Last updated on February 25th, 2022
By Matthew Petersen @Matt_Petersen13
Double Gameweeks always come with a little bit of intrigue and DGW26 was no different. Liverpool were the big winners as they ran out aggregate 9-1 winners over Norwich (3-1) and Leeds (6-0) respectively. Arsenal ensured they have the final top 4 spot firmly in their hands with wins over Brentford and Wolves. Spurs had the chance to capitalise on a brilliant opportunity to get back into top 4 contention after they upset league leaders Man City at the Etihad, before losing 1-0 to Burnley in their second game. Man United and Chelsea picked up important wins too as sides around them continue to do well in what will likely be an exciting battle for the top 4 spots. On the FPL side, this DGW saw plenty of managers utilising their chips, with the Triple Captain proving the most popular. This was always likely to be a high-scoring GW and that was proven with an average of 79 points. With the season entering its final stretch, things are hotting up.
Gameweek 26 top 3 performers:
1. Mohamed Salah – 28 points (10 points vs Norwich; 18 points vs Leeds))
2. Sadio Mane – 26 points (7 points vs Norwich; 19 points vs Leeds)
3. Ben Mee – 21 points (6 points vs Brighton; 15 points vs Spurs)
Let’s take a look at the top picks for this week, reviewing their GW26 performance and previewing their GW27 points potential, based on recent form and favourable fixtures.
1. Wout Weghorst – £6.5m (F)R); 5.3% ownership
GW26 review – 15 points (13 points vs Brighton; 2 points vs Spurs)
GW27 preview – Crystal Palace (A); Leicester (H)
Weghorst came in as a replacement for Chris Wood (£5.9m) who moved to Newcastle but he’s stepped up really well. The big Dutchman has one goal and two assists in five games, including a 13-point haul against Brighton. He’s added some much-needed prowess to a lackluster attack and will take his chances this DGW against two sides who are prone to conceding.
2. Bernardo Silva – £7.3m (MID); 19.5% ownership
GW26 review – 5 points (90 minutes: one assist)
GW27 preview – Everton (A)
Bernardo Silva has been a mainstay and the only City midfielder who can claim the crown of beating Pep Roulette. He’s played in every game since GW2 and has seven goals and five assists so far this season. City face an Everton side whose form has not improved massively since Lampard’s arrival and City need to bounce back from last week’s harrowing defeat to Spurs. Expect goals in this game.
3. Nick Pope – £5.4m (GK); 4.2% ownership
GW26 review – 13 points (7 vs Brighton; 6 vs Spurs)
GW27 preview – Crystal Palace (A); Leicester (H)
Nick Pope has been instrumental to Burnley’s defence for the past three seasons and this season is no different. A very underrated FPL asset, Pope has picked up seven clean sheets as Burnley continue to play catch up with their fixtures. As mentioned with Weghorst, they have DGW so expect Pope to see a lot of action and pick up plenty of save points this week.
4. Harry Kane – £12.2m (FOR); 13.2% ownership
GW26 review – 15 points (13 vs Man City; 2 vs Burnley)
GW27 preview – Leeds (A)
Despite Spurs’ struggles, Harry Kane is approaching top form again and he’s capable of turning Spurs’ fortunes around. He has seven goals and two assists this season and was brilliant against Man City and faces a Leeds side who have been really poor defensively. Combined with the fact that Spurs need a result to get back into top 4 contention means they could run riot and Kane will be focal to that.
5. James Ward-Prowse – £6.5m (MID); 6.2% ownership
GW26 review – 4 points (90 minutes, clean sheet, 1BPS)
GW27 preview – Norwich (H)
James Ward-Prowse warrants a selection for his set-piece ability alone and will fancy his chances against a Norwich side who are really shaky defensively. Southampton have been on a decent run lately and Ward-Prowse has six goals and four assists already this season and will want to add to that this week
6. Craig Dawson – £4.9m (DEF); 1.1% ownership
GW26 review – 9 points (90 minutes, one goal, 2BPS)
GW27 preview – Wolves (H)
West Ham are still firmly in the battle for the top 4 and need to return to winning ways after salvaging draws in consecutive weeks against Leicester and Newcastle, both down to Craig Dawson’s goals. The defender has found a starting spot in the team lately and will be key to keeping Wolves out on the other end of the pitch as both sides push to get back to winning ways.
*Prices and ownership statistics correct as of 25 February 2022*
To see the picks of last week, click the link below:
