A mixed Blank & Double Gameweek 27 saw those FPL managers who put their faith in Burnley assets extremely frustrated come the end of this past Tuesday night. As the only club with two fixtures, not to mention their recent upturn in form, the likes of Wout Weghorst (£6.6m), Nick Pope (€5.4m), James Tarkowski(£4.9m) and Ben Mee (£4.8m) who commanded heavy interest from a fantasy perspective. However, the Clarets failed to keep a clean sheet in both matches, drawing 1-1 away at Crystal Palace before a disappointing 0-2 defeat at home to Leicester which saw Mee subbed off through injury. Weghorst, who had accrued 14 points in Double Gameweek 26, could only manage 3 points this time round.
Those owners of Man Utd attacking assets were also left annoyed as the likes of Bruno Fernandes (£11.7m), Jadon Sancho (£9.0m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m) drew blanks in Man Utd’s 0-0 draw against Watford. However, those who gambled and activated their free hit chip in order to bring in Spurs attacking players were rewarded as Antonio Conte’s side demolished Leeds 0-4 in what turned out to be Marcelo Bielsa’s final game as Whites head coach. Harry Kane (£12.3m) recorded a goal, an assist and 11 FPL points, whilst Heung-Min Son (£10.8m) scored late on to gain 9 points.
All sides who did not feature in Premier League action last weekend return to the fold this time round, whilst once again a number of clubs will benefit from two fixtures. With that in mind, we highlight a few of the most enticing premium captaincy options alongside a differential option.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Mo Salah (£13.2m) vs WHU (H)
After a Carabao Cup enforced FPL absence, Mo Salah (£13.2m) is back following his 28-point haul in Double Gameweek 26 and despite only having one match this time round, is still expected to be by far and away the most captained player in Double Gameweek 28. Salah has racked up 209 fantasy points already this season, the most of any player with a whopping 19 goals and 11 assists to his name.
Liverpool host West Ham on Saturday evening and the Reds will no doubt be gunning for revenge having been beaten by the Hammers in the reverse fixture at London Stadium earlier in the season. With three points imperative to keep the pressure on league leaders Man City, another commanding performance is expected from Jurgen Klopp’s side with Salah at the forefront of that. When also taking into account that penalties fall under his command, Salah’s FPL captaincy credentials speak for themselves.
Harry Kane (£12.3m) vs EVE (H)
Spurs may be in a state of disarray at the moment, but no one can deny the recent form of star forward Harry Kane. Three goals and an assist over the course of the last two gameweeks have seen Kane pick up 26 FPL points across that period and if Spurs are to get back to winning way in Double Gameweek 28 following their embarrassing FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough in midweek, then Kane will likely need to find himself among the goals once again.
Everton make the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this coming Monday night and Frank Lampard’s side have struggled defensively on their travels in recent weeks. The Toffees have conceded five times across their two Premier League away fixtures since Lampard took charge of the club and against an opponent who have proven a lucrative source of goals for him in the past. Kane may prove a shrewd option as an FPL skipper.
Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) vs CRY (H), WAT (H)
After having started from the bench in Wolves’ most recent Premier League match away at West Ham, the expectation is that Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) will come back into the starting line-up for each of Wolves’ attractive home Double Gameweek 28 fixtures. With an attacking return in two of his last three starts for Bruno Lage’s side, his FPL appeal is clear to see.
Wolves entertain both Crystal Palace and Watford across Double Gameweek 28 and a fresh Jimenez is expected to prove a popular transfer in for many FPL managers looking to take advantage of those two fixtures. Since joining the Premier League, Jimenez has always shown himself to be a reliable FPL performer and it would be no surprise if the Mexican was to register a big haul over the course of his next two matches.
DIFFERENTIAL SELECTION
James Ward-Prowse (£6.5m) vs AVL (a), NEW (H)
Double Gameweek 28 provides Southampton with two games as they look to continue their excellent recent form which has seen them win four of their last five in all competitions. A trip to Aston Villa is followed up by a home clash with Newcastle and key to the Saints’ hopes of success is midfield talisman James Ward-Prowse (£6.5m).
Known specifically for his excellent free-kicks, Ward-Prowse is the create hub of this Southampton side and has ten attacking returns to his name in the Premier League this season. His last significant return came away against Tottenham, when two assists helped Ward-Prowse on his way to 11 FPL points in a 2-3 Southampton victory. With an ownership percentage of less than 10%, the 27-year-old may end up as the ideal differential in Double Gameweek 28.