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Welcome to Gameweek 27, RotoBallers! This season, we are expanding our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, if you are a seasoned veteran, or a rookie navigating your first campaign, we will set you right as we look to acquire those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
After a bumper Gameweek containing 14 matches, we come crashing back down to Earth with just nine games this week. Top teams Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all sit out this week due to the EFL Cup final while Burnley are the only team to have a double Gameweek. Things get underway on Friday with Southampton hosting Norwich City. The kick-off in that game is at 3 pm Eastern so lineups lock at 1.30 pm Eastern. Be sure to get your lineups set!
Also, be sure to check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 27
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers - Euan Leith, Jamie Steed, Brandon Wampler, and Phil Goyette - will answer questions each Gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 27!
How did Gameweek 26 work out for you and were you able to make the most of the additional games?
- Euan Leith: Yes, I used the Triple Captain chip on a certain Mo Salah, and he carried me to a massive haul.
- Brandon Wampler: It went great thanks to the heavy carry by Salah.
- Jamie Steed: Not how I planned! After using the Wildcard and making nine transfers, partly due to a multitude of injuries, only six of my outfield started their games at the weekend and my goalkeeper went off injured. If it wasn't for Salah and his 56 points haul as my captain, I'd have been in dire straights. Instead, I salvaged 113 points.
We’re going from a 14 match Gameweek to a nine-match Gameweek that is missing Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. How are you attacking this week’s games?
- Euan Leith: I’m activating my first Free Hit chip of the season. Loading up with three Manchester City players, a couple of Burnley Double-Gameweekers, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane from Tottenham, then contemplating between some Southampton and Manchester United options.
- Brandon Wampler: Tottenham will be at the forefront of my team, Leeds United concedes too many goals not to back Tottenham away.
- Jamie Steed: After trying to maximize the 14 games last week, I'm left with a bare 11 players this week so my options are limited. I think I may try and go with an unconventional captain just to try and pivot from the norm.
With three of the top teams in the league not playing this week, which bottom half team are you most advocating rostering players for this week?
- Euan Leith: It’s gross because I was burned when I invested in the Watford DGW, but I’m leaning into Burnley. Nick Pope between the sticks and then I’ll chase the rabbit with Wout Weghorst.
- Brandon Wampler: I will balance it out between Newcastle away and Crystal Palace at home.
- Jamie Steed: As much as I'm not a fan of their play style, Burnley having two games appeals to me. They're entering the weekend on the back of two straight league wins so should be in high spirits. Newcastle is the only other team I'd strongly look at given their recent form and how bad their opponents Brentford have been recently.
Looking ahead, of the six teams that play twice in Gameweek 28, who is one player from that group you are most keen on rostering over the next few weeks?
- Euan Leith: I promise I won’t fence sit here, but I’ll give you my top three options for now. Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United, and Armando Broja from Southampton. I already have Ramsey in the team, so it could save me a FT and do nothing. However, I’m desperate to get Josh King out of my squad. So I’ll be making the sideways (and money-saving) move of King to Broja for Gameweek 28.
- Brandon Wampler: Phillipe Coutinho and Wout Weghorst come to my mind immediately.
- Jamie Steed: James Ward-Prowse is most appealing. He faces Norwich City this week and then Aston Villa and Newcastle in Gameweek 28. He's their set-piece taker, has the ability to score wonderful free-kicks from anywhere and Southampton are one of the form teams in the league.
Who's keeping a clean sheet this week?
- Euan Leith: David de Gea. While Watford have tightened up defensively, they look inept on the offensive end. I don’t trust the Man United defense all that much, but even they can keep Watford off the scoresheet.
- Brandon Wampler: I will be looking at Martin Dubravka and Robert Sanchez this week.
- Jamie Steed: I'm going with Fraser Forster to keep a clean sheet against a Norwich City team that has just seven goals in 12 away games this season, three of which came against Watford.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Joao Cancelo. He’s not only getting a single return, but I’m betting on a goal and an assist. He’s a worthwhile captaincy option.
- Brandon Wampler: Emerson Royal will once again be at the top of my list.
- Jamie Steed: No one really stands out so I'm going to keep with my theme for this week and go with Burnley's Ben Mee. He scored his third of the season on Wednesday and will face the two teams that have conceded more set-piece goals than anyone else this season.
- Euan Leith: The Manchester City midfield is mighty tempting, but I can’t trust the Pep roulette. So it’s Son from Tottenham for me.
- Brandon Wampler: Son will be my top player.
- Jamie Steed: Manchester City players are most appealing, given they have won their last nine league encounters against this weekend's opponents Everton, scoring 26 goals including a 3-0 win earlier this season. Raheem Sterling scored in that one and has ten goals in 22 games (16 starts) in the league this season. I'll give him the nod here.
Who are you transferring in and out this Gameweek?
- Euan Leith: Everyone! That’s the fun of using your free hit chip. If you’re not using that chip though, I am a big fan of getting Broja in as soon as possible for the upcoming stretch.
- Brandon Wampler: I will be transferring a few players out.
- Jamie Steed: I was torn between Josh Brownhill and Wout Weghorst given they have the two games this week. Brownhill for his set-piece taking and Weghorst for his aerial threat considering their opponents' struggles from set-pieces. I ended up going with Weghorst as my midfield is fine without Brownhill.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: Son. Tottenham are inconsistent, but Leeds United allowed six goals on Wednesday, and it arguably should’ve been more. Son is involved anytime Spurs find the back of the net, and it’s a safe bet to assume they’ll do that a few times on Saturday afternoon.
- Brandon Wampler: Son or Kane.
- Jamie Steed: I'm going with Weghorst although I do get the feeling he'll be a popular choice this week.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this week?
- Euan Leith: By the end of Gameweek 28, Burnley is out of the relegation zone and Frank Lampard is already on the hot seat at Everton.
- Brandon Wampler: Watford will beat Manchester United 2-1.
- Jamie Steed: Looking at the fixtures, I feel like it'll be a low-scoring week with goals at a premium. I foresee under 18 goals being scored across the nine games and five of them will be courtesy of defenders.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
