FPL Top Transfer Recommendations: Gameweek 38

The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider to bring into your team heading into FPL Gameweek 38 of the 2025/26 season.

The top FPL transfer recommendations for Gameweek 38 tilt strongly toward players who combine form, fixture appeal, and a decent chance of upside in one final push. With the season nearing its end, this is the moment where managers should lean into players who can deliver both steady points and one big swing result.

Gameweek 38 is not the place for cautious thinking alone, because late-season FPL success usually comes from backing in-form players in strong roles. That means defenders with attacking threat, midfielders who drive their team’s best moves, and forwards who can punish shaky back lines. It also means paying close attention to the fixture picture, because the right opponent can turn a good pick into a match-winning one.

There is also a clear thread running through the best options this week: they are either carrying serious form into the finale or arrive with a matchup that can amplify their ceiling. Some have recent hauls behind them, some have consistent minutes, and some simply look too dangerous to ignore when the stakes are highest. In a week like this, those edges matter more than usual.

Below, the focus is on five players who stand out as strong transfer targets for managers who still want a final climb up the rankings. Each one offers a different route to points, but all five have something in common: they are capable of turning Gameweek 38 into a productive one.

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk remains one of the safest defensive picks for Gameweek 38 because his recent form has been steady and his aerial presence always keeps him in the mix for bonus and set-piece returns. Liverpool’s captain has long carried the kind of all-round fantasy value that goes beyond clean sheets, and that matters when a defender can also threaten the opponent’s box.

Brentford’s recent inconsistencies only strengthen the case, because they have looked far from secure enough to discourage investment in a player of van Dijk’s calibre. The numbers also back up the appeal, with the Dutchman overall FPL haul underlining his season-long reliability.

He does not need many touches to make a difference, and that makes him especially attractive in a final round where one goal, one clean sheet, or even a bonus-heavy performance can swing the week. If Liverpool are as focused as expected during this critical situation, van Dijk looks well placed to finish strongly.

Antonee Robinson

Antonee Robinson has made a habit of offering more than just basic defensive cover, and that is exactly why he deserves attention here. His recent exploits have shown how dangerous he can be when Fulham push him into advanced areas, and he even found the net last week, which only adds to the sense that he is carrying live attacking potential.

Newcastle United’s uneven run makes the match-up even more appealing, because Robinson does not need much encouragement to burst forward. His FPL history this season has been useful enough to keep him relevant, especially for managers searching for a defender with a higher ceiling than the average full-back.

The combination of recent form, attacking intent, and a vulnerable opponent makes the USMNT international a sensible differential for the final day. Robinson may not be the flashiest name on the list, but his route to points is easy to understand.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White has been central to Nottingham Forest’s attacking play whenever he has been available, and that makes him a very strong shout for Gameweek 38. He has already produced two huge FPL hauls in the past month (20 vs Burnley, 13 vs Sunderland), which is often the clearest sign that a midfielder is peaking at the right time.

When Forest move through the gears, Gibbs-White is usually the player linking everything together, and that gives him a fantasy edge even in a crowded field. The Englishman’s overall points total also reflects how important he has been across the season, with enough consistency to keep managers interested and enough explosive returns to justify the pick.

The best thing about Gibbs-White is that he can score in different ways, whether through direct involvement, a key pass, or late box arrivals. In a decisive week, that blend of floor and upside is exactly what FPL managers want.

Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers is another midfielder whose inclusion makes sense because of his regular goal threat and the defensive softness of Manchester City’s backline. Aston Villa have shown that Rogers can be dangerous in open games, and he has the kind of all-action style that often produces surprise returns even when he is not the headline name.

There may be some rotation risk at this stage of the season, considering Villa have nothing left to play for. However, that does not rule out a game-changing display if he starts. The English playmaker’s recent FPL history shows that he can still matter even when the spotlight is elsewhere, and the underlying feeling is that one strong outing could make all the difference.

Manchester City may still carry quality, but they have also shown enough vulnerability to make Rogers a worthwhile gamble. In a final-week context, he fits the profile of a player who can punish hesitation.

Richarlison

Richarlison is arguably Tottenham’s in-form attacking player right now, and that alone gives him a strong case for Gameweek 38. The Brazilian’s recent hauls have reminded managers of the level he can hit when confidence is on his side, and he has looked sharp enough to justify another look.

Everton’s defensive problems create a very usable opening, because they have often struggled to stay compact and disciplined when under pressure. That sort of match-up suits Richarlison’s style, especially if Tottenham spend long stretches in the attacking third. And having been snubbed by Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the versatile attacker will be determined to make his mark.

The 29-year-old does not always need a lot of chances to make an impact, and his recent form suggests he can convert one promising spell into a meaningful FPL return. For managers chasing upside rather than safety, he is one of the more compelling forward picks this week.

FPL Top Transfer Recommendations at a Glance

Honourable mentions

A few other names deserve consideration before the deadline: James Hill, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Dominik Szoboszlai, Rayan Cherki, Jack Hinshelwood, Erling Haaland, Will Osula, Ollie Watkins, and Jarrod Bowen. They are not all equally safe, but each has enough appeal to stay on the watchlist for managers still weighing one last move.