FPL Gameweek 37 Preview - On the Beach Watch, Best Fixture Runs, Transfer Tips and Best Captains

Despite the fact there are no games on Saturday (BOO!),the FPL deadline is 18:30 Friday UK time, ahead of the Villa-Liverpool game.

That is because Chelsea and Man City play each other in the FA Cup final on Saturday. That means there is a chance all Chelsea or City players get injured before their Tuesday night games. So, don’t forget to set that bench!

If you simply NEED to watch football, can I recommend a possible Scottish title decider on Saturday at 12:30 where I will be backing West Brom legend Derek Mcinnes’ Hearts team to become the first team not called Celtic or Rangers to lift the title in something like 40 years.

The Final Two Weeks

It’s not just the FA Cup complicating the final schedule. Villa, Palace and Arsenal all have European finals to play in to. For Villa and Palace that will likely mean rotation. Arsenal have a full week in between gameweek 38 and the Champions League final so rotation is less likely for them if they haven’t wrapped up the league by gameweek 38. 

Chelsea could qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup which is their best chance at European football next season in my opinion. If they do win it, they might not be that interested in the league (which they don’t appear to be at the moment anyway).

Beach Watch

Two weeks ago we explained the “on the beach” theory. TL;DR – people love saying teams with nothing to play for are “on the beach.” In reality, it mostly just looks that way because teams that do have something on the line raise their level. That’s the edge – back those teams and load up on their assets. 

This week, we are updating our beach list after the results at the weekend:

Chelsea and Everton move to an edge case as they are now 6 points of 6th and 4 points off 7th. That means European football is very likely out of reach.

Fulham, Sunderland and Forest all join their friends on the beach. They are all safe and cannot qualify for Europe.

Both Man City and Arsenal would join the edge cases if City don’t beat Palace on Wednesday 

As we said last week, this is just one factor to consider alongside others as we make our picks to end out the season. 

Having just updated this, I have moved DCL out of my team in favour of Hinshelwood. The logic for me is that I think both are fine picks in isolation but I know Hinsh has something to play for. That’s the sort of call I think this table is useful for.

FPL Gameweek 37 Fixtures – Best Fixture Runs

Calling two games a fixture “run” might be a bit much. However, it is still a tried and tested method to picking players.

I will try my best to talk about guys for those consolidating mini-league leads and those chasing.

Best Attacking Fixtures for FPL Gameweek 37

Arsenal

Arsenal top our attacking ticker because their games are so easy. Burnley at home is the easiest fixture in the premier league and Palace will be focused on the Europa Conference league final a few days later. The trouble is, none of their attacking assets are that good…

Saka is the obvious pick because he is so important to their attack but his performances haven’t set the world alight this year; Rice seems to have stopped shooting in the second half of the season; and, Gyokeres and Havertz are competing for minutes.

I have Saka and there is no way I am moving off him and I still think he is probably the safest pick. If I was chasing, I could be tempted with Gyokeres as he is a flat track bully and could bag a couple against Burnley but don’t be too surprised if he is benched in either of these games.

Man City

Man City offer a bit more in attack. Haaland is an obvious one. 

Semenyo is probably the guy you want if consolidating rank because of his ownership. Cherki is more for the chasers but even then his ownership has been steadily increasing. Doku is CLEARLY a worse player than both of these guys when you look at his underlyings but his ownership is really low and you just need him to get a couple of returns and these other guys to blank (like at the weekend).

Liverpool

Liverpool were pretty poor against Chelsea and have almost downed tools. So, I think you only go here if you are chasing. If you are and Wirtz is fit then I like him. Isak is another guy who’s fitness is concerning but is a great player in my opinion. I don’t think I would go for Szoboszlai – his 4 point consistent hauls are likely not enough for what you probably need. Instead get one of the guys with a higher ceiling.

Man Utd

I wouldn’t really look at anyone besides Bruno Fernandes. He should be in everyone’s teams as he chases down the Premier League assist record.

Newcastle

Newcastle are a bit of a nightmare in terms of identifying who starts. It seems like Osula has the striker position locked down though so I don’t mind a punt there for chasers.

Chelsea

I really think they stink. I am not sure they will even be bothered to get up for a Spurs relegation party. I have no interest in Palmer over Saka. I guess you could convince me to get Joao Pedro because he only scores against bad teams and these are two bad teams.

