FPL Top Picks for Gameweek 38

The three key tips every Fantasy Premier League manager knows when it comes to week 38 squad building are:

1. Focus more on goalscoring or assisting midfield and attack assets.
2. Get the leading goalscorer into your squad, and…
3. Avoid selecting assets from the league champions if the league was wrapped up before week 38.

There’s always a lot of false information on the last day of every season as journalists and fans try to create box office drama around the season’s final act. This is why our strategies, tips and picks are best suited for managers looking for not just a safe landing on the final day, but for a strong finish.

Let us dive into those tips and strategies, one last time, for the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season.

Gameweek Analysis

This is what the fixtures list looks like:

• AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City
• Fulham v Manchester City
• Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brentford
• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
• Manchester United v Aston Villa
• Southampton v Arsenal
• Newcastle United v Everton
• Liverpool v Crystal Palace
• Ipswich Town v West Ham United
• Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion

Key Strategies

Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal will relax thanks to their opponents being the already relegated Southampton, and their UEFA Champions League place already certain. An unlikely loss to Southampton means they will only drop into third place, which is still enough to see them participate in the Champions League next season. As such, managers can choose to skip over Arsenal assets in favour of other teams.

Managers should also avoid Spurs and Crystal Palace assets as they are also likely to relax following their recent cup triumphs. Those triumphs guarantee them a place in Europe next season, which means they have nothing to play for anymore.

Chelsea is a tricky choice as well because of their upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League final, which will guarantee their UEFA Europa League participation. They will want to win against Newcastle on the final day, however, as that guarantees them Champions League football. Maresca’s choices will put these into consideration, which will leave FPL managers with hard choices to make.

Best Matches for Asset Selection

After careful consideration of each team’s chances, below are the matches where we believe FPL managers can get good returns from and should consider for asset selection.

Bournemouth v Leicester

Jamie Vardy has officially signed out of Leicester’s season with his 500th game and 200th club goal last weekend. The Foxes will be significantly weakened in attack as a result, which makes them ripe for the taking for Bournemouth, who need to win and hope for miracles to see themselves in the running for a European competition spot. With this knowledge, players like Evanilson (£5.8m), Milos Kerkez (£5.2m), Antoine Semenyo (£5.6m), Justin Kluivert (£5.9m) and the Real Madrid-bound Dean Huijsen (£4.5m) will be on top gear.

Wolves v Brentford

Wolves have nothing to play for, but they will be looking for a win so as not to give West Ham or Manchester United the chance to go ahead of them on the table. Brentford, meanwhile, are fighting for a shot at European football next season. This is going to be a tasty fixture, and managers can expect goals from this game. The usual suspects will be the leading picks from both teams.

Spurs v Brighton

Spurs are already in the Champions League thanks to their Europa League win, so they may want to relax on the last day. Brighton, however, are in a battle with Brentford for the last regular spot in European competition next season, which means they desperately need a win.

As Europa League winners, Spurs will not want to embarrass themselves in front of their home fans, to whom they will be presenting the trophy they won in midweek. This will be a goals-filled game. Assets like Kaoru Mitoma (£6.3m), João Pedro (£5.5m), Pedro Porro (£5.2m), Danny Welbeck (£5.5m), Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m), Brennan Johnson (£6.2m), Dominic Solanke (£7.3m), Richarlison (£6.8m), James Maddison (£7.4m), and Heung-Min Son (£9.7m) will most likely be at the epicentre of things in this match.

Best FPL Players for Week 38

Jarrod Bowen (£7.9m) — West Ham

West Ham have little to play for which means they can be trusted for the final week by FPL managers. Their key asset is Jarrod Bowen, who is their chief goalscorer and creator (12 goals and 7 assists). Their week 38 opponents are also the relegated Ipswich Town, which makes the selection of Bowen an even better option.

Kevin Schade (£5.3m) — Brentford

Kevin Schade blanked for the first time in four games last weekend, but this time around, we are expecting him to put in a strong performance.

All hands will be on deck as the bees fight for Europe. Mbeumo and Wissa will lead the charge, which will occupy Wolves enough to give Schade an opportunity to strike where he can. He is also owned by a few people, making him a great differential to use for the week.

Kai Havertz (£7.7m) — Arsenal

Kai Havertz is back after a long spell on the sidelines, and he will want to go out with a bang. Arteta has stated that his team will relax against Southampton, but Havertz is certain to get a run so that he can get some minutes in to shake off the rust. Havertz is owned by five percent of managers and enjoys facing the relegated clubs, too, having scored in all three such encounters in 2024/25.