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. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm 13 points inside top 10k.
    Sitting about 6.6k.
    49 points off top 1k.
    Is there any straightforward way to see how far off top 5k I am?
    Or do I just have to estimate it or scroll through teams until I see the 5000th player?
    Sorry if this is a dumb question lmao.
    I just don't know if I should risk pushing up or just try protect my rank.
    Cheers in advance.

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruh, top post, sorry guys.

    2. Ashers74
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      My mate is 5,097 and has 2453 pts .. so I’d say 2454 I’d 5k at the moment .. good luck ..

      1. Maarrrr17
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate, appreciate the help.

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

      You can replace the page number in the URL. I.e. skip 100s of pages at a time until you get close

      1. Maarrrr17
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Oh cheers bro

    4. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Replace 531 at the end of this link with your FPL ID and scroll to the points away from ranks box

      https://www.anewpla.net/fpl/report/531

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

    Who’s likely get more point this week..?
    A. Lingard
    B. Wood
    C. Bamford
    D. Nacho

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

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

      C

    3. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

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

      C

    5. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes C, but fancying Wood to put a couple past Shef Utd

  3. T88MYE
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Haven’t a clue... (1FT, 1.2m)

    Pickford,
    TAA, Digne, Shaw,
    Salah, Son, Lingard, Greenwood, Marhez
    DCL Kane

    Forster, Holding, Mitchell, Davis

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Digne to Robertson or DCL to Bamford

      I was given advice here to start Holding ahead of Digne

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Holding is good cover. I do like the Robbo shout, hadn’t really thought of that. Liverpool c/s are hard to come by though.

    2. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Play holding over Shaw and go mahrez to raphinha maybe?

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Are we sure Marhez doesn’t start? Momentum into the final?

        1. Maarrrr17
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah idk, could pay off big time.
          I just wouldn't want to rely on pep for the last game of the season.

  4. Shardlow
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bruno > Raph?

    Can't afford Mane 🙁

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could work out better that way.

  5. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Do people expect Forster to start?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah . It's his turn.

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

    Is there sufficient upside in transferring Son to Mané where chasing ML leader ( 6 ahead) who does not have Son but has Firmino as third Liverpool player? We both will captain Salah I guess.

  7. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bale>raphinha/torres/pulisic worth a minus 4 ?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think keep Bale - would have said Raphinha if a free

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        cheers dunas

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

    Bench order correct & GTG?

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

    Button, Rapha, Thomas, Shaw

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I would play Raph over Long 100% personally

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Ling

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

      I would start Raphinha over Lingard

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

      Lingz has out pointed Raphinha for weeks & gets 90 mins?

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Raphinha was out for weeks and is far more likely to outscore Lingz this week imo

        Each to their own

  9. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    With a 45 pt lead and him needing to probably take a hit or two, would you hold, or go wild and make a few moves for -8?

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

      Depends on your team.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Meslier
        Taa Rudiger. Dallas
        Son Salah(c) Lingard Harrison
        Kane. Antonio (v). Firmino

        Forster Pereira Holding Targett

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

          Yeah hold, Forster should get last game, unless you have 1 ft

        2. T88MYE
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Hold - need a different capo if you’re going to catch 40+. TAA, hope for a c/s, goal from a free kick and an assist!

          1. T88MYE
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Fail - you have the lead! Hold capo Salah

            1. Stupendous
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Ta

          2. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I have TAA also
            It's me with the 45 pt lead

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He has Adams*, Digne Castagne Watkins Dunk and two city who I don't think play in Mahrez Foden

    2. Collar of Cantona
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Easy hold.

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

      Hold

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

      Play your own game & keep pushing, nothing worse than trying to protect lead & rival has a blinder.

    5. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers all!!!

  10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    DCL -> Bamford (C) worth a hit?

    Sanchez
    TAA Digne Dunk
    Salah Son Greenwood Raphinha
    Kane Firmino DCL

    (Henderson ESR Digne Targett)

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      In my situation I would do that yes

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        What's your situation mate?

