Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 38

Ten fixtures, 20 teams, no doubles, no blanks, no postponements (touch wood), and everyone’s pretty much used all their chips.

Gameweek 38 is Fantasy Premier League (FPL) stripped back to its basics, how we used to play it way back when.

I’ve seen plenty of commenters within our own weird little corner of the internet saying how much they’re ready for the summer now, how the endless procession of last-minute cancellations and short-notice rearrangements and blanks and doubles and catastrophic points swings has taken its toll. Thinking back to my journalism studies days, it’s felt akin to one of those live newsroom exercises where you’re repeatedly being fed absurd new nuggets of information and having to constantly rewrite your intro.

I share the jaded feeling to some extent but I do wonder whether we’ll look back with more fondness on a rollercoaster 2021/22 in years to come.

It goes without saying that the circumstances of how the week-to-week bedlam came about aren’t to be celebrated in the slightest, with Covid’s impact on our daft wee game small fry compared to the death and disruption it has caused in real life.

But chaos is part of the reason why we love football in the first place, so why shouldn’t our pre-conceived chip strategies and transfer plans be challenged once in a while?

We’ll likely soon be back to how things were, with maybe two or three Blank Gameweeks a season and as many Double Gameweeks following in their wake. They’ll be relatively easy to plan for in advance, as they’ll be around FA Cup/EFL Cup weekends, and we’ll not have nearly as much reactionary, short-term firefighting that has been a feature of 2021/22. It’ll all be very familiar, the cream will rise to the top again barring the usual luck/variance and we’ll be back to the ‘snooker player’ approach to FPL of thinking four to six shots/weeks/moves ahead.

How comforting, how rewarding, how… boring?

How many times in the past have we bemoaned medium-term templates forming and seasons stagnating? And with the rise of algorithms, points projections and automated team recommendations, you could easily get away without any manual ‘thinking’ in a routine campaign and still rank highly.

This season has been exhilarating, frustrating and agonising in equal measure, with beautifully-laid plans obliterated by a lateral flow test or three and so, so many 50/50 decisions rewarded handsomely or punished unimaginably.

Commanding mini-league leads have been overturned in the space of a Gameweek or two, entire seasons’ works have been undone with one red arrow. It’s been more snakes and ladders than Risk, with a big fat serpent catching many on square 99.

But it has seldom been dull and I think, over time, the short-term scars will heal and we’ll be left with some more positive memories of Double Gameweek hauls for the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah, Kai Havertz, Philippe Coutinho, Marcos Alonso, Kevin De Bruyne and James Maddison.

FPL anecdotes are made from such points bonanzas and we’ve had about a decade’s worth in one year.


Just as a post-script, longer-term readers of the site will remember the Pre-Match Preamble being very much Mark Sutherns’ baby.

When David Munday and I joined the team four years ago, we made a concerted decision not to continue with these articles as they were so utterly associated with Mark and, quite frankly, who would give a toss about what we thought? Reading this, you’re probably wishing I’d stuck to my guns…

But the Pre-Match Preamble continues to be fondly remembered even now, so a final-day reflection seemed like a good excuse to resurrect it. Do let us know in the comments below if it’s a series you’d like to see revived in future, perhaps with a ‘Have I Got News For You’-style rotating writer.

Good luck with your Gameweeks, thanks for reading, and the very best for the summer.

2,367 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ste7ieBoy
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best combo to bring in?

    A) Mane & Nketiah
    or
    B) Diaz & Toney

    1. Brewstercat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Can you do Mane and Toney haha. I like Mane over Diaz and Toney over Nketiah

      1. Ste7ieBoy
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Can't afford it unfortunately otherwise I'd have both for sure

    2. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B by a landslide

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    4. FPL_ UP_Down
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  2. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start 1;

    A) Mateta (MUN)
    B) White (EVE)

    1. Ste7ieBoy
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  3. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on Kulu and Trent > Son(C) and Sessengon ?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      if leading its great. if chasing no

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No

    3. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not for me. Kulu and Trent as good a chance of going big. Depends on your league positions etc though.

