Here’s Rob Reid (the FPL Vet) with his fantasy premier league GW38 player picks. Rob picks an ace and a joker for this gameweek. There are also guest picks from Joe, Alex and the Geek. Rob finished with a rank of 22k last season 4,701 in 2015/16 and 7,810 in 2014/15
FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE GW38 PLAYER PICKS BY ROB REID (THE FPL VET)
Hi and welcome to Gameweek 38 Player Picks, the last for this season. For each gameweek, I’ll be picking out 3 players in distinct player selection categories.
One Banker – this will take form and the fixture ease schedule into account and is a player who I think is a must for the next few gameweeks and should provide a steady stream of points.
One Ace – a player who I think has a good chance of scoring big this week. I’ll take form, this weeks fixtures and the bookies odds into account here.
One Joker – a player who is a bit of punt but I think may surprise a few people. Might be a low ownership player, someone coming back from injury or just a bit of a gut feeling on my part – there will be no evidence base on this one!
I’ll review my picks each week, with the Banker being reviewed over 4 weeks and the Joker and Ace on an individual weekly basis. However, for the last 3 gameweeks of the season there will be no further Banker picks. Instead, for GWs 36,37, & 38 regular contributors Joe and Alex will be providing a Guest Pick along with a Guest Pick from The Geek himself. Wish us luck, here goes!
Gameweek 37 Review
GW34 Banker – David De Gea
GW34 – 9 points (Game 1: 1 save point, 1 goal conceded; Game 2 – clean sheet)
GW35 – Blank
GW36 – 2 points (1 goal conceded) –
GW37 – 9 points (Game 1: – 1 goal conceded, 1 save point; Game 2: clean sheet) – 9 points is an ok return for a double, but managers will be disappointed that he conceded at Brighton. Looks certain to be rested for GW38 so if you don’t have a playing reserve keeper I’d consider a transfer out.
GW35 Banker – Ederson
GW35 – 6 points (clean sheet)
GW36 – 2 points (1 goal conceded)
GW37 – 8 points (Game 1: Clean sheet, 1 save point, 1 bonus Game 2 – didn’t play) Some surprising save and bonus points in the first fixture, but frustration for FPL managers as he was rested for Bravo in game 2. Still a good chance will feature for GW38 as Bravo isn’t close to racking up enough appearances for an FPL winners’ medal.
GW37 Ace – Gabriel Jesus
4 points A disappointing return for what on paper looked like 2 good fixtures. The other worry is that he started both matches – will it be the Brazilian’s turn to put his feet up for GW38?
GW37 Joker – Jan Vertonghen
15 points (Game 1: clean sheet; Game 2: clean sheet, 3 bonus) – A hefty defensive return for the double from the Belgian. FPL were counting their stars that he was subbed with a knock before West Brom scored in the first game. Luckily he was fit for game 2 where he racked up full bonus. With Spurs safely in the UCL places next season, could be rested for GW38.
Joe’s GW37 Guest Pick – Ilkay Gundogan
– 3 points – Came off the bench in City’s disappointing 0-0 against Huddersfield and blanked in the second fixture against Brighton. Will be a rotation concern for GW38, though how much Pep will rotate his pack as City chase 100 points is anyone’s guess.
Alex’s GW37 Guest Pick – Wilfred Zaha
5 points (1 assist). Helped put the final nail in Stoke’s Premier League coffin and could be a good pick this week where The Eagles face another relegated side in West Brom.
The Geek’s GW37 Guest Pick – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
23 points (Game 1: 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 bonus; Game 2: 1 goal, 1 bonus). A great week if you went against the tide of owners who selected Jesus and Kane and went for the Gabon striker. Has found his feet quickly in the EPL, will certainly be one on the radars under a new manager next season. Good shout Geek!
Gameweek 38 Picks
Ace – Marko Arnautovic (WHM £7.1m) – EVE
The big Austrian has been instrumental in West Ham’s push for survival and is perhaps unlucky not have picked up more than 3 goals and 2 assists since GW32. He can be potentially explosive, so if you’re looking for a 1 week punt I think he’s a good option, especially when you consider he’s effectively playing as a forward and that this week’s opposition have hardly covered themselves in glory away from home this season.
Joker – Anthony Martial (MAN £7.8m) – WAT
It’s got to be a differential pick for the last joker of the season and I’ve gone for the 3.3% owned Frenchman. Mourinho has confirmed he will start this week and despite his limited game time this campaign, he still boasts a decent average of 4.2 point per match. His record of 9 goals and 6 assists has also come in just 15 starts across the first 28 gameweeks, including 4 double digit hauls, though the risk is he hasn’t returned since. Opponents Watford have one of the worst defensive records in the league and Martial’s pace looks set to give them trouble in what should be a fairly open match, with United having secured 2nd place already.
Joe’s Guest Pick – Manuel Lanzini (WHM £6.6m) – EVE
GW38 has finally arrived and, for most teams, there is very little to play for during the final week of the season which could throw up some strange results. With that in mind, I am looking to go rather obscure with my player pick and have punted for the 0.7% owned Lanzini. I have always been a fan of the Argentine, who has been understandably overshadowed by Arnautovic at West Ham this season. However, he clearly has the quality and I am backing him to shine during their home fixture against David Moyes’ previous club, Everton. Hopefully, he can add to the 3 goals & 7 assists that he’s returned so far this year!
Alex’s Guest Pick – Patrick Van Aanholt (CPL £5.2) – WBA
Patrick Van Aanholt has had 10 attempts over he last four games! Just what I like from my defender! He has 4 goals in the last 9 game weeks. PVA’s shots and touches in oppositions penalty area are massively on the rise of late and his heat map is also promising for attacking return. Playing the relegated WBA may be trickier than it first appears. They are in fine form since Pardew was shown the door and will be no push over. Still, a player I am seriously considering for my own team.
The Geek’s Guest Pick – Wilfred Zaha (CPL £7.1m) – WBA
The £7.1m Palace midfielder has been playing as a striker in the last 5 games as Benteke has been confined to the bench with Hodgson finally losing patience with the out of sorts target man. Zaha has made the role his own with 4 goals and 2 assists in that time returning in 4 of the 5 matches. Those returns have been backed up by some exceptionally good underlying stats as Palace become a deadly team on the counter attack.
He does face opposition in WBA that has only conceded 2 goals and claimed 3 clean sheets in the last 4 matches despite playing Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs in those 4. However with WBA’s relegation secured midweek without kicking a ball there will be a natural relaxation no matter how much they want to play for Darren Moore to get the full time job.
That’s it from all of us on Player Picks for this season. Good luck for the final week everyone!
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