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. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Worth getting in any of these players?

    Toney

    Reece James

    Mount

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

      In the absence of more information, yes.

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

      All are worth it in reverse order of priority.

    3. S6 Owl
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount

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

      Toney

  2. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Already made a -4, is a -8 for Wilson worth it with leading my ML by 20 points? I ain’t sure if Rich or Weghorst will play.

    Schmeichel
    TAA-Matip-Davies-Alonso-Cancelo
    KDB-Saka-Maddison-Son(C)
    Richarlison (Geldhart or Weghorst).

  3. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ready or not?

    Raya
    James, Sess, Amartey
    Kdb, Mané, Son, Mount, Eriksen
    Kane, Toney

    Steele, Tsmikas, Long, Greenwood

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

      Solid, pretty similar to mine: tripled up Spurs and Brentford. Way to go!

      1. Catalan Rangers
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        What a trip this week! Good luck!

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

          Thanks. Good luck to you too.

  4. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How about this for a fun final hit?

    Zaha, Richarlison - Out
    Diaz, Antonio - in for -4

    Means i can field:

    Schmike
    TAA Cancelo James
    Son Mount Diaz Sterling
    Nketiah Antonio Pukki

    KDH Matip Cash - on bench

    1. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Ooooh forgot about Antonio, what about Wilson instead?

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Antonio has something to play for and is nailed for 90min.

        I'm also WHU and going to the game!

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

          If your at the game, 100%.

          Maybe tempted by bowen more though.

          1. Bubbles1985
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Would prefer Bowen but want a striker too and do not trust Firmino!

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

      Go for it

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

    To bring in

    A Maddison or
    B Foden

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

      A

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

    Ahead in ML so just playing safe enough really.

    Coutinho ➡️ Maddison or Mount?

    Capt
    Kane
    Son
    Kdb?

    Thanks and good luck.

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

      Mount must be safer.

    2. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Maddison IMO.

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

      Maddison, Kane

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

      C Sonny
      Mount safer to start tgan Maddison imo

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On FH

    A. Eriksen & Robbo
    B. Maddison & Matip

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

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

      B

  8. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah & Nketia for Mane & Toney (-4).

    Yay or Nay??

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nketiah could easily outscore Toney, Everton could be on the beach. Salah: pray we get some inside news.

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yea, maybe keep Nketia. No salah can get in Mount & Vardy and keep Nketia instead. Let’s pray for news!

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

      No

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers bud

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

      I mean this only works if Salah doesn’t start
      I’m going Salah to Mane myself and my two forwards are Nketiah and Toney. Not sure I’d take a hit though to bring one of those in

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yea, I’m now .1 off broja to Toney.

        Think wait for news BUT don’t let the system crash!

  9. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    28k OR, 45 points from top 10k. Leading my ML with 16 points (300£).

    A) Play my own game and do a -8. Punt on Kane/Vardy, Barnes, Mane
    B) Play safe and block, bring in KdB for Salah( Dont think KdB will haul)

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Always play your own game bud

    2. S6 Owl
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Can you do A w/o Barnes?

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Could get Maddison, Mount, 9.3

        1. Firminooooo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Maybe Diaz instead of Mane.

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

    Hi everyone

    Been off here after a catastrophic couple of weeks, using a bench boost and free hit to more than double my rank!

    Anyway, looks like Salah might have his minutes managed?

    I’m chasing an unrealistic deficit in a ML but what the heck, shall I do this?

    A) Salah + Pukki > KDB + Toney (-4)
    B) something else

    1FT 0.0ITB
    Ederson
    TAA Robbo Cancelo
    Salah* Saka Kulusevski Gordon
    Kane Richarlison Pukki

    Ramsdale Tavares KDH Holgate

    Thanks!

    1. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Sounds Good, prefer Son to KDB though

  11. S6 Owl
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start Nketiah or Saka?

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

      Nk

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

      Both? Saka

      1. S6 Owl
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Have Kulu, Nketiah and Saka, but really fancy Kulu to do well

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

      Yes

    4. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      The one who is nailed on and on pens

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

      Penalties for Saka, CS point and 1 more point for goal.

      1. S6 Owl
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers all

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

    The pre-match preamble is back for one guest appearance. I used to love this - would love to see it again.

    Bricking it today without Kane. Good luck everyone!

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

    Coutinho to
    A. Bowen
    B. Madisson
    C. Erikssen
    D. Trossard

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

    2. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

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

    Start 1

    Mateta
    Gelhardt
    Tavares
    cash

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Tavares

  15. mcflyjohn
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which do you like more?

    Salah + Couthino >> Son + Diaz

    Or

    Couthino + TAA >> Son + Amartey

    Both for a -4

    Current squad

    Schmeichel

    TAA | Robbo | Laporte | Cancelo | Alonso

    Salah | Foden | Coutinho | Saka | Mount

    Nketiah | Pukki | Dennis

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A for sure

    2. The Movement
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A 100%

  16. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Ramsdale
    B) Dubravka

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

      Ramsdale. But still glad I sold him and have Dubravka.

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

      A

  17. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anybody know the best Twitter accounts to follow for leaked team news?

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

      FPL goat made a post about the reliable accounts to follow

  18. stevethecadman
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Sitting in top 4k and have won my mini leagues. Want a midfield punt to aim at top 1k. Opinions on:
    A) Eriksen
    B) Barkley
    Anyone in the know re Chelsea probable line up? If Barkley starts I like that option.
    Good luck all, enjoy the final day.

