Gameweek 38+ Preview

Written by @niallhawthorne

And now, the end is near
And so you face the final game week
My friends, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which players you should seek
I’ve lived a season that’s full
I transferred each and every player
But more, much more than this
Let’s end this niiiiiiiightmare

Just over two weeks short of a full calendar year ago, Liverpool faced Norwich City at Anfield. Pukki-mania was starting, Divock Origi was scoring and stadiums were full of actual, real people. It seems like a different time, a different era, but it really was ‘this season’.

To those of you who have stuck with us through thick and thin (I’m thick and Ryan’s thin Ed. getting there), I’d like to thank you. These tips may not always have worked out, but quite a few did, and some were absolute doozies. It’s been a pleasure.

Now onto GW38+ and let’s try and wrap things up in style. Also, because I know many of you reading this will be doing so in a desperate bid to catch up in a mini-league, I’m only going to tip players with under 10% ownership this week. (Let’s face it, everyone wants City players against Norwich, and everyone’s going to pick the same few).

GW38+ Defender: Federico Fernandez, Newcastle United

3% ownership, two goals, three assists and eight clean sheets.

This Sunday he’s going to face the Premier League Champions Liverpool, and they are going to be so not-arsed and/or hungover, it’s going to be hilarious. Also, their away form in recent months has been atrocious. One win, one draw and three defeats in their last five away games.

So, go on, bag yourself a (Steve) Brucie Bonus and live life on the edge.

GW38+ Midfielder: Lucas Moura, Tottenham Hotspur

Whisper it quietly, but has Jose found his feet at Spurs?

Undefeated in five league games featuring four wins in that time, and three clean sheets. That’s edging towards ‘Special One’ Mourinho and away from ‘Mid-Life Crisis’ Mourinho.

This week they travel across London to Selhurst Park to play a team that have not so much gone to the beach in recent weeks, as they have bought a condo in Malibu and moved there with their girlfriend, leaving old Uncle Woy forlorn and sucking on a now bitter-tasting Werther’s Original. Seven defeats on the spin for the Eagles, with 17 goals conceded.

4% ownership for Moura and just £7m, this is a pretty easy transfer to make, especially on the back of his double-digit haul last time out.

GW38+ Forward: Troy Deeney, Watford

Three teams go into the last day of the season as a Premier League team, and only one will remain so by 5.30pm on Sunday evening.

Watford are currently managed by Troy Deeney Graham Stack and Hayden Mullins, after their decision to sack Nigel Pearson with two games to go. Many felt it a weird thing to do, but Elton John is rumoured to have put a large wager on Watford for the Premier League 2020/21 season at 5000/1 so maybe there’s some logic behind it.

In any case, Deeney has been a hero for the hornets in dramatic last-day drama before, and I reckon he can do it again here. David Luiz was impressive in recent matches against Liverpool and Manchester City, so based on all previous evidence throughout his career, he’s going to step on a few rakes this Sunday.

Deeney to bang in a brace with just 1.2% ownership. You’ll be buzzing as much as the Hornets.

GW38+ Captain: Callum Wilson, Bournemouth

Motivation.

Twelve months ago, after the season he had, Callum Wilson would have been confident that even if Bournemouth were relegated, he’d be purchased for £20m – £30m quid by a mid-table Premier League outfit, and he’d continue to bask in the ‘Best League in The World’ spotlight.

As we know, a lot can change in a year. Now Bournemouth are staring right down the relegation barrel, and due to COVID Finances, there’s no guarantee that anyone will be splashing the required cash to keep Callum in the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed.

A season or two in a non-Premier League Bournemouth side in front of 11,000 punters can alter people’s perception of you quite dramatically, so you can see where Callum Wilson is getting his motivation from this Sunday.

I reckon he smashes in a couple and shows the kind of form that made him an England International. It’ll count for nowt mind you, as Bournemouth are doomed. DOOMED I TELL THEE!

GW38+ Outsider: William Smallbone, Southampton

How do I top my pick from last week?

To remind those of you who may have missed it, I tipped a player with 0.0% ownership (Podence for Wolves) and he gone and done a goal. I’ll be dining out on that one for years to come, let me tell you.

This week I must improve on that. So, I’m going to tell you that William Anthony Patrick Smallbone is going to assist a goal for Danny Ings in the 78th minute, before netting his first league goal in the 85th minute, to clinch a 2-1 victory for Southampton against Sheffield United.

If this comes off, I may retire. See you next season!