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A 45 pt lead

        2. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          But I had to go Antonio instead anyway

  11. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any suggestions here? Who should go out?

    Mendy 3.8
    Robbo Shaw Coufal Castagne Mitchell
    Bruno Salah Lingard Zaha Maddison
    Bamford Watkins Lacca

    1ft, 0.4itb

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

      Zaha/lacca

  12. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    About to sign off my 13 year FPL career on Sunday. It’s been great fun but time to call it a day. Absolutely delighted with a record of 8 top 5k’s in 13 years (3 of which inside top 1k), plus other finishes of 10k, 15k, 24k, 26k and 39k.

    Looking back I have two main reflections. The first is that the ‘3 cheap defender strategy’ has always been the way to go if chasing upside. The second is that my best finish is 743rd and that’s not been for years, suggesting that on balance I’m a rather conservative player happy to play the odds rather than take risks. Not a lateriser for example. Anyway it’s been great fun but life moves on!

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What you gonna do in your spare time?

      1. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Be present and in the moment more with the kids - I think all this FPL content we have these days is great, but it can be overwhelming and I feel it’s ripped the balance away from the family too much. People will say just spend less time on it, but the fact is that too be competitive nowadays - when the data is available too easily to all - you have to put the time and effort in.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why do you quit?
      Wish you a happy non FPL life!

    3. pricycle
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You'll be back

    4. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Awesome pedigree and good luck with whatever you fill that time with in the future!

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Phenomenal record - well done! You can retire with full honours.

      1. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks guys. Didn’t put this post on to be congratulated (though I am happy with that record!)

    6. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd still play but maybe not in a league.

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

      Well done. Why does your team link seem so different? Rank of 4.5 million....

      1. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Just checked that - I have no idea! I’ve not been posting on FFS Scout this season so hadn’t checked profile. I’m not making this up though!

  13. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any idea why Saiss had not started the previous one? I still have him and am on BB, any update on him for the final GW?

  14. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If I'm 6 points ahead in league. Surely swapping Gundo for another Leeds midfielder for -4 wouldn't be wise if I have Dallas and Bamford already???

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

      6 points is nothing

      1. jimmyharte
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I know that

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

      I wouldn’t do that

      1. jimmyharte
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers, Smith Rowe will be starting over Gundo anyway!

  15. shawry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Worth a -4 to take out Shaw? I’m 0.1 short for Dallas.

    Mendy
    Shaw - Holding - TAA (Coady - Digne)
    Mane - Salah - Lingard - Raph (Willock)
    Wood - Kane - Antonio

    A. Save
    B. Shaw to ? (-4)
    C. Other?

    Cheers

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Save

  16. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts? 1ft, 1.5 itb, good lead in ml leagues just outside 3k

    Mendy
    Taa dallas holding
    Salah c ling son mahrez
    Kane nacho Antonio

    Forster jota• shaw holgate

    Thanks

  17. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is there a reason I’ve missed that Son is dropping in price?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      People are getting Mane for him.

      1. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  18. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Took too many hits this year, 45 in Total and just outside 500k.

    How many hits did you take and what's your rank?

    1. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      23 hits and at 50K. I used both wildcards too early and the hits were worth it to fix problems but I won’t use second wildcard that early again

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

      5 hits
      466k

      I don't think there's such a thing as too many or too little hits. Although it's unlikely that 45 hits will get you a better rank, each hit could still have improved your rank, or otherwise, been a good decision.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Wish there was an algorithm out there which could work out what rank you would have had without taking hits throughout the season.

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

          It would need to simulate alterative realities. Not taking a hit might lead to you taking more hits 5 GWs in the future or no more for the season. I'm often 50/50 on saving a transfer vs taking -8. It's not really worth losing sleep over haha

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        High Team Value didn't help much this season. No home crowds have given budget players the confidence to score well.

