Best Saliba and Timber Replacements for FPL Gameweek 38
It’s official: Arsenal have confirmed that the seasons of William Saliba (£6.5m) and Jurrien Timber (£5.6m) are over due to injury. So, we take a look at the Best Saliba and Timber Replacements for FPL Gameweek 38.
Saliba is the second-most-owned defender in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), sitting in just under 30% of squads overall. Over 43% of the top 10k managers own him.
Timber isn’t nearly as popular but still features in circa 5% of FPL teams.
So, then, plenty of Fantasy managers find themselves staring at a red flag going into Gameweek 38 – and pondering a few possible replacements.
In this article, we’ll pick out a few candidates to consider.
But first: a Gameweek 38 health warning for defenders.
STOP – ATTACKER TIME
Need a boost up the rankings? We reel off five punts for Gameweek 38.
Before you push the transfer button, it’s worth considering whether a move for a defender in Gameweek 38 is really worth it.
The final day of Premier League football is typically goal-laden.
Gameweek 38 of all 14 seasons studied in this article contained more goals per game than that season’s average.
Defensive returns this Sunday may be in shorter supply, then.
If a Saliba/Timber injury is the only fire you have to fight heading into this weekend’s deadline (it’s probably best to wait until after the pre-match press conferences on Thursday and Friday to confirm this…), and you’re content with your starting midfielders/forwards, then there’s no reason not to recruit another defender.
However, if there are other moves you’d like to make – say if Alexander Isak (£9.4m) is ruled out and/or if you want to buy an Arsenal or Bournemouth attacker – and have only one free transfer, then there should be a pause for thought.
Have you got a playable fourth or fifth defender? They might not have as good a fixture as Arsenal’s but they might get you one or two points at worst. If you’re thinking of recruiting a Saliba/Timber replacement for a hit, for example, then you may need a clean sheet just to break even.
Plenty of ponderables, then, but here are some leading names if you are thinking of cashing your red-flagged Gunner in.
