FPL Gameweek 28 - Fixtures, Transfer and Captaincy Tips

Welcome to the FPL Gameweek 28 Full90FPL preview! 

Apologies for the radio silence earlier – it’s been a hectic week – but we’re back with a mega preview. 

In this piece, I’ll cover the key fixtures, who to buy, who to sell, and captaincy – all in one. 

We’re now just a few weeks away from the Gameweek 31 blank, which puts us on rails: the meta strategy is to dead-end into 31 and wildcard in 32. 

That can feel a bit dull, but there’s a wealth of midfield options to spice things up – especially if you want to go a little differential. 

Let’s dive in!

The Calendar

Let’s start by looking at the FPL calendar- I find this a really helpful way to plan ahead, especially with so much happening. 

Right now, we’re heading into Gameweek 28, a single Gameweek. But next week, Gameweek 29 is midweek, followed by an FA Cup weekend. That means we’ll have about a week and a half between Gameweek 29 and Gameweek 30. Then you’ll see the small blank in Gameweek 31, and beyond that, the potential doubles and blanks, all hinging on the FA Cup outcomes. 

So, keep this timeline in mind as you navigate your transfers and chips!

FPL Gameweek 28 – Fixture Focus

As per usual, we take a look at the next five fixtures and identify the teams with the best attacking and defensive runs using the data from our own fixture ticker

FPL Gameweek 28 – Best Attacking Fixtures

Liverpool

We’ll kick off with Liverpool, then. Ekitike and Wirtz are the obvious standout picks when we’re eyeing this team for attacking options. Wirtz is a slight injury doubt as I write this, having pulled out of the matchday squad at the last minute in Gameweek 27. So, buy him with caution—but I still think he’s absolutely fantastic and genuinely one of the top picks in the game. It’s strange he’s not in more teams.

Ekitike, on the other hand, I’m less excited about. Joe and I have both been fairly down on him – partly because we reckon he’s a bit of a minutes risk with Gakpo able to play and partly because of the price. We saw that in Gameweek 23 when he only had 30 minutes. He’s been good, but for 9 million, he feels a bit pricey for what you’re getting. That said, West Ham at home and Wolves away in the next two are cracking fixtures and if he bagged a brace in each, I wouldn’t be shocked.

If Wirtz is injured, I’ve no issue with a bit of a punt on Dominik Szoboszlai as well. He’s featured at right-back quite a bit this season, and I wouldn’t say there’s zero chance of that happening again. But if Wirtz is out, he should slot into that number 10 role. He’s really solid, on set pieces, and can occasionally chip in with defensive contributions too.

Liverpool’s fixtures really stand out as well on our algorithm – it’s worth saying they’re much better than what any other sides have. That said, I don’t actually have any Liverpool assets, and I’m not overly worried – I just don’t think there are that many truly outstanding options.

Bournemouth

Onto Bournemouth, then. The first name that pops to mind is Tavernier. He’s only just back from injury and only managed 10 minutes last game. I’m not too confident he’ll get the full 90 this week, so I’d likely steer clear unless something brilliant comes out of the pressers  – especially given the short turnaround between Gameweeks 28 and 29. We might see something like 45 or 60 minutes in one game and 90 in the next – and we don’t like that. We like full 90s here at full90fpl.com.

The only other intriguing one is Rayan. He’s more of a vibes pick – we’ve only got four Gameweeks of data. He looks fantastic, and the underlying numbers are decent – around 0.5 xGI per 90, which is great. Fixtures are good. I just don’t think I could trust it – if you’ve got more nerve than I do, fine.

I’ve got Evanilson, who’s been incredibly disappointing these last four or five weeks. I’ll hold him because the fixtures are decent, but I wouldn’t advise anyone to go there. I don’t even think he took a shot against West Ham—or Wolves, actually, which is poor. Do I expect a shot against these other poor sides he’s about to face? Maybe, but he’s not leaving—no obvious move to shift him.

Brentford

At Brentford, we’ve got three standout picks. First up is Thiago, no surprises there. You’re probably well aware he’s smashing it, one of the top forwards in the game. You might have seen people talk about his one return in the last six Gameweeks, but I’m not fussed. He’s had tough fixtures – Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, all solid defensively. He even returned against Newcastle. Now he’s facing Burnley, Wolves, Leeds – matches where he can, let’s say, confidently return and he’s on pens. Plus, 32% ownership overall – at my rank, more like 40–45%. So, covering yourself makes sense.

