Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 27 in the Premier League
There is a full quota of fixtures in the Premier League in Gameweek 27 following Manchester United’s EFL Cup triumph over Southampton last weekend and the WhoScored tipster has selected some players that should certainly come into the reckoning for your fantasy football teams before Saturday’s deadline.
RAHEEM STERLING (MANCHESTER CITY)
Despite only 203 minutes of Premier League action under his belt, Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending injury led many to believe Manchester City’s campaign was also over. Gone were their chances of catching Chelsea, which they never stood a chance of doing anyway, while the likelihood of them finishing in the top four had also diminished.
Since then, however, City have scored 10 goals in their last two matches and everything looks to be coming together in the attacking third for Pep Guardiola’s side. In fact, City are unbeaten in eight matches and have won six of those as they turn up the heat in the business end of the season.
Leroy Sane is one of those to have played an integral part in their resurgence, but so too has Raheem Sterling. The England international’s ability, or inability, to win penalties has been the main focus of his game in recent weeks but his performances have actually been immense.
Head to the match preview for detailed team news and probable lineups
The 22-year-old has scored or assisted seven goals in his last six matches in all competitions, including a brace of assists in City’s 5-1 win over Huddersfield in their FA Cup replay on Wednesday night.
City travel to league strugglers Sunderland this weekend as Guardiola’s side look to consolidate their place in the top four. Sterling has played a direct hand in five goals in his last four matches against the Black Cats and should add to that tally on Sunday. Finally, this is also a double gameweek for City, who face Southampton in a re-arranged schedule next Wednesday.
CHRISTIAN FUCHS (LEICESTER)
Leicester’s stunning 3-1 win over Liverpool certainly raised eyebrows following a series of meek performances in the build up to Claudio Ranieri’s sacking. Whether you agree with it or not, the Leicester players have to kick on if they want to ensure they are not the first defending English top-flight champions to be relegated in nearly 80 years.
Victory on Monday night lifted the defending Premier League champions out of the bottom three and up into 15th to elevate some of the pressure on the dressing room. They will now be bidding to make it successive league wins for first time since April when they entertain relegation rivals Hull on Saturday.
Head to the match preview for detailed team news and probable lineups
The Tigers have enjoyed a resurgence under new boss Marco Silva but they are still struggling on the road. Hull still haven’t won away from home in the Premier League since August and have failed to score in eight of their last nine league matches away from the KC Stadium.
It’s because of Hull’s struggles on their travels that you should look to invest in a Leicester defender. No Leicester player has registered more assists in the Premier League this season than Fuchs (3), who set up Jamie Vardy for Leicester’s final goal against Liverpool last time out. While defensive points should be assured this weekend, Fuchs also offers opportunities for bonus points in attack.
JUAN MATA (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Juan Mata’s Manchester United obituary had already been written as soon as Jose Mourinho was confirmed as the club’s new manager back in May last year. Just as Mourinho had discarded the Spaniard at Chelsea, the same was expected at Old Trafford before the season had started.
A transfer to Merseyside was tipped, while a return to Spain was also on the cards. However, Mourinho has always insisted it was never in the script for Mata to leave the club and he has since established himself as a key player in United’s revival.
The 28-year-old has divided opinion among United fans in the past but has been an undisputed star this season and the balance he brings on the right hand side also helps bring the best out of Antonio Valencia, who has arguably been United’s most consistent performer. Mata wasn’t able to showcase his best abilities against Southampton in the EFL Cup final last weekend and was rightly taken off at half time to counter the threat Saints were posing from out wide but the reception of Bournemouth, who he scored against earlier in the season, should see him shine.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (15) has scored more goals in league this season for United than Mata (6), while Bournemouth are the only Premier League side without a win in the league in 2017. The Cherries’ slide should continue this weekend.
GARETH MCAULEY (WEST BROM)
Ibrahimovic has fairly hogged all of the headlines when it has come to players excelling in the twilight of their career, but there should also be an honourable mention for 37-year old Gareth McAuley.
West Brom have the chance to tighten their grip on eighth place further when they host league strugglers Crystal Palace. A win would extend their lead over West Ham to 10 points and with the Hammers due to face league leaders Chelsea on Monday, there is a real chance they will all but secure eighth in the season this weekend.
Head to the match preview for detailed team news and probable lineups
In order to overcome Palace, Tony Pulis’ side may turn to an unlikely scorer. McAuley has netted in back-to-back games to take his tally to six for the league campaign, a feat that no central defender can claim to better across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
When you consider the Baggies have not only scored the most goals from set pieces (16), but Palace have also conceded the most from deadball situations (16) then McAuley has a real chance to continue his fine form in front of goal.
Incredibly, the Baggies have scored with 42% of their shots that have tested the opposition goalkeeper. They are the most efficient team in the Premier League this season in front of goal and McAuley and co. could heap further misery on Palace this weekend.
