<h1>FPL Gameweek 38 Differential Captaincy Tips</h1>
<p><em>In this edition of his regular article series, <a href="https://twitter.com/Hibbo_FPL">@Hibbo_FPL </a>examines the respective merits of differential captaincy options for those striving for overall and mini-league glory in Gameweek 38. </em></p>
<p><em>This article will provide FPL tips to help managers break the template and make a late charge towards the top 10k.</em></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Mohamed Salah:</h2>
<p><strong>Mohamed Salah (£12.9m)</strong> represents the obvious captaincy pick for the season finale and is forecast to have effective ownership of approximately 170% amongst the top10k elite. However, those chasing down huge mini-league totals will need to go against the grain in the hope of gaining that chunk rise.</p>
<p>In terms of underlying numbers over the last six matches, Salah ranks amongst midfielders third for shots (21) and second for shots inside the box (19). Despite scoring three goals over the period Salah has been wasteful missing five of the big chances (6) crafted for him.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35085 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="1530" height="166" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38.png 1530w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38-300x33.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38-1024x111.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38-768x83.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38-610x66.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salah-38-1080x117.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1530px) 100vw, 1530px" /></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Roberto Firmino:</h2>
<p>Owned by less than 1% of elite teams <strong>Roberto Firmino (£9.1m)</strong> represents an ultra-differential alternative for those willing to back against the house. Over the last six matches, the Brazilian has recorded the same number of goals (3) and assists (1) as his Egyptian colleague.</p>
<p>In terms of underlying numbers Firmino equals Salah for both shots on target (8) and goal involvement (31%). Over the last six matches, Firmino ranks amongst forwards second for key passes (11) and joint second for big chances created (3).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35086 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Firmino-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="940" height="101" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Firmino-38.png 940w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Firmino-38-300x32.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Firmino-38-768x83.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Firmino-38-610x66.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Sadio Mane:</h2>
<p>Currently sitting in less than 3% of elite teams <strong>Sadio Mane (£11.8m)</strong> certainly has the low-level ownership required to chunk rise. Over the last six matches, the Senegalese international lags behind the aforementioned duo for goals (2) but has notched more assists (2).</p>
<p>Mane has demonstrated a lack of clinical accuracy with his shots on target (3) ranking worst amongst this sample of players. However, the former Southampton man has received a host of big chances (5) ranking joint fourth amongst midfielders over the period.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35087 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mane-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="940" height="102" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mane-38.png 940w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mane-38-300x33.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mane-38-768x83.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mane-38-610x66.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixture Liverpool rank second on the Hub’s fixture ticker when sorted by attack and have offensively looked back to their best in recent weeks. Over the last six matches Liverpool rank top for goals (13), shots on target (39), and big chances (23).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-32591 aligncenter" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mane.jpg" alt="fpl best captain tips gw38" width="1024" height="689" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mane.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mane-300x202.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mane-768x517.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mane-610x410.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>Crystal Palace over the last six matches rank joint second-worst for goals conceded (12) recording just one clean sheet over the period. Over the period the Eagles rank sixth-worst for shots conceded inside the box (59) and rate as a 9% chance of shutting out the Reds.</p>
<p>Liverpool certainly won’t lack motivation as their season finale represents a must-win cup final buoyed by a home crowd in their quest for Champions League qualification. However, the importance of the fixture outweighs any personal glory and Salah’s golden boot ambitions will be secondary to the team win.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Chris Wood:</h2>
<p>Since returning from a hamstring injury lay-off <strong>Chris Wood (£6.5m)</strong> has enjoyed a stand-out second half to this Premier League season. Over the last six matches, the New Zealander ranks top amongst forwards for goals scored (5) and joint top amongst all players for goal involvement (6).</p>
<p>In terms of underlying numbers over the last six matches, Chris Wood ranks top amongst forwards for big chances (7). Furthermore, over the period the Kiwi ranks amongst forwards joint fourth for shots (21) and third for shots on target (10).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35088 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="1531" height="165" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38.png 1531w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38-300x32.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38-1024x110.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38-768x83.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38-610x66.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wood-38-1080x116.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1531px) 100vw, 1531px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixture Burnley rank sixth on the Hub’s fixture ticker for Gameweek 38 when sorted by attack. Whilst not a volume shooting team the Clarets have created high-quality chances ranking fifth for big chances (15) over the last six matches.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-34213 aligncenter" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fpl_wood.jpg" alt="best fantasy football tips gw38" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fpl_wood.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fpl_wood-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fpl_wood-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fpl_wood-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>Sheffield United rank third-worst over the last six for shots conceded inside the box (67) and second-worst for shots on target conceded (37). Furthermore, over the period the Blades rank third-worst for big chances conceded (15).</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Michail Antonio:</h2>
