FPL Gameweek 27 Preview – Upcoming Blank Confirmed!

In this FPL Gameweek 27 Preview we will do our usual top talking points, fixture tickers, should I buy/sell, captaincy corner and my moves. We will also focus in on the upcoming blank gameweek!

Top Talking Points

Blank Gameweek 29 Confirmed!

Thanks to the results from the FA Cup mid-week, we now know that gameweek 29 will only have four games:

• Burnley v.s. Brentford
• Fulham v.s. Spurs
• Luton v.s. Nottingham Forest
• West Ham v.s. Aston Villa

How to Navigate the Blank Gameweek

There’s basically three ways to navigate the blank.

The first, and simplest, way is to play your free hit. That’s certainly my plan as currently I only have five players that play in 29 and three free transfers. That get’s me eight players (nine with a hit) and I would need to focus on bringing in players that play for the teams above. That’s fine, but I just don’t want to limit myself. Particularly as I want to get Salah in my team as soon as possible (fitness pending).

The downside is that you use your free hit. That means you can’t use it later for another double or blank gameweek. The thing is, this is the biggest blank of the year so you probably won’t need it for a blank. I also still have my second wildcard so I will try to set myself up for the later doubles with that.

The second way to navigate the blank is to use your transfers to set up for the blank. Now, if you use your transfers you don’t need to get 11 players out. Nine or ten would do. But, you probably want to aim for that. There is probably limited upside from the players that you would look to buy so taking too many hits isn’t advisable. On the other hand, a lot of other people will be in a similar situation to yourself so a -4 is fine.

The third way to navigate it is to use your wildcard. In terms of wildcarding, I don’t advise it just because I think its better to wait until we know the doubles in a few weeks. It feels to me like there is higher upside with this. Particularly as the teams that blank will in 29 will double later, you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where it’s hard to get them.

Fixture Tickers

This is a regular stalwart of our pieces throughout the year. We will look at which teams have the best fixtures over the next five gameweeks to help you plan your transfers. The difference this week is we will do two – one if you are free hitting in 29 and one if not.

Teams in capitals are home fixtures and teams in lowercase are away fixtures.

Ahead of FPL Gameweek 27 the fixture tickers are looking like this.

Defensive Fixture Ticker – No Free Hit

It’s looking tough here. Let’s start with Bournemouth because it’s interesting. Their fixtures are so good that the blank doesn’t matter. Senesi is probably the best pick at the back but, frankly, none of their defensive assets are incredible.

As for the 29 players, Doughty from Luton is a fun pick. They don’t keep many clean sheets at Luton but this guy loves crosses. As for Spurs, you know the guys already Porro or Udogie are fun if they are fit.

Honourable mention for Pau at Villa. Not great fixtures but a great team.

I don’t really fancy any of the other defences. But, all defenders are crap at the moment so relax.

 Attacking Fixture Ticker – No Free Hit

Similar to the defence, the attack is dominated by teams that don’t blank. Similarly, Bournemouth appear and most players, like myself, are desperately hoping that Solanke is fit.

Going team by team now, at Luton both Adebayo and Morris are cheap as chips. Both have proven they can score. Even though they play for one of the worst teams in the league, Luton are not the worst team.

As for Forest, I like Awoniyi. He’s been out injured for a long time but before he was smashing it.

For spurs, its Son and Maddison – the Sons of Spurs (Richarlison is out). Its probably in that order for me too. Son is clearly the best, Rich is the cheapest and Maddo is the most likely to get assists (and less points than goals). Son is by far and a way the best but I don’t mind Maddo.

I don’t really like anyone at Fulham.

Honourable mention here for Toney. He is a great player that can score in any game, so I really don’t mind getting him in regardless of fixtures. Similarly, Bowen at West Ham is excellent as is Watkins at Villa.

 Defensive Fixture Ticker – Free Hit

I covered Bournemouth, Luton, Fulham and Spurs above.

And Chelsea’s defence sucks… So, I’d ignore the fixtures for defence at the moment.

Attacking Fixture Ticker – Free Hit

 It’s almost exactly the same!

Again, I covered Bournemouth, Luton, Fulham and Spurs above.

The only other player to talk about then is Palmer. I ended up keeping him because I had other things to do. And, I’m pretty happy about it. He’s definitely their best asset.

 Should I Buy

In this section, we will look to answer the most basic question. Should I buy this player ahead of FPL gameweek 27? For this section, I am assuming you are free hitting because we covered all the 29 players above.

Solanke – No. We don’t know if he is fit so you may as well wait a week.

Son – Yes. Love him, love the fixtures.

Douglas Luiz – I’m not a huge fan. He has 9 goals from an xG of 6.3 (including 3 goals off about 1.2xG in the last 4 gameweeks). Having said that, I can see why people have bought him in ahead of the blank because he isn’t awful. I’m just not blown away and feel like you can make a better transfer.

Saka – Yes. Great player, great team, great fixtures.

Bowen – Yes. Talismanic and can always deliver.

Watkins – Yes, great player regardless of fixtures.

Salah – No. He’s not fit.

Senesi – Yeah, worth a punt for the next few weeks.

Foden – Yeah, I think he’s probably the second-best city asset. Particularly as Grealish is injured he is more nailed now. Be ready for the inevitable benching soon though.

Morris – Yeah, he’s pretty good for the price and has a double.

Luis Diaz – He’s fine but not a priority for me.

Should I Sell

In this section, we will look to answer the other basic question. Should I sell this player ahead of FPL gameweek 27? Again, I am assuming you are free hitting because we covered all the 29 players above.

De Bruyne – I can’t blame you for selling him. I am tempted too. BUT, he is fit now and United suck and let up soooo many shots. He could bang this week.

Jota, Hojlund – Yes. Long-term injury.

Estupinian – Yep, fine to sell. Hate this guy and his 1 pointers now.

Salah – I’d just hold him if you have him now. Think he will be back soon.

Solanke – I’d hold and hope he is fit for next week.

Toney – Fixtures are tough in the short-term. Happy to sell.

Trippier – Newcastle defence is a mess at the moment. Happy to sell.

Garnacho – This must be part of a double move or a serious upgrade so fine to sell.

Palmer – No. You held him through the bad fixtures, I’d hold him now for the good ones.

Captaincy Corner

I think probably the best thing is to captain Haaland forever. Saka is the differential against Sheffield if you’re feeling brave.

 James’ Move

I’m on a little red arrow so hoping for better from gameweek 27. I am hoping that Solanke is fit so I can ignore him. I only have one transfer and I am currently thinking of moving Estupinian to Gabriel. It feels like I am just bringing in 4 points straightaway but the ceiling is obviously low.

 That’s it!

Good luck in FPL Gameweek 27! Fingers crossed the FPL gods have a good week for you.