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. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How’s she looking?

    Ramsdale
    Trent Cancelo Bavies
    Maddison Son(VC) Trossard KDB(c) Saka
    Nketiah Vardy

    Sanchez Cash RAN Cucho

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

      Looks good, kdb bold over son.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Chasing 40 pts in one league, others I should be ok with it. Time to risk it.

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

          Fair enough, great shout if chasing.

          Kdb cap did me proud couple weeks back, saved my season!

          1. THEKID_88
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            I'm chasing 40 as well. Would you cap KDB or Kane as a differential?

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

              Prb kdb if your chasing that big a score.
              Most are going son.

              If he does well, kane likely to do well as well.
              So kdb cap and hope spurs fail is your best hope!

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

    play 1 out of 3
    a)white
    b) tavares
    c) coutinho

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

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

      tavares is nailed and may get g/a?

  3. Drumandbaines123
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anyone else punting on Welbeck? 5 attacking returns in last 4 games. Can't afford Toney so he seems a decent replacement and is in good form.

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

      Go for him if can't afford Toney

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

    Sam Martin won't have team news either.

    He's on Roger's radar! But thinks Leicester go near full strength.

    https://twitter.com/SmuelMartinFPL/status/1528302012995190784?t=zXps79VygYGzsvC6FaQdcg&s=19

  5. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Please choose one duo:

    a) Diaz, Jesus
    b) Vardy, Toney
    c) Jesus, Toney
    d) Diaz, Toney

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

      B or D

  6. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hello!
    I’m currently chasing a 21 point lead in my ML, would a -8 make sense?
    Thinking of
    Zaha, Cout, werghorst -> Diaz, Barnes and Toney

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

      Zaha is fine for this GW I think, just Cout + Weg out

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

      I'd keep Zaha

    3. Felix Navidad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Thank you!

  7. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah out for Son or KDB?

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

      my issue aswell. probably gonna go son

  8. FPL MAN 123
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    HELP! 1FT, What i do!?!

    Ramsdale
    TAA | VVD | James
    Salah | Kulu | Maddison | Saka | Coutinhio
    Kane | Broja

    Foster | White | Schar | Dennis

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It doesn't matter what you do

      1. FPL MAN 123
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        ??

    2. Killitzer
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Count➡️Diaz?

  9. RichRover
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Evening all, and good luck this week.
    Any changes needed?
    Schmeichel.
    Rudiger, Cancelo, TAA.
    Mount, Salah, Son, Maddison.
    Nketiah, Toney, Richarlison.
    Ramsdale, Guehi, Gordon.
    £0 in the bank
    1 free transfer
    Thanks

  10. 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 kdb
    toney kane 4.4
    (itb for 2 defs. 14/10/10.1 chelsea & fodder, cant fit james todo only by madds to barnes or mount to ziyech)

    1. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      a with Diaz

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

      A

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any hits needed? Wary of going with only 1 Liverpool… 1.4m ITB

    Pope
    Cancelo Robertson James Alonso
    Son(c) Mount Saka
    Jesus Richarlison Toney
    (Foster Martinelli Gordon Cash)

    Good luck to all!

  12. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Has Salah Perma-captain for most of the season spoilt FPL this year. Did it make making up ground a lot harder. Any thoughts?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Betting against him favoured the bold for the last part of the season

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

      Mine thought is Liverpool will smash Wolves. Hoy, hoy, hooyyy!

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

      Pot luck cancellations in December/January spoilt FPL. Having to check every 5 mins to see if a game is cancelled. Betting against Salah in the second part of the season would have worked well for people.

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

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Laporte
    Son (C) Saka Kulu
    Kane Nketiah Toney

    Foster - Raph Gordon Digne

    All set?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Set

  14. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which is best on FH?
    1. Kepa (+Sanchez) Trent Havertz Saka

    2. Ederson James Mane Barnes

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      2

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers

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

      2

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  15. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) B Silva

    B) Foden

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

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

      B

  16. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hope Kane and Son are terrified to fart

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

      No fun (skid) marking an ill player!

