RADIO
The path to success is not a linear one, but it can be a merry one. This was the case for league leaders Liverpool, who secured a late winner against Nottingham Forest thanks to Darwin Nunez. Gameweek 27 brought a wave of excitement with top FPL picks making their mark. Ollie Watkins scored a brace in a thrilling 3-2 win against Luton Town. Son Heung-min found the net against Crystal Palace and Phil Foden delivered a world-class performance, bagging a brace in the Manchester Derby.
Another Double Gameweek is upon us, featuring two Premier League teams: Bournemouth and Luton Town. This marks the rescheduled game between Luton Town and Bournemouth, initially called off due to unforeseen circumstances. Now is the time to assess which Double Gameweek assets are worth considering for the upcoming round.
Welcome to the FPL Gameweek 28 Preview, where a new voice joins the fray -- The FPL Manual. In this article, prepare for a fresh perspective as I unveil the most recommended FPL picks for the upcoming weekend.
Gameweek 27 Quick Review
The last round was packed with action, treating soccer fans to a total of 36 goals scored across 10 matches. This included a dominant Arsenal side securing a resounding 6-0 victory over Sheffield United. Manchester City triumphed over rivals Manchester United. Newcastle United and Fulham each secured impressive 3-0 wins against Wolves and Brighton, respectively. Here are my top-three standout FPL picks from Gameweek 27.
Ollie Watkins - Following his impressive performance in Gameweek 27 where he netted two goals in a 3-2 victory against the Hatters, the Aston Villa striker is in exceptional form, taking his goal contribution to 16 goals scored and providing 15 assists. He's amassed a total of 183 points and is currently top for FPL points scored this season.
Phil Foden - Amassing an xGI (expected goal involvement) total of 1.73, Foden proved to be a pivotal figure in the Manchester Derby, leading the charge with nine shots and netting two goals for Man City. His stellar performance further solidifies his status as one of the most influential players for the team, ultimately rewarding FPL owners with an impressive haul of 15 points.
Alphonso Areola - Although conceding a late goal to Everton, West Ham's Alphonso Areola emerged as a hero with an early penalty save for the Hammers. The shot-stopper showcased his prowess by making a total of nine saves. He secured a total of 13 points for FPL managers who entrusted the goalkeeper to start on their team.
Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) extended his lead at the top of the #FPL player standings thanks to his sixth double-figure haul of the campaign 🔥
He has delivered six goals and four assists in the last six Gameweeks 🙌#LUTAVL pic.twitter.com/V9a9WkBkYy
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 2, 2024
Double Gameweek 28 Tips
Consider Bringing in Bournemouth Players
As the FPL deadline for Double Gameweek 28 looms quickly, now is the best chance to acquire some Bournemouth assets. They are set to play consecutive home games against Sheffield United and Luton Town.
Both opponents find themselves languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League table, with only two combined wins in 2024. Among the standout players to target are Dominic Solanke, Adam Smith, Norberto Neto and Milos Kerkez, who are much more nailed options.
An exception worth noting is Luton Town's left wing-back, Alfie Doughty. He is on set-piece duty for his team and could potentially deliver an attacking return as Luton faces Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in this gameweek.
📅 #FPL Double Gameweek 28 fixtures:
🍒 Bournemouth: SHU (H)/LUT (H)
👒 Luton: CRY (A)/BOU (A)Who are you targeting? 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ktSup0o9T6
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 5, 2024
Do Not Ignore the Single Gameweek Players
Although it is advisable to target players who get to play twice within a gameweek, it is prudent to consider top players with favorable fixtures and are in form as they have the potential to yield significant FPL points. One player I highly recommend bringing in this weekend is Jarrod Bowen (versus Burnley).
The West Ham forward has amassed 25 points in his last two games and would be an exciting pick against bottom-of-the-table Burnley. They have conceded 15 goals in their last five Premier League games and are yet to register a win in 2024.
Double Gameweek 28 Top Captain Picks
Dominic Solanke (£7.1m) - Bournemouth
Given the rare opportunity to face two of the league's traditionally weaker sides in back-to-back home games, Solanke's ascendance to the top spot for captaincy this week comes as no surprise.
The England international is among the top-five leading goal-scorers in the Premier League and recently received the award for December Player of the Month. That came after scoring six goals for the club. Dominic Solanke is set to shine once more this Double Gameweek.
Enjoy all six of @domsolanke’s goals in December 👊 pic.twitter.com/isBhnihVwP
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 12, 2024
Bukayo Saka (£9.2m) - Arsenal
Arsenal's "Starboy" Saka has been in red-hot form, netting seven goals and providing two assists in his last six Premier League outings. He has amassed a total of 66 points in that period. With his consistent attacking prowess, Bukayo Saka is a top choice for captaincy ahead of the Brentford clash.
GW22 10pts
GW23 9pts
GW24 15pts
GW25 15pts
GW26 10pts
GW27 7pts 🆕Sum up Bukayo Saka's recent form in one word 👇#FPL #SHUARS pic.twitter.com/4H5jroXXGe
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 4, 2024
Top Differentials (<10% Ownership)
Kai Havertz (£7.1m) - Arsenal
Kai Havertz has been in stunning form, bagging three goals and three assists in his last three Premier League matches. Thriving in Mikel Arteta's tactics where he operates as a false nine for Arsenal, the German forward has caught the attention of FPL managers. He could be a nice differential option for the upcoming gameweek.
A man in serious form! 🔥
Kai Havertz is only owned by 2.3% of #FPL managers 🤯 pic.twitter.com/K2rOX6Obaz
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 5, 2024
Rodrigo Muniz (£4.5m) - Fulham
Over his past five Premier League appearances, the Brazilian forward has scored four goals and provided an assist for his club. Muniz currently leads Fulham in total shots taken during this period with 20 attempts on goal, showcasing his attacking intent. With an upcoming fixture against Wolves, Muniz emerges as a promising differential, particularly given his affordable price point of £4.5m.
Managers are taking note of Rodrigo Muniz after four goals in his last four matches ✍
The @FulhamFC forward is a price riser in #FPL 📈 pic.twitter.com/QUTLeDxkvh
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 29, 2024
Honorable mention
Mohammed Kudus (£6.8m) - West Ham United
Despite a slow start since returning from the African Cup of Nations, the Ghanaian international seems poised for a turnaround. Kudus showcased promise in the recent 3-1 victory against Everton, accumulating an xGI of 0.62.
His dribbling threat and ability to exploit weaker oppositions could be pivotal in the upcoming clash against Burnley and I believe Kudus is not too far from getting on the score sheet again.
