By Caroly Kipkoech
With four teams playing twice in Double Gameweek 25 (DGW25) and four teams not playing at all in Blank Gameweek 26 (BGW26), fantasy managers have to make the best decisions to garner maximum points to compete in their respective FPL leagues.
Most managers usually view the striking department as the most lucrative in terms of returns and thus, ahead of this DGW25, most managers are planning to invest in the best forwards.
FPL experts are providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the DGW25 whose deadline is on Saturday 17th February at 14:00 EAT.
Eleven of the best players have been chosen for DGW25. Nine of them have two fixtures.
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 (GW25)
FORMATION: 4-4-2
GOALKEEPER: Mark Flekken (Brentford)
Although his chances of a clean sheet against league leaders Liverpool and Guardiola’s City look slim, the Bees’ goalkeeper can still enjoy a successful DGW25. Flekken has made numerous saves in his last two appearances – including 12 stops against Man City as recently as Gameweek 23 – to earn five points from saves alone.
DEFENDER: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The centre-back offers managers a rotation-free route into the Liverpool defence against Brentford and Luton. Van Dijk boasts a major threat at set-pieces for the Reds.
DEFENDER: William Saliba (Arsenal) – 6 Points
The Gunners’ Frenchman visits Turf Moor after an impressive performance and a goal against West Ham. Saliba has two goals and seven clean sheets, making him a key member of Mikel Arteta’s backline.
DEFENDER: Alfie Doughty (Luton)
The Luton full-back has the potential to offer big returns against Manchester United and Liverpool. Doughty has produced one goal and six assists in his last nine fixtures, making him a threat to any opposition despite his position.
DEFENDER: Nathan Ake (Man City) – 2 Points
The Dutchman has improved his attacking threat this season when compared to the last one. That can be seen in the number of shots in the box he has had per 90 minutes this season when compared to last. With Josko Gvardiol sidelined for two to three weeks due to injury, this increases Ake’s expected minutes for the Double Game week as well.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) -2 points
Despite being used as a substitute in two of the last four gameweeks, Man City’s talisman has delivered attacking returns in all four matches since returning from injury. The Belgian is also a strong candidate for the captaincy at home to both the Blues and Brentford.
MID: Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – 4 Points
With concerns over the fitness and availability of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota has proven to be the best alternative amongst most managers, The Portuguese has so far been transferred in by around 20% of managers ahead of this GW which makes him the most popular Liverpool player for this DGW.
MID: Phil Foden (Man City) – 5 Points
The England prospect is Man City’s top-scoring player in home matches this campaign, earning many of his FPL points at the Etihad Stadium. This includes a hat-trick away to Brentford in GW 23 helped him scoop a high figure of 20 points.
MID: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) -8 Points
His record at home this campaign makes the Magpies winger a standout pick among players with just a single fixture in DGW25.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Man City) – CAPTAIN CHOICE – 20 Points
The Norwegian’s two goals against Everton last weekend have taken his ownership to over 70% for DGW25. Haaland produced a masterclass in the reverse fixture against Chelsea and that should be given more emphasis, as it’s more recent. He only got an assist in last week’s fixture against Brentford but that was his first start post-injury. Known for his physicality and aerial prowess, Haaland will surely be a nightmare to Chelsea and Brentford.
FWD: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s Uruguayan has failed to impress just once in his last six appearances, scoring four goals and supplying two assists. Nunez’s 20 shots, 14 shots in the box, five big chances, and 10 shots on target are all team-leading totals in the Reds’ four matches in the absence of Salah. At the moment the Uruguayan is playing some sublime football in a Liverpool shirt making him a must-have for most managers.
