FPL Blank and Double Gameweek 27 was somewhat of a unique occasion, with Burnley having two fixtures and a number of teams not playing due to the Carabao Cup final. However, Southampton dominated on Friday night against Norwich, winning 2-0. This was followed up the following lunchtime by Spurs handing Leeds another thrashing, this time by four goals to nil with both Harry Kane (£12.3m) and Heung-Min Son (£10.8m) getting on the scoresheet. This led to Marcelo Bielsa’s departure from the Whites, ending what has been a hugely successful reign in charge in Leeds which saw the Argentinian turn a mid-table Championship side, into a Premier League team who never once dropped into the bottom three under his command. It’s a harsh game this football management lark!
Elsewhere, Man Utd were held to a 0-0 draw by Watford, whilst neighbours Man City triumphed 0-1 away at Everton through a Phil Foden (£7.9m) goal. West Ham recorded a second successive Premier League clean sheet with a 1-0 win over Wolves in Sunday’s only Premier League fixture. Burnley however, suffered a hugely disappointing Double Gameweek, gaining just a point from their two fixtures after a 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace was followed up by a 0-2 defeat against Leicester, in which forward Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) marked his return from injury with a goal and assist off the bench for the Foxes.
More than just one Premier League club has the benefit of two fixtures in Double Gameweek 28 and we assess those teams who appear the most attractive from an FPL point of view, not to mention the players that could wind up the recipients of significant point-hauls.
DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 28 FIXTURES
Saturday 5th March
Leicester vs Leeds (12:30)
Aston Villa vs Southampton (15:00)
Burnley vs Chelsea (15:00)
Newcastle vs Brighton (15:00)
Norwich vs Brentford (15:00)
Wolves vs Crystal Palace (15:00)
Liverpool vs West Ham (17:30)
Sunday 6th March
Watford vs Arsenal (14:00)
Man City vs Man Utd (16:30)
Monday 7th March
Spurs vs Everton (20:00)
Thursday 10th March
Norwich vs Chelsea (19:30)
Southampton vs Newcastle (19:30)
Wolves vs Watford (19:30)
Leeds vs Aston Villa (19:45)
MARSCHING ON TOGETHER!
Leeds acted fast following the removal of Bielsa, appointing former RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig head coach Jesse Marsch as their new boss. Marsch’s first job may be to stem the flood of goals leaked by the White in recent weeks, however the American has garnered a reputation not for how his sides defend, but for how they attack.
With that in mind, shrewd FPL managers will be considering putting their faith in Leeds offensive assets heading into Double Gameweek 28, which sees them travel to Leicester, before hosting Aston Villa five days later. The likes of Raphinha (£6.5m) and Daniel James (£6.0m) will likely come under the spotlight, whilst many will be keeping a close eye on whether ultra-cheap forward Joe Gelhardt (£4.6m) is afforded a start under Marsch in the absence of Patrick Bamford (£7.7m).
SAINTS STARTING TO WARD-BROWSE THE TOP EIGHT!
It’s now five games unbeaten for Southampton with successive 2-0 wins in the Premier League under their belt. They currently sit ninth-place in the table and still harbour slim hopes of finishing inside the European places. Another pair of wins in their two Double Gameweek 28 fixtures would really set the cat among the pigeons with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side taking on Aston Villa away, before a home clash with Newcastle.
Although he failed to register an attacking return at home to Norwich, forward Armando Broja (£5.5m) is likely to prove a popular FPL pickup due to his cheap price-tag, although strike partner Che Adams (£6.9m) is the man in form having registered three goals, one assist and 27 FPL points across his last four league appearances. Free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse (£6.5m) has the potential to record goals and/or assists, whilst full-back Tino Livramento (£4.4m) offers multiple avenues towards fantasy points whether it be through clean sheets, bonus points or attacking returns.
WOLVES LOOMING LAGE!
Currently sat five points above Southampton are Wolves, who aiming to bounce back following two narrow defeats at the hands of Arsenal and West Ham. However, that is unlikely to prevent FPL managers from targeting players from Bruno Lage’s squad ahead of two home matches in Double Gameweek 28, with both Crystal Palace and Watford visiting Molineux.
Arguably the most popular asset will be striker Raul Jimenez (£7.5m). After being rested against West Ham, the expectation is that the Mexican international will start in both Wolves’ Double Gameweek 28 fixtures. However, when considering the defensive stability of Lage’s side across the season so far, the likes of goalkeeper Jose Sa (£5.3m), full back Rayan Ait Nouri (£4.4m) and centre-back Conor Coady (£4.8m) should all court interest.
