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. Koolswan
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which is a better move?
    A. Cash to Sessegon
    B. Mykolenko to Sessegon

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  2. Gon Freecss
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Would you make any changes for a hit?

    Or gtg?

    Schmeichel
    Matip, Cancelo, Alonso, Sessegnon, TAA
    Saka, Kulu, Son (c), KDB
    Nketiah

    Richarlison, Ings, Gordon

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

      Gtg. I would play Richarlison

      1. Gon Freecss
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        In for who

        1. tryf88
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Matip

  3. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Good to go here? Cheers

    Dubravka
    TAA Cancelo Alonso
    Son Foden Bowen Maddison Saka
    Kane Pukki

    Foster Mateta Schar Coady

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Looks good

  4. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    FH team which ?

    a) alison 3.9
    robo rudi/azpi james sess 3.8
    mount jota/diaz son (luiz brownhill)
    kane toney vardy

    b) alison 4.0
    alonso james robo sess amartey
    mane son mount madds 4.3
    kane toney 4.4

    c) kepa 3.9/4.0/raya
    X X tsi sess robo
    mount son mads diaz son
    toney kane 4.4
    (itb for 2 defs. 14/10/10.1)

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      They all look good tbf, leaning a or c

  5. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I'm 30 pts clear in my mini league, my rival has Son and maddison, which of those two should I bring in for Salah?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      You know which one.

    2. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Son

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Both? Or Son

  6. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Take -8 to do Coutinho, Gordon and Ings to Maddison, Diaz and a bench fodder?
    B) Coutinho and Ings to Maddison and punt on Jesus (-4)?
    C) Coutinho and Gordon to Maddison and Bruno Guimaraes (-4)?

    Leading ML by 70 pts.

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo, Robbo, Matip, Alonso
    Coutinho, KDB, Son, Mount
    Richarlison, Ings

    Foster, Nkeitha, Gordon, Cash

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nope

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

      B with Diaz if possible

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

        Cant afford without downgrading Ings. Thats why it will take me -8 to get 2 good players.

        You think -8 is too much?

  7. Justin Credibles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A or B?

    Raya
    TAA Cancelo Sessengnon
    Luis Diaz Mount KDB Maddison Son (C)
    Toney Kane

    McGovern Mateta Tsimikas Kelly

    OR

    Raya
    TAA Cancelo James
    Luis Diaz Mount Maddison Son (C)
    Toney Kane Vardy

    McGovern Sessengnon Brownhill Kelly

    Good luck everyone.

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

      B.
      Great front line.

  8. kellamergh
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I'm chasing a 14pt lead.
    Who's worth the punt in bringing in?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Cancelo Alonso James
    Saka Mount Son
    Toney Watkins Richarlison

    Foster Coutinho Gordon Dias

    1.9m itb

    1. Justin Credibles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Sess, Maddison, Diaz?

  9. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Rival is 30 points ahead and has this team. Who do you think he'll play / bench? I am guessing he goes Son in for FT

    Schmeichel - Leno

    T Silva - Alonso - TAA - Tsimikas - Cancelo

    Mount - Maddison - Zaha - Salah - Sterling

    Richarlison - Pukki - Broja

    0.8 itb

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

      Bench Tsimi-Silva-Broja.

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

        Exactly.

        1. FPL Emu
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Yeah. That probably means I need to play someone else than Pukki - very reluctantly

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

    Chasing 17pts,need to gamble.
    Which one for a hit?

    a) Mings to James (have Alonso).
    b) Weghorst to Toney.

    Thanks all.

    1. Justin Credibles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B.

      If James plays I am sure he will do really well, but start is a bit up in the air.

  11. lewis274
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    foster
    taa alonso cancelo tavares
    raphinha salah kulusevski
    jesus kane nketiah

    sa white coutinho gordon

    thoughts ? and salah -> kdb or son?

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

      Son and captain.

  12. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chasing so willing to take risks, any suggestions pls?

    Ramsdale
    James Alonso Cancelo
    Salah Kulu Saka Madd Raph
    Kane Pukki

    Foster Nacho White Coady 1 FT

    1. Apollo Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Pukki for Toney?

      Raphinha for Bowen?

  13. lewis274
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    salah to kdb or son? i have jesus kane kulu

  14. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hoping to secure a top 100k finish (currently around 94k).

    Looking at Saka to Bowen based on his attacking stats and output over the past couple (as well as being a slight differential move).

    Did Maddison out last week (to Son) which obviously totally burned me, and with his ownership going up, do I bring him in instead and look to protect the rank, or go for the "differential"?

  15. Jacktastic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    When I started reading this I thought why haven’t I read the preamble in a while? The preamble used signal the start of match day and may the resurrection of it continue.

  16. Conor1
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I’m retiring today. Second place in mini league down up. 92 points off top and 40 clear of third. Is it the time to take a few hits and pick a team to get me 100 points today!!!!!

