Priority injury calls for GW38
Hugo Ekitiké, Liverpool, 15.7% selected, injured, sell. This is the biggest availability issue by ownership. The Guardian Football reports that Ekitiké is injured and unavailable, which makes the decision straightforward in the final week. If he is still sitting in your front line, move him on rather than hoping for a late recovery.
Jurriën Timber, Arsenal, 15.2% selected, doubt, hold if you have bench cover, sell if you are chasing. Arsenal latest reports say Mikel Arteta has given an injury update on Timber and Merino, but for FPL managers the key word is still doubt. At 15.2% ownership he is highly relevant, but this is more team dependent than Ekitiké. If your squad can absorb one risk, he is worth keeping. If you need certainty in GW38, selling is reasonable.
Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham, 9.1% selected, injured, sell. Kudus is the next major issue by ownership and the status is clear, injured. In GW38, clarity matters more than upside. Unless you have unlimited bench options and no other fires, he should be moved out.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, 4.9% selected, doubt, hold if you can, otherwise sell. A doubt at 4.9% ownership is still relevant for active managers. Defenders with uncertain minutes are dangerous in the final round because one cameo can block your bench. If your bench is weak, sell. If you have a reliable first sub, holding is acceptable.
Joachim Andersen, Fulham, 2.8% selected, suspended, sell. This one is clean cut. BBC Sport Football reports that Andersen received a straight red card against Bournemouth, making him unavailable for upcoming matches. Suspended players are easy sells in GW38.
Ola Aina, Nottingham Forest, 2.1% selected, doubt, hold if the rest of your XI is secure. Aina’s ownership is lower, but he is still a live issue for engaged managers. As with Alderete, a doubtful defender is playable only if your bench can protect you. Otherwise, take the certainty.
Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton, 1.9% selected, injured, sell. Mitoma still appears in plenty of dead teams and some active squads. If he is injured going into the final gameweek, there is no reason to carry him.
Other names to monitor
- Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United, 1.8% selected, injured: sell.
- Tino Livramento, Newcastle, 1.8% selected, injured: sell.
- Murillo, Nottingham Forest, 1.8% selected, injured: sell.
- Lewis Miley, Newcastle, 1.7% selected, injured: sell. Newcastle latest reports note Miley has suffered an injury.
- Estêvão, Chelsea, 1.7% selected, injured: sell.
Returners worth buying
Bukayo Saka is still one of the best one week upside picks if declared fully ready, especially for managers selling Timber or moving funds around Arsenal slots.
Phil Foden is the classic GW38 upside buy if available and expected to start. If you are selling Kudus or Mitoma, this is the kind of aggressive move that can swing rank.
Alexander Isak is the safest premium striker replacement for Ekitiké if fitness and minutes look secure. In the final week, replacing an injured forward with a focal point attacker is usually the cleanest route.
Bottom line
The easy sells are Ekitiké, Kudus, Andersen and the cluster of lower owned injured defenders. Timber, Alderete and Aina are the marginal calls, hold only if your bench is strong and you are comfortable carrying one doubt into GW38.