Game week 27 had its mixed emotions with many who dropped Bruno Fernandes(£11.5m) for the Manchester Derby regretting as he notched double digits to enter 200 points in 2020/21.
The upcoming game week ramps up the crunch feeling as this is the final set of fixtures before blank Gameweek 29, so transfer plans and strategies must be geared around preparing for this decimated round of games.
Desperate to gain ground on your competitors despite the lean game week 29 ahead? First advice is to load up on Arsenal and Tottenham players who square up in the North London Derby before a game each in GW29.
Ahead of the Game week 28 deadline at 18:30 GMT on Friday, Football Castle brings the best differentials and captaincy picks with an eye on next week.
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m)
The Aston Villa man is facing a Newcastle side who are winless in any of their last four matches, without their three main attacking players.
With an eye on GW29’s fixture against Tottenham, the goalkeeper’s saves potential promises bonus points even against stronger opponents when he concedes. The Argentine is the highest-scoring goalkeeper on FPL with 149 points.
Alphonse Areola(£4.5m) has been a pillar behind Fulham’s resurgent defence which has kept five clean sheets in the last seven, conceding only twice. Although the Cottagers face Man City then Leeds after going within a point out of the drop zone, they would be sure to keep the scoreline low having also kept a clean sheet at Anfield.
Areola himself would be confident of adding to his 24 points in the last five game weeks.
Defenders
Two sides lacking confidence and desperate for a win meet when Southampton host Brighton. Lewis Dunk(£4.9m) had his freekick controversially ruled out against West Brom and would be looking forward to FPL points in a winnable game. Dan Burn(£4.2m) is also a key attacking threat who can secure points at both ends against Southampton and depleted Newcastle.
Midfielders
Mason Mount(£7.0m) has scored three of his five goals in his last five starts as he excels in Thomas Tuchel’s attack. Chelsea’s highest points scorer (114 points) was rested against Everton and is set to feature for the entirety against rampant Leeds, being suspended for the second leg of their Champions league Last 16 with Atlético Madrid next week.
Mount is also the blues’ highest chances creator and was immense in his 24 minutes against Everton, he faces a good run of fixtures immediately after a blank GW29 and offers recovery potential for points dropped in the void.
Forwards
Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) is another in-form striker who offers a cheap differential option.
The Nigeria international has two goals from his last two league matches and should continue to partner a goal-shy Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) in attack.
Richarlison (£8.0m)
The Brazilian has 32 points from four goals in his last five games since moving central, he comes up against Burnley looking to continue his run having assisted Everton’s goal in the reverse fixture.
Captain picks
Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m)
The Algerian has produced a goal or assist in five of his last six matches and having been taken off 60 minutes into his 18-point showing against Southampton, he should be in the starting lineup at Fulham.
Needless to say, Mahrez’s skillset is perfect for a stubborn defence as Fulham’s. The away side are 3.35 to score twice.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang(£11.4m) Has four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in his last two home derbies, making the Arsenal talisman a prime pick for GW28. Aubameyang has recorded four goals in his last three starts since moving back to centre-forward and is an early pick ahead of another fixture in GW29. Arsenal are 2.55 to beat Spurs.
Harry Kane(£11.3m)
The Tottenham man is on 11 goals and an assist in 12 games against Arsenal (just two blanks) and also faces Aston Villa in blank GW 29. Kane and Heung-Min Son(£9.6m) have now combined for the most goals in a season (14) and would be looking to extend the record with 11 games to go. Kane is 2.52 to score against Arsenal.
Gareth Bale (£9.4m) is in red-hot form and a captaincy pick for these exciting fixtures having netted a brace alongside Kane against Crystal Palace. It is now 39 points in the last four games for Bale and another Derby worldie is on the cards, the Welshman is duly on 7.11 odds to score first in the Derby.
