It was a wild goalscoring week of Premier League action, with 34 goals finding the back of the net. There’s a lot to unpack. So, without further ado; Here’s what you need to be across, as we build up to FPL Gameweek 28.
When does FPL Gameweek 28 start?
Saturday 9 February, 10:00 pm AEDT
Manchester United host Everton to kick FPL gameweek 28 off. Both sides are coming off disappointing 3-1 losses and will be looking to prove a point.
United will need to bin their sit-deep-and-counter tactics against Everton, who boast one of the Premier League’s most resistant defences, despite what their loss against West Ham suggests.
Marcus Rashford (£8.4 I 10.7%) opened the scoring in the Manchester Derby with a belter and will hope the strike kicks off the goalscoring run many have been waiting for the winger to embark on this season. Rasmus Hojlund’s (£7.1 I 5.2%) absence will significantly hurt United’s chances. The Dane’s height would’ve been necessary to combat the aerial dominance and physicality of James Tarkowski (£4.6 I 5.7%) and Jarrad Branthwaite (£4.2 I 6.2%).
This will hardly be vintage Premier League action. Everton will invite United to do something they’re seemingly incapable of doing; breaking down low blocks. Both sides need a win to prove their seasons are salvageable.
FPL Gameweek 26 notes
Arsenal put Sheffield United to the sword
It took 15 minutes for Sheffield United fans to realise they’d seen enough of their side’s defeat to Arsenal. At that point, the Gunners had scored three. By halftime, they’d scored five, one shy of the Premier League record.
Declan Rice (£5.4 I 5.5%) was everywhere, as was Martin Odegaard (£8.5 I 16.9%). Both men found the back of the net. So did Gabriel Martinelli (£7.7 I 6.1%) and Kai Havertz (£7.1 I 2.2%), who each had an assist to their name, to go with a goal. And prior to his halftime substitute, at this stage nothing to worry about injury-wise, Bukayo Saka (£9.2 I 66.8%) also registered two assists.
It was, plainly speaking, a training run for Arsenal and when you consider how scattered their set-pieces were, Sheffield United can consider themselves lucky for not conceding more.
Calls for an out-and-out striker went unanswered in January. We can see why. Arsenal have scored 31 times in their last seven matches. Remarkable. They are the best Premier League side at scoring by committee since Pep’s post-Aguero, pre-Haaland Manchester City teams.
Haaland’s human after all
In the end, his late goal made up for it. But, in the Manchester Derby, Erling Haaland (£14.5 I 76.6%) showed he is human after all. Since his arrival in the Premier League, the Norwegian’s been a walking goal, with opposition players accustomed to turning towards the halfway line anytime he collects the ball in the box.
With 45 minutes on the clock and City trailing crosstown rivals United 1-0, a knockback found Haaland unmarked about two yards from goal. For stat heads, it was a chance worth 0.89 xG. For the rest of us, it’s a sitter. One which Haaland duly missed.
It’s true he’s been far from his best this season, hindered largely through injury. Haaland’s still scored 18 times and created another seven. Do not let his halftime mishap influence your thinking ahead of FPL gameweek 28, he’s still the safety Fantasy Premier League asset available.
Fulham’s fortunes continue
First, Fulham beat Manchester United 2-1. Then, they downed Brighton 3-0. Marco Silva’s men are on fire and at the heart of their form surge is Brazilian forward, Rodrigo Muniz (£4.5 I 2.5%). The Brazilian has started each of Fulham’s last five games, scoring five times and assisting once, and is one of the Premier League’s form forwards.
At his price, the Brazilian is an ideal cheap forward option to consider for FPL gameweek 28 and beyond.
Phil Foden, best player in the Premier League?
2023-24 will be remembered for many reasons; a three-team title race for the ages, producing some of the worst teams in Premier League history and Phil Foden’s (£8.1 I 33.8%) emergence as a certified Premier League star.
Of course, Foden’s been fantastic for the last few seasons. That was in either a wider role or cameo appearances off the bench. This season, he’s locked down a starting role and cemented himself as an excellent central attacking force who mixes his gliding dribbling and divine touch with a newfound goalscoring flair.
Against United, he scored two very different types of goals; a thunderbolt from outside of the area which lasered into the top corner and a fine finish following some nice City interplay. Given he’s matched his goal contributions for the entirety of last season with 11 games of 2023-24 to go, Foden is close to a ‘must have’ moving into FPL gameweek 28 and beyond.
Liverpool leave it late
No Mohamed Salah (£13.0 I 20.6%), plenty of worries for Liverpool. Without their Egyptian talisman, or Diogo Jota (£8.1 I 2.9%), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.5 I 9.1%), and Alisson (£5.8 I 10.7%) for that matter, Jurgen Klopp’s side were nearly held to nil against Nottingham Forest.
As champions do, they somehow pulled the three points from nowhere. In the 99th minute, Alexis Mac Allister (£5.8 I 3.1%) jinked his way into space on the edge of the area, dinking a ball into the area which first found Darwin Nunez (£7.5 I 14.5%) and then the back of the net. Cue pandemonium.
Much has been made about Nunez’s time at Liverpool. His inconsistency in front of goal was an issue in his first season and still lingers in 2023-24. However, his late winner against Forest was his tenth of the season, to go with nine assists.
As far as FPL point of differences go, the Uruguayan is up there. 19 goal involvements in 25 games for a frightening Liverpool side should factor into any Nunez decisions made between now and FPL gameweek 28.
A piece on Spurs
Injuries, and mid-season international tournaments, have significantly impacted Ange Postecoglou’s first season as Spurs manager. Despite this, the Australian’s side is firmly in the hunt for Champions League football next season.
After losing to Wolves last week, a result which doesn’t feel as bad as it once might’ve been, considering the strength of Gary O’Neil’s side, Spurs needed a result against Crystal Palace. There was to be no new manager bounce for Palace as Spurs put three past them.
Timo Werner (£6.3 I 0.6%) grabbed his first Spurs goal, Heung-Min Son (£9.8 I 22.6%) scored for the first time since New Year’s Day, Brennan Johnson (£5.8 I 0.5%) provided two assists in half an hour off the bench and James Maddison (£7.9 I 10.5%) got his third assist in five games since returning from injury.
Maddison’s season is a case of what could have been, for both player and club. Before his ankle injury, sustained against Chelsea, he was the Premier League’s best player and Spurs were flying high. Since then, he’s returned strongly, just without the same bounce as earlier in the season, while Tottenham have returned to the pack, largely thanks to injuries, suspensions and international commitments.
A tough run of fixtures from FPL gameweek 28 until the end of the season, which includes away trips to Aston Villa, Newcastle, West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as home clashes with City and Arsenal, should be considered before any Spurs fantasy assets are brought into your side.
Is Ollie Watkins the best striker in the Premier League?
It feels strange to be asking this question, having waxed lyrical about both Haaland and Nunez already. However, that’s not to suggest a case for Ollie Watkins (£8.9 I 56.0%) being the best striker in the Premier League currently is misguided.
The Englishman scored two of his side’s three goals in a 3-2 victory over Luton Town. His tally for the season? 16 goals. And how about his assists numbers? 10. Remarkable figures that not only position the Villa man as one of the first names on any fantasy teamsheet but also as the ideal deputy for Harry Kane at international level.
Transfer targets under 15% ownership
DEFENDER: Ben White (£5.6 I 10.8%)
MIDFIELDER: Declan Rice (£5.4 I 5.5%)
FORWARD: Rodrigo Muniz (£4.5 I 2.5%)
