@FPLReaction’s wildcard team reveal for Gameweek 26

Gameweek 25 is now over so we can start looking ahead to the new round. For that reason, we bring in Fantasy Football Scