FPL top picks for Gameweek 38

Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 38. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.

Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 38 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.

Fixtures

Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures.

Goalkeepers – Sam Johnstone

Since Roy Hodgson has taken over there has been some considerable improvements at Crystal Palace. One of those improvements includes their backline. In fact, amongst all teams in the league in the last six games they rank joint first for goals conceded (three), second best for shots in the box conceded (32) and second best for big chances conceded (eight).

Nottingham Forest lay ahead. The relegation battlers have been putting up some concerning offensive data as of late. In the last six Gameweeks they rank the worst for attempts on goal (54) and joint worst for shots on target (19). Taking all of the above into account, Sam Johnstone (£4.4m) could have good potential and so makes the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Aaron Ramsdale

Arsenal may have suffered a recent defensive dip but their seasonal data has been impressive. This can be seen in the fact that amongst all teams in the league they rank in the best five for goals conceded (42), shots in the box conceded (234) and shots on target conceded (134).

Wolves lay ahead for second place Arsenal. Although safe from relegation, Wolves have been struggling offensively. In fact, in the last six matches they sit as the worst for goals scored (six), joint worst for shots in the box (33) and the worst for big chances scored (three). With that in mind, man between the sticks Aaron Ramsdale (£4.8m) could have big potential.

David De Gea

Manchester United have been an interesting watch this season as they sit just inside the top four. The aim is to secure Champions League football which increases their motivation and in turn the appeal for their FPL assets in general.

The Reds face Fulham next up. Although the Cottagers have their star man back, Manchester United lead the way in terms of clean sheets kept this season (16). This indicates that their defence could be worth investment. One of the most reliable ways into the backline in terms of minutes is David De Gea (£5.1m).

Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool continue to blitz their way towards the top four, winning all of their last seven matches. As well as positive results, the Reds also seem to be tightening up, collecting a clean sheet in all of their last three league matches on the bounce.

The already relegated Southampton lay ahead for Liverpool. One player who could take full advantage of their defensive fragilities is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m). Not only does the full-back dominate the distribution stats amongst defenders in the last six games but he has also banked a whopping six assists and one goal in his last 10 league games. Trent could be impossible to ignore this week and because of this makes the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Pedro Porro

Totteham have been unreliable defensively for most of the campaign but what they do offer is a very interesting system. The play with a back-three which gives their wing-backs the space to advance into some very promising positions on the pitch.

One of the players to benefit from this is Pedro Porro. The Spaniard comes in at a budget enabling price-tag of £4.8m. Not just this but only one defender has had more attempts on goal than Porro in the last six matches (10). The wing-back has bags of potential against a struggling Leeds side and with that in mind could be an interesting selection amongst the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Luke Shaw

Manchester United’s defensive qualities can be highlighted by the fact they they have collected more clean sheets than any other team in the league this season. This could be an early indicator that investing in one of their defenders beneficial.

Luke Shaw (£5.3m) has become one of the most reliable members of the Manchester United first team. Although covering at centre-back for some time, Shaw looks set for a return to his left-back position. When playing there, he has a much better non-penalty expected goal involvement and also edges all of his defensive teammates in that same data point.

Pervis Estupinan

Brighton have had a brilliant campaign so far this season. In fact, this has made them one of the most investable clubs in the game. They have what could be an interesting tie with Aston Villa this week. Interestingly, the home side seem to be suffering a small blip offensively as of late, failing to score a goal in two of their last three matches.

The stats reinforce Aston Villa’s recent bluntness in front of goal. In the last six matches they rank joint second worst for goals (seven) and joint worst for shots on target (19). One player who could benefit from this is Pervis Estupinan (£5m). Not only does the full-back have good clean sheet potential but he ranks third amongst all defenders in the last six for non-penalty expected goal involvement (1.87). Estupinan can be explosive and that is reflected in his recent 17-point hauls where he scored, created an assist and kept a clean sheet.

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle face a game against Chelsea in the round ahead. The Blues have been torrid in front of goal for large parts of the campaign. That same form can be emphasised in their last six matches as they rank joint worst for expected goals (seven), second worst for attempts on goal (54) and joint worst for shots in the box (33).

