FPL Challenge Gameweek 38 Best Picks and Team Reveal
As Challengers around the world struggle to put together an entry for the final round ahead, we share our FPL Challenge Gameweek 38 Best Picks and Team Reveal to give you an edge.
As well as highlighting the Challenge framework, and the best players in each position, we also bring in fantasy whiz @FPLReaction to reveal his own team and look back on his previous round.
What is the Challenge this Week?
As we can see, the Challenge is ‘Final Five’.
Goals earn double points, and Challengers can pick just one player per team.
Challengers can pick five players, with an unlimited budget.
Goalkeepers
A goalkeeper scoring this week is very unlikely, so focusing on clean sheet potential could be a wise play. With that in mind, Challengers are likely to consider David Raya. The Spaniard faces Southampton up next, who are the worst side in the league from an offensive perspective.
Manchester City have improved towards the latter end of the season from a defensive perspective – keeping three clean sheets in their previous five matches. With Fulham next, they could well add to their form, so Ederson could be another great option.
There aren’t many convincing goalkeeper picks this week for clean sheet potential outside of the two mentioned above. However, Bournemouth’ Kepa Arrizabalaga v Leicester and Aston Villa’ Emiliano Martinez up against Manchester United could be solid picks.
Defenders
For Challengers looking for a defender with goal threat, then look no further than Josko Gvardiol. The Croatian has scored the joint most goals among defenders this campaign (five). He also has solid clean sheet potential against Fulham , considering how good they have been defensively as of late.
A home match against Everton for Newcastle could be a great opportunity to keep a clean sheet. The Magpies have kept three clean sheets in their last six games. Arguably their best option is centre-back Fabian Schar, who ranks third best in his position for total big chances thus far.
Bournemouth could also be another viable team to focus on for clean sheet potential. They meet with the already-relegated Leicester, who have produced some of the worst offensive statistics in the league. To benefit from that we could select Milos Kerkez, who looks set for a move this summer after an exceptional campaign.
Crystal Palace’ Daniel Munoz, Newcastle’ Dan Burn, Arsenal’ Jakub Kiwior and Wolves Rayan Ait-Nouri could also offer potential at both ends of the pitch.
Midfielders
Southampton have improved slightly over the last several games, but it isn’t enough to avoid the Arsenal attack. The Saints have shipped more goals than any other side in the league, so targeting them should be a priority. The standout is of course Bukayo Saka.
Not many players in the league have had a better season than Brentford penalty taker Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo has produced an impressive 19 goals and seven assists this campaign, and he takes that form into a match against Wolves, one of the worst defences this season for total goals conceded.
Ignoring Jarrod Bowen‘ form could be dangerous. The West Ham talisman has been on a scintillating run recently – bagging a goal or an assist in his previous five outings. Gameweek 38 sees Bowen clash with Ipswich, who have conceded more big chances than every side but one this season.
There are plenty of midfielders up for grabs this week. Other fantastic picks include: Bournemouth’ Antoine Semenyo v Leicester, Manchester City veteran Kevin De Bruyne up against Fulham, Liverpool penalty taker Mohamed Salah versus Crystal Palace, and Chelsea penalty taker Cole Palmer who meets with Nottingham Forest.
Forwards
With 13 goals in their previous six matches, Brentford are evidently in top goal scoring form. One of the reasons for that is Yoane Wissa who is one of the most in-form players in the division – scoring five goals and creating two assists in his last six outings. He faces a poor Wolves defence next which could see him extend his purple patch.
A must win game for Aston Villa should make their attackers appealing for Challengers. Unai Emery and his men meet with a poor Manchester United next. Leading their attack is of course Ollie Watkins. Watkins heads into the meet with a return in each of his last two fixtures.
If fit it could be difficult to exclude Alexander Isak. Newcastle need a result to confirm Champions League football next campaign, and they need to do it against Everton. Isak has been brilliant thus far – banking a huge 23 goals and six assists in just 33 matches.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Bournemouth’ Francisco Evanilson are two more solid options for Challengers interested.
Check out the top five punts for Gameweek 38 to boost your rank on the final day!
Team Reveal
- I wanted to double up at the back on a team, but I’m not completely keen on Manchester City’ away clean sheet potential. I genuinely think Newcastle keep a clean sheet this week, so I could even avoid Gvardiol and go for Schar.
- In midfield, there are so many options. I’m still tempted by Mbeumo and doubling up on the Brentford attack. If I did this I’d probably captain Bowen anyway and ditch Saka.
- I do like Saka this week, but he’s not done too much as of late.
- Yoane Wissa feels nailed as my starting striker due to his recent form and upcoming opposition.
Gameweek 37 Review
- Last round I hit 42 points, hit a 4k round rank and a rose to back into the top 1k.
- It could have been legendary last week if it wasn’t for my captain William Saliba getting injured.
- Even without my captain I had a very good week because I stacked up on the Arsenal defence. A huge 28 points came from Raya and Kiwior alone.
- Outside of my backline, Saka and Wilson did nothing at all.
- Good luck this week!