The other two are much lower-owned. Kevin Schade is 1.2% owned, costs £6.9 million. He’s in my team, and I’m not thrilled he played 45 minutes last week. But earlier this season, he had a 20-point return – he’s got that explosive potential, plus the odd 6 or 7. That’s why he’s here. I’m hoping for a spike in these next four Gameweeks – because I’m on a bit of a template right now, so I want that punt.

If you prefer, Dango Ouattara is £5.9 million (which is a big saving, especially if that lets you fund, say, a Virgil van Dijk move). Honestly, the underlying stats between Dango and Schade aren’t that different. Dango’s got four double-digit returns this season, but plenty of one-pointers. I do think Schade is slightly better. But is he worth the extra million? I’m not sure. Honestly, I wish I’d gone Dango – then I’d be able to get Van Dijk myself.

Aston Villa

At Aston Villa, it’s basically the same duo we’ve considered all season. First up, Ollie Watkins – solid Premier League pedigree, we know he’s good. But at £8.6 million, it’s a fair chunk to spend on a forward when many of us don’t have that kind of space. His xGI per 90 is 0.49, mostly xG, which is good, but he’s not doing that wild assist thing he did a couple of years back – no “hockey assists.” Honestly, I’d probably pass as I think there are better options.

Then there’s Morgan Rogers, who drives me up the wall – his underlying numbers are bang average, 0.3 xGI per 90, just fine. But he keeps defying that – overperforming his xG by 3 and his xA by 2. He just keeps doing it. I’ve probably got to accept that’s who he is. I heard on an Athletic pod that PL teams are scoring more from outside the box these days—part tactics, part variance and Rogers is the guy Villa pick for those shots. He even said it’s intentional in an interview. So, he’s got that in him. He’s about 32% owned, and likely more at higher ranks, so not a bad one to cover yourself with either.

Brighton

Brighton is a tough one. I can’t find anyone I genuinely like. Minteh isn’t playing 90 anymore. Georginio Rutter, same deal. Mitoma plays a lot but has been isolated out wide and isn’t delivering returns. That basically leaves Welbeck and I don’t trust him to play 180 minutes across two close Gameweeks. He’s older and never been a guy that plays every week in his entire Premier League career. The Gameweek 29 fixture is against Arsenal – if you can bench him, fine, but there are simply better options.

FPL Gameweek 28 – Best Defensive Fixtures

Liverpool

When it comes to Liverpool’s defence, the standout pick is Virgil. There’s really no one else – Kerkez is unreliable for minutes, and Frimpong is constantly injured, with Szoboszlai filling in at right-back. So, it’s basically Virgil. If you can’t stretch to him and need to save around £0.6 million, I don’t mind a punt on Ibrahima Konaté. He plays 90 pretty much every week, and his defensive contribution returns are solid – though, occasionally he doesn’t start. If you’re planning to wildcard out in a few weeks, it’s low risk. Of course, Virgil is the better pick – he can get you attacking returns. That said, he’s not Gabriel; he’s not bagging five goals a season. Last time he did that was 2019.

Aston Villa

At Aston Villa, I reckon Cash is the standout option. He had a little niggle recently, but now he’s back fit. He’s not sensational for attacking returns, but 0.14 per 90 isn’t bad for a defender. He’s got it in his locker, and I’ve always liked Matty Cash. Their defence is solid and one of the better ones in the league. So if you’re after a higher-upside, lower-owned defensive punt, he’s not a bad shout.

Konsa’s super cheap at £4.4 million, but in modern FPL, where defensive contributions matter, he’s useless at them—only twice this season, about six per 90. I just wouldn’t bother. I’d punt on someone else entirely.

Bournemouth

At Bournemouth, we’re looking at Senesi, Truffert, and Hill. Hill’s actually the better pick now – £4.1 million, super cheap, plays every week, and racks up defensive contributions almost every Gameweek- only missed them twice in the last 10. That’s fantastic.

Senesi is still good, solid defensive contributions all season, but you’re paying £0.8 million more which just doesn’t feel worth it now.

Truffert is a bit like Cash – a potentially high-upside punt. But his attacking returns are even rarer than Cash’s. I hoped for more at the season’s start, but he hasn’t delivered. Still, if you’re after a clean sheet plus a tiny shot at upside, he’s fine but honestly, I’d just go Hill.

