By Caroly Kipkoech
After an exciting double gameweek 25, there is a blank gameweek ahead as Tottenham, Chelsea, Luton, and Liverpool do not play in gameweek (BGW 26) of Fantasy Premier League. This gameweek may be a difficult one to navigate since a lot of managers have assets from Chelsea, Tottenham, and league leaders Liverpool. As GW 26 nears have a look at some of the hot tips to consider.
Fantasy managers have to make the best decisions to reap big, making them competitive in their respective leagues. FPL experts are providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the BGW 26 whose deadline is on Saturday 24th February at 16:30 EAT.
Eleven of the best players have been chosen for BGW 26.
Best FPL team ahead of blank gameweek 26
Formation: 3:4:3
GOALKEEPER: Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
The Portuguese goalkeeper has stepped up his output recently, claiming two of his three clean sheets this season in the last six Premier League games. Sa can deliver another mouthwatering display at the Molineaux to a Sheffield United side who have failed to score in two of their last three matches, which is a worrying trend. Wolves enter this game with two wins in their last four games.
DEF: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ defence is rock solid at the moment with the Brazilian being a key part of Arteta’s squad. With three goals and three clean sheets in the last eight matches, Gabriel has proven to be a key asset to managers due to his contributions on both sides of the pitch. FPL managers will be looking up to him as Arsenal entertain the Magpies on Saturday evening.
DEF: Alex Moreno (Aston Villa)
Experts are backing the Aston Villa defender heavily as Villa face Nottingham Forest at Villa Park. Nottingham Forest have had a tough run of games having one only one out of their five games. The Spaniard has found the net two times in the last seven games. The wing back has proven to be a formidable part of the Villa squad contributing to attacks by providing assists and key passes.
DEF: Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa boast of a wonderful defensive record with six clean sheets this season. Two of those have come in the last six gameweeks. With the Villans struggling with injuries at the heart of their defence, Cash has started most of the games. He has been one of the most attacking defenders in the game and he ranks top with big chances on goal, furthermore, he is set-piece specialist. Aston Villa will be hosting Nottingham Forest.
MID: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The Arsenal sensation is in fine form having produced three double-figure hauls in his last four appearances. During that time the Arsenal’s main man has scored six goals, two of them he scored from the spot kick. This performance makes him a must-have for most managers given that the Gunners will be entertaining a Newcastle side which have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight fixtures.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Belgian playmaker saw himself rested in a midweek fixture against Brentford, which means he is tipped to start in the weekend fixture against the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium. The City star has an impressive record since returning from injury, scoring once and providing four assists in his last five appearances. Pep Guardiola’s side will lock horns with Bournemouth who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six premier league matches.
MID: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
A visit to Bournemouth gives the English talent a chance to end a disappointing run of fixtures, after blanking for three consecutive games making a lot of managers lose faith in the youngster. Foden has scored four of his eight goals this season in his last three away appearances, including a hat-trick and a career-high 20 points against Brentford. Foden has been a key figure in the Citizen’s squad with most of his points coming from fixtures away from the Etihad.
MID: Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Hwang Hee-chan was in the form of his life before departing Wolves to join South Korea at the Asia Cup. Last gameweek, Hwang came back into the team for Wolves’ victory over Spurs, playing 87 minutes in his first start of 2024. With fellow striker Matheus Cunha in the sidelines injured, the weight of the goal-scoring burden lies largely with the South Korean, and as such he is taking up plenty of central positions as the main striker for Gary O’Neill’s side. Hwang is also the top scoring Wolves player in home matches scoring 58 FPL points, thanks to six goals and an assist.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – CAPTAIN CHOICE
The Citizens point man has two goals and one assist in four game weeks, since returning into action from injury. To add on that, a lot of managers have confidence that the Norwegian will have maximum returns hence leading the captaincy choice. Haaland has averaged seven points per match since returning from injury in GW23, making him the highest owned player in FPL at 75% ownership,
FWD: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
The English man remains the top performing forward this season, with his name among the top scorers and top creators with 27-goal involvements this campaign. He has proven to be a key asset for most managers with four goals and three assists in the last four fixtures. Watkins will be facing a Nottingham Forest side who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven fixtures on the road.
FWD: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Tomas Frank’s Brentford visit the Hammers, a side that has conceded fourteen goals in their previous six fixtures. It is a good time to face West Ham since Brentford’s key man has four goals and one assist to his name in the last five fixtures.