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Why not. Roll the dice

  17. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I know these are similar but any preference? Cheers

    A. Mane/Maddison
    B. Diaz/Vardy

    Dubravka
    James TAA Laporte
    Salah Son Saka Mount Coutinho
    Jesus Nketiah

    Schmeichel Mateta KWP Doherty

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

      First one.

    2. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Quite like Diaz & Mads

  18. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chasing 225pt lead. What are the best football boots you’ve ever owned?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Puma Kings.

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

      Copa Mundial

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Adidas Predator

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Puma Menotti Stars for me. Some good answers here.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I have owned all these boots at one stage or another.

    5. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Adidas 11 pro. I realized why Kroos loves it too.

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

        Are they good for passing sideways and backwards?

        1. Walter White (WW)
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Absolutely!

          Ball control, quick short dribble while under pressure(as if the ball sis attracted) & also long,medium & short range shots.

          Not good for high speed/acceleration but very good to maintain balance too.

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

            Do you work for Adidas? If not, you should as you've just sold them to me!

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Adidas Predators

  19. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any reason in doing KdB to Kane for a hit to protect lead?

    1. lewis274
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      why’s everyone selling kdb?

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

      I'm not sure that it's worth a hit and KDB could easily outscore him. Play you own game until the end and follow your gut.

  20. LittleBK87
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I’m 9pts away from top in my FP league and the other guy’s team is looking worse than mine. My current team:
    White, Alexander-Arnold, Mykylenko, Son(c), Zaha, KDB, Saka, Kulusevski, Richarlison, Nketiah.

    I’m thinking to do Richarlison to Wilson or Vardy for free hit. Do you think it’s worth taking -4 to replace White? He doesn’t seem to be 100% playing and I don’t have a strong bench

  21. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any chance Van Dijk starts today? He’s in my Fanteam teams and need to know

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Why wouldn't he start?

  22. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA Cancelo Alonso Davies
    Salah Son (C) Saka Kulusevski
    Jesus Nketiah
    Subs Laporte Pukki Dewsbury Hall

    For -4
    A Salah/Dewsbury H to Maddison and Bowen (bench Davies)
    B Salah/Pukki to Mane/Toney (bench Davies)
    C Salah/Jesus to KDB/Toney
    D Salah/Jesus to Sterling/Vardy

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

    Itk

    Team sheet leaks

    All teams @FPL_Rockstar
    @unit_football
    Liverpool @TheKopHQ
    Man City @City_Xtra
    Chelsea @AbsoluteChelsea
    Leicester @SmuelMartinFPL
    Spurs @SpursITKhub
    Leeds @fpl_tactician
    Westham @ExWHUemployee
    Wolves @parker_bradley

    https://twitter.com/SalomonYaniv/status/1528253643509612544?t=b63dT_qzfHWhabNozeJTBg&s=19

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

      I'd do it by 2.20 pm at the latest.

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

      Absolute scenes when FPL, FFS, FFH, r/FantasyPL and twitter all go down at the same time.

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

        Twitter should be fine

  24. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    If Son nationality was English, Brazilian, Spanish or French he would win the pfa player of the year easily.

    How does Conor Gallagher, TAA,Rice and Foden is nominated over Son. Absolute Joke. Id even rate Son season better than Salah. and KDB

    Criminally underrated and overlooked

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

      The ones that were announced are apparently fan awards, the full one isn't announced until 1st June from what I read.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Same as Messi winning Ballon d'Or last year.
      All these awards are joke.

    3. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Agree

    4. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It's sad, I know. These awards should be taken with a pinch of salt.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Turning into a Popularity contest

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

    A martinli to mount/maddison (which one?)
    B watkins to toney
    C both for -4

  26. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel
    Taa cancelo matip laporte james
    Kdb saka salah havertz
    nketiah

    Subs werner, puki, kdh, foster.

    1ft. 1m itb.

    A. Salah to Son
    B. Salah and saka to son and diaz for -4
    C. Salah and saka to son and Mount
    D. Salah and werner to son and vardy

  27. xvavl
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Eriksen or Mbeumo?
    Defending 11pt lead against Mount and Saka
    Other 5.8 mid?

    1. DF
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Erikssen should see you through

      1. xvavl
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks fx

  28. Junks
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Saka or Zaha out for Diaz??

    1. Gon Freecss
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      For free yes... but I'm holding saka

    2. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Zaha

  29. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    9 points ahead in my ML, but rival has a FH left.

    Will take a 4 point hit, to bring in Son & Diaz/Mount.

    But who to Captain?

    Son, Kane or would you bring someone other than Son to captain eg Mane, KDB?

  30. jay01
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who scores more?
    1) Mane and Gordon
    2) Kane and Bowen (-4)

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

      2, Gordon should get a rest