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

      Yes

  4. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    According to FPL's stats, Mane is in the same form as Hojberg, Fernandinho, Cornet and Xhaka...

  5. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Mount or maddison to bring in?

    1. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Either great shouts but I vote Mount.

  6. Geriatric Unathletic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Here's an idea that would possibly bring a further dimension to our wonderful FPL................... How about the possibility of trading £'s for points.???

    . The traded points can ONLY be used for transfers (so no instant rank jumping).
    . £'s can only be taken from a profit in the "bank".
    . Say 01.Mill = 2, 4 or whatever is agreed a fair exchange rate points for a transfer.
    . Transfer points can also be banked against future transfers but can't again be reversed if you later change your mind and don't use.
    . Gives a choice of points hits or £'s hits.
    . There could be loads of variations, such as more points for a transfer from a lower half Team or less popular players. etc etc etc.

    Probably wouldn't be greeted with glee by the purists who only take 3 hits a year, lol. However, I take lots of hits as can't stand seeing a weak Team staring back at me 🙂 any my overall rankings still manage to compare with most..
    Just throwing it out there.

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Very bad idea. Why make it so complicated? FPL is about football, not checking player price rises all the time to gain points.

      1. Geriatric Unathletic
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Complicated, really? Simplest form 0.1Mill = 2 points. What's so difficult?

        1. Geriatric Unathletic
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Just an added dimension. If its just about football then why bother having price increases/ decreases at all?

          1. Qaiss
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Because it makes it more complicated and FPL doesn't need to be more complicated. Some people like to check their team on a Saturday morning, make a transfer and then go and live their life or purely just watch football matches (which is ultimately what this game is about). This season has been exhausting with all the variance and pot luck cancellations in December/January, so I'm not sure why it would be such a good idea to add an even further dimension which has to make you check your team non-stop and possible price rises every single day. That makes it even more exhausting.

            1. Qaiss
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              Pretty much any idea that involves you having to check your team more often or even almost non-stop, is a bad idea.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      My hit cost is "only" 116 pts and my OR is now basically where I hoped it to be in start of the season 🙂 Nothing wrong with current rules.

      1. Geriatric Unathletic
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Well done Baps. You have had a good year! :).

  7. Wax
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which one do you think nets moat points?

    A) Son + Rich or Pukki
    B) Son + Toney (-4)
    C) Son + Jesus (-4)
    D) Mount + Kane (-4)
    E) Diaz + Vardy (-4)

    1. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Any out of B, D or E.

  8. Al Pacho
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Kasper
    TAA alonso cancelo robbo
    Bowen son mount kulusevski diaz
    Kane

    Bench: 3.9, nketiah, veltman, Greenwood

    FH activated

    G2G?

    Any opinions would be appreciated
    Thx

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      G2G

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

      Is Alonso sure to start?

      Guess you've got Nketiah cover.

      1. Al Pacho
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks guys !

  9. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which one to start?
    1) Sessegnon
    2) Zaha

    Protecting 16 pts OR "lead" with template team (or almost Scout pick team)

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Somehow more sure about 1

    2. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      1

  10. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah to Son (c) and GTG? Looking good enough without hits?

    Ederson
    TAA/Robo/Cancelo/Alonso
    Salah*/KDB/Mount/Saka/Kulu
    Pukki

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It's a good move but what if Salah starts?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Hard to say

  11. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best option;

    A) Diaz
    B) Kulu

    Cheers.

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Recon A with higher potential

  12. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Do you prefer Foden or Maddison this week?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Would say Madd but not sure about his minutes

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount/Barnes? Of the two - Foden

      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Already have Mount

  13. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start Che Adams or take a hit to get Toney?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Toney

  14. Bored Ape Jota Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Play Pukki or Dier?

  15. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Mount
    B) Maddison

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Bored Ape Jota Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      50/50. I just pulled the trigger on Mount, but might be the wrong decision. Scared about not owning Madds.

  16. Geriatric Unathletic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Here's an idea that would possibly bring a further dimension to our wonderful FPL................... How about the possibility of trading £'s for points.???