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      32 hits, 46k!! I have no patience haha

    4. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      64points hit. 146k rank.
      Sounds much worse than I originally thought.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That's only 16 hits,.

        1. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, but hearing it in points sounds worse 😀 squandered too many with an awful wildcard gw3.

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

      18 hits and 40k

    6. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      12 hits - 6.6k

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

      18 hits 21k. I always usually hit heavy early to build value

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        What Gam week do you stop the heavy hitting?

    8. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      12 - 5k

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

      14 hits. 29k.

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

      45 hits?!
      That seems excessive!!

      I've had 10 hits, currently at 51k.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        It is, tell me about it. 😀

    11. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      6 hits

      Top 15k.

    12. yer old da
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      12 hits and 2.7k. Still far too many. Hits never prosper.

    13. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      21 hits and 65k

    14. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      45 hits definitely sounds like a lot of impulse transfers, this season I left my transfers as late as possible and trusted the process a bit more. Looked at blocks of fixtures instead of game to game and i found that helped alot.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I did a graph comparing the gap between myself and my rivals. The gap kept increasing while I was taking the hits and started to decrease when I stopped taking hits. Should have stopped earlier. 😀

  19. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Greenwood to Wilock, Pepe or just hold?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Willock for free

  20. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Meslier and Kane
    To
    Mendy and Bamford for -8?

    Step away from keyboard you're drunk!!!!

  21. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Euro fantasy team

    Donnarumma
    De Ligt Maguire Spinazzola
    KDB Soucek Mount Insigne
    Lukaku Depay Isak

    Hradecky Elvedi Nego Cetin

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

    Who is least likely to start? Greenwood or Mahrez? Want to trade one

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mahrez could be 90 or 0

      Greenwood 60 or 30.

      Tough one

  23. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chances of TAA outscoring Salah?!

    I might give him the armband if I bottle the Aguero (c) move.

  24. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best MID up to 6.4M, to go with Mane, Salah, Willock and Lingard

    Assuming it's Raph?

  25. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mason said about Bale:

    “But that spike in terms of the minutes played he felt his quad. In terms of him thinking about the summer, I don’t believe so because he was out there the other night. He was playing through some pain, playing through a problem that he had for me, for himself and for the football club.”

    Bale's not flagged but my understanding of that comment is that he is carrying a quad injury. Am I missing something?

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

      It didn't stop him playing before, so there's no obvious change in his state according to the statement. It's news to use, but not to them. (Would be my understanding). Some players play though pain for half a season or more but aren't flagged each week.

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

        News to us*

      2. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. It seems like he's a bit of a risk. I need to decide whether to move him on or not. He could score 0 points but on the other hand if he plays he could score 15.

  26. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any suggestion here? Currently at around 30k, not going to be too aggressive or protective. 2m itb.

    Mendy
    TAA Dallas Creswell
    Salah Bruno ASM Lingz
    Wood Kane Bam

    Forster AWB Holding Eze

    Benching AWB
    A) Bruno to Mane

    Benching Bruno (or ASM)
    B) Eze to Pepe
    C) Eze to Raph/Harrison
    D) Eze to McNeil
    E) AWB to Robbo

    1. dabber7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A or C (Raph). Very hard to decide between the two players.

  27. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start Greenwood or Rashford? Or both and bench Smith Rowe?

    Forster
    Dallas Robertson Targett
    Son Salah Smith Rowe Rashford
    Bamford Antonio Kane

    McCarthy Greenwood Keane Mitchell

  28. Pedaso Pirates
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Just catching up... Is Fernandez not playing or injured?

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

      Nothing to play for in PL and Europe final so speculation second string team

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

    Play holding or coady…?

  30. Could Have Ben Mee
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on Bruno to Aubameyang?

    1. Cognitive Dissonance
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Decent shout. He’s on pens. Not tempted by Mane?

      1. Could Have Ben Mee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Very but I've 3 Liverpool already.
        TAA, Philips and Salah. Not worth a couple of hits to take one out