Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 38
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 38
Sort of…
Under the guise of doing so, we bring you our now traditional GW38 article, which is essentially just a chance to invite the whole team to have a say on whatever they like. And then tell you they will be picking any Villa player as captain.
We make no excuses that this is not edited, redacted or indeed ran past the legal team. We have no idea what they will say 
So, like a curtain call at a cheap panto, here they all are, in all their glory….
Init — Salah
I just want to begin proceedings by offering my sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed anything to our wonderful website once again this season. That goes of course to the all of writers themselves, who are featured below, to our IT department (Floydeth), to those who have ran the leagues (Jamie Mc), and to the H&L team (Rosco, Matt, James). It also goes to those who have simply contributed to our wonderful community in the comments, and even just those who view what we do silently.
Which is a salient point, in that I am acutely aware that we have actually, and deliberately, pared down our weekly output. In the not too distant past, probably pre-Covid at least, we used to rattle through about 6/7 articles per week – Fixtures / Tips / Capos plus the Site Team, H&L, and Live Match Chat, and then guest ones too. Which is all great, except when you need to oversee all that, every day, all week, every week! And quite frankly, it was exhausting. So in the interests of myself and the team also actually having a life outside of this site I have gradually reduced what we do to a manageable level, but hopefully one that still sees the core articles published on a weekly basis, whilst maintaining the key community element of the chats.
On a personal note, this has been my most successful and enjoyable football season ever – just not in FPL! Those who have followed the site for a while will know that when I (almost) hung up my boots I took up coaching in kids football, and having had this team for 7 years now they won their first ever league title last month. After 30 odd years of playing football, and enjoying successes and winning various things along that way, I can honestly say that this was my proudest and most enjoyable moment in football, ever. To see that journey for 15 of them from little kids to this has been amazing, and for me that is what football is all about really.
Swirly
Swirly — Mrs Swirly
Well, what a season. That’s something usually said after a belter of a campaign, but for me it’s been more like a belt around the head. Depending how GW38 goes, this could be my worst season ever. Fingers crossed I finish above 879,042 – I’m at 836,507 as I write this. It’s been an odd season in the actual Premier League and such lack of predictability meant it was clear very quickly that I wouldn’t repeat the 39,532 rank of the year before.
In hindsight, I should have finished on that high. Dear reader, this was a season too far. Whether that was for lacking my skill in FPL, my luck or, most likely, my head being in it. Mrs Swirly and I have been through a hell of a lot since 2020 – with the pandemic along the way too of course – and while it’s made us stronger as a unit, it’s weakened my passion for the fantasy game. I would be checking price rises and falls every night, searching through all the statistics, building Excel spreadsheets to work out my routes… That has all fizzled away and my response to a horrendous gameweek has just been indifference. That’s a good thing, sure, you shouldn’t let it affect you – but sadly that was also my reaction to a good week too. The magic has gone for me and so I’m hanging up my FPL boots. It’s been a great run from 2009 to 2025; while there have of course been the lows, there’s been the highs along the way including two top 10k finishes to boot.
Don’t worry though, this isn’t the end as far as my involvement with FF247 goes. While I’m giving up the game, I’ll still keep up with the writing along with other bits and bobs for the site – way less stressful than seeing your double Man City defence lose its clean sheet in the last minute of extra time!
FPL, it’s been emotional – we’ve had our highs and our lows – but now you must carry on without me.
DMC — Isak
Yet another season comes to an end. And what a rollercoaster this one has been for me. Didn’t buy Salah until GW18 (!) and by then I was around 2,7M in ranks and bottom 3 in all relevant ML including in the coveted FF247 H2H premier league in which I was facing a relegation battle and losing it! Until that moment I only had 5 green arrows in 17 gws and after that I only had 3 red ones which lead to being now in 122k ahead of the last game week and leading or sitting in top 5 in all relevant ML. Somehow, I qualified for the cup but lost in the first proper. Just realized I made the semis in the Portugal Cup (gw37), which I wasn’t aware even existed but yeah goes to show the great comeback I’m having. To put it in perspective I’m now #1275 in the Second Chance league. This means that unlike many managers I’m enjoying this season or at least the 2025 part. Access to all kinds of FPL information and content as lead to the formation of broad templates almost from gw1. This means that we all have the same players and captain so when one of your 2/3 differential-ish players blanks it basically ruins the game week as a green arrow becomes almost impossible and a red or grey one is all but guaranteed. I’m not sure which changes are most effective, but I do think something needs to be done to make it more fun/attractive as otherwise it’s just frustration and anxiety for a big part of the season. If you are going well, it becomes even worse as there simply is no margin for differential’s blanks. So, my advice next year is to have a bad start and enjoy the comeback! Seriously though it has been a pleasure to be part of the FF247 community yet again and wish everyone a great finale and then a well-deserved break!
