FPL 2023-24 | Blank Gameweek 26 | Captain Picks
When FPL managers look back at Double Gameweek 25 it will more than likely be seen as one of the most disappointing double gameweeks in recent history. Popular assets such as Diogo Jota (£8.3m) and Darwin Nunez (£7.6m) were forced off the pitch through injury in Liverpool’s opening fixture against Brentford after each accruing one attacking return, ultimately missing the Reds’ second game at home to Luton. They weren’t the only players to miss their second Double Gameweek 26 fixture, with Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) also not selected. Meanwhile, after blanking against Chelsea, FPL managers had to wait until the second-half of Man City’s home clash with Brentford for Erling Haaland (£14.4m) to finally score, the most triple captained player in FPL history on a given gameweek finishing with 10 points across his two appearances.
Darwin and Jota playing half a game in a Double Gameweek is FPL Heritage #FPL #DGW25 #BRELIV #LFC pic.twitter.com/px5scWWqlx
— FPL Heisenberg (@FPL_Heisenberg) February 17, 2024
We move from Double Gameweek 25, to Blank Gameweek 26 and three premium captain picks who have a fixture to play, alongside a differential selection that could prove a crucial point of difference ahead of Saturday’s 13:30 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Erling Haaland (£14.4m) vs BOU (a)
Although it’s not been the most lucrative of returns for Erling Haaland post injury, he is still finding plenty of chances to score and it’s only a matter of time before a haul point-haul falls his way. Having scored the winning goal against Brentford this past Tuesday night, he arrives on the South Coast rejuvenated and confident of going on another scoring streak for a Man City side who need to win with league leaders Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
"Don't criticise him, because he will shut your mouth"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2024
Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland after his decisive goal Brentford pic.twitter.com/OuIQyhuxtl
So far this season, the Norwegian forward boasts 17 Premier League goals, including six assists and 141 FPL points overall. With options limited on Blank Gameweek 26, you’ll struggle to find many fantasy managers who won’t place the armband on Haaland this weekend, especially on the back of his goal in midweek.
Bukayo Saka (£9.1m) vs NEW (H)
One of the most in-form players in the Premier League currently in front of goal, Bukayo Saka has proven a goldmine for FPL bosses in recent weeks when it comes to accumulation of points. The England international heads into Blank Gameweek 26 having recorded consecutive 15-point-hauls, bagging braces against both West Ham and Burnley. In-fact, Saka has now racked up a whopping 49 fantasy points across the last four gameweeks, including three double-figure hauls.
Haaland was the lowest scoring player in the FPL template front three this week
— Crate Digger (@FPLCrateDigger) February 20, 2024
Meanwhile Saka outscored Jota, Foden and KDB combined
In the history of DGW traps, this one was definitely up there with the trappiest
Arsenal host Newcastle in Blank Gameweek 26 and do so following their 1-0 defeat away at Porto in the Champions League. They’ll be aiming to take their frustrations out on the Magpies, who haven’t kept a clean sheet since all the way back in Gameweek 17, a run of eight Premier League fixtures. This bodes well for those who opt to name FPL-listed midfielder Saka as their skipper.
Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) vs NFO (H)
When it comes to forwards, there arguably isn’t any asset more reliable than Ollie Watkins this season. With an eye-catching 161 fantasy points this campaign as it stands, the Aston Villa striker is currently outscoring Haaland from an FPL perspective despite having scored four less goals. However, Watkins has accrued more attacking returns than the Man City star as a whole, with 13 goals and 14 assists to his name following 25 gameweeks.
Be honest, did you stick with Ollie Watkins for Gameweek 25? #FPL pic.twitter.com/dZZwOGboPU
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 17, 2024
Watkins comes into Blank Gameweek 26 on the back of a brace and 13 FPL points against Fulham, his second double-figure return in the last three gameweeks, the other being an 18-point-score in Gameweek 24, which came following a goal and three assists away at Sheffield Utd in a 0-5 Aston Villa win. Those who captain Watkins will be hoping for a similar outcome at home to Nottingham Forest.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Pedro Neto (£5.7m) vs SHU (H)
One of the most attractive budget-priced midfield assets before a significant hamstring injury saw him miss Gameweeks 11-19, Pedro Neto is back in action and firmly back among the attacking returns for Wolves. Despite only appearing in 16 gameweeks, Neto has accumulated 11 assists, two goals and 80 FPL points. We can only assume that number would be significantly higher had the Portuguese winger featured in every league match this season.
Hwang and Neto on FPL Twitter this week. pic.twitter.com/MnWeYftOFh
— Pras (@Pras_fpl) February 20, 2024
Wolves host a doomed Sheffield Utd side in Blank Gameweek 26 whom they’ll be expected to dispatch of fairly comfortably. If ever there was a specific club to target, Sheffield Utd is probably that team right now, having shipped 65 Premier League goals already. Anyone searching for a differential captain should consider Neto, who over his last four league games, has four attacking returns and 24 fantasy points to his name.