<p>After scoring against West Bromwich Albion, <strong>Michail Antonio (£6.7m)</strong> needs two goals to usurp Paolo Di Canio and become West Ham’s Premier League all-time goalscorer. Interestingly, after Declan Rice’s missed penalty on Tuesday Antonio jokingly laid claim to spot-kick duties in his post-match interview.</p>
<p>Antonio over the last six matches ranks amongst forwards joint fourth for shots (21) and second for shots inside the box (17). Furthermore, the Hammers striker is no one-trick pony ranking joint third amongst forwards over the period for chances created (9).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35089 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="1530" height="163" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38.png 1530w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38-300x32.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38-1024x109.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38-768x82.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38-610x65.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antonio-38-1080x115.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1530px) 100vw, 1530px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixture West Ham rank fourth on the Hub’s fixture ticker for Gameweek 38 when sorted by attack. Over the last six matches, the Hammers have displayed volume shooting amongst the division’s best ranking fifth for shots (94) and rank fourth for big chances (16).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-32960 aligncenter" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FPL-Antonio.jpg" alt="fpl gameweek 38 captain" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FPL-Antonio.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FPL-Antonio-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FPL-Antonio-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FPL-Antonio-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>Over the last six matches, Southampton have failed to record a clean sheet and rank fourth-worst for shots on target conceded (32). However, over the period the Saints haven’t conceded huge volumes of shots ranking ninth worst for shots conceded inside the box (54).</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Patrick Bamford:</h2>
<p>After three consecutive blanks, <strong>Patrick Bamford (£6.6m)</strong> looks at his old self with two goals and an assist in his last three matches. Amazingly, Bamford is the highest-scoring player from a newly promoted side since Charlie Austin for Queens Park Rangers in 2014.</p>
<p>In terms of underlying numbers over the last six matches, Bamford’s volume of shots (11) ranks worst amongst the players in this sample. However, with Raphinha back after injury offensively Leeds looked a different beast when dishing out a four-goal drubbing to Burnley at Turf Moor.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-35090 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38.png" alt="best fpl captain for gw38" width="1532" height="166" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38.png 1532w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38-300x33.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38-1024x111.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38-768x83.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38-610x66.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Bamford-38-1080x117.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1532px) 100vw, 1532px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixture Leeds rank top on the Hub’s fixture ticker for Gameweek 38 when sorted by attack. Over the last six matches, Leeds rank joint sixth for big chances (14) and shots on target (30).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-32662 aligncenter" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPL-Bamford.jpg" alt="fantasy football tips gameweek 38" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPL-Bamford.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPL-Bamford-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPL-Bamford-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPL-Bamford-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>Over the last six matches porous West Brom rank worst in the division for shots conceded (123) and shots inside the box conceded (74). The Baggies have conceded the most shots on target (50) over the period and rank second-worst for big chances conceded (16).</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Conclusion:</h2>
<p>In conclusion, <strong>Mohamed Salah </strong>represents very much the safe pick for those in a commanding position in terms of overall rank or their mini-leagues. Those chasing down a big mini-league total should not lose faith as I have seen huge final day point swings on captaincy alone.</p>
<p>While Salah might be the dominant effective ownership pick those looking to remain within the fixture could turn to <strong>Roberto Firmino </strong>to achieve that chunk rise. During this crunch time, the Brazilian has very much hit the mark and has kept pace with Salah for returns of late.</p>
<p>Between the budget strikers, I would punt on <strong>Patrick Bamford</strong> to cap off a sterling Premier League season in front of a partisan Elland Road crowd. On paper, West Brom rank defensively across most metrics as the worst in the division and this is the fixture to target.</p>
<p>For those that have supported my articles this season, thank you. Keep an eye for more articles in pre-season and good luck for Gameweek 38.  Drop me a follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Hibbo_FPL">@Hibbo_FPL</a>.</p>
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FPL Gameweek 38 Differential Captain Tips – Breaking the Template

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