RADIO
The FPL Manual presents a comprehensive overview of Gameweek 38, highlighting top captain selection and differentials for the season finale.
Double Gameweek 37 concluded with defending champion Manchester City leapfrogging Arsenal in the league table, as the top two teams will now compete for the ultimate prize in the season's final game. The big highlights from Gameweek 37 include Joško Gvardiol's remarkable brace for Manchester City and Cole Palmer's double-digit haul for FPL managers, aiding the Blues to a potential top-six finish.
The FPL Challenge continues to captivate, with "Are you single?" offering managers with players from single gameweek teams the chance at receiving double points the previous gameweek. As we shift our focus to the upcoming "Final Day" FPL challenge, managers can only select a maximum of one player per club this week.
The Premier League run-in has been a joy to watch. As we draw the curtains on yet another amazing FPL season, join me, the FPL Manual, to analyze the top fantasy players and unveil differentials to target for Gameweek 38.
With @ManCity winning against Spurs to go top of the table, here is how the Premier League title will be decided on The Final Day! pic.twitter.com/a1IL7e61jU
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 14, 2024
FPL 23-24 Season Recap
And Breathe! - Reflecting On The Journey So Far
After a roller coaster season of highs and lows, it's time to look back and recognize the standout fantasy players who made FPL managers' seasons memorable.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins started the season on a high note, scoring a total of 70 points between Gameweeks 1 and 9. Son Heung-min wasn't far behind, scoring 70 points from Gameweeks 4 to 9. Phil Foden took the creative mantle in midfield for Manchester City, scoring 48 points from Gameweeks 19 to 23, while teammate Erling Haaland scored 79 points in the first 10 gameweeks.
In mid-season, many players represented their nations in the AFCON tournament. However, that didn't stop a dangerous Diogo Jota from scoring 42 points for FPL managers from Gameweeks 20 to 24. The king of assists, Kevin De Bruyne, returned, racking up 28 points between January and February. "Ice Cold" Cole Palmer was on everyone's lips as he scored an all-time high of 79 points between Gameweeks 28 and 33, including a super haul of 26 points in a single gameweek after netting four goals against Everton.
Arsenal's Kai Havertz benefited from a change in position to playing as a false nine, currently scoring 122 FPL points in 2024. His English teammate, Bukayo Saka, secured nine double-digit returns this season, bringing his total to 226 points. Meanwhile, the Gunners' dynamic defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel became a force to reckon with, keeping seven clean sheets from Gameweeks 21 to 32.
With one match to go, here are the top three points scorers in #FPL this season 📊
Who will finish in first place after Gameweek 38? pic.twitter.com/hx9coc2e9R
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 16, 2024
Gameweek 38 FPL Tips
Navigating The Final Stretch
As we approach the season finale, staying on top of our mini-leagues should be the primary goal for a successful FPL season. Therefore, managers must sift through the wheat to find the best players for the final lap.
FPL managers are encouraged to target players from teams still vying for European football and title contenders. According to statistics, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United have expected goal involvements of 2.60 xG, 1.95 xG, and 1.75 xG, respectively. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester City are expected to generate 2.95 xG and 3.65 xG against their opponents in Gameweek 38.
#FPL GW38 matchups
For the final time this season....
Goals and clean sheet projections for Sunday's concluding round of Premier League games, via spread betting markets pic.twitter.com/b5jK9txJH6
— Rob T (@robtFPL) May 15, 2024
Gameweek 38 Top Captain Picks
The final gameweek of the season presents a solid pack of fascinating options for your captaincy choice. Players like Mohamed Salah at home to Wolves and Tottenham's captain Son Heung-min taking on Sheffield United all present strong cases. However, my top three picks would be:
Erling Haaland (£14.3m) - Manchester City
After scoring a double in the recent matchup against Tottenham, Erling Haaland has taken his goal tally to 27, netting seven goals in his last four matches. With a title-deciding game against West Ham United coming up, the 23-year-old Norwegian forward is set to put Manchester City ahead as the defending champions for yet another season.
Given his goal-scoring record, Haaland has scored four goals in his last three appearances against the Hammers, making him a top option for the armband this final gameweek.