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

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

      I prob prefer Barkley.

      Can't afford Diaz or Jota? Could be interesting choices

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

        Have Diaz, looking for a differential. Berkley fits the bill but not convinced he will start.

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

    Trying to take my Liverpool goggles off…
    I’m chasing 20pts so would you bench someone like Laporte for Odergaard in the hope city concede (already playing Cancelo) or is that just playing with fire?

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

      Its an option, but odegaard is not the one you want to try it with( at least based on his recent form)

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

        I have Ode and Pukki on the bench and don’t really feel the need to take a hit

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

          50/50 between them.
          Odegaard is lovely player, but doesn't seem to translate to fpl points.
          I have inkling on pukki getting something, last home game this season, but who knows.

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

      Nah going with Laporte, could score and cs

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

        Makes sense! What’s your rank now?
        I’m at my highest rank for the season and really trying to crack 100k so just looking at options.
        Salah to Mane(c) as well

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

          I’m 7629, I think my best was last season at 7200 ish, I’d love to beat that

          Top 100k is great, you really turned it around back end of the season didn’t you

          Salah to Mane is good, I like that pick

          I’m doing Salah >> Kane (-4) myself, not a sensible pick but just going for it

          Unsure whether to captain Son or Kane though… I’m chasing about 10/20 in a ML but also defending a position by 10/20 points too?!

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

            I guess it ML is for cash then can focus on that otherwise OR more important.
            Son v Kane too close to call so go with gut here. Also if Kane been unwell he may not be as involved but still has pens.

            I’m tempted by -4 to either Mount or Vardy but that would mean going Luis Diaz instead

            Good luck

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

              Good luck mate!!! The seasons been a ride!!

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

    Its a bit mad that salah has become such a differential( at least in my main league) 2 people in top 22 owned him for 37

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

      Not really mad since he was injured.

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

        I understand the reason, just saying its a bit mad. If he starts today, he missed one game, and is playing for the golden Boot and the league.

        Lots of ifs in there, but he could easily reward those who held.

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

      I’d imagine a lot have him coming back in after FH?

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

        Actually I was dumb, had selected those who started and not the own option.
        That takes it up to 8 managers in 22.
        I'm shipping for son personally, have neither him or kane, and fear him hauling with huge capt backing.

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

          Fair, I have both Kane and Son already so naturally tempted to keep Mo

  21. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this for - 8 please?

    Salah, vvd and ramsey to son Mount and sessegnon

    Schmeichel
    Taa vvd cancelo rudiger (schar)
    Salah kdb saka kulu (ramsey)
    Jesus pukki (broja)

    Thanks

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

      I have done Son mount -4. Looking at Maddison in for another -4.

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

        Cheers

  22. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Current lineup:

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Cancelo - Rudiger
    Maddison - Saka - Salah - Kulu
    Kane - Toney - Nketiah

    Sanchez - Cash - Johnson - Ramsay

    Pretty sure about Salah to Son (C)

    Then either of the following for -4:

    A)Johnson to James and bench Rudiger
    B)Ramsay to Mount and bench Kulu

    Thoughts?

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

      B

    2. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Why not Hold and captain salah?

  23. OneArseneWenger32
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chasing 30pt ML. Toney good captain shout over son and Kane?

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

      Leicester attack if you’re chasing imo.

      1. OneArseneWenger32
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Have vardy as well

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

      Have Toney. Captaining him over Son Kane is not a good shout.

  24. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    So I should really know this by now, but... is there any way of seeing what chips your ML rivals have used so far?

    (Have healthy lead this year despite modest OR, but fearing a TC as said rivals hold big hitters that aren't in my team or transfer plans).

    Thanks all, and good luck for later.

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      View gameweek history and scroll to the bottom

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

        Ah great, thanks.

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

      There might be a quicker way but i just go through there gameweek history on the app to see what they’ve played so far.

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

        their*

    3. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Fplgameweek.com

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

        Thanks all - really great help there... found it easily at bottom of GW history (it's where I'd looked before but was using small screen, so just had to scroll down right to bottom).

        TCs and other chips all used up, so feeling much happier now!

    4. Baron Saturday
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Check their gameweek history. Shows you down the bottom

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

        Thanks! All set now. Good luck to you.

  25. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which scores more? Ta.

    A - Salah and Toney

    B - KDB and Richarlison

    C - Foden, Kane and -4 points

    D - Kuluseski, Kane and -4 points

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

      A if Salah plays 20+ minutes

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

      A or D

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

      D

  26. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Maddison (Raphina out) or James (Laporte out)?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Very tough that one, probably just about James in.

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

    I’m in 3rd place in a ML (top 5 get prizes), I’m 10 off second and 20 off first but also 10 off 4th and 10 off 5th…

    Do I play safe with Son (c) or bring in Kane for Salah and go Kane (c)?

    1. Son
    2. Kane

    Thanks for all your help!

    1. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Keep salah and C him to win the whole thing

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

    Best moves here? Im 17 points ahead in ML

    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

  29. JakesNorval
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hey Guys, who would you bench :

    1. Zaha
    2. Saka
    3.Kulu
    4. Maddison
    5.KDB

    Thanks

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

      Or play alk and bench

      1. Richarl
      2. Jesus

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

      Tough 1 or 2

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

      1

    4. Baron Saturday
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Zaha

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

    Please help …
    A Start Salah and bring in Bowen for Coutinho
    B Bench Coutinho, start Targett and bring in Son for Salah