Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 26 in the Premier League
The first piece of silverware for English sides might be up for grabs this weekend but there is still almost a full schedule of Premier League fixtures for fantasy football users to sink their teeth into. The fixtures have been examined and the WhoScored tipster has come up with some tips for you all to consider ahead of gameweek 26 in the Premier League.
DIEGO COSTA (CHELSEA)
It’s fair to say Diego Costa has endured a rollercoaster ride of a season thus far. His blistering form in front of goal has all but landed Chelsea the Premier League title for the second time in three seasons, while also coinciding with a reported blockbuster move to China and an apparent falling out with manager Antonio Conte.
At one point as recently as the start of this month it even looked like the goals had run dry for the Chelsea striker. A run of four matches without scoring was his longest run without a goal all season and, worryingly, he failed to register a shot on target in games against Arsenal and Burnley before breaking his duck against Wolves in the FA Cup at the weekend.
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With his 16th goal of the season under his belt, Costa will now be chomping at the bit to get at his most favoured opponents as a Chelsea player this weekend when Conte’s side resume their title charge at home to Swansea. Costa has scored seven goals in four matches against the Welsh outfit in his career, at least three more goals than he has managed against any other side since joining Chelsea.
HARRY MAGUIRE (HULL)
The 23-year-old may not be a player Hull supporters can chant about for much longer but he is certainly one they should cherish until the end of the season. The hulking centre back looks destined for a high profile summer move after making a real impact in the Premier League this season and his performances at the back will play a big part in whether Hull will be in the Premier League next season.
Rampaging runs through the middle have been a fixture of Harry Maguire’s performances and his ability to tear through opponents, taking two or three players out of the game single handedly, can prove a real weapon for Marco Silva’s side as they look to steer clear of the bottom three.
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Maguire has two assists to his name, while only James Milner (27) has had more shots of all defenders in the Premier League this season, proving he is a threat in every area of the pitch.
Hull will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face Burnley this weekend, a side that have been formidable at home but abysmal on the road. They have taken a staggering 29 of their 30 points at home this season, losing 10 of their 11 away games.
JONNY EVANS (WEST BROM)
Tony Pulis has done a wonderful job at West Brom and that has largely been courtesy of some savvy dealings in the transfer market. No doubt one of their best signings has been the arrival of Jonny Evans from Manchester United after Louis van Gaal deemed him surplus to requirements in 2015.
Evans has had his injury problems along the way but he has firmly cemented himself as West Brom’s best defender and the Baggies are far better with the Northern Ireland international in the team. The 29-year-old marked his return to first-team action after more than a month out in West Brom’s last ditch 2-2 draw with West Ham in which he provided the assist - albeit from a shot - for Gareth McAuley to score in injury time after coming on in the second half.
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With Evans in the starting XI West Brom have won 41.2% of their league matches this season and West Brom score more goals (1.41) and concede fewer per game (1.12) with Evans starting compared to when he does not (1.25 & 1.50 respectively). Pulis’ side will be confident of cementing their place in the top half of the table when they welcome a struggling Bournemouth side this weekend. The Cherries have lost six of their last seven away matches and haven’t won a game in 2017.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (EVERTON)
Ronald Koeman was disappointed with Everton’s recruitment at the start of the season but the Toffees look to have made some shrewd signings last month. Morgan Schneiderlin was the high profile arrival from Manchester United, while Everton also won the race to land sought after England U20 international Ademola Lookman.
The 19-year-old was signed for the future but has perhaps already been thrust into first-team action quicker than expected. The speedy teenager scored four minutes into his debut against Manchester City and has featured in every match since then, providing a real threat from wide areas to complement Romelu Lukaku and pull defenders away to create space for the Belgian.
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Lookman has revealed Koeman has given him the belief to thrive at Everton, which is shown by the fact he averages 2.2 shots per game and averages 1.6 dribbles per game. A pass success rate of 89.5% is also phenomenal given the position he plays and his age.
The former Charlton forward should be looking to repay the faith shown in him when they face Sunderland this weekend. The Black Cats have only won one of their last 10 matches in all competitions and were battered 6-2 in this corresponding fixture last season.