For the last hurrah and an attempt to reach top 100k I’m going with Isak captain, if he’s fit. If not, VC is on Haaland at the moment, but I suspect that won’t be the case come deadline day as I have 2 FTs and whoever comes in could either wear the armband himself (if I go Salah) or at least the VC (if Bowen, Gordon or Evanilson). If you already have Salah then I’d go with him. Cheers!
The Gallant Pioneer — Morgan Rogers
Because why not? There’s nothing to lose now as I sit at 1.5million on the planet. I won’t break the top mil’ and I won’t drop out of the top 2 (famous last words!).
It’s been a season of huffing and puffing and little enjoyment whilst life is coming at me fast regardless. I have not been able to dedicate anywhere near the time I used to to FPL and it is showing. It’s a myth that the less you do, the better you become. For me anyway.
I’ll be glad when the hooter goes on Sunday and I can enjoy the final day – which I am in Liverpool for by the way! – and then do some serious soul searching over the summer as to whether I’m playing on.
To try to break the monotony, in recent weeks I have capatained Mateta, Saka (twice), Isak (twice), Marmoush, Salah and Kevin Freakin’ Schade to try to inject some adrenaline in to this limp season. Still 1,520,158 ladies and gentlemen.
Whilst there are great captains on paper this weekend, none will help me any, so why not try to go out on a high with a little bit of “remember that time I captained Rogers with his hat trick at Old Trafford?” history which will hopefully convince me to try to stick out FPL again.
Looking forward to my summer break and I hope you are too. Thanks for all the support and comments and to my fellow scribers, thank you for all the hours and attention you give the site. X
Jamesimmo — Watkins
Is it my floundering Overall Rank, overall apathy, or overall sheer cluelessness? Whatever the reason is, this week, nobody’s jumping off the screen for my armband…
My only thought is how demoralised Man United must be right now. Targeting them, it’s either Watkins or Rogers, with Konsa having annoyingly evaded my squad whilst making his way into seemingly everybody else’s. Rogers has been along for the ride since GW3 (barring FH in BGW29) but Watkins offers bigger bonus-point potential.
Anyway! Thank you to each and every regular H&L participant. Enjoy a nice summer.
Ivan — TBC
Once again we are at the finishing line of another season. Quite frankly I can’t wait to see the back of it. After numerous wrong transfer decisions, leaving tons of points on the bench and playing the wrong chip at the wrong time, my season can only be described as one to forget about. The good news is that there will be a new one in a couple of months and we can all hope to be a better venture. My new season resolution is, stay away from bandwagons and go with your gut feelings. As for the captain, with nothing to lose or gain, it will be outside the box punt and decided at the eleventh hour.
Matt — Bowen
Here we are! The final hurdle and about time!
Honestly this season has felt like a real slog. Ups and down, reds and greens and it’s been mostly red down arrows that I’ve seen. No chance of winning anything this weekend so I’m going with Jarrod Bowen, the Dyer shagger! He’s been doing well this recently with 4 goals and 2 assists in his last five. If I’m feeling really brave I might just swap my armband to Kerkez who is playing the relegated Leicester in possibly his last game for Bournemouth.
As for the site side of things, I’d just like to say a massive thank you to you all for reading and commenting. Taking part in H&L and giving us all a community of nutjobs that let this game dictate our moods on a weekly basis!
Would also like to say a farewell to fellow contributor, Swirly who is hanging up his FPL boots after a long career! He might not be playing FPL anymore but we won’t let him just disappear into the sunset! A man I’m glad to call a good friend!
See you all next season for more mayhem!
