Logo

Logo

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 28

The stakes in FPL keep getting raised and one can’t afford to slip at this crucial juncture of the season!

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 28

(L-R) Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane (Photos: Facebook, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and AFP)

After a break of two weeks, the Premier League is sent to get fans on the edge of their seats once again as the weekend nears, but it means more work for the denizens of its virtual counterpart—the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

For a lot has happened in the past few weeks as star players have had a falling-out with their respective managers while the European fixtures have seen some players return to form while others have gone and got themselves injured.

Must read: 5 talking points from Sevilla vs Manchester United

With so much happening, it can get overwhelming as you try to stay abreast, but The Statesman has your back with a incisive article ahead of Gameweek 28 to ensure your hard-earned money reaps the kind of reward you’re looking for:

Advertisement

The indicators are:

Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.

Prices (in £ million) marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.

Goalkeepers

Kasper Schmeichel

Team: Leicester City
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Bournemouth (H), West Brom (A), N/A, and Brighton (A)
Price: 5.0
Score: 101
Ownership: 5.0%

Why yes: Despite recent losses, the Foxes remain one of the Premier League’s most improved sides this season and against a Stoke side that has struggled to score of late, should be able to register a shutout. Schmeichel doesn’t get the credit he deserves and is a safe option, especially with the kind of opponents that they have ahead.

Why no: Leicester do not have a fixture Gameweek 31 and Schmeichel isn’t the cheapest option in the goalkeepers department for sure.

Defenders

Toby Alderweireld

Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Huddersfield (H), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (H) and Chelsea (A)
Price: 5.8
Score: 38
Ownership: 4.6%

Why yes: After a lengthy lay-off due to a hamstring injury, Alderweireld is fit again and Spurs are set to be benefit from the Belgian. Arguably the best defender in the Premier League, the 28-year-old is a safe bet as the Lilywhites have some decent fixtures ahead. Spurs are among the few sides that have not had their fixtures rescheduled.

Why no: Perhaps unsurprisingly, is on the expensive side. The likes of Ben Davies (£5.6 m) and Kieran Trippier (£5.2 m) are more cost-effective options that are more likely to register assists/goals.

Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Premier League, Fantasy Premier League
Alderweireld greatly improves Spurs’ defence! (Photo: Tottenham Hotspur F.C.)

 

Matthew Lowton

Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Everton (H), West Ham (A), N/A and West Brom (A)
Price: 4.3
Score: 59
Ownership: 2.4%

Why yes: Can Burnley stop their slump? Nothing is certain, but against a struggling Southampton side at home, Sean Dyche’s men have the perfect opportunity to get their campaign back on track. Lowton, like the rest of his teammates, stared in the early part of the season and with favourable ties ahead, is thrifty pick at the back.

Why no: There’s no telling whether the Clarets can truly turn things around and with relegation not really a concern, the players might lose motivation as the season nears its conclusion. Without the injured James Tarkowski, their defence isn’t as tight.

Premier League, Fantasy Premier League, Gameweek 8, Burnley FC, Mathew Lowton
Lowton isn’t fussy, but he will get the job done (Photo: Premier League)

 

Midfielders

Sadio Mane

Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: West Ham (H), Newcastle (H), Man United (A), Watford (H) and Crystal Palace (A)
Price: 9.3
Score: 91
Ownership: 7.4%

Why yes: Mane returned to form with a stunning hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League and expect the Senegalese to. Compared to Mohamed Salah (£10.4 m), Mane’s a considerably cheaper option with massive differential potential. David Moyes’ West Ham have been inconsistent of late, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been anything but. Barring the Man United game, the Reds have pretty straightforward ties ahead and look favourites to clinch second spot.

Why no: Salah is still a safer bet than the Senegalese and should you already have the Egyptian and/or Roberto Firmino (£9.2 m) up top, it’s best to steer clear of Mane.

Sadio Mane, Liverpool F.C., Premier League, Fantasy Premier League
Mane was on fire in the Champions League! (Photo: AFP)

 

Jordon Ibe

Team: Bournemouth
Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Leicester (A), Spurs (H), West Brom (H) and Watford (A)
Price: 4.9
Score: 67
Ownership: 2.1%

Why yes: The first wildcard pick of the gameweek, Ibe has been quietly impressive of late. The former Liverpool winger looks well-settled at Bournemouth and Eddie Howe’s getting the best out of him. The Cherries, in decent shape at the moment despite a recent loss, have largely routine fixtures lined up. A bargain fourth/fifth-choice midfielder at the very least. Bournemouth play in Gameweek 31.

Why no: With Callum Wilson (£6.0 m) banging in the goals up top, a majority of FPL managers will flock towards the forward and will be sceptical about picking Ibe as well.

Forwards

Sam Vokes

Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Everton (H), West Ham (A), N/A and West Brom (A)

Price: 5.7
Score: 48
Ownership: 1.9%

Why yes: The second wildcard pick of the gameweek, Sam Vokes stands a good chance of finding the back of the net against a struggling Southampton side at Turf Moor. Upcoming games are relatively routine.

Why no: Burnley’s recent travails are well-documented as it is and the Clarets do not have a fixture in Gameweek 31.

Troy Deeney

Team: Watford
Fixtures: Everton (H), West Brom (H), Arsenal (A), Liverpool (A) and Bournemouth (H)
Price: 6.3
Score: 43
Ownership: 0.4%

Why yes: Against all odds, Deeney has been starting most matches for the Hornets and considering he’s their penalty-taker, is odds-on to find the back of the net against Everton.

Why no: Watford’s next fixtures are far from routine and one might be better served by going for Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.4 m) in midfield.

Troy Deeney, Watford F.C., Premier League, Fantasy Premier League
Troy Deeney (L) can be handful for defences! (Photo: AFP)

 

PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/5 pm IST.

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 27

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 26

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 25

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 24

Advertisement