Gameweek 38 Final Day Secrets: Transfers, Differentials & the Captain Pick You Can't Miss

Welcome to your Gameweek 38 final day briefing! The season ends on Sunday the 24th of May and there's still everything to play for in your mini-leagues. Whether you're chasing a rank, protecting a lead, or just want to go out with a bang, we've got you covered with the transfers, differentials, and captain pick that matter most. Let's get into it.

Every team plays simultaneously on Sunday the 24th of May at 3pm, which means there is no scheduling advantage to exploit this gameweek. However, the biggest risk on the final day is rotation - managers with nothing to play for could ring the changes heavily. Keep a close eye on press conferences and team news right up until the 1:30pm Sunday deadline.

The golden rule for GW38: do not panic-transfer into players from teams with nothing to play for. Rotation will bite. Stick with Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Spurs assets who are nailed starters.

Price: £6.3m | Ownership: 17.2% | GW37 Points: 8 | Total Points: 137

Saliba delivered eight points in GW37 with a clean sheet and two bonus points, and he has kept 15 clean sheets this season - one of the most reliable defensive assets in the entire game. Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the final gameweek with seven and a half expected points projected, and their defensive record has been outstanding all campaign.

Verdict: Essential if you don't have him. Arsenal at home in GW38 is as close to a banker as you'll get on the final day. Check the full fixture difficulty ratings to see why Arsenal stand out this weekend.

Price: £4.7m | Ownership: 6.7% | GW37 Points: 8 | Total Points: 111

Kroupi Jr scored and picked up bonus points in GW37 for eight points, and he now has 13 goals this season at just £4.7m. Bournemouth travel to Nott'm Forest in GW38 with six expected points projected. Transfers in have surged by nearly 68,000 this week - the FPL community is clearly on board. At this price, he is outstanding value as a budget forward option on the final day.

Verdict: Good, especially as a budget forward option. If you're hunting for cheap forward cover, our bargain players tool highlights picks like this who offer serious value for money.

Price: £6.4m | Ownership: 6.7% | GW37 Points: 7

Richarlison scored in GW37 and finished on seven points. He has 11 goals and four assists this season, and Spurs host Everton at home in GW38, which looks like a genuinely kind fixture for attacking returns. Over 70,000 transfers in this week confirms the community is backing him ahead of the final day.

Verdict: Good, a solid pick for the final day with a favourable home fixture against Everton.

Price: £5.2m | Ownership: 21.4% | GW37 Points: 4

Senesi returned just four points in GW37 with no clean sheet and no attacking return. Bournemouth travel to Nott'm Forest in GW38, which is a tricky fixture for clean sheet potential. If you need budget elsewhere and are weighing up a defensive switch, he is one to consider shifting.

Verdict: Hold if you have him with no better option available, but don't chase him now.

Price: £4.6m | Ownership: 5.0% | GW37 Points: 2

Just two points in GW37 with no clean sheet. Nott'm Forest have conceded 38 goals this season and host Bournemouth in the final fixture - that doesn't scream clean sheet potential. With so many stronger goalkeeper options available, Sels is very hard to justify holding into the final gameweek.

Verdict: Sell - move to Raya or a stronger goalkeeper option for GW38.

Mainoo Price: £4.7m | Ownership: Low | GW37 Points (Mainoo): 4

Bruno Fernandes was flagged as a recommended sell before GW37, and nothing has changed. Man United host Brighton in GW38 - Brighton have been strong defensively at times and the United midfield remains inconsistent. Mainoo turned in a flat four-point performance in GW37 despite United beating Nott'm Forest 3-2, showing the output can be unpredictable. Fernandes did chip in with two assists and nine points, but reliability heading into the final day is the concern.

Verdict: If you're still holding Mainoo at £4.7m, he's tough to trust in GW38. Move on for a more reliable option.

Looking to make up ground in your mini-league? These low-ownership picks could be the difference. Browse our full differentials tool for more options, but here are our three standout picks for GW38.

Price: £5.4m | Ownership: 1.9% | Form: 6.5 | GW38 xP: 6.5

Rayan only returned three points in GW37, but his underlying form is strong with five goals and six clean sheets this season. His projected expected points of 6.5 for GW38 are solid, and at under two percent ownership, he is a serious differential if Bournemouth keep a clean sheet away at Nott'm Forest. Well worth considering if you want separation from your mini-league rivals.

Verdict: A genuine differential at under 2% ownership with real clean sheet and attacking upside.

Price: £4.9m | Ownership: 0.6% | Assists This Season: 4 | Clean Sheets: 8

Ampadu kept a clean sheet in GW37 and Leeds travel to West Ham in the final fixture, which carries a lower difficulty rating and could yield another clean sheet. With four assists this season and eight clean sheets, the underlying numbers are there. At under one percent ownership, this could be a game-changing differential for anyone chasing down a mini-league rival with a tight budget.

Verdict: Tiny price, massive potential upside. The ultimate GW38 differential punt.

Price: £4.7m | Ownership: 1.4%

Man United beat Nott'm Forest 3-2 in GW37 showing genuine attacking intent, and Mainoo at this ultra-low price could sneak bonus points if United attack freely against Brighton at home. This is a low ceiling option but also very low cost - a micro-differential for those who want exposure to United without heavy risk. Brighton away is a tough ask, so manage expectations accordingly.

Verdict: Low ceiling but low cost. A micro-differential option for the truly bold.

Price: £10.0m | Ownership: 13.0% | GW37 Points: 10 | Total Points: 157 | GW38 xP: 7.0

Saka is our standout captaincy pick for GW38. He delivered ten points in GW37 with an assist, a clean sheet, and two bonus points, and he heads into the final gameweek having contributed seven goals and ten assists this season. Arsenal host Crystal Palace at home with seven expected points projected, and Arsenal have everything to play for going into the last day. The home advantage, defensive solidity, and Saka's consistent involvement in goals and assists make him the safest and most rewarding captain option.

It's also worth noting Raya at £6.2m with 8.8 expected points is outstanding value for a goalkeeper captain alternative, making Arsenal a must-have double-up for GW38. If you want to check the latest expected points projections for the full picture ahead of Sunday's deadline, the data is well worth a look.