Brentford

At Brentford, it’s tricky. Nathan Collins seems out of favour. Keane Lewis-Potter has had his moments but hasn’t consistently started, and he’s only looked good because of playing out of position. Honestly, the best move is probably to ignore their defence entirely.

Fulham

At Fulham, I think most know I favour Joachim Andersen. He’s been strong on defensive contributions all season. He’s only got one attacking return – an assist – so don’t expect massive spikes. But in the next four, he could easily keep clean sheets in all of them – three are at home, which is great. He’s the guy I’m eyeing since I can’t afford Van Dijk, and I need a defender with better fixtures. So, he’s definitely one to consider.

FPL Gameweek 28 – Transfer Tips

I have covered a lot of the good picks above. But, let’s look at should I buy/sell for some others.

Should I Buy?

Long-time readers know the drill. 

But for anyone new…

I will look at the most-bought players in FPL ahead of gameweek 26 that are not mentioned above, give my opinion on whether you should buy them too. 

I try to stay objective and not just recommend my team but, of course, it’s my opinion. 

Nico O’Reilly – At £5 million, he seems a bargain after 30 points in two weeks. But I’m always nervous about City players – he only played 45 minutes six weeks ago, and that risk is real. He doesn’t play in Gameweek 31 either, but for £5 million in a top defence (while not playing defensively), I don’t hate it.

Semenyo – Same blank Gameweek 31 problem as O’Reilly. He’s 52% owned overall, and I regret selling him. Fewer chances at City, but higher quality, and he’s clinical. Personally, I’d go for Wirtz, Bruno Fernandes, or Mbeumo instead, to avoid the blank.

Harry Wilson – Fulham’s fixtures are good, as I mentioned with Andersen. He’s been great this season, though overperforming. He can score from outside the box. I don’t mind it, but I don’t love it this week – playing Spurs, and I think Spurs are better than they appear.

Bryan Mbeumo – I don’t think the fixtures are fantastic for him, but he keeps playing as a sort of out-of-position striker. The manager clearly rates him, so I quite like him as a pick.

João Pedro – I would 100% avoid him; I’d actually sell if I owned him. The fixtures are awful now, and his recent returns came in great fixtures. He’s a penalty merchant historically, and while he’s better this season, I don’t back him in bad fixtures.

Bruno Fernandes – If you don’t own him, you should. He’s fantastic – set pieces, attacking returns, always plays 90. He’s brilliant.

Viktor Gyökeres – I wouldn’t buy him. They blank in Gameweek 31, he doesn’t play 90 every week, and with the tight turnaround between Gameweeks 28 and 29, I don’t expect him to play both.

Raúl Jiménez – I like him. I don’t love this fixture (home to Spurs), but as a differential, he’s good. Underlying numbers are great—0.49 xG per 90, more than Ollie Watkins, and he’s only £6.1 million.

Should I Sell?

And, in the reverse: here I am looking at some of the most sold players ahead of FPL Gameweek 28 and giving my opinion on whether you should sell.

Enzo Fernandez, Trevoh Chalobah, João Pedro, Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer – Basically any Chelsea asset, I’d sell them. Their fixtures have turned massively—they had an easy run and now it’s really tough. Just sell them all.

Bruno Guimarães – He’s out injured with a hamstring injury, so he’ll be out for a while. Just move him on.

Florian Wirtz – I wouldn’t sell him. I’d wait to hear the press conference news. Keep hold and see.

Marc Guéhi – I definitely wouldn’t sell. I’d hold him until at least Gameweek 31. If you got him at £4.5 million at the start of the season, try to keep him—he’s so cheap for a Man City defender.

Erling Haaland’s Captaincy Corner

Erling Haaland – The reason this is called Erling Haaland’s captaincy corner is because he’s the most obvious captain every week—and that’s still true. Leeds away is a great fixture. Man City are fantastic going forward, and Haaland is the best striker in modern Premier League history—let’s not be silly about it.

Bruno Fernandes – Crystal Palace are pretty poor defensively and constantly tired. Man United are fresh—no European or cup football. So, he’s a decent shout outside Haaland.

Otherwise, I don’t fancy anyone else—especially with Arsenal and Chelsea playing each other.

That’s It.

Good luck everyone. As always, come and talk to us on our social media of choice Reddit.