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Welcome to Gameweek 27 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! We have a full slate of midweek fixtures on the back of what has been a busy period for EPL teams. It's always a difficult task to come through midweek gameweeks unscathed.
Liverpool has the opportunity to solidify their title charge with a home game against Newcastle United. With half the league in touching distance of Champions League qualification, every point is crucial at this stage of the season.
The Gameweek 27 deadline for the 2024-25 Fantasy Premier League season is Tuesday, February 25, at 1:00 p.m. EST. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 27 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 27!
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 27?
Euan Leith: While I don’t love what I’m seeing from Chelsea, I’ll back the Blues to shut down Southampton. The Saints will need a miracle to stay up after another defeat.
Jamie Steed: Chelsea's form doesn't lend itself to backing them for much right now. But I do expect them to shut out Southampton at home. The Saints have scored just 10 goals on their travels. Chelsea needs a "get right game," and this fixture is the ideal chance to turn their season around.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I’ll be backing Chelsea to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 27. Despite the Blues conceding 10 goals in their last five matches, the upcoming midweek home tie could change their momentum as Enzo Maresca aims to shut out his next opponent, Southampton.
Ivan Juric’s Southampton are now heading towards relegation (-13 from safety) as they sit in last of the English Premier League, with the worst attack and worst defense statistically.
Perhaps next time you don’t make a player like Dybala into a defensive winger 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/JOF0ybmkvD
— Wayne Girard (@WayneinRome) February 23, 2025
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Euan: Andres Garcia (£4.5m) looked lively against Liverpool last week despite some mental lapses. He also got 20 minutes on Saturday versus Chelsea when Aston Villa launched their comeback. If he gets another start, I like the Spanish defender to bag a return.
Jamie: This is a bit of a deep dive, but I'm picking Diogo Dalot (£5.0m). We've just seen Ipswich Town struggle down their left side with their right winger and right back combining for three of Tottenham Hotspur's goals.
Man, United plays a different system from the Spurs, and Dalot isn't a huge attacking threat. However, his 49 shot-creating actions are the third most among United players. Ipswich averages two goals against on the road, and United will look to take advantage of the Tractor Boys' defensive frailties.
Wale: In Gameweek 26, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.4m) delivered his fifth attacking return against Arsenal, contributing a 0.36 xGI (expected goal involvement). Wan-Bissaka will aim to improve his attacking output against Leicester City this Thursday. He is my go-to defender this week.
Heavily criticised, often unfairly, during his time at Man United, Aaron Wan-Bissaka's attacking game has exploded at West Ham.
Only 1 defender (Ait-Nouri) has completed more dribbles in the League this season.
He gave Calafiori a horrible time yesterday.
Love a turnaround! pic.twitter.com/9keZtz3GL4
— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) February 23, 2025
Best Midfielder or Forward Who Isn't Rostered
Who is rostered in 10 percent of teams or less who can grab those FPL points?
Euan: Evanilson (£5.6m) returned to the bench for Bournemouth, so the clock is about to hit midnight for Dango Ouattara (£5.2m). He’s in 5.7 percent of FPL squads, but can still get the job done in one of his last few dances against Brighton’s backline.
Iraola 'decided not to risk' Evanilson against Wolves with ten men https://t.co/LwI5wY1ZJy
— Bournemouth Echo Sport (@BmthEchoSport) February 23, 2025
Jamie: Injury saw Jarrod Bowen (£7.3m) get dropped en masse and is now on just 3.4 percent of FPL. He's started the Hammers' last three league games and scored in two of them. West Ham hosts a Leicester City side in complete shambles, and the England forward should be able to get his name on the scoresheet again.
Wale: Spurs captain Son Heung-min (£9.7m) has garnered a total of 21 points in his previous three matches for Tottenham, contributing four assists in that timeframe. With 4.7 percent ownership and a favorable home game against Man City’s vulnerable defense, Son is a solid differential option to bank on for Gameweek 27.
Who is a Player You Want But Can’t Get for Gameweek 27 in FPL?
Euan: Marcus Rashford (£6.6m) is looking fantastic in an Aston Villa shirt. I’m not looking for any gambles right now, but I’m keeping my eye on the former England superstar.
Jamie: It seems like every week, I have to replace an injured player. This week was no exception, and it feels like Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) is going to keep haunting me until I can bring him back into the fold. The next couple of games present Mbeumo's best chances for solid returns before a tough run of games.
Goal, assist, clean sheet and maximum bonus points in Gameweek 26 😮
Bryan Mbeumo is an #FPL price riser following Brentford's 4-0 win, find out who else has changed in price ⤵️
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 22, 2025
Wale: Matheus Cunha (£6.9m) has now scored in three consecutive matches for Wolves, amassing 25 points for FPL managers. I’m yet to have the Brazilian international in my FPL team this season.
However, bringing in Cunha could come at a points hit or cause a mild benching headache, which I’m not a fan of. I might have to ignore Cunha for the second run-in and hope he doesn't match up his 16-point haul against Wolves' next opponent, Fulham, as he did in the reverse tie in Gameweek 12.
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Euan: I went for Bryan Mbeumo last week and felt lucky he matched Mohamed Salah (£13.7m). Even though Cole Palmer (£11.1m) is playing Southampton, I’m not going against the Egyptian King again.
2️⃣5️⃣ goals
1️⃣6️⃣ assistsIs this the best version of Mohamed Salah we've ever seen? pic.twitter.com/7H4XNbTjii
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2025
Jamie: I can't quite bring myself to remove the armband from Mo Salah. However, I'm on the brink of going rogue and captaining Cole Palmer. Although he's only got one attacking return in his last five games, Palmer has the perfect fixture to get back into FPL manager's good books.
Southampton has played seven league games in 2025. They've conceded 22 goals in those games. Chelsea won the reverse fixture 5-1 and it wouldn't come as a surprise if the hosts score a few more against the side rooted to the foot of the table.
Wale: Rinse and Repeat—Mohamed Salah! The Egyptian King is only 15 points shy of hitting the 300 FPL point mark and will be my perma-captain until blank gameweek 29.
What’s Your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 27?
Euan: The Cinderella stories of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth continue to crumble as both teams lose. Meanwhile, Aston Villa grabs another win and finds themselves in the Champions League spot for the first time in a while.
Jamie: Liverpool and Newcastle go back in time to 1996 as the Reds win a thriller 4-3. Despite the scoreline, Salah only provides one attacking return. Mitoma Kaoru (£6.4) outscores Salah as he makes it three consecutive games with a goal.
Most progressive carries in the Premier League this season...
• Kaoru Mitoma: 114
• Dejan Kulusevski: 113
• Noni Madueke: 110
• Jérémy Doku: 106Mitoma's speed and ability to change direction make him a dangerous dribbler for Fabian Hürzeler's Brighton team. 🇯🇵🔵#BHAFC pic.twitter.com/77KtlTTGAR
— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) February 22, 2025
Wale: I anticipate a large number of goals to be scored this midweek. That will result in six or more goals being scored in the Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa and Spurs vs. Man City fixtures combined.
Regarding FPL returns, Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.4m) gets a double-digit haul against Aston Villa in the Tuesday fixture. On Wednesday, Andre Onana (£5.0m) shuts out Ipswich and earns his eighth clean sheet of the season.
Stick around for more 2024-25 Fantasy Premier League content coming soon. Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
