RADIO
The RotoBaller Soccer staff gathers around the penalty box for their weekly FPL roundtable discussion. The team discusses the main questions surrounding Double Gameweek 37 of the 2022-23 Fantasy Premier League season.
Welcome to Double Gameweek 37, RotoBallers! Like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of the Fantasy Premier League. So even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
There are only two weeks of the FPL season remaining, and everything is still to play for in Overall rankings and mini-leagues. The Rotoballer squad appreciates you reading the Roundtable all season long, and we are ready to help you make some big gains over the final fortnight with our FPL tips. Manchester City has the chance to lock up another Premier League title this weekend, and hopefully your squad can join them with some FPL glory by the end of the campaign.
The Gameweek 37 deadline is 6:00 AM Eastern on Saturday, May 20. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
And of course, #FPL can translate into #DFS, all of which we have plenty of at @RotoBaller https://t.co/U9pKeHkJYv pic.twitter.com/z2ubf1KeKj
— Jamie Steed (@Baseball_Jimbo) February 4, 2023
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Double Gameweek 37
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Double Gameweek 37!
Man City could wrap up the league this weekend and rotate for their second double Gameweek fixture. Does this give you some pause before investing in their players?
- Euan Leith: If you want to consolidate your rank, I would ignore City players not named Erling Haaland. However, if you need a wild swing in the last two weeks to gain ground, then Riyad Mahrez or Phil Foden should get some minutes as City prepares for two massive finals after the season concludes.
- Jamie Steed: In truth, I’ve had some pause before investing in them over the last few weeks. Their depth is such that they can rest De Bruyne or Stones, and it doesn’t make much difference, so I’ll probably avoid captaining any City player this week, but their home tie against Chelsea is juicy enough to warrant sticking with them.
Conversely, Man United and Brighton have everything to play for with European spots on the line. So who is your favorite Red Devil?
- Euan Leith: Marcus Rashford is back in training, but Bruno Fernandes is the man I'd bank on to get 180 minutes in Gameweek 37. He's been phenomenal this season, and hopefully, the assist on Saturday was the beginning of more attacking returns to come. If you want to triple up on United assets, Luke Shaw and Antony are intriguing upsides picks.
- Jamie Steed: If we knew he’d be playing both games, Marcus Rashford would be the pick. I don’t know if Garnacho or Sancho will fill in in his absence. Therefore, my favorite safe play is Bruno Fernandes, and my favorite alternate play is probably Antony.
Marcus Rashford is back in training with the Manchester United squad 🔴☑️
Good news for #MUFC 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Dc5I1c3ut7
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 17, 2023
And your favorite Seagull?
- Euan Leith: I've doubted Jamie's main man, Alexis Mac Allister, most of the year, but he keeps getting returns. He's locked into the starting XI and is on penalties. That's good enough for me. If we get word that Man City will rotate after they win the title, the World Cup winner would be a great candidate.
- Jamie Steed: As good as Mitoma has been, he only has one goal involvement in his last seven games. Is he due? Perhaps. Am I banking on that? No. If I’m playing safe, Alexis Mac Allister is my choice, but if I’m chasing, give me Julio Enciso.
With four teams with two fixtures, we will have plenty of single Gameweek players in our lineups. So which fixture looks the most enticing for FPL points?
- Euan Leith: Liverpool is firing on all cylinders right now, and I certainly wouldn't want to play them as they hunt down a Champions League spot. Plus, Aston Villa has a shot at European football next season, so I expect both teams to go blow for blow at Anfield and produce fireworks.
- Jamie Steed: Defensively, Leicester looks shambolic and shipped in ten goals in their last three games. Newcastle has shown the capability of taking opponents, and it’s a massive game for them as they bid to reach the Champions League next season. Give me some Newcastle attacking players this weekend.
The relegation battle is still wide open. Are you thinking about any assets from the bottom clubs?
- Euan Leith: Not for Gameweek 37. If there's some real excitement for 38 and I need a differential, I may look at a James Maddison or Jamie Vardy, but these teams are bad for a reason, and it's tough to get excited for any of their players.
- Jamie Steed: I’m not opposed to it, but in reality, who would you want from the teams down there? Between Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leeds United, and Leicester City, I can count on one finger the players I’d consider rostering (for the record, it’s Morgan Gibbs-White).
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 37?
- Euan Leith: Manchester United has two bites at the apple with an away match against Bournemouth and a home fixture versus Chelsea. They've been a dominant side at Old Trafford this year, and David De Gea has 16 clean sheets in the campaign.
- Jamie Steed: No one team stands out, although I expect Man City to keep one. But Fulham is an exciting option at home to a hit-and-miss Crystal Palace team that’s failed to score in their last two away games and four of their previous six.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Please read my answer for the previous month in this space: Trent Alexander-Arnold. He's a must-have player again and is thriving in his new role.
- Jamie Steed: Is saying Trent Alexander-Arnold again too easy? If you want someone else, this could be the week Kieran Trippier ends his goal-involvement drought facing such a leaky defense.
STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH THIS STRIKE FROM TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gEFjyatEfI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2023
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan Leith: At the risk of being a sentimental sap, I wouldn't put it past Roberto Firmino to grab some final FPL points in his last game at Anfield. Despite his limited role, he's had several double-digit hauls this season. So if Liverpool is up comfortably, the Brazilian will get on the pitch and have the chance to end his Liverpool career in style.
- Jamie Steed: It’s a risk, but Julián Álvarez has started Man City’s last four games and can deputize for both De Bruyne and Haaland, so if you’re concerned about City resting players, he could be the main benefactor.
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: I was hoping Marcus Rashford would stay injured so I could bring in Antony. I've watched a lot (probably too much as a Liverpool fan) of United's games over the last month, and he seems to be adapting to the Premier League quite well in the final third of his first campaign. As a result, I think a Kieran Trippier to Luke Shaw transfer is in the cards for my FPL side.
- Jamie Steed: I want Anthony Martial, but if Rashford is going to miss time, I’ll be bringing in a double gameweek midfielder in his place. That will give me nine total players with two matches this week, so I can’t see myself bringing in Martial. Without Rashford, Man United will have to lean on Martial a bit more than usual, plus he can play wide if they choose to bring on Weghorst should they need to push for a goal in either game.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: It will come down to the wire between Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford. Haaland has the ceiling but is a rotation risk. Bruno has the minutes but maybe not the return potential, and Rashford is a minutes risk but has a great chance of starting both games against weaker opponents. Still, I'm leaning toward Bruno Fernandes as a differential while I make my final push for the top 100k.
- Jamie Steed: I’ll probably be going with Mac Allister and hoping he hits big against Southampton, so anything he gets in the midweek game against Man City will be gravy.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: No one joins Southampton as a relegation side, and it sets up a wild final day of the season between Leicester, Leeds, and Everton. Also, Manchester United locks up a return to the Champions League, but Newcastle and Liverpool will battle till the last kick of the campaign for the fourth and final spot.
- Jamie Steed: Leeds gets something at West Ham to keep their survival hopes alive. And dare I say Aston Villa ends Liverpool’s top-4 hopes to leave the final weekend fixtures with little to get excited about.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
