Gameweek 38 is the cruelest week in Fantasy Premier League. Half your squad will be playing for nothing, managers are crying out for a Free Hit chip, and the fixture list splits neatly between teams still fighting and those already booking their holidays. The smart move, as always, is to chase motivation — and this final-day XI does exactly that.

The logic behind Gameweek 38 picks

Arsenal and Manchester City have nothing left to play for, which means heavy-rotation risk for anyone still holding their assets. Aston Villa and Manchester United are similarly carefree — Bruno Fernandes aside, who is chasing the outright Premier League assists record and is practically guaranteed to start against Nottingham Forest. The teams worth targeting are those still chasing European qualification, plus anyone caught up in the Tottenham versus West Ham relegation scrap.

Defence: Truffert the standout

In goal, Max Weiss (Burnley, £4.2m) gets the nod at home to Wolves, who have managed just seven away goals in 18 matches on the road this season — the most pessimistic attacking record in the division. For managers anxious about David Raya being rested, Weiss is a sensible, cheap cover option.

The defensive pick of the week, however, is Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth, £4.7m). Since Gameweek 29, no defender in the game has accumulated more FPL points than his 60 — a tally built on one goal, three assists, bonus points and the occasional clean-sheet contribution. Bournemouth travel to Nottingham Forest with a top-five finish still mathematically possible, while Forest's players will understandably have one eye on summer already.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, £6m) rounds out the defensive line. A clean sheet against Brentford looks unlikely given the Bees need a win for Europe, but Van Dijk has scored six goals this season — more than any other defender — and created 12 big chances. He is worth the gamble for an attacking return.

Antonee Robinson (Fulham, £4.9m) completes the backline. Newcastle are the joint second-lowest scorers away from home this season and have nothing riding on the result. If Harry Wilson misses out again, Robinson inherits penalty duties, offering a genuine route to a double-digit haul.

Midfield: Palmer and Szoboszlai are the key names

Fernandes is non-negotiable. Beyond him, Cole Palmer (Chelsea, £10.3m) is the most compelling mid-price gamble. Over the past six gameweeks — he only featured in five — his xG stands at 1.75, which is nearly a full goal clear of any other Chelsea player. He has also registered 16 shots in that period, four more than anyone else at the club. Chelsea need a result to secure European football, so there will be no half-measures. The market has already priced in the upside, but the underlying numbers suggest he is genuinely due.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool, £7.1m) slots in alongside Palmer and Fernandes. Liverpool need points to guarantee their Champions League place; Brentford need a win for Europe. The conditions are set for an open, high-scoring game. Szoboszlai has returned in five of his past five appearances and has been Liverpool's most consistent midfielder across the season.

Crysencio Summerville (West Ham, £5.4m) is the budget wildcard. Six games without a goal, but four goals in four matches earlier in the campaign shows the ceiling is there. With the Hammers requiring a win to give themselves a fighting chance of surviving, he will be played in his best position with licence to attack.

Attack: Bowen captains, Kroupi offers value

Richarlison (Tottenham, £6.4m) starts up front. Spurs need at least a point against Everton to stay up, and the Brazilian is overwhelmingly their most dangerous outlet. Nine shots on target, five big chances and an xG of 1.99 across his past three starts tells you everything — the goals have not come, but the underlying output is undeniable.

Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth, £4.6m) is the budget striker option at just £4.6m. Five goals in seven games, penalty duties, and a Bournemouth side with every reason to attack aggressively at Forest make him exceptional value for the final day.

The captain is Jarrod Bowen (West Ham, £7.7m). West Ham's survival almost certainly depends on beating Leeds at home, meaning Bowen — their most dangerous attacking threat — will be asked to deliver in a must-win fixture. That combination of necessity and individual quality is exactly what you want from a captain on the last day of the season.

FAQs

Frequently asked

Should I use my Free Hit chip in FPL Gameweek 38?
If your squad is packed with Arsenal or Manchester City players who have nothing to play for, using your Free Hit in GW38 makes sense. It lets you swap in players from motivated clubs — those chasing Europe or scrapping to avoid relegation — without losing your main team for next season.
Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 38?
Jarrod Bowen is the recommended captain pick for GW38. West Ham almost certainly need to beat Leeds at home to avoid relegation, so Bowen will be central to everything they do. If you want a differential, Cole Palmer also has strong underlying stats and Chelsea need a result for European qualification.
Is Junior Kroupi worth picking in FPL for the final gameweek?
Yes. At £4.6m, Kroupi represents excellent budget value for GW38. He has scored five goals in seven appearances and is on penalty duties for a Bournemouth side who will be chasing fifth place against a Nottingham Forest team with little left to play for.