Confirm Your Transfers by Friday Evening
Dream Team managers have until 6:30 pm on Friday to finalize their transfers for Gameweek 26. As always, we’ve delved into the Stats Centre and scrutinized the upcoming schedule to provide you with some well-informed recommendations to help you optimize your team.
Bruno Fernandes: A Reliable Captain
Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m) remains a standout choice for several compelling reasons. In Gameweek 25, his impressive rescue performances against Everton and Ipswich earned him a total of 27 points, topping the charts for individual player output. Manchester United is one of the two teams set to play twice in this upcoming Gameweek, facing Fulham at home and Real Sociedad away. This dual fixture offers a significant opportunity to accumulate points. Moreover, Manchester United will play five matches before the March international break, which means Fernandes will have ample chances to rack up more points. Currently, he holds the third position in the overall rankings and stands first among midfielders, making him an excellent value pick for both short-term and long-term strategies.
Ollie Watkins: A Balanced Option for Villa
Aston Villa is another team with two fixtures in Gameweek 26, hosting Cardiff on Friday night and traveling to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the Champions League round of 16. Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) is a popular recruit this week, and his involvement in these matches is crucial. Manager Unai Emery might rotate his squad for the Championship game, but Watkins is a surefire starter for the European fixture. This makes him a resilient option whether you focus on the FA Cup match or view the Champions League game as a bonus. Alternatively, you might consider Marcus Rashford (£3.4m), who could start against Cardiff and then come off the bench for the midweek game. Other notable players from Villa include Marco Asensio (£3.2m), who scored 17 points in Gameweek 25, and Morgan Rogers (£3.8m), who has returned from a minor injury and scored against Crystal Palace.
Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool’s Hidden Gem
Liverpool’s sole fixture in Gameweek 26 is a challenging away match against PSG on Wednesday night. Despite PSG missing Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, they remain a formidable opponent, having won 14 of their last 15 games in all competitions. However, Liverpool’s recent form in the Premier League and European competitions is stellar, and they are currently atop the league phase in the Champions League. For Dream Team managers looking for a potential difference-maker, Dominik Szoboszlai (£4.3m) is an intriguing option. The Hungarian midfielder has accrued 52 points in his last six games and is currently owned by only 6.8% of teams. His consistency and low ownership percentage make him a valuable addition to your squad.
Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta: Eagles on the Rise
Crystal Palace presents a strong case for targeting an FA Cup mismatch, as they face Millwall at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Millwall, currently 12th in the Championship, should be no match for a Palace side that has shown significant improvement since the beginning of the season. Manager Oliver Glasner is known for fielding strong teams in domestic cups, which means Daniel Munoz (£5.1m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£4.7m) are likely to start. Munoz ranks joint-third among Dream Team defenders, having earned 15 points in the FA Cup fourth round against Doncaster. Mateta, meanwhile, leads the pack among forwards with the highest points in his last three outings. These two players are not just one-week punts; they also offer a promising prospect for Gameweek 27, where Palace will face relegation-threatened Ipswich.
Reserve Picks for Gameweek 26
While the primary picks are strong, it’s always wise to have a few reserve options. Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta, both from Crystal Palace, are excellent secondary choices. Their recent form and the favorable matchups make them reliable selections. Additionally, you might want to consider players who can provide consistent points across different types of fixtures. For example, Mateta’s recent goalscoring form and Munoz’s defensive contributions can help stabilize your team’s performance.
Making Informed Decisions
In conclusion, the key to success in Gameweek 26 lies in making informed decisions based on form, fixtures, and managerial strategies. Bruno Fernandes, Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio, and Morgan Rogers offer a mix of proven reliability and potential high returns. Dominik Szoboszlai and the Crystal Palace duo of Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta provide the right balance of low ownership and consistent form, making them excellent value picks. Whether you are looking for a short-term boost or a long-term strategy, these recommendations should help you navigate the upcoming matches and stay ahead of the competition.
