This will be a year we will never forget, although for many reasons we may want to.
Since all games kick off at the same time, we get the advantage of seeing confirmed lineups for all teams in the countdown hour before the deadline. So as you prep your team, join us here for pre-deadline chat and make those last minute changes based on solid news you can use.
Three teams are fighting for a chance at top four, but only two will make it. Three teams are fighting for a chance to stay in the EPL. Only one will survive. Two teams are fighting for the last Europa League Spot. Only one gets it.
(Also Manchester City is home to Norwich.)
It’s going to be a great match day.
Let’s get to the match-ups (with quick notes) and then player picks.
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GW 38 Fixtures
Sunday, 26 July
- Arsenal vs Watford - Arsenal is stuck mid table. Watford needs a result and help to stay up.
- Burnley vs Brighton - Both safe and not playing for European spots.
- Chelsea vs Wolves - A win assures Chelsea of Champions League, a draw might not be enough. Same for Wolves fighting for a Europa League spot.
- Crystal Palace vs Tottenham - Spurs need a win (and maybe a tie) and some help to get into Europa league. The Eagles are safe but have lost seven straight games (and only scored in one of those).
- Everton vs Bournemouth - Bournemouth must win and get help in order to stay up. Everton sit safely mid table.
- Leicester vs Manchester United. WOW. Winner gets champions League. Simple as that. A tie assures United a place in CL. A tie plus a Chelsea loss gets Leicester a top 4 spot.
- Manchester City vs Norwich - Nothing on the line here for the table... but City is home to Norwich with Pep roulette nullified by confirmed lineups!
- Newcastle vs Liverpool - Not much left to play for here (The Reds have won the league)
- Southampton vs Sheffield United - Both safe and not playing for European spots.
- West Ham vs Aston Villa - A win for Villa keeps them safe from the drop zone. A tie or loss makes it interesting. The Hammers are safe.
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Goalkeepers
Hugo Loris (CRY vs TOT, $10.13) Spurs have given up only two goals in their last six games, yielding four shutouts. Palace has been shut out five out of their last six. Plus Spurs need the win.
Nick Pope (BUR vs BHA, $12.81) Pope is the top point earner among goalies this season. He’s got a good match-up as well.
Emiliano Martinez (ARS vs WAT, $3.65) After some great showings, Arsenal was unimpressive against Aston Villa, so we can’t be sure which team will play. The Gunners are home, and even against a team with a lot to play for, Martinez is a value pick.
Lukasz Fabianski (WHU vs AVL, $5.15) Fabianski is a differential pick. West Ham are safe and at home. Aston Villa need a big win, but have not been able to score a lot of goals.
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Defenders
Lucas Digne (EVE vs BOU, $14.37) Digne is a good attacking option from the back. Bournemouth needs the win, but still have not been great.
Ben Davies (CRY vs TOT, $3.54) Read Loris from above about the match-up. Davies is the cheapest option into the Spurs backline, and as someone who can get forward he always has a chance for a big game.
Ezri Konsa Ngoyo (WHU vs AVL, $8.04) Don’t look now, but over the last three games Ngoyo has the most points of any defender in the game. He has double digits in these last 3 games.
Aymeric Laporte (MCI vs NOR, $4.34 ) Laporte is a cheap way into City’s defense. Luckily we get lineups, so you’ll have a chance to see who Pep puts out there.
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Midfielders
Kevin DeBruyne (MCI vs NOR, $22.68) KdB has a chance to finish off an amazing season against the worst defense in the league. There are points to be had in this game, and this player of the season could be lighting up the scoreboard at home.
Son Heung-Min (CRY vs TOT, $16.51) Spurs have nine goals in their last three games, and Crystal Palace have given up at least two goals in their five games. Son is always capable of big things. Spurs also need the win. Son has double digit points in his last three games.
Christian Pulisic (CHE vs WOL, $12.81) The young American is playing stunning football. A goal and assist (and what an assist!) as a sub mid week. He seems match-proof. Chelsea have a huge game against Wolves, and Pulisic is not afraid of the big stage.
Jack Grealish (WHU vs AVL, $20.32) Grealish has put it all on the line throughout the year. Aston Villa need just a point to survive, and one has to think that Grealish will be center of that fight.
Jarrod Bowen (WHU vs AVL, $6.59) Bowen was instrumental in West Ham’s survival. No goals since the restart, but four assists. He’s still at a good price to give for the bigger names that should be in your squad.
Daniel Podence (CHE vs WOL, $1.93) If you’re like me, you’re looking for quality cheap options, Podence is one of those. Aggressive and fearless, even with a tough match-up he is capable of putting up points.
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Forwards
Raheem Sterling (MCI vs NOR, $19.30 ) Sterling has six goals in four games, and as stated above, the Canaries give up goals. Any and all Man City attackers are on my list this weekend.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS vs WAT, $19.51) He is three behind Vardy for the scoring lead, so he would need a big game to catch up. But against Watford, this is possible.
Harry Kane (CRY vs TOT, $15.76) As stated before, this is a great match-up for Spurs who need the three points. Back to back braces in his last two, Kane has found his scoring boots.
Michail Antonio (WHU vs AVL, $12.06) Eight goals, yes eight, in his last six games. Antonio has been lethal in front of the goal. I have him listed in the forward position, but he is available as a midfielder too.
Troy Deeney (ARS vs WAT, $8.58) If you’re looking for something a little different, Deeney may be worth a punt in this massive game for Watford. He is on penalties and is the heart of Watford’s team. He has three goals in the last three games, and you just don’t know what Arsenal defense will show up.
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There are some great match-ups and some huge games for this last match day. Are you ready? Who are you looking at? Please join us in the comments to finish the season!
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