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Welcome to Gameweek 37, Rotoballers! This season, we are expanding our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, if you are a seasoned veteran, or a rookie navigating your first campaign, we will set you right as we look to acquire those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
Another double gameweek is upon us, but it's the final one of the season. And, because of the FA Cup Final on Saturday, we have the infrequent Sunday deadline. Our lineups lock at 5:30 am Eastern on Sunday, May 15, before Tottenham welcomes Burnley in a must-win clash for both teams. Then, we strap ourselves in for 12 games of FPL madness across five days in the season's penultimate gameweek!
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 perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 37
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers - Euan Leith and Jamie Steed, will answer questions each Gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 37!
There are two weeks left in the season. Where is your team sitting in the overall ranking, and do you have any chips left?
- Euan Leith: It's been a steady stream of red arrows for the Leithal Weapons since Gameweek 33 or 34. No Son Heung-min or Kevin De Bruyne is crushing my rank, and I'm currently sitting outside the top 150k. I have one chip left: the Free Hit, and it's getting activated this weekend.
- Jamie Steed: I currently rank 980,950th overall and 43rd in the RotoBaller Invitational. I’m using my final Free Hit this week and having 10 players with double-headers as a last-minute YOLO to claw back some points.
Gameweek 36 had some wild swings. So what was the biggest surprise?
- Euan Leith: The Mo Salah benching plus Kevin De Bruyne's explosion was a massive swing for most FPL managers. Several mini-leagues have been turned on their head and made things a lot more interesting with only two weeks to go.
- Jamie Steed: Burnley getting a pasting at home to Aston Villa was somewhat surprising. A year ago, Manchester United losing 4-0 at Brighton would’ve been a huge shock. Now, it was almost expected.
What team are you targeting in Double Gameweek 37?
- Euan Leith: With two home games, I love the blue side of Merseyside this gameweek. Pickford, Gray, Mykolenko, Gordon, and Richarlison are all in my Free Hit thoughts.
- Jamie Steed: I’ve got three players from four of the five teams with a double gameweek, excluding Burnley. It’s difficult to gauge exactly who will be better off from the five, but Aston Villa and Everton having two home games against mid-table opposition are most appealing. Although Crystal Palace playing both of them for their double gameweek is also a nice option on paper.
What team are you avoiding in Double Gameweek 37?
- Euan Leith: You couldn't pay me enough money to get a Burnley player in my squad this week.
- Jamie Steed: Burnley. Last weekend’s loss, coupled with having to go to Tottenham and Aston Villa, scares me away from them.
Erling Haaland is reportedly joining Manchester City next season. Will he instantly join Salah, Son, and De Bruyne as one of the more popular attackers in the game?
- Euan Leith: While the ceiling is as high as they come with Haaland, he does tend to pick up some injuries here and there. Still, if he comes in around those four, there will be some tough early-season decisions among those four goal scorers.
- Jamie Steed: Yes. Kane’s disappointing season and unclear futures for him and Ronaldo leave Haaland as likely the popular striker to roster next season.
Who's keeping a clean sheet this week?
- Euan Leith: Jordan Pickford has to be the favorite. Everton looks like a different side since the Merseyside derby, where they entered the relegation zone. Two games at home against Brentford and Crystal Palace should see them secure another season of top-flight football.
- Jamie Steed: Tottenham at home to Burnley and Wolves at home to Norwich City are my favorite picks for clean sheets. I’m actually doubling down on Wolves to keep a clean sheet, rostering their keeper and a defender despite the single gameweek.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko has hit some strong form as they enact their version of a great escape. With two home games against middle-of-the-table outfits, I'll back the Ukrainian to produce a double-digit return in at least one game.
- Jamie Steed: I like the Aston Villa full-back pairing of Matty Cash and Lucas Digne with their two home games. Cash especially with three goals and three assists this season. Joao Cancelo, with two assists in Manchester City’s last two games, also remains one of the most viable options.
- Euan Leith: Son Heung-min looked incredibly frustrated when he was substituted in the North London Derby. He's one goal behind Mo Salah in the Golden Boot race, and I reckon he takes out his frustration on Burnley to kick off the gameweek.
- Jamie Steed: Kevin de Bruyne reminding everyone he’s the EPL’s premium talent with his four-goal performance at Wolves is my favorite, as he continues to carry Manchester City to the title. Jamie Vardy having a double gameweek and returning to form with two goals in midweek is also appealing. Although Leicester may opt to only start him once, given his injury problems this season and not having anything to play for.
What are your transfer plans heading into this gameweek?
- Euan Leith: Free Hit chaos is ensuing. So. Many. Drafts.
- Jamie Steed: I’ve used my free hit to bring in 13 players in a desperate bid to claw back some ground on those above me.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: If Ollie Watkins is declared fit, I'll give him the armband for the first time this season.
- Jamie Steed: I’m torn between Wilfried Zaha, Richarlison, and Demarai Gray. Vardy possibly not playing one of the two Leicester City games makes me apprehensive to give him the armband.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this week?
- Euan Leith: West Ham put a scare into Man City before the blue half of Manchester wins the game and essentially wraps up the title. For the relegation battle, I think Burnley squander both their chances to secure safety and give themselves a nervy final day of the season.
- Jamie Steed: Tottenham will go into the final gameweek in fourth place, and after spending weeks in relegation trouble, Everton will secure safety and leapfrog Southampton in the table.
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!
