The final game week of the 2021/22 season is upon us and a final chance to gain points and win that competitive mini-league, have the last laugh over a friend, or just set the tone for next season.
Interestingly, there will be an avalanche of goals on the final day as there has been a higher goal average on matchday 38 than throughout the season for each of the last five seasons. Thus, at least 30 goals have been scored on the last day of the previous six campaigns.
With the Premier League title, the race for fourth spot and the relegation battle still to play for, there are plenty of motivated players to choose from. The key, then, is to get as many potential big-hitters as well as your captaincy choice absolutely spot on.
The FootballCastle brings forward some top picks and differentials ahead of the game week 38 deadline at 14:30 BST on Sunday 22 May.
Goalkeepers
David Raya (£4.3m)
Brentford close out their incredible first season in the Premier League with a home meeting against Leeds who are desperate to avoid the drop. Nevertheless, the Lilywhites will find it tough considering they have managed just two goals in their last five matches.
Martin Dubravka (£4.4m)
Newcastle have been defensively solid in recent months and face Burnley who need a win to secure their top-flight status for next season. The Clarets have the second-lowest goal record in the league this season and must get past Dubravka who has returned at least a save or bonus point in each of the last three game weeks.
Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m)
The Dane is averaging 6.3 points per match from his last six home games and will be facing a Southampton team who have scored just eight goals in their last 11 fixtures.
Defenders
Joao Cancelo (£7.2m)
The Manchester City full-back is currently on 200 Fantasy Premier League points and has a chance to get amongst the highest-ever season points tally for a defender. Only Virgil van Dijk (208 in 2018-19), Trent Alexander-Arnold (210 in 2019-20 and 206 so far this season), and Andy Robertson (213 in 2018-19) have had more.
Cancelo has weighed in with 11 assists and one goal this season and is second in his position for clean sheets.
Reece James (£6.4m)
The Chelsea man has been one of the most popular defensive assets throughout the season as he poses the highest average for goal contributions amongst defenders in Europe’s top five leagues.
James would look to add to his six double-digit returns this term in GW38 against Watford who have conceded the most chances down their left flank over the last six game weeks.
Ryan Sessegnon (£4.3m)
The 22-year-old is enjoying his best run of form and games in a Tottenham shirt having started in their last five Premier League games. Sessegnon has amassed 27 points in that time, creating five “big chances”, three more than any other defender.
A budget-friendly option with the potential for a big return in GW38.
Midfielders
Raphinha (£6.3m)
The Brazilian is highest in the Leeds squad with seven shots and five chances created in his last five games. Raphinha could well be the difference-maker for his relegation-threatened side hoping to preserve their Premier League status against Brentford.
Jarrod Bowen (£6.8m)
The fourth-highest scoring player in FPL this season, a brace against Man City last weekend took Bowen’s total to a remarkable 12 goals and 17 assists. West Ham need a win against Brighton to overhaul Manchester United in the Europa League spots and Bowen will provide lots of inspiration.
Heung-Min Son (£11.1m)
With the Golden Boot in his sights, a trip to relegated Norwich is the perfect end to a wonderful individual campaign as Son is just one goal short of Mo Salah’s 22.
Playing against the worst defence in the Premier League with 79 goals conceded so far, Spurs are also desperate for the maximum points to secure a top-four finish.
Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m)
In his last five games, no player has registered more than the Belgian’s eight goal involvements and the standout player of the past few weeks can finish the season with a flourish.
De Bruyne has returned 88 points in his last nine appearances, including three double-digit hauls and two nine-pointers.
Maxwel Cornet (£5.8m)
The Ivorian is second-highest among Burnley’s players with nine shots in his last four games, scoring once in that period. Cornet is their top scorer with eight goals this season and a moment of magic to save Burnley from relegation in GW38 would not be far-fetched.
Mason Mount (£7.7m)
The midfielder with the most goal involvements this season was an unused substitute against Leicester and would be looking to haul on the final day after missing a decisive penalty in the FA Cup final.
Mount scored a huge 13 points in Gameweek 36 and can make it a ‘double’ of double-digit returns against Watford this season.
Forwards
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m)
The Everton centre-forward got a goal in both DGW37 fixtures to secure their Premier League survival following a spell on the bench after a long-term injury.
A perfectly-timed return for the Toffees bodes well for the final-day meeting with fifth-placed Arsenal. Calvert-Lewin’s genuine quality will be a problem for the under-pressure Gunners.
Harry Kane (£12.4m)
This season’s highest-scoring forward in FPL has come a long way from his slow start to the campaign. After 16 goals and 10 assists, Kane needs a goal against Norwich to avoid his lowest-ever Premier League tally, the top four chase alongside his final-day record suggests that will not be the case.
The England captain has scored in all of his final day appearances, accumulating three double-digit hauls and averaging 8.43 points per game, against Norwich, Kane averages a further nine points per match.