    . The traded points can ONLY be used for transfers (so no instant rank jumping).
    . £'s can only be taken from a profit in the "bank".
    . Say 0.1Mill = 2, 4 or whatever is agreed a fair exchange rate points for a transfer.
    . Transfer points can also be banked against future transfers but can't again be reversed if you later change your mind and don't use.
    . Gives a choice of points hits or £'s hits.
    . There could be loads of variations, such as more points for a transfer from a lower half Team or less popular players. etc etc etc.

    Probably wouldn't be greeted with glee by the purists who only take 3 hits a year, lol. However, I take lots of hits as can't stand seeing a weak Team staring back at me

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not really the best time for a discussion like this... have to say my initial reaction is not enthusiastic either

  17. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Morning guys. Feeling a bit hungover here and not really thinking straight. Yesterday was a special day. Can anyone help?

    Schmeichel
    TAA, Cancelo, Alonso, Laporte
    Salah, Son (c), Saka, Mount
    Richarlison, Pukki

    Matthews, Davies, KDH, Dobbin

    1ft 1.5 itb

    A Pukki to Toney
    B Pukki and Salah to KDB and Toney -4

    Currently at 86k and looking to finish in the top 100k.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A, I think Salah will play imo

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I would sell Richarlison over Pukki. Not in the FFS predicted lineup. What about Salah & Richarlison - Diaz & Vardy?

  18. Al Pacho
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Guys!!

    Kulusevski or Maddison??

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Maddy

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Kulu, feel he's due a haul today

      1. Al Pacho
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Alright thanks guys!

    3. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Kulu

  19. fijuhmon
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Play Cash or Weghorst?

  20. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    My back 5 are
    Cancelo VVD T.Silva Amartey White
    Will i have at least 3 starters ?

    1. fijuhmon
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Tough one. VVD injured and Silva not in the predicted lineup.

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Dicey. Might scrape 3

      1. No Totti No Party
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I can switch 1, not sure who has less chances to play

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          I sold Thiago Silva for Sessegnon

        2. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          VVD also big risk

  21. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Mendy

    Robertson matip james Zinchenko

    Son mount Maddison Kulusevski saka

    Kane

    Ramsdale Nketiah pukki holgate

    Bench correct???

    1. iveseenitall
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Think I would start nketiah over saka but its a close call

      1. TyroneGAA
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yep I e been moving back and forth but will ultimately make the wrong decision

  22. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Kulu to Maddison for -4?

  23. SteJ
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Good luck all in this final gameweek.
    May all your mini-leagues be decided by shrewed picks hauling and not through your opponebts picks miss firing.
    I wish you all big captain hauls and kerper penalty saves to drag us all over 100points to sign off the season

  24. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best moves here? Im 17 points ahead

    1 FT 1.5 ITB
    My team:
    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Dias Alonso
    Martinelli Kulu Son Gordon Zaha
    Ings Watkins Rich

    His team:
    Pickford Ramsdale
    TAA Rudiger Cancelo Amartey Schär
    Saka Son Zaha Coutinho Maddison
    Kane Nketiah Broja

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

      Ings and Gordon look the weak links or Martinelli.

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On Australia time, was going to go to sleep then wake up with an alarm just before deadline… I’m scared I’ll miss the alarm or something

    Would you say it’s safe enough to make transfers now?

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

      Yes.

      There may be some leaks from Liverpool and Leicester etc but the site has crashed before so may as well play it safe.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I reckon and I am on NZ time.

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

    Besides Everton, Chelsea and Norwich team picks have many of the normal selections.

    Where will the surprise rotations occur?

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

    Jesus likely to start?

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

      Probably.

      As likely as can be.

  28. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah + Coutinho + Pukki > Son + Diaz + Toney for -8?

  29. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Last pieces of FH, help me out:

    A. Maddison, Diaz,Vardy (3-4-3)
    B. Barnes, Bowen, Mane (3-5-2)

    1. iveseenitall
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  30. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Cash > Sessengnon
    B) Pukki > Toney (-4)
    C) Both