Bukayo Saka (£8.9m) - Arsenal
Arsenal is trailing the defending champions, and the Gunners will rely on their favorite star player, Bukayo Saka, to help them win their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 season. Saka has been a sensation for Arsenal this season, scoring 16 goals and providing 12 assists for the Gunners.
Set to face Everton next, Saka is poised to help contribute again this weekend, which makes him a strong contender for the captain's armband.
Cole Palmer (£6.3m) - Chelsea
Another goal scored in Double Gameweek 37 took the Englishman's tally to 22 goals scored for Chelsea, and Cole Palmer is just five goals behind Erling Haaland while being seen as a top contender for the Premier League Player of the Season.
With the Blues still vying for a European spot next season, the game against Bournemouth this weekend is a crucial one for Chelsea. Palmer will be behind the sticks, ready to help his team shine again, and is worth a captaincy shout this weekend.
Level with Frank Lampard's 2009/10 total and in reach of those Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring tallies 🔵
How many goals will @ChelseaFC's Cole Palmer finish on this season? pic.twitter.com/WuSHtNBYTI
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 16, 2024
FPL Challenge - Final Day
In Week 9 of the FPL Challenge, managers can only select a maximum of one player per club. RotoBaller provides strategic insights on which assets to target for the upcoming matches.
Compared to previous weeks, the rules will take a different turn this week, as managers cannot select up to five players from a single Premier League team.
Typically, there are no deadlines in the FPL Challenge, but with the final league game of the season being played at the same time, we now have a deadline this week. This means there will be limited room to make changes during the gameweek, as all games will be played at the same time on the same day.
It's been a solid run of unique challenges so far. Entering the final challenge, remember to consider in-form assets from any of the Premier League teams while selecting for your team, and best of luck.
The final Gameweek of the season means the final Fantasy Challenge 👀
You can only pick ONE player per club! ☝️
Select you team now ⬇️#FPLChallengeAccepted
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 17, 2024
Top Differentials (<10% Ownership)
Michael Olise (£5.7m) - Crystal Palace
Two goals scored against Manchester United in Gameweek 36, followed up by a goal and an assist against Wolves last weekend. Michael Olise has bagged 28 points in his last two outings. The French forward has grabbed the interest of FPL managers after thriving under Oliver Glasner's tactics, which has transformed the Eagles into a threatening side as they are currently unbeaten in their last six games.
With less than 3% ownership and facing Aston Villa in the final game at Selhurst Park, Olise could be a solid differential pick for Gameweek 38.
Michael Olise is an #FPL price riser after returning 28 points in his last two matches 🥶
Is the @CPFC star a differential option for you heading into the final Gameweek of the season? 🦅 pic.twitter.com/UcUGi63ok7
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 13, 2024
Leandro Trossard (£6.6m) - Arsenal
Starting seven of his last eight games on the left wing, Leandro Trossard has been in stunning form for Arsenal, netting four goals in his last five Premier League matches.
Set to face Everton next, Trossard and his fellow Arsenal teammates will be eager to give the Gunners a fighting chance for the Premier League title in the season finale.
241,429 #FPL managers benefited from Leandro Trossard's latest attacking return 🤌
Will the Arsenal midfielder be in your team for Gameweek 38? 🔴 pic.twitter.com/A4zjDLo6Sd
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 13, 2024
Cody Gakpo (£7.1m) - Liverpool
Starting ahead of Darwin Nunez in the last three games, Cody Gakpo has scored 20 points in his last three matches. The Dutch forward has seen an increase in expected minutes, now averaging 85 minutes per game. During this period, Gakpo has scored two goals and provided one assist, making him an appealing differential option for the upcoming gameweek.
Cody Gakpo is ending the season in style 🧳#FPL #AVLLIV pic.twitter.com/RFUDNahlXi
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 13, 2024
Honorable Mention
Stefan Ortega (£3.6m) - Manchester City
With Manchester City's No. 1 goalkeeper set to miss the final game of the season, Stefan Ortega emerges as a strong candidate for a third Manchester City spot in our fantasy teams.
The German goalkeeper made a significant impact in his last game against Tottenham, making three crucial saves and helping his side secure a clean sheet. Ortega could be a worthy punt for managers in the final gameweek of the season.
We can confirm that Ederson will miss the final two games of the season due to a small fracture of his eye socket.
Everyone at the Club wishes Ederson a speedy recovery 🩵
More information ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 16, 2024
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