Best Defensive Fixtures For FPL Gameweek 37

Arsenal

Arsenal are the best defence in the league with two very cleanable fixtures. Gabriel + Raya or Saliba seems like an obvious choice to me. Slightly more risky to go for a triple up but I kind of like that if you are chasing – others will be scared of it like me.

Man City

O’Reilly remains an excellent pick and Guehi remains a slightly less good pick. I don’t love the double up because I think Bournemouth are excellent and are in with a possible shout at getting Champions League football if circumstances fall their way – that is a big carrot. Again though, chasers could do worse than a double up and avoid the Semenyo/Cherki/Doku headache.

Everton

I have said it all season – Tarkowski is a great pick. I love the guy and he would definitely make my FPL team of the season. DefCons and Clean Sheets galore but don’t expect anymore attacking returns. Keane is also a good option.

Liverpool

Virgil is really the only guy to consider here but I don’t think he is worth the money v.s. All the other guys I have named here.

Chelsea

Ignore the ticker and ignore Chelsea. I don’t care how easy their games are, their defence is terrible.

FPL Gameweek 37 Transfer Tips

As always, I am going to look at the top transfers in and out (and a few more besides) not named above and give you my opinion on whether to buy them.

Should I Buy?

If you are asking yourself whether you should get a player then this is for you. I am not saying you need to buy all these guys.

• Dewsbury-Hall – Yes. I like the price, I like the underlying numbers and the fixtures aren’t terrible either.

• Wilson – Yes. He’s been a bit quieter recently and his underlying numbers are nothing to scream about but he has shown he can outperform them this season. He plays Wolves in a plum fixture this weekend to pad his stats and try and get a move to a better team in the summer (sorry Fulham fans).

• Thiago – Maybe. Palace are distracted so its good this week. However, I think its probably a move I only want to make if I can sell him again next week.

• Bruno G. – No. He’s not that attacking and not that good on defcons. Ignore the variance with this guy.

• Senesi – No. Apparently 22 thousand people think getting him ahead of City at home is a good decision. I am baffled.

• Casemiro/Anderson – Yes. I continue to like these defcon gods. It’s rare that they get attacking returns but its not unheard of as they have both shown.

• Calvert-Lewin – No. Brighton’s defence is solid this week so I don’t see why you would go there.

• Bowen – Yes. I would much rather have Bowen than DCL. He has so much to play for and he is the main man at West Ham. Underlyings are pretty poor but I can ignore that for him.

• Van Hecke – Yes. Good fixture this week even if away from home and with something to play for.

• Hinshelwood – Yes. As above.

• Rayan – No. Not against City.

Should I Sell?

• Gibbs-White – Yes. Injured and with nothing to play for besides possibly a spot in the national squad which means he needs to be fit.

• Rogers/Watkins/Cash – Yes. Similarly to the above they don’t have much to play for in the league besides a starting spot in the England team. Plus, they play in the Europa League final in midweek between 37 and 38.

• Semenyo/Cherki – No. Unless you have four or five frees this seems like a luxury move.

• Virgil – Maybe. As I said above, I think there a better picks but he wouldn’t be seen as a priority sell for me.

• Joao Pedro – Maybe. As I said above, you could convince me he was a good pick for the final two games because they are nice fixtures.

• Mbeumo – Yes. Man Utd look pretty lacklustre and his minutes aren’t secure at the moment.

• Senesi – Yes. Good time to sell for someone like Keane.

• Welbeck – No. I don’t see many options I want more in attack, especially at the cost of a transfer. Not prolific but fine as a second or third striker.

• Mateta – Yes. Not nailed for 90, particularly with conference league coming up.

Captaincy Corner – Best Captains for FPL Gameweek 37

I still trust Haaland’s ceiling the most from all the picks. However, I also wouldn’t be hugely surprised if he didn’t score against Bournemouth.

Saka has the best fixture this week but hasn’t been very prolific all season.

And, B. Fernandes is one of the most consistent points scorers in the season with a decent fixture, albeit little to play for.

A genuinely interesting captaincy call for once! I currently have the armband on Haaland and vice on Saka but it’s very much up in the air for me.

That’s It.

With just two gameweeks left, the margins are razor thin and every decision is tough. 

Between FA Cup distractions, European finals, rotation risks and teams already mentally on the beach, the key to finishing strong is backing motivation as well as good underlying stats and fixtures.

If you are chasing, take a punty move. If you are consolidating, play it safe.

Just make sure you set that bench before Friday’s early deadline and enjoy one final chaotic sprint to the finish. 

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