Loud Atlas — Mo Salah
Happy GW38, all! Another season of self-flagellation over. A slim chance of finishing within the top 400k for me – it hasn’t been a stellar year, but enjoyable (I think!). Football-wise it’s been the year of the underdog in some respects. I hope that unpredictability continues next year. Captain Salah for me – records to be broken etc. May your arrows be green, see you next season!
Smash — Salah
Sorry I’ve not been about much this season interest just has not been there as much in FPL. Life gets in the way I’ll be sure to return next season . As for captain probably Salah I see Liverpool wanting to put on a show while they lift the trophy
Kop — Watkins
GW38 is about as predictable as the Irish weather. It’s a lottery. It tends to be a goal fest, but its unpredictability means knowing what games are going to see the goals, is like picking the winning lotto numbers
Last season saw 37 goals on the final day of the season. The standout scoreline was probably Palace’s 5-0 win at home to Villa, a game that saw Messer’s Mateta and Eze share the goals.
The season before that saw 33 goals on the final day of the season, with the standout result being a four all draw between Southampton & Liverpool.
The season before that saw 39 goals. Anyway, you get my drift, expect goals! But where?
There’s a case to be made for many.
City away to Fulham. Haaland or Marmoush? They haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders.
Bowen away at Ipswich? He’s certainly in form.
Liverpool home to Palace. Eze is probably the standout option, with five goals in his last four games. Liverpool are literally on the beach. This game has the makings of a thriller!
Arsenal away to Southampton. Listening to some Arsenal fans, they’d have won the league had Kai Havertz stayed fit! Following his return to the team in GW37 he might be worth a punt this week. (Hehehe…)
Mbuemo or Wissa away at Wolves? I definitely see goals in this one.
One reason why I will be staying away from all of the above is that none of these games have anything riding on them. Granted, City haven’t guaranteed CL football for next season, but I’d put your mortgage on them making it.
For this reason, I’m backing Villa and Ollie Watkins. I appreciate that Watkins hasn’t been in fantastic form, but without a win Villa have little chance of a top 5 finish. They couldn’t have hoped for better opposition. A win for United on Wednesday night will see them on the p**s, celebrating a better season than Arsenal! A loss will see them all made redundant by Sir Jim!
I’m protecting a decent enough rank, which is further pushing me towards Watkins. Had I been chasing, I’d probably have gone with Eze.
Tbh, there’s no guarantee I’ll go Watkins. I’ve had a late change of mind a couple of times this season and more often than not it’s worked out.
Rosco — The Who knows
It’s been another long, tough season navigating what my wife calls “that stupid game.” But for many of us, it’s so much more. We all need an outlet — mine is FPL. At times it’s brutal (and yes, I know I can be insufferable when it goes wrong — apologies!). But when it clicks? Wow — it’s genuinely uplifting.
This season brought new challenges: a new chip, fewer double and blank gameweeks… and somehow I still managed just 3 points from my Bench Boost. Some things never change. On the bright side, I did hit 87 with my Triple Captain, so it’s not all bad. And I finally got to see Newcastle lift a trophy! Four trips to Wembley, and at last — silverware!
FPL-wise, it’s been a mixed bag. I had a flying start, cracking the top 100k in GW16. Then I somehow managed to throw it away. I’ve clawed back to 50k heading into the final week, and while it’ll likely end up being my second-worst season, I’m oddly content.
With more players than ever and endless info from whichever YouTuber people choose to follow (or copy), it’s never been easier for the casuals. Throw in AI, and now Dave from accounts — who doesn’t even like football — is about to win the work league, smirking with, “I thought you were the expert!” (I’m not.)
So, who gets the armband this weekend? Salah’s been on a beach, Saka might not start — or finish — despite a good fixture. Bowen’s got the form and fixture, but… it’s still West Ham. The Bournemouth boys flatter to deceive. Isak might not play. Mbeumo’s now missing pens. Honestly? I’ve no idea.
Good luck in the final gameweek — may your arrows be green! Hope to see you all next season. Massive thanks to Init for keeping this ship afloat, and a heartfelt farewell to my fellow contributor and close friend Swirly (at least from an FPL perspective).
Laters.
