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. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any transfers worth a 4pt hit? (Trying to hold 10k rank)

    Schmeichel
    Robbo Alonso James Laporte Cancelo
    Son(C) KDB Saka Kulu
    Nketiah

    Foster Richarlison Pukki KDH

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

      Nope. You're gtg. Lovely backline.

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

      Too heavy defense, I'll still not take a hit, will rather pray for clean sheets

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I think you should keep the team as is, without a hit. You've got adequate bench cover if one of your Chelsea defenders doesn't start.

  2. Silicon Vialli
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is keeping Salah and captaining a bad idea?

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

      Keep but don't Captain

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

      Maybe keep but don't captain

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

      Not really. Could easily start and haul.

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

      Sell for someone more likely to start

  3. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    would you rather have Alonso or Matip?

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

      Think matip may be more nailed, imo
      Alonso owner to !

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

      Matip more likely to play full 90

  4. JY84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Getting in a midfielder for Coutinho! Who is e better option? Alr hv Mount in my team!
    (A) Diaz
    (B) Maddison
    (C) Kulu

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

      A

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

      A

  5. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thoughts? Appreciated 1ft
    A salah to mane
    B Salah an Watkins to Dias an Kane-4
    C Salah an martinelli to Diaz an mount-4
    D Salah an weg to mane an Toney-4
    E Salah an Watkins to mount an Kane
    Good luck all
    Thanks

  6. Tommo1212
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anyone think KDB may start up top today ?

    Looking at taking a punt on Gundogan in mid for a big differential ???

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

    Is odegaard to eriksen/Wissa a good move for today?

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

      Yes

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

    Choose one to buy out of each pair please...

    Richarlison or Toney
    Saka or Zaha

    Cheers.

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

      Toney, Zaha

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

    Time to serve it?

    Schmeichel
    Trent | Robbo | Cancelo
    Salah (C) | Son | Kulusevski | Eriksen
    Kane | Pukki | Gelhardt

    Bachmann | Amartey | Schar | Ramsey

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

      Uncharacteristic Kaptain choice... are they not "going in dry" today?

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

        After seeing Wolves vs Norwich defending Salah is a no brainer!

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

          If he plays

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

            He almost certainly will, 60 mins ish

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

          Fair enough. Same thinking here - have Mané (C)

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

        They will be gentle with Norwich today I’m feeling, lots of lubricant

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

      If Salah starts. Congratulations in advance! Wolves are a shitty team

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

        You nasty person, I hope Mrs Vardy loses her case 😀

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

          Haha 😆

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

    Zaha Weggy to Maddison Toney ?

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

    Who scores more?

    A. Salah Maddison +4pts
    B. Diaz Vardy

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

      A

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

      I'd move Salah. Pretty sure he doesn't start, and he is expensive.

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

    Have you also got all 4:
    KDB, Son, Make, Kane
    ?

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

      *Mane

  13. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Cheeky repost-

    Best option here folks???

    A- Kane and Barnes
    B- Vardy and Mount
    C- Mané and Mount extra -4
    D- Kane and Mount extra -4

    Cheers everyone!!

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

      A

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate!!!

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

      B

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thankyou mate, A or B seem the sensible moves

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

    Just notice rival I’m chasing has Mount.

    Mount for Bowen, Maddison/Barnes?

  15. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who scores more … Kane or Mane??

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

      Kane will play 90 but Mane may not. Therefore Kane.

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

    I have DDG and Foster (Don't ask)

    Do I take a -4 and swap DDG out? Or just play him...??

    1. 1966
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Just play

  17. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Rate my FH
    Ederson 4.0
    Laporte James Alonso Janssen Amartey
    Son Mahrez Maddison Mount 4.2
    Kane Vardy Nketiah

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

      5 at the back in GW38? Are you sure?

      1. 824545201
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        3 4 3 formation

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

          Aha ok that sounds better

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      The Mahrez pick looks to be a bit risky, but he's usually good for points when he plays.

  18. Boleyn Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Morning All. Who is the best £5.3m or less striker? Thanks in advance

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

      Gelhardt

  19. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I think I'm just about there, but would appreciate your comments on my starting 11 and bench order.

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo | James | Matip
    Son | Maddison | Diaz | Saka | Zaha
    Kane | Toney
    ----------------------------------------------
    Dubravka | Davies | Thiago Silva | Wood

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

      Killer looking team (and well formatted)

      Bench is good mate. All set

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

    bench one:

    a) zaha
    b) kulu

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Zaha for me

  21. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is there a reliable source for leaked Liverpool lineups?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Link?

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

      fpl rockstar

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

    Who to captain, I’m chasing top prize, defending a prize position:

    1. Son
    2. Kane

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

      Son

  23. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any concrete info on the academy players for Chelsea?

  24. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Gordon
    B) Jesus
    C) Nketiah
    D) Saka

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

      Saka, as most likely to play 90.

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

    Best option?

    A. Emerson Royal + Diaz
    B. Robertson + Kulusevski

    Thanks!

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

      B. Robo has a higher ceiling, Kulu and Diaz samey.

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

    First on bench:

    a) Schar
    b) Richarlison

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

      B

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

      B

  27. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Dias, Mount, Kulu, Maddy or Bowen…

  28. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Would you take -8 for Salah, Pukki, Schar > Son, Toney, $5.5 defender? Chasing 19 points to 1st in mini league.
    Unlikely I'll catch him, but 58 points ahead of 3rd, so I can take risks.

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

    Pope
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso Robbo
    Saka Son Kulu
    Nketiah Jesus

    Dub Zaha Ings Gordon

    First 11 and bench gtg??

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

    Who to start?
    A. Matip (already have TAA)
    B. Toney