As the Premier League season reaches its dramatic conclusion, Fantasy Premier League managers face a final puzzle. Gameweek 38 is notorious for its unpredictability, with teams either chasing glory, fighting for survival, or already mentally on the beach. This year, Arsenal and Manchester City have nothing left to play for, while Aston Villa and Manchester United—except perhaps Bruno Fernandes—are also looking towards the summer. That leaves a narrow pool of motivated assets, and a Free Hit chip becomes the ultimate weapon to navigate the chaos. With a £100 million budget in mind, we’ve assembled a team of the week designed to exploit the final day’s unique dynamics, captained by a man who could be signing off in style.
Between the sticks, Burnley’s Max Weiss (£4.2m) offers a budget-friendly route into a defence with a strong chance of a clean sheet. Wolves visit Turf Moor having scored just seven away goals all season, the worst such record in the division. Weiss has recently claimed the number one jersey and, with David Raya’s potential rotation a worry for many, the 24-year-old provides a secure, inexpensive alternative. At the back, Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert (£4.7m) has been a revelation since Gameweek 29. No defender has amassed more FPL points in that period, thanks to a goal and three assists, alongside bonus points and defensive contributions. The Cherries still have an outside shot at fifth place, ensuring they’ll push hard at Nottingham Forest, whose players may already be dreaming of holidays.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) might not guarantee a clean sheet against a Brentford side needing a result for Europe, but his attacking threat is unparalleled among defenders. With six goals and a league-high 12 big chances, the Dutchman is a constant menace from set-pieces. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson (£4.9m) is another defender with attacking potential. If Harry Wilson misses out again, Robinson could assume penalty duties against a Newcastle team that has struggled for goals on the road and has nothing tangible to play for. This backline blends safety with upside, crucial for a one-week punt.
In midfield, Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) is a non-negotiable. The Manchester United captain is chasing the outright Premier League assists record and is guaranteed to start, a rare certainty on a weekend of potential mass rotation. West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville (£5.4m) is a high-risk, high-reward differential. Without a goal in six games, the Dutchman’s early-season burst of four in four shows his explosive ceiling, and the Hammers’ desperate need for a win against Leeds could unlock his potential.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£10.3m) has been quiet in recent weeks, but the underlying numbers suggest an eruption is imminent. Over the last six gameweeks, his expected goals (xG) of 1.75—even after adjusting for a missed penalty—leads all Chelsea players, and his 16 shots are the most in the squad. With the Blues chasing European qualification and Palmer stung by an England snub, a trip to Sunderland could be the stage for a statement performance. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.1m) has been the Reds’ standout midfielder, delivering five returns in his last five outings. The visit of Brentford has the makings of a high-scoring affair, with both teams needing points to secure Champions League and European spots respectively.
Tottenham’s Richarlison (£6.4m) carries the home side’s hopes against an Everton team with the sixth-best away record. Spurs must avoid defeat to stay up, and the Brazilian is their most threatening forward by a distance. Despite only one goal in his last three starts, he’s registered nine shots on target—more than double any teammate—alongside five big chances and an xG of 1.99. He’s a volume shooter who could punish a Toffees defence with little to play for.
Up front, Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi (£4.6m) is a budget enabler in scintillating form. Five goals in seven games, including the strike that effectively crowned Arsenal champions, underline his finishing prowess. On penalties and facing a Forest side possibly in wind-down mode, Kroupi offers incredible value. But the captain’s armband falls to Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m). The West Ham talisman hasn’t scored since Gameweek 24, yet he’s still delivered two double-digit hauls through assists—a testament to his all-round influence. With the Hammers needing a win against Leeds to have any hope of survival, and with this potentially being his final game for the club, Bowen is primed for a swansong. His 60 FPL points across the last nine gameweeks, despite the goal drought, highlight a player who finds ways to deliver when it matters most.
The bench offers further differentials: Burnley’s Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) as a cut-price keeper option, Liverpool’s teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha (£4.3m) for those needing an ultra-cheap midfield enabler, and defensive cover in Bournemouth’s James Hill (£4.2m) and West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos (£4.5m). Together, the squad comes in at £88.7 million, leaving plenty of room for managers to tweak and tailor based on late team news. As always on the final day, flexibility and a willingness to back motivated teams can make the difference. With European spots, relegation, and individual legacies on the line, Gameweek 38 promises chaos—and this team is built to ride the wave.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