Ellefcee — Salah – Triple Captain 
Well folks, we arrive at GW38 and the end of another season of FPL. The champions and the relegation places have all been sorted months ago but the European places are still up for grabs so it should be a good day of footy. My cappo for the final gameweek is Mo Salah. I must admit he has gone off the boil lately with only one goal and one assist since GW28 but it’s party time in L4 for both Liverpool and the new FA cup holders, Crystal Palace. I can see a few goals hitting the old onion bag on Sunday. Oh, by the way I still have my TC to play so Mo best bang in a couple!
Stone Frog —Salah/Evanilson
OddDane — Casemiro, anyone?
What a season of failed punts and miserable captain choices, but at least Liverpool took home the that golden top spot of the table!
Gear — Salah
Here we are—Gameweek 38, the grand finale, the last desperate throw of the FPL dice, the moment where you either go out in a blaze of glory or slump quietly into oblivion. If like me, you still haven’t broken into the top 1 million this season, I sympathise. It’s been a season of tragic captaincy choices and transfers that aged like milk.
But despair not, because Gameweek 38 is our shot at redemption—one last chance to claw back some respect, edge past your mate who picks players purely because their name sounds like a spell from Harry Potter, and finish the season with a shred of dignity.#
Like most people I will be going with Salah this weekend, and like most people, I am making the correct decision.
Salah’s record against Palace stands at 8 goals and 5 assists, averaging nearly a goal involvement per game. Going into GW38, he is on the brink of breaking the record for most goal involvements in a single Premier League season. The current record stands at 47, jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole. Salah has already racked up 46 goal involvements this season (28 goals, 18 assists). My money is on him breaking that against Palace.
Jamie Mc — Salah/Arsenal!
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, But then again, too few to mention.”
What a lot of crap!!!
I have so many regrets during the course of the season.
From not picking Salah from game week 1…For holding onto Haaland until game week 14 before finally bringing in Salah…From not having Isak during game weeks 14 – 21 when he scored eleven goals and created three assists for 85 points…For not activating the Assistant Manager chip for Arne Slot’s three victories and two draws during game weeks 24 – 26 for 38 points. For not triple captaining Salah in game week 24 for his 29 points tripled to 87 points.
The above mishaps have again contributed towards another disappointing season overall ranking wise, but I have again thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the FF247 writing team and offer you some of my thoughts in the articles that I have contributed towards.
“And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain.”
As for this final game week then it would make sense to captain a player with something to play for or a player who is up against Southampton or Leicester City or Ipswich Town.
If you are ahead in your mini leagues, then captaining the out of form Salah (£13.6m & 66.6% ownership) is still the sensible option.
If you are chasing down a mini league rival then someone like Saka (£10.3m & 17.8% ownership), Odegaard (£8.2m & 5.3% ownership), Trossard (£6.7m & 3.9% ownership) or Martinelli (£6.5m & 2.9% ownership) at Southampton might be of interest. Similarly, Bowen (£7.9m & 14.7% ownership) at Ipswich Town or Evanilson (£5.8m & 4.2% ownership) at home to Leicester City could be decent differential captain choices.
Watkins (£9.1m & 26.4% ownership) at Manchester United, Palmer (£10.5m & 34.9% ownership) at Nottingham Forest or Wood (£7.2m & 31.7% ownership) at home to Chelsea for teams with something still to play for could make the difference in winning a mini league or not.
As for me, I currently have three free transfers for the final game week and may bring in one or two of the above-mentioned Arsenal players for the captain armband or I may keep it safe and keep it on Salah (not very helpful).
“The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.”
I hope you all have a wonderful summer; recharge the batteries and be ready to do this all again next season.
See you all again on Friday 15th August 25.
Good luck for the game week.
Jamie Mc
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
GW38 Capos
I just want to begin proceedings by….
Ah man. Happy last day of the season guys.
Doesn’t look like a standout fixture.
I’ve 2 ft’s and 0.8 in the bank, any help appreciated
Click on image to enlarge:
I would start Murphy over Bruno and get rid of Marmoush or Haaland and KDB for Watkins and Salah.
Please help me understand the reason behind so many captaining out of form Salah?
What is best the move here?
A. Saliba to White (play Guardiola AM)
B. Guardiola to Iraola (play Munoz)
C. Saliba to Kerkez & Guardiola to Arteta (-4)
I LOVE THAT VIDEO INIT