Fantasy Premier League Tips – Gameweek 26 FPL
Ours tears of joy or despair relating to GW25 are not yet dry and GW26 is already upon us and with it the trials and tribulations that a midweek game-week brings. Some will revel in the short time between game-weeks as they are forced to make quick decisions while other will struggle as they don’t have the necessary time required to analyse all of their options. Whichever category you fall into one thing is for sure and that is that GW26 is another chance for each and every one of us to move up the rankings. As a result of the short time period between game-weeks we have once again decided to take a slightly different approach to our weekly tips article and rather than tipping specific players we have instead decided to discuss a number of current issues.
The West Ham Defence
It’s hard to believe that West Ham have now kept more clean sheets in the Premier League than any other team but with 12 clean sheets from 25 games that is exactly what they have done. The great news for us fantasy managers is that four of these clean sheets have come in their last five games! With stats like these it’s hard to believe that none of their backline feature in more than 3% of teams so it’s clear that the entire Hammers defence represents a differential. So who do you choose? Goalkeeper Adrian is in great form and has picked up 37 points from his last five games, there are plenty of forwards who haven’t scored that well and at just £4.3m he represents a great bargain. Picking one of their defenders does present one or two difficulties as no one is 100% certain as to what their first choice back 4 is! However once again our tip is James Collins who has started the last four games and it’s worth noting that he has picked up bonus points in each of the last three and at just £4.1m, like Adrian, he is a bargain. If you have a little extra cash to spend you might want to consider Guy Demel who has spent considerably more time on the pitch than any of his defensive colleagues. Finally, not only are the Hammers in great form defensively they also a number of relatively straightforward fixtures coming up with three of the next five at Upton Park.
The Manchester City Attack
City have now gone two games without scoring!! While this might not be news for the majority of teams it should be remembered that City had scored 68 in their previous 23 games which is basically three goals per game. Granted Sergio Aguero is injured but you would have expected Negredo & Co to have too much for Norwich, perhaps they are more reliant on the Argentinian than we imagined. The loss of Fernandinho has also been felt as it curbs Yaya Toure’s ability to surge forward. So where does that leave us fantasy managers? Given the fact that they have back to back home games against Sunderland and Stoke before their blank in GW28 we fully expect them to be back amongst the goals. Against Norwich, Pellegrini started with Jovetic & Negredo, with Dzeko replacing Jovetic after 61 minutes and Negredo being replaced after 77 minutes and after the game he admitted that neither Negredo nor Dzeko were 100% fit. Should you have either Negredo or Dzeko in your side our advice to you would be to stick, however should you not have any of the three but want one of them for the next two games we would suggest Jovetic. The Montenegrin will be eager to prove he has a future at the Etihad and he signifies a superb differential featuring in just 0.4% of teams.
Problems at Arsenal?
Despite being hammered 5-1 by a rampant Liverpool side in Saturday’s early kick-off, Arsenal are 2nd in the table just one point behind Chelsea and they haven’t turned into a bad team overnight. However, how should they be viewed from a fantasy football perspective? If you were to look at their upcoming league fixtures in isolation you would probably think that there was nothing to be concerned about as three of their next four are at home. What the league fixtures don’t show is the fact that they have an FA Cup tie this coming weekend against Liverpool and next Wednesday they host Bayern Munich in the Champions League. So which if any of their players can still be considered a fantasy asset? Aside from their calamities against City and Liverpool the Gunners have been pretty sound defensively keeping 11 clean sheets and despite these two big defeats they still boast the 2nd best defence in the league. As a result the likes of Szczesny, Mertesacker & Koscielny have proved quite popular and many managers have doubled up on Arsenal at the back. Our advice to those of you who still have double Arsenal coverage at the back is that it might be time to drop one of them and if we had to tip an Arsenal defender for the coming game-weeks it would be Laurent Koscielny as we feel he represents the best value for money. Moving into midfield and Arsenal have been hit hard with injuries to both Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott, while Mesut Ozil has been a massive disappointment since GW15. Should you feel the need to have an Arsenal attacker in your side for the coming weeks our recommendation would be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin who impressed in the recent win over Crystal Palace and while his more senior colleagues wilted against Liverpool, the Ox at least attempted to take the fight to them. Up top Olivier Giroud has picked up three goals and an assist in his last six games which isn’t actually that bad, but when you take a look around there are a number of strikers who offer better value for money than the Frenchman who is currently priced at £8.8m.