As well as great clean sheet potential Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) offers a lot more offensively. When compared to all defenders in the last six Trippier sits first for chances created (23) and joint second for big chances created (four). Because of this, Trippier has to be considered amongst the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Midfielders – Mohamed Salah

It may not have been the season they had planned for but Liverpool have still sustained some of the best offensive data in the league this season. In fact, they rank second best for attempts on goal (565), first for shots in the box (409), second for big chances (119) and joint second for minutes per chance (6.1).

One of the biggest factors contributing to Mohamed Salah’s (£13.1m) appeal this week is that he is facing a Saints side that have conceded between two and four goals in five of their last six matches. The Egyptian has also been in fine form, claiming three double-digit hauls in his last three matches.

Martin Ødegaard

Arsenal have had a an amazing season and they have guaranteed Champions League football for next season. Similar to Liverpool, Arsenal have also maintained some brilliant attacking data this season, ranking second for goals scores (83), first for attempts on goal (568) and second best for shots in the box (396).

One team effectively on the beach with nothing to play for is Wolves who have conceded two or more goals in three of their last six matches. This could highlight Wolves as a team to target. One of the most in-form Arsenal attackers is Martin Ødegaard (£6.8m). The Norwegian has bagged four returns in his last six games including an impressive three double-digit hauls, highlighting his explosive potential in any given game.

Son Heung-min

Tottenham have been inconsistent for most of the season but one thing they can be relied upon for is goals. They have a very good fixture against Leeds in the final Gameweek. Leeds are conceding some concerning defensive stats as of late.

In the last six Gameweeks Leeds have conceded between two and six goals in five of their last six matches. In the same period they also rank joint worst for goals conceded (17) and joint fourth worst for big chances conceded (18). Leeds are a team to target and Son Heung-min (£11.5m) could be the player to take advantage of that. The winger has managed six returns in his last 10 games and amongst all players ranks fifth for non-penalty expected goal involvement in the last six matches (3.76). Son could be a great pick this week and because of that sneaks his way into the top picks for Gameweek 38.

James Maddison

Leicester have been struggling all season but their assets could have potential in the round ahead. They have a game against West Ham this week. In the last six Gameweeks the Hammers rank the worst for shots in the box conceded (83), the worst for attempts conceded (123), the worst shots on target conceded (40) and the worst for big chances conceded (24).

West Ham’s recent defensive stats are concerning and could give someone like James Maddison (£7.8m) huge appeal. The midfielder has proven he has multiple routes to points this season scoring 10 goals and producing nine assists in his 28 matches. Maddison has also collected two returns in his last four matches.

Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City sit top of the league once again. Their offensive line has contributed massively to that and that can be reflected in their stats. This season they rank first for goals scored (92), first for big chances (126) and first for minutes per chance (six).

Finding a reliable attacker in terms of minutes could be difficult when looking to invest in Manchester City. However, at the time of writing Riyad Mahrez (£7.4m) has started the last four league matches on the bounce. In that period the Algerian also bagged a return in each of them. When playing Mahrez can be very efficient and because of this makes the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Harry Kane

Manchester City have been relentless this season and the main reason for that is because of Erling Haaland (£12.4m). Backing against the Norwegian, even in the last round of the season, could be hugely damaging to rank and mini-league position.

Haaland has accumulated a massive 36 goals and produced seven assists this season. This tallies to a huge 43 goal contributions in 33 games. This total has helped him to become the highest scoring and highest owned player in FPL. Haaland is an absolute essential for the remaining round and so eases into the top picks for Gameweek 38.

Harry Kane

Most of Tottenham’s fire power comes from one man and one man alone. Harry Kane (£11.4m) has quietly gone under the radar this campaign as he sinks into the shadows behind Erling Haaland’s colossal first season.

Kane has picked up a huge 27 goals and three assists in 36 games this season. In terms of stats he is up there amongst the best. In fact, amongst all players in the league he ranks first for attempts on goal (123), and joint first for headed attempts on goal (35).

Callum Wilson

Newcastle have surprised everyone this season and sit amongst the top four teams in the league at the time of writing. Offensively things are looking good, netting three or more goals in four of their last six games, highlighting their recent goal threat.

Chelsea lay ahead for Newcastle this week and although seemingly tough on paper, the Blues have been struggling for a while. In their last 10 matches they have shipped two or more goals in a whopping seven matches. Chelsea are a team to target and the most in-form Newcastle attacker is Callum Wilson (£7.2m). The penalty taker has collected a brilliant four double-digit hauls in his last six games.