James | Mata/VDB | Diallo
    Shoretire

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      James will feature but not sure from the start. Greenwood probably starts and is in the bench for Europa. I have a feeling Rashford may start and come off early too.

  11. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    A. Digne > Robbo
    B. Bruno > Mane

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Like both moves

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        But if you had to choose?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 day ago

          Digne to Robertson then. I can see the allure of Manè but Robertson has been in better form.

    2. #Swish41
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      B has more upside

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        I don’t think that it does though - it’s pretty equal

        1. #Swish41
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 day ago

          Fair enough. You asked, I have my opinion 🙂

  12. BigKeith
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Gtg?
    Sanchez
    Shaw, TAA, Dallas
    Salah, Mane, Willock, Greenwood, Lingaard
    Bamford, Antonio

    Martinez, Watkins, Digne, Struijk

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Yeah. I’d expect Digne will come in for Shaw

  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Liverpool have been absolutely terrible at home this season. I'm going with city, mahrez c or kdb possibly if we know he's starting. Can see that game being wide open on the final day.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      But fans?

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        They made a huge difference to Tottenham.....

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 day ago

          Completely different team...

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      You don’t think the Anfield supporters and fighting for top 4 are going to have an effect though? I do.

    3. #Swish41
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Not a bad shout. Liverpool clearly have more to play for and did tonk Palace earlier in the season though

    4. BigKeith
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      That was without fans though

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Liverpool have been pretty terrible in general this season, would 100% go City players over them.

  14. #Swish41
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Hi all, sat at 13k with 20 pt ML lead:

    1. Watkins > Antonio (bench Bruno)

    2. Bruno > Mane (bench Watkins).

    3. Ward > Coufal (bench Shaw)

    TAA is the only one my rivals have that scares me, but can’t afford without a hit - not worth a hit right?

    Pickford
    Phillips Dallas Shaw
    Salah Son Bruno Lingz Raph
    Bamford Kane

    Forster Watkins Godfrey Ward

    Cheers all, lots on the line!

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I think do 2. You've got Phillips so at least the clean sheet is covered. Shaw is unlikely to play but you'll get Godfrey. I wouldn't take a hit.

  15. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    What happened to Pereira? Not ideal, he's one of my best differentials and I can't really afford to transfer him out!

    Henderson
    TAA Dallas Coufal
    Salah(C) Son Greenwood Lingard
    Kane(VC) Bamford Iheanacho
    Lloris Pereira* Shaw Ward

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Who had you intended on benching for him, Greenwood?

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        He's in better form than all my midfielders!

    2. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I heard speculation that they’re selling him so not risking injury

  16. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Ings and DCL out
    For
    Bamford and Antonio

    Worth a -4?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Probably not

    2. #Swish41
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I’d just get one for free

  17. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Who do we think gets more minutes? Greenwood or Fernandes?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Greenwood

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Greenwood. But it might be 0 for Bruno and 20 for Greenwood. Greenwood is my biggest headache this week.

  18. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    I might have to do the MOTD challenge for the first time. Defending 20 point ML lead. Can’t watch the games. Don’t know if I can resist checking scores or if my heart can’t take the highlights.

  19. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Defending top 10k (around 8k right now), and 10pt mini league lead. Rival has the following differences in their team:
    Him: Holding, Trent, Son, Bamford Vs
    Me: Shaw, Phillips, Greenwood, Nacho

    Thinking of Trent in for sure, but should I block Bamford (by taking out DCL) for a minus 4?
    Essentially leaves me +6, Phillips, Greenwood Vs his Holding, Son (without transfers)

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Don’t bother with the -4

  20. G Banger
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Dump Man U assets for sure starters?

    Bruno + Greenwood => Raph + Mané (-4)

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I would, yes. Minutes matter
      Most

  21. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    This is my current front 7 with Bruno benched:

    Salah, Torres, Raphina, Lingard
    Kane, Antonio, Wood

    Bruno to Manè for -4 would push me back to 14 points behind in ML and leaves me with a benching headache? Not worth it is it?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Mmm no. The stars might align for you, don’t force it

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        Thank you

  22. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Digne or Coady first sub?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Digne! Easy

  23. PaulParker
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Lingard
    B) Greenwood
    C) Raph

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Probably *just* Greenwood. And that’s only because of risky minutes. All great picks this week

    2. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Greenwood. But greenwood can score multiple as sub

  24. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    1FT and £0.1m itb. Would ideally start all of the below. Bench is DCL, Rudiger, Coady. Who are the priorities to replace:

    a) Jota
    b) Bruno
    c) Shaw

    Currently on Jota to Harrison/Raphina (leaning to Harrison as would be differential in mini leagues).

    Not sure shipping Bruno (owned by all competitors) is worth a hit to remove as I can see City conceding.

    Anyway, any thoughts/suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance

  25. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Got 2 tranfers looking to make 20 points on my rival, he has Son.
    Which option should i go with...
    A) Son + Reguilon to Auba + Philips
    B) Greenwood + Reguilon to Mahrez + Tierney

    Any other suggestions ?

  26. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Sell one:
    A) DCL
    B) Watkins

    Buy one:
    1) Bamford
    2) Antonio
    3) Nacho
    4) anyone else up to 10.2

    1. The Fantasy Doctor
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Watkins. Get Antonio.

    2. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      DCL out for Bamford

  27. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    A. DCL+Digne to Bamford+Robertson
    B. DCL+Bale to Bamford+Raphina

    Areola
    TAA Digne Dallas
    Salah Son Torres Lingard
    Kane DCL Antonio

    Forster Bale Mitchell Johnson

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Start Shaw or castagne?

    1. The Fantasy Doctor
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I would start Shaw.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I think Shaw is a 0 pointer. I'd play Castagne because he can get an attacking return.

      1. The Fantasy Doctor
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 day ago

        I don’t think Shaw will start. But if he does, I’d rather have him. He won’t be subbed on so you’d get Castagne anyway.

  29. The Fantasy Doctor
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    Shaw to Dallas (-4)

    I’m slightly reluctant due to small chance of start for Shaw (momentum) and have Coady coming in against changed United side and have home fans.

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      Really close call. I probably wouldn't.

  30. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 day ago

    G2G? I have just 1 point more then my rival. On -8, but I think that he will take a hit or two also.
    Play safe with Salah(C)?

    My squad:

    Martinez
    Taa Holding Dallas
    Salah(C) Mane Son Harrison
    Kane Bamford Antonio

    Steer Pereira* Aina Saiss

    1. The Fantasy Doctor
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 day ago

      I wouldn’t do anymore than -8. Go for Salah unless you have a strong opinion that someone will score more.