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool’s captain fantastic has to a certain extent polarised opinion amongst fantasy managers since his return to the side from injury. An injury to Lucas coupled with Brendan Rodgers desire to field Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez & Sturridge in attack has led to Gerrard being fielded in a defensive midfield role. Prior to his injury he had scored three as well as assisting seven in just ten games and many felt that his points returns would be somewhat diminished due to his deeper role. However, this has not been the case and in the five games he has started he has scored three and assisted two. Admittedly two of the goals were penalties while the two assists were from dead balls, but we feel the fact that he has the majority of the set pieces in his locker is a massive plus. Granted we are unlikely to see Gerrard breaking forward in the manner in which he has done over the years meaning his goals from open play are likely to take a hit, however as he becomes more accustomed to his new role we feel his assists from open play will be unaffected as he sprays long passes forward for Suarez & Sturridge. Given his current form he represents a great differential as he features in just 8.1% of teams and is also great value for money at just £8.9m.
Is Triple Liverpool a Possibility?
Doubling up on players from the same team in the one position is often frowned upon by many fantasy managers but doubling up on Arsenal or Everton at the back has at times worked quite well this season, while those managers who currently have the SAS up top in their team are probably quite happy. The question now is whether or not to take it to the next level and go for triple Liverpool in attack. The initial response from most managers is likely to be one of derision but let’s take a quick look at this as a possibility. First and foremost is the fact that Liverpool have scored 21 goals in their last eight games with the likes of Gerrard & Sterling chipping in along with the likely lads up front, it should also be noted that Phillippe Coutinho has been in better form of late and has been unlucky not to pick up more fantasy points. Second of all is the fact that their upcoming fixtures suggest that the goals are unlikely to dry up, although four of their next six games are away from home and it is worth noting that 60% of their goals have come at Anfield. Finally and indeed quite significantly, is the fact that the Champions & Europa Leagues both kick off again next week meaning we are likely to see a certain amount of rotation at Chelsea, Arsenal, City, United and Spurs. Unfortunately for Liverpool and their fans, they are not involved in Europe, but this is great news for us fantasy managers as it means that Brendan Rodgers will continue to field his strongest team in each and every league game. So as you can see the notion of fielding three is perhaps not as crazy as it sounds, the only question is which three. We will assume that Suarez & Sturridge are likely to be two of the three meaning you will want to choose one of their midfields. Should you have cash to spare our advice would be to go for Gerrard, whom we have already discussed above. Conversely, should money be tight we would suggest you consider Raheem Sterling who is slowly but surely proving his doubters wrong by turning in consistent displays rather than a moment of magic here and there.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Tips, this article was written by Kop Warrior.
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Turner Cardiff an option? Has 2 upcoming homegames (Villa/Hull). Also have Cardiff goalie though, might be too big a risk? Another point could be Olsson of Norwich or Davies from Hull.
At the moment this is what my defense looks like:
Mannone – Marshall
Bruce – Vlaar – Evans – Collins – Fonte
Looking to replace Evans first and Bruce later. Have 1 FT. Which option would you choose? Olsson? If I do choose Olsson I have only 1 homegame defender next week. Not that that’s the end of the world. At least I have 3 defenders playing.
I would not go Turner. Cardiff are a liability and can’t keep CSs. Olsson is a very good choice but if I were you I would try to get Azpi (cheapest route in Chelsea defence for a strapped on cash team like yours 😛 ).
In deed dropping Evans is a big YAY! I will not have any more United defenders on my team in the foreseeable future (couple of year maybe hehe).
Went with Olsson. But thanks for the advise mate. Don’t have enough money for Azpi. 5m was max to spend else I’d go with Chelski. Ummm. Anyway, looked at Norwich fixtures, after the next 2 gameweeks they have like 7 to 8 good fixtures. Noticed Cardiff home form is terrible, lost 5 of their last 6 games at home. >.<
Exactly. And Norwich have until GW34 to save their season. After that I guess they can just park the bus and hope for the best. Having a Norwich defense till then might be a good idea. I got Bennett injured so might also go Olsson. At home they are quite solid. Cardiff is a no no for me defensively and all round as well as a matter fo fact! 😛
Hoping Vlaar will start tonight. Hmmm. Yeah, well Cardiff must come good. Somehow. >.<
You guys think Reid will start tonight? And will it be at cost of ummm let’s say Collins or Tomkins?
Afternoon all. I think Collins will start Raz, and I plan to get him in for Bruce, but we shall see who starts before the deadline :beer:
Also, I’m benching Vlaar for Sagna, regardless of injury…
Afternoon James!
Ramziel I sure hope Collins starts coz I made the rookie mistake of transferring him in Sunday already! But let us see..maybe Reid might only be given a little cameo like the 2 previous matches and he may only return in 10 days? Sure hope so!
