Summary of The Blank GW26 Preview Thread

Fellow FPL Manager,

Today’s email summarizes The Blank GW26 Preview Thread, answering the key questions going into the gameweek.

Don’t forget to vote in the captain poll at the end of the email. As expected, just about everyone and their mother Triple Captained Haaland last week. While he is the standout pick again this week, there might be a great differential captain option.

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Q) Who are the best Jota & Darwin replacements? Is a Wolves mid the best option? How does Hwang compare to Neto?

Hwang is the best Jota replacement. The best Darwin replacement is whichever one of Watkins or Solanke you don’t own.

Hwang is classified as a mid but plays up-front. Great run of fixtures coming up including Sheffield this week, who have conceded the highest number of goals at this stage of the season than any other side in history. Wolves expected to score 2+ goals. Huge ceiling.

Hwang is preferred to Neto. Both have similar stats but Hwang is a bigger goal threat and has a chance of being on penalties.

Replacing Darwin is simple, buy whichever one of Watkins or Solanke you don’t own. Villa have great fixtures (including a guaranteed game in blank GW29) and Bournemouth have a double GW28.

Q) Should we take hits to field a playing 11 this week? How many hits/players are optimal? WC an option?

Taking a hit or two is better than wildcarding this week.

Consider taking a hit this week if it allows you to field a playing 11 AND sets your team up for the weeks to come.

Liverpool assets are all hard sells. They play only twice in the next 4 GWs with one fixture being Man City.

Hold your wildcard until later. The info gained before GW27 and after the FA Cup results will give us a much better idea of the blanks and doubles to come.

Q) How to navigate the big blank in GW29?

A lot depends on FA Cup results. Assuming no major upsets, a Free Hit in GW29 might be worth it.

Using a FH in GW29 appears to be a low upside week to play the chip, however, I don’t mind using the chip here as I would have to take several hits to set myself up for GW29 and even then I might struggle to field a playing 11.

If there is a cup upset, it could make FH29 tough to justify. For now, focus on the upcoming GW before committing to a specific chip strategy.

Q) Palmer & Richarlison – keep or sell?

Ideally, keep both Palmer and Richarlison.

Palmer will be very useful for those who WC soon since you’ll be setting up for a Bench Boost at the same time. At his price, he’s a good set & forget for the rest of the season.

Richarlison has a great run of fixtures from GW27, including a fixture in blank GW29. A great hold.

If I was forced into selling one to field a playing 11 this week, I would sell Palmer for Hwang – albeit reluctantly.

Q) De Bruyne & Ake – keep or sell?

Keep Ake. Wait for what Pep has to say about KdB.

Pep confirmed that KdB didn’t play due to medical staff advising not to risk him. If we hear anything negative from Pep or in a pre-deadline team leak, consider selling KdB especially if you aren’t in a position to field an 11 without him.

Ake should be back in the starting XI. Keep him.

Q) Toney worth going for?

Toney is not worth going for. Forwards should be Haaland-Watkins-Solanke.

Despite having a guaranteed fixture in GW29, Toney has a tough run of fixtures. Haaland, Watkins, and Solanke are the optimal 3 forwards to own especially from GW27-28.

Q) Who are the best Liverpool defender replacements?

Saliba and Pau Torres are the best Liverpool defender replacements.

Saliba is the best pick if you think you will likely Free Hit in GW29. Arsenal have incredible defensive stats and Saliba is also a goal threat from set pieces.

If you don’t want to commit to a FH yet, Pau Torres is a great pick. Good fixture this week and a guaranteed fixture in GW29. The most nailed Villa defender.

Q) Who will be my GW26 captain?

Haaland will be my captain. Hwang could be a differential captain pick.

Haaland is the sensible choice again.

Q) Estupinan – keep or sell?

Sell Estupinan.

Very hard to predict De Zerbi but it is unlikely he will change a winning formula that worked so well last GW.

If you found this valuable, I would really appreciate you sharing it with friends.

See you in a couple of weeks after the FA Cup fixtures.

Best of luck in blank GW26,

Bakar