    2. AutoFill 2021
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Plenty of immodium packed

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

    FH which trio

    a) alison james vardy
    b) kepa(if he plays) madds kdb

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

      B

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        No, I change my mind: B haha.

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

          ok haha lol

          1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Somehow I missed KDB in there.

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

              i even posted 3 drafts of my FH in the one have kdb missed him also lol

  18. Sillet Bang
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Eddie or Richarlson who is a doubt i believe?

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

      Lock it in Eddie

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

      Nketiah all day long.

    3. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Eddie

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Eddie

  19. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Seeing some fairly even love on here for:

    A) Diaz
    or
    B) Jota

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A defo

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers, mate.

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

      B

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        What's ya thinking? More likely to start?

    3. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers 🙂 how come B?

    4. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

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

      leaning toward B but on my FH need the .2 will get diaz

  20. FPL MAN 123
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA | VVD | James
    Salah | Kulu | Maddison | Saka | Coutinhio
    Kane(C) | Broja

    Foster | White | Schar | Dennis

    Salah & Cout > Son & Diaz (-4)??

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

    FH team which ?

    a) alison 3.9
    robo rudi/azpi/alonso 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 kdb
    toney kane 4.4
    (itb for 2 defs. 14/10/10.1 chelsea & fodder, cant fit james todo only by madds to barnes)

  22. RichRover
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Captain Son or Salah?
    Currently on Son

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Son

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

      Son

    3. AutoFill 2021
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Son unless you hear Salah is starting- then still son

      1. AutoFill 2021
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        It think he will be on the bench

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

        Thanks all, I'll leave it on Son.
        Good luck today

  23. 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

    1. Dragon1983
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A or D
      Saka could haul today

  24. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Weghorst -> Nketiah
    B) KDB + Weg -> L. Diaz + Vardy -4

    any other fwds to consider under 6.6?>
    Rank 565 if it matters.

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

    Bench order correct?
    Amartey, Gordon, Digne

  26. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who’s keeping Salah?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Me 30 mins enough

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

      Me

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Wise choices both!

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Just sold him for KDB, no doubt Salah will play and haul now!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Ooh….

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

    beating 2nd place by 1 point. should i do coutinho-> diaz for a hit?

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

      If the alternative is fielding Coutinho, then yes.

  28. Ridings92
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    10 points behind in mini league

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo, Trent, Alonso, Emerson Royal
    Mount, Maddison, KDB, Saka
    Kane, Nketiah
    Bench: White, Pukki, Coutonho

    Option A: Leave it
    Option B: KDB > Son
    Option C: Coutinho > Kulisevski (bench Nketiah)
    Option D: White > Sessegnon (bench Nketiah)
    Option E: open to suggestions

    Appreciate the help guys

    1. Dragon1983
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Depends who rival has - not having Son is a risk

      1. Ridings92
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Rival team is
        Pickford
        Robertson, Alonso, Cash, Castagne, Ben Davies
        Son, Luis Diaz, Coutinho, Saka, Gray
        Kane, Ings, Richarlison

        Assuming he is going to take a couple of hits as he isn't really set up for this gameweek. I guess my main worry is not owning Son.

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

      I think in your situation, don't bring in Son. Maybe leave it,

    3. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Looks good to me but maybe see who you your ML rival has and go with some differential to try make up the points

      1. Ridings92
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Rival team is
        Pickford
        Robertson, Alonso, Cash, Castagne, Ben Davies
        Son, Luis Diaz, Coutinho, Saka, Gray
        Kane, Ings, Richarlison

        Assuming he is going to take a couple of hits as he isn't really set up for this gameweek. I guess my main worry is not owning Son.

    4. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Likely to get any early team news today?

  29. Dragon1983
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Very close in ML - would you do anything with the below or GTG ? Thanks.

    Dubravka
    James, Robbo, Rudi, Dier
    Mount, KDB, Son, Saka
    Niketiah Jesus

    Gordon, Telles, Broja

    0 ITB, 1 FT

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

    Anybody chasing in their mini-league backing Lukaku? I'm tempted if I could be sure he will play. Likely to get a haul against that pitiful Watford defense.