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Gameweek 25 largely separated Fantasy Premier League managers into two categories – those who had Sergio Aguero as their captain and those who didn’t.
Despite blanking against Everton, the Argentine delivered in a big way with a hat-trick at home to Arsenal as Manchester City enjoyed back-to-back wins, boosting their bid to defend the Premier League title.
Transfers ahead of GW26 must be made while keeping in mind that Aguero, along with every other City and Chelsea asset, have no fixtures in GW27.
The two sides face each other this weekend before blanking in the next round. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester United should be comfortable on their travels to Huddersfield and Fulham respectively.
Tottenham on the other hand host Leicester City and Bournemouth are welcomed by league leaders Liverpool at Anfield.
Here are a few tips ahead of GW26.
CAPTAIN – MOHAMED SALAH | LIVERPOOL | 13.6M
Salah has blanked in successive weeks for the first time since GW8 and he has looked a little tame over the last couple of rounds.
Even though he bagged double-figure hauls against Brighton and Crystal Palace, he’s only managed 12 shots in 2019. Liverpool as a team have struggled to create opportunities for the Egyptian but that should change at home to Bournemouth.
The Cherries have a tendency to get picked off away to top six opposition, losing 3-1, 5-0 and 4-1 at City, Spurs and United this season. The Reds even thumped them 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season with Salah bagging a hat-trick.
After disappointing draws to Leicester and West Ham, the Merseyside outfit will be desperate for three points and their talisman will likely play a big part in any potential victory.
ALTERNATIVES
PAUL POGBA (8.6m) has been on a hot streak for a while and simply refuses to cool off. He’s delivered attacking returns in seven of the last eight GWs. With four goals and six assists in that time, who would bet against him making an impact against a flimsy Fulham defence on Saturday?
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (11.2m) struggled against City but Huddersfield away is a completely different proposition. The Gabon international will hope to replicate his recent exploits against fellow relegation strugglers Cardiff City and Fulham when he bagged two goals and two assists.
SON HEUNG-MIN (8.7m) has stepped up to the plate in the absence of Dele Alli and Harry Kane. His two crucial goals against Watford and Newcastle have put Spurs right back in the title race. You never know which Leicester will turn up these days but if they give Son a chance – in this form – he will make them pay.
TWO TO WATCH
RAUL JIMENEZ | WOLVES | 6.7M
As far as in-form strikers in the league go, Raul Jimenez is the one giving Marcus Rashford a run for his money. The Wolves frontman has delivered in each of his last three outings, scoring three goals and assisting one. Newcastle travel to the Molineux this weekend and can offer some resistance but Wolves have scored seven in their last two home games. Given his form, price and fixtures, Jimenez is a solid option.
JAMES WARD-PROWSE | SOUTHAMPTON | 5.1M
New manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken highly of James Ward-Prowse of late and the player’s confidence is telling. Since GW20, the midfielder has created 20 chances, more than any other Southampton player. He’s scored in three of his last four games, is proving to be a real danger from set-pieces and faces Cardiff City at home next.
TWO TO AVOID
EDEN HAZARD | CHELSEA | 10.9M
At long last, Eden Hazard finally came good, scoring 15 points during Chelsea’s 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge. So naturally it’s time to drop the Belgian. Despite that win, the Blues are still guilty of some patchy form and face City next before blanking in GW27. Tottenham then pay them a visit in GW28. It’s worth ditching the playmaker over this period and bringing him back in for GW29 and beyond rather than have nearly 11m contribute little to your team for three GWs.
Eden Hazard
DAVID BROOKS | BOURNEMOUTH | 5.1M
An ankle injury means David Brooks may only return to face Wolves in GW27. With Arsenal and City to face back-to-back beyond that, it may be prudent to get rid of the young Welshman in favour of other budget midfielders like Diogo Jota, Joao Moutinho and Ward-Prowse.
