Largely due to the blank gameweek League Cup final contested between Liverpool and Chelsea, it was a rather quiet weekend of Premier League action. That’s not to suggest there isn’t any knock on FPL effects.
Here’s what you need to be across, as we build up to FPL Gameweek 27.
When does FPL Gameweek 27 start?
Sunday 3 March, 12:30 am AEDT
It’s a London derby to kick FPL gameweek 27 off. Brentford host Chelsea, with the Bees looking to complete the double over the Blues. Ivan Toney’s (£8.2 I 10.3%) returned from his gambling ban with a vengeance, scoring in just about every game he’s featured in.
For Chelsea, travelling to Brentford provides the perfect platform to avenge their late League Cup final loss against Liverpool. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were lambasted in the media after the final, particularly by Gary Neville, and will hope to continue their positive league form, which has seen them win four of their last seven.
FPL Gameweek 27 notes
Villa put Forest to the sword
It took just under 40 minutes for Aston Villa to remind everyone why they’re in the hunt for European football and Forest is fighting against relegation. Ollie Watkins’ (£8.8 I 53.3%) 14th goal of the season came after four minutes before a quick-fire Douglas Luiz (£5.6 I 10.9%) brace seemingly put the game to bed before half-time.
A three minute second half flurry saw Forest almost claw their way back in before Leon Bailey (£5.6 I 4.0%) found the net to bury Nuno’s men’s chances of victory. It begs the question; is there a more in-form Premier League player than Watkins at the moment? He’s bagged five goals and four assists in his previous five games, certainly enough to guarantee a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad.
Brighton falter at Everton
Lewis Dunk’s (£5.1 I 5.2%) 90th minute equaliser was enough to earn Brighton a point against a resolute Everton defence. Evan Ferguson (£5.8 I 4.6%) went off injured after 75 minutes, continuing his run of not scoring since late November.
Sean Dyche’s Everton is one of the best defensive sides in the Premier League. Ahead of FPL gameweek 27, any one of James Tarkowski (£4.6 I 5.9%), Jarrad Branthwaite (£4.2 I 5.7%) and Jordan Pickford (£4.6 I 11.9%) should be in your team; such is the strength of their consistent performances and, in the cases of Tarkowski and Branthwaite, their set piece threat.
Can anyone get a read on this United team?
One week they’re the greatest show on Earth, the next they’re losing to Fulham. United might be Europe’s most frustrating side, for their fans at least, and inconsistent big team. There is no clarity on how they’ll play, how they’ll win and where the goals and creativity will come from.
Having found the net in his last six Premier League games, Rasmus Hojlund (£7.2 I 7.6%) missed this one. In his place, none of United’s forwards stepped up, with an 89th minute Harry Maguire (£4.2 I 2.3%) goal the only way Ten Hag’s side could find the back of the net.
There are major issues right across the park at Old Trafford, even with optimistic strokes from several young players in recent months. Ahead of FPL gameweek 27, it’s advised to avoid any United FPL assets, such is their unreliability.
Exceptional Arsenal continue fine goalscoring form
In the absence of one true goalscorer, Arsenal have become expert at scoring by committee. Bukayo Saka (£9.1 I 64.3%) and Kai Havertz (£7.1 I 1.7%) featured on the scoresheet in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Newcastle.
Havertz’s goalscoring form isn’t enough to transfer him in ahead of FPL gameweek 27, but his tactical versatility and ability to find space are critical elements in creating opportunities for his teammates.
Eagles soar with new manager bounce
Oliver Glasner’s first week as Crystal Palace manager was reportedly filled with more meetings than training sessions. Not that their 3-0 rout of Burnley would suggest this. More than anything, their set piece potency was frightening and their pressing was more structured and effective.
One can only imagine how dangerous the Austrian will make Eberechi Eze (£6.0 I 2.6%) and Michael Olise (£5.7 I 0.5%), two attacking weapons who are unlikely to feature in FPL gameweek 27 but who, once they find their footing in Glasner’s system, will become attacking weapons to keep an eye on.
Haaland blanks but Foden fires
Erling Haaland (£14.4 I 75.6%) has set his performance standards so high at Manchester City that any game he does not score in feels like an underwhelming performance. Of course, his job is to score goals. And score goals he does. But if he’s not finding the back of the net on a weekly basis, it almost feels as if the Premier League goes into meltdown.
He did, however, grab an assist for Phil Foden (£8.1 I 32.9%), who’s rewarding Pep Guardiola for his increased minutes by finding ways to have a greater influence on games. Against Bournemouth, it was by finding the back of the net, which he’s done nine times this season.
Jarrod Bowen stars for rebounding West Ham
West Ham entered their clash with Brentford with a point to prove. They’d not won in six games and their manager, David Moyes, was under fire for his playstyle, with many calling for the club to move from the Scot at season’s end.
Their talisman, Jarrod Bowen (£7.7 I 16.5%), also had a point to prove, having not scored in his previous seven Premier League outings. It took Bowen, and West Ham, five minutes to silence their critics after some slick ball movement saw the Englishman fire his first of the night into the back of the net.
He’d score twice more before the 90 was up, with a rocket from left-back Emerson (£4.4 I 2.4%) the cherry on top of an emphatic West Ham performance.
Transfer targets under 15% ownership
DEFENDER: Emerson (£4.4 I 2.4%)
MIDFIELDER: Douglas Luiz (£5.6 I 10.9%)
FORWARD: Ivan Toney’s (£8.2 I 10.3%)
