If you’re in a rush and need some last-minute Fantasy Premier League (FPL) advice, here’s a quick round-up of what you need to know about Gameweek 26.
WHEN’S THE FPL GAMEWEEK 26 DEADLINE?
Not long from now. Because of the early match, all transfers and team selections need to be done by 18:30 GMT on Friday 21 February.
ASSISTANT MANAGER: WHAT TO DO?
Double Gameweek 25 was the first ever time that over three million FPL chips were active at the same moment. Two million of these were the new Assistant Manager option, meaning they’ll still be active for this weekend.
Therefore a large chunk of the FPL community has a big decision to make. Whether it’s stayed on Arne Slot or – like seven of The Great and The Good – moved from David Moyes to Unai Emery, choosing to stick or twist is difficult.
Zophar asks if it’s worth using a transfer on someone you’ll only have for one or two more Gameweeks – especially if points are spent.
Furthermore, should it go to a ‘safe’ manager like Mikel Arteta or excitedly chase a table bonus? We’ve analysed this season’s 151 occasions where such extra points could have been achieved.
GAKPO IS A DOUBT
Meanwhile, around 2.6 million Cody Gakpo (£7.6m) owners were disappointed to see him miss both parts of Double Gameweek 25. Press conference quotes from Slot suggest he mightn’t recover from the ankle issue by Sunday, causing at least 675,000 sales.
“Let’s see, let’s see. I hope, I’m not 100% sure. Because we will train… he hasn’t trained with the team yet, maybe he does a bit today – I don’t know. It will be a close call.” – Arne Slot on whether Gakpo will return this weekend
This, combined with Iliman Ndiaye‘s (£5.5m) injury and Joao Pedro‘s (£5.4m) bench demotion, has led to many forwards being bought in recent days.
We’ve looked at some replacements, like Omar Marmoush (£7.1m), Matheus Cunha (£6.8m), Yoane Wissa (£6.3m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.3m).
BUT AMAD’S SEASON IS OVER
Yet the most-sold asset heading into Gameweek 26 appears to be Amad Diallo (£5.5m). The cheap Manchester United attacking midfielder looks set to miss the rest of 2024/25 because of an ankle injury.
“Amad is out, for sure, I think until the end of the season. Amad was alone [when he got injured]. He was doing a tackle. The feet were stuck in the grass.” – Ruben Amorim on Amad
Over 800,000 have reluctantly ditched the Ivorian, who would’ve been useful for Blank Gameweek 29 when the Red Devils travel to Leicester City.
Lateriser covers all three of these issues in his latest piece and likes Dango Ouattara (£5.1m) and Christopher Nkunku (£5.7m) as possible replacements.
BEST FPL GAMEWEEK 26 CAPTAIN
With Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) away at Manchester City, a slightly under-par Cole Palmer (£11.1m) visiting Aston Villa and Alexander Isak (£9.5m) against Nottingham Forest’s resolute defence, some managers will see this as a good time to pick a maverick captain that can fire them up the rankings.
Although Salah is ultimately the recommended armband recipient of Captain Sensible and Rate My Team (RMT), they were close calls.
Hibbo’s article very nearly opted for Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) instead, with Isak third-best.
The algorithm places Palmer and Martin Odegaard (£8.2m) joint-second.
TEAM REVEALS
SCOUT PICKS + DIFFERENTIALS
Our weekly selection – which is essentially a Free Hit in all but name – doubles up on the promising Arsenal, Brighton and Bournemouth fixtures.
It has Kevin Schade (£5.1m) on the bench and the German is also named in our trio of differential picks. He scored last week’s winner and, in November’s reverse meeting with Leicester, bagged a hat-trick and assist for 23 points. Only one player has delivered more in a single match.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
We’ve predicted the starting XIs of all 20 Premier League teams.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck with FPL Gameweek 26!
