Premier League Gameweek Fantasy Football Picks – Round 38

05/23/2026 483

The last round of the Fantasy Premier League is upon us and it is where minutes, motivation, and roles matter more than long-term planning. Different FPL managers are in different positions at this point of the season, so, you might be looking for a big risk squad or something stable and secure to keep your gains ahead of the competition.

This fantasy football GW38 squad blends a premium captain anchor with defenders who can bank clean-sheet points and mids/forwards who stay close to goals and assists. We don't need to consider future fixtures anymore, but keeping team motivation in mind might be useful, as many teams don't really have much left to play for anymore. Here's Forebet's suggested 15-man FPL squad for the final round of the season.

The 15-man Squad (4–4–2)

Goalkeepers

David Raya (ARS)

Raya is a high-confidence pick for the final day because he offers predictable scoring routes: clean-sheet potential backed by Arsenal’s controlled style, plus enough routine saves to lift returns beyond the baseline when matches are tight. His appeal in GW38 is stability, as he’s less reliant on “hero mode” and more on a strong defensive environment that limits high-quality chances. If Arsenal are expected to dominate territory, Raya can rack up points through the shutout and bonus-friendly contributions like claims and sweeping behind the line. He’s also a sensible “set-and-forget” keeper so you can focus transfers and decisions on the explosive outfield slots instead.

Robin Roefs (SUN)

Roefs is the type of budget goalkeeper you can actually use rather than hide. The value comes from save volume: even when the clean sheet doesn’t arrive, he can still bring back points through stops on mid-range shots. In friendlier fixtures, that same workload pairs with shutout probability for the kind of unexpected eight- or nine-point return that swings a final-day mini-league. His pricing is typically in the enabling bracket, which matters when you’re carrying premium attackers. As a rotation partner to a premium keeper, Roefs is ideal: start him when the matchup is kinder, and you’ll get genuine utility without spending transfers on your goalkeepers.

Defenders

Gabriel (ARS)

Gabriel is a defender you can start with confidence because he combines secure minutes with two clear points pathways: clean sheets and set-piece threat. Arsenal’s defensive platform keeps shutouts on the table, and Gabriel’s aerial presence means he’s always one corner away from a goal or a bonus-boosting return. In close wins, centre-backs can also hoover up bonus via clearances and duels, which suits his profile. He’s also highly ranked on the official player list for overall production among defenders in 2025/26, underscoring that his returns aren’t a fluke.

William Saliba (ARS)

Saliba is the “calm projection” partner to Gabriel: big minutes, clean defending, and a consistent baseline that plays well in tight scorelines. He doesn’t need an attacking return to post a respectable total because Arsenal’s controlled games often produce clean sheets and bonus-friendly states for their defenders. Set-piece involvement adds a small but real ceiling, enough to make him more than a six-point merchant. For GW38, Saliba is the kind of pick that reduces risk: fewer rotation worries, fewer low-minute cameos, and a reliable path to points if Arsenal manage the match in their usual measured way.

Marcos Senesi (BOU)

Senesi is a strong finale-week defender because he can score even when Bournemouth concede. His baseline comes from defensive work, such as blocks, clearances, aerial wins, while his upside comes from attacking set pieces where he’s a genuine first-contact threat. That blend is valuable in GW38, when match scripts can be unpredictable. If Bournemouth’s opponent concedes corners or struggles with aerial deliveries, Senesi’s haul potential rises sharply. He’s also typically priced below premium defenders, letting you fund heavy hitters elsewhere. In short: steady floor, real ceiling, and easy integration into a balanced squad.

Adrien Truffert (BOU)

Truffert adds a different defensive route: full-back attacking involvement. In matches where Bournemouth can spend time high up the pitch, Truffert’s overlaps and cut-backs provide a direct assist pathway—often more repeatable than centre-back goals. Even without a return, his recoveries and final-third touches can help his baseline in close games. He’s usually priced well below elite wing-backs, which makes him a smart “upside without breaking structure” option for the final day. GW38 is also the week to embrace defenders who can create, not just defend—and Truffert fits that brief.

Malick Thiaw (NEW)

Thiaw is a pragmatic centre-back pick: strong in the air, active in duels, and often involved in the defensive actions that the scoring system rewards when games are tight. That gives him a usable floor even if the clean sheet doesn’t land. On set pieces, he can also become a threat, especially against opponents who lose first contacts in the box. As a priced-to-fit defender, he helps keep funds available for premium attackers. In GW38, where you want reliable starters with at least one upside route, Thiaw checks both boxes: minutes security plus the occasional big return window.

Midfielders

Antoine Semenyo (MCI)

Semenyo is a high-ceiling midfielder because he’s consistently involved in dangerous moments, such as direct carries, shots from strong angles, and chances created in transition. The official FPL player list shows him as one of the top points earners this season, reinforcing that he’s delivered over the long haul rather than in isolated bursts. In GW38, he’s especially attractive if City are expected to dominate territory and generate repeated penalty-area actions. Even when he doesn’t score, his involvement tends to be close to the final touch, which keeps returns “live” across 90 minutes. In a last-week context, he’s a genuine differential captaincy alternative if you’re chasing.

Morgan Gibbs-White (NFO)

Gibbs-White is valuable because he can contribute in multiple ways: through balls, key passes, and late runs that put him in finishing positions. He’s typically central to Forest’s best attacking sequences, which matters in GW38 when teams chase outcomes and games open up. His scoring routes don’t rely on one specific event; he can deliver via an assist, a goal, or bonus from consistent involvement. If Forest’s matchup is against a side that concedes space between midfield and defence, Gibbs-White becomes an ideal “final-day upside” pick. He’s also often priced below the elite mids, keeping your budget flexible around Haaland.

Anderson (NFO)

Anderson is a smart “structure midfielder” because he offers playable minutes at a friendly price, while still contributing in advanced phases. He’s useful for a GW38 build because he can be started without feeling like a total punt: progressive carries, link passes, and occasional shot involvement give him genuine points pathways. He also tends to contribute defensively—recoveries and tackles—which helps avoid empty returns if the attacking points don’t land. In a week where you might need to maximise funds for star attackers, Anderson functions as the glue that keeps your XI balanced while still giving you a live chance of an assist or bonus.

Bruno Fernandes (MNU)

Bruno is still one of the best “one moment changes everything” mids in FPL. He’s involved in chance creation, central shooting positions, and set pieces—three separate routes to returns that stay active even when United’s overall performance fluctuates. He also tends to play huge minutes, which is exactly what you want in the final gameweek. If United have a matchup where sustained pressure is likely, Bruno’s assist and goal probability rises sharply. For managers protecting a lead, he’s a high-floor starter; for managers chasing, he’s also capable of a double-return haul that can swing a mini-league.

Dominik Szoboszlai (LIV)

Szoboszlai offers a blend of shooting threat and chance creation that plays well in a do-or-die week. He can rack up points through key passes, set-piece involvement, and strikes from the edge when defenders sit off. Liverpool’s attacking volume tends to keep him involved near the box, which is where Fantasy points appear. He also offers “late-season narrative” appeal: midfielders who shoot often in open games can produce big final-day totals. If Liverpool’s opponent allows space in central zones, Szoboszlai becomes a strong upside play. He’s also frequently priced below the absolute premium mids, which helps keep Haaland plus another strong forward.

Forwards

Jarrod Bowen (WHU)

Bowen is the kind of forward you want in GW38 because he mixes volume involvement with a realistic ceiling. He’s not just a finisher—he can also create for teammates, which keeps his points routes broad. FPL pricing/ownership updates show he’s still a major focus for transfers late in the season, reflecting continued trust from managers. If West Ham’s fixture is open (or the opponent concedes chances in wide-to-central transitions), Bowen’s combination of shots and creative actions can produce a double return. As a forward option, he’s also useful for managers who want to avoid going all-in on the most popular picks.

Erling Haaland (MCI)

Haaland remains the premier captain choice because his shot locations are elite and his volume is relentless. City generate the exact service he thrives on—low crosses, cut-backs, and second-ball opportunities inside the six-yard corridor. That means he can return even in games that feel quiet for long stretches. The official player list places him among the top overall scorers, reflecting season-long reliability. In GW38, when teams can play with fewer constraints and matches can become stretched, his multi-goal upside is as high as it gets. If you want safety, captain Haaland; if you want to win the week, captain Haaland.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (LEE)

Calvert-Lewin is a fixture-led striker who becomes very appealing when his team can deliver crosses and set-piece pressure. His goals tend to be repeatable: near-post runs, aerial wins, and close-range finishes rather than low-percentage shots from distance. That profile is perfect for a final-day punt because one good service pattern can turn into a return quickly. If Leeds’ matchup is against a defence vulnerable to wide deliveries, Calvert-Lewin’s upside rises sharply. He also tends to be priced in a manageable band for a starting No.9, making him an excellent third forward alongside Haaland and Bowen.

Suggested XI for GW38 (3–4–3)

Raya

Gabriel – Saliba – Senesi

Bruno Fernandes (VC) – Semenyo – Gibbs-White – Szoboszlai

Haaland (C) – Bowen – Calvert-Lewin

Bench: Roefs, Truffert, Thiaw, Anderson

Captaincy

Haaland is the straightforward armband for ceiling and protection. Bruno Fernandes is the best vice option here thanks to minutes security and multiple scoring routes