Villa are only half a team without Vlaar. If he plays there is much more chance of a CS. They need him. SO it’s likely if he can start he will. Again, if that happens he could injure himself again.
Arsenal need to make a statement, they might defend very well. With the emphasis on might. 😛
I have 2 teams. I know it sucks. Second season I’m playing this team and didn’t want to confuse my team for the private Dutch league with this one. Also wanted to test a team that starts with RvP and one without. Next year not making the same mistake though. F-ing confusing and tiring 2 teams. Next year I’m also out of the Bant league. Too much of a headache looking at other opponents teams and wishing certain players to don’t do well. Even if that influences your score somewhat. Stupid, I know. It just gives me a headache. I like the people there and the guy that founded that league. Just not my cup of tea. 😉
So would you start Vlaar or Sagna? It’s tough
On that note. You said you made a rookie mistake by buying ummm Collins. For my other team I was so eager to get Winston reid. In 2 games he’s given me 2 points. And again he might not start tonight. That’s why I was talking about the other team.
Again, something I would strongly advise against. If I could I would even want to delete that account.
Ps. not playing in any of the leagues from FFC or this with that one, just 1 private Dutch league.
@ James
I think Vlaar will either start or not get game time at all. If he starts, Cardiff away is not impossible to get a CS. On the other hand, Cardiff must be desperate to score goals. United will also be desperate to score and win against Arsenal after their loss against Fulham (draw = loss). United are quite unlucky and crappy in the back, so they will concede goals if that happens I don’t know how much luck Fulham had but I think Arsenal could concede 1 or 2 tomorrow.
Haha must be a real headache having too manage 2 teams! With one I feel like my head is bursting sometimes!! I think you should drop that other team…for your own good!! lol
Thanks for your insight. I’ll see if Vlaar’s fit then make a call tonight. When he is playing, Villa can be a very string defensive force.
KfuC, i’ve got 2 teams + a doubles team with init. :dance:
Can’t mate. And it’s signed up in a private Dutch league with people I know (not from here). Unsure why I kept the 2 apart, makes no sense. I know I wanted to check out different scenario’s because it’s only the second season. I really don’t like managing 2 though. IT’s like the worst of both worlds. So in all honesty, I deserve to do as poorly as I am now. 😉
Next season will just be 1 team. I must say, I have learned a few things this year. Next year I should do better. But then again, biggest part of this game is about luck.
elleffcee RESPECT!!
Also thinking of 2 teams next year…one would only be for the cup and building TV. I think it would be quite tough to manage 2 teams the entire year! Unless I got paid for that…that would be a dream job! 
KfuC, its easy really, the core of my 2 teams are the same, goofy, silva hazard etc, its just 1 is in a money league, which my wife is actually top at the moment, and 1 is in the banterbury league + ff247 leagues, the doubles team is in a separate league aswell, simples. :dance:
thing with capt. negredo is he may do nothing in the entire game and still man city may win by 3-4 goals !
but .. there are better chances of suarez bagging a brace if pool win big ! so am going with the tried and tested suarez !
Could I get a RMT:
Boruc (Davis)
Cahill, Koscielny, Collins (Gabiddon, Bennett)
Mirallas, Hazard, Mata, Silva (Livermore)
Suarez, Porridge, RVP
Used my FT. 1,1mil ITB and would be open to taking a 4PH if necessary. Should I play Koscileny or Gabiddon? Both could potentially keep a CS but I sense Arsenal are really gonna play it tight at the back.
Team looking tight. Better than mine, I’m sad to say.
You should be happy for me! haha
Thanks and hopefully your team gives you some happy joy later on today! 😉
KfuC, gabbidon didn’t play at the weekend did he ?
That’s my issue…wonder if he had a little injury or did he start losing his place in the team? Will wait and might transfer him out soon if he continues warming the bench!
KFC-Kos would be the choice over gabbidon.. also arse playin at home.not easy to go to everton n keep cs
Cheers arka! Yeah am leaning towards that as well. But United vs Arsenal tomorrow might be so unpredictable. Both teams are in DESPERATE need for a victory and could be a messy affair for either! Oh well will go Kos and see what the football gods deliver!
i think desperate would be putting it to politely for man united! its more like now or never !
jeez.. tough times being an united fan.
I hear you!
Tough times in deed! Both teams need it and I do not think they will settle for a draw! If Arsenal loose it will be the beginning of a long descent down to 3rd or 4th spot..If United loose…oh well..we are used to it now so no biggie! :dance:
If the Liverpool game is cancelled I would bench Suarez
Ward – Collins or
Colback 5th mid – a Villa player maybe Bacuna,Delph or anyone else?
(This move means I am then covered for sunderland blank) then I bench my Man City and Man Utd
Thanks