Fantasy Premier League GW38 Preview – The Final Curtain
The Top Flight Mini League
It is tight at the top! Jason McDonagh is still top but an incredible score of 92 from Abiodun Abiona means the gap is just 2 points, with only another 9 points to Shuki Wyman. Any of those 3 could take the title in the final week!
Abiodun holds an ace up his sleeve for the final week as well, he will also be playing his free hit chip! If he can kick on with another big score then the title could be his, but Jason is still in the driving seat. I will post a final round-up of the season next week and we’ll see who finished top of the pile.
What to look for
It seems ridiculous to point out that motivation is king. These are players paid millions of pounds per year, surely motivation should come naturally. But it is a phenomenon seen time and again that players head to the metaphorical beach once safety/European football are assured or no longer an option.
Motivation can come in many forms. The Golden Boot race is still open, although Vardy has a two-goal lead so could seal his first-ever Golden Boot award this season with a goal or two against Man United.
Danny Ings is the shock candidate in second (we all know he’s good but those glass ankles can get in the way of goals). Southampton faces Sheffield United who are marooned in 8th-10th midtable, which I’m sure they would have been very happy with at the start of the season, so he could fancy a few goals.
There’s also the monetary motivation for some players. I saw on twitter that Antonio has a clause that gives him a bonus if he scores 10 goals in a season, he has now reached that total but could fancy a few more against Villa even if West Ham are now mathematically safe.
Finally, there are the big positions up for grabs. The second and third relegation spots are still undecided with Bournemouth needing a win at Everton and Watford and Aston Villa to lose.
Watford and Villa just need a better result than the other to ensure survival as they sit neck and neck on the same points and goal difference! Villa have the edge on goals scored, but it’s tight and all 3 teams should be pumped up for the occasion (that being said, I’m currently not buying any of them!)
At the other end, it’s also neck and neck. Man United, Chelsea and Leicester all want the Champions League spots (although somebody should remind Leicester they want it as they seem to have forgotten).
Chelsea plays Wolves who have almost no chance of catching 5th but could get Europa League in 6th depending on the way the Champions League and FA Cup final play out. Meanwhile, Leicester play Man United in a winner takes all match at the King Power!
There is an inverse to the motivation theory. Arsenal got an unlikely win over Man City to reach the FA Cup final and, after an underwhelming season, this is now their only chance to gain a spot in Europe next season.
Therefore, their players are less likely to go for big challenges that could risk an injury and put them out of the final, and Arteta is likely to give his stars some rest either by bringing them off early or not playing them at all (although he denies this will be the case).