Fantasy Premier League tips: Erling Haaland top captain pick in final round, but Son Heung-min, Cole Palmer worth a punt
- Managers who need a half-century of points must have a captain different from the 6ft 4in Norwegian and some smart transfers
- For those not looking for differentials, target players from Spurs, City and Arsenal as they have either easier or must-win games
The English Premier League will enter its final round of fixtures at 11pm Hong Kong time on Sunday, and 90 minutes later the world will know who this season’s champions are.
As the football world focuses on who will lift the Premier League crown, the eyes of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers will be on their mini-leagues and world rankings as they hope for one last climb up the table.
For Hong Kong FPL managers, the later-than-usual 11pm Sunday kick-off for all 10 games provides the luxury of a 9.30pm deadline, allowing for a full weekend to mull over transfers, chip strategy and tactics.
Gameweek 37 round-up
Double Gameweek 37 saw the highest number of Bench Boosts ever used, with 2.38 million managers bringing the chip into play.
The story of the weekend came from Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol (£5.1m). He scored twice and kept a clean sheet away to Fulham, before keeping another clean sheet in the game against Spurs on Thursday morning.
Elsewhere, Cole Palmer (£6.3m) – owned by 96 per cent of managers who used their Bench Boost – played 180 minutes against Nottingham Forest and Brighton, grabbing an assist in the first game and a goal in the second for a total of 14 points.
Pedro Porro (£5.9m) featured in more than 581,000 Bench Boost teams and the Spurs defender bagged his 10th attacking return of the campaign with a goal in the 2-1 victory over Burnley.
Gameweek 38: consolidate or gamble?
In FPL, a 50-point swing is rare but not unheard of. So for those who need a half-century more to top the table or gain bragging rights, a captain differential and smart transfers are needed.
Almost every manager will captain Erling Haaland (£14.2m). The next best choice has to be Son Heung-min (£10m). His Tottenham side face the Premier League’s worst-ever defence, Sheffield United’s, at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
The Blades have conceded 101 goals so far this season.
Alternatively, City’s Phil Foden (£8.5m) has the potential to end his season strongly, and Palmer’s in-form Chelsea face Bournemouth, who have conceded five goals in their past two games and won only two of their past seven.
For anyone trailing by more than 50 points, consolidating your position by following the pack (for example, captaining Haaland) is probably the best way to go as the chances of a green arrow may be too slim.
However, for managers who are only 15 to 30 points behind, you could also opt for a low-owned captain but avoid risky transfers, and instead hope your team is enough to get you the points needed.
And for those 15 points or fewer behind, the Haaland captain followed by a strong performance from your team could still be enough.
Gameweek 38 transfers
Jurgen Klopp’s final game at Anfield will be against Wolves, who could still finish 10th if results go their way, although they have won only one of their past six games.
When Liverpool dropped out of the title race, Mohamed Salah (£13.4m) was one of the most transferred-out players. He is now owned by only 23.2 per cent of managers and could be a decisive differential.
Crystal Palace are in a fine run of form, winning four of their past five. Michael Olise (£5.7m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.0m) are cheap and the most in-form midfielder and striker, respectively.
Mateta’s ownership is 5.8 per cent, while Olise’s is only 2.4.
Eberechi Eze (£6.0m) is also on a good run and although he is slightly more expensive, does take penalties.
For those not looking for differentials, target players from Spurs, City and Arsenal as they have either favourable fixtures or must-win games.
The obvious choices are Haaland, Gvardiol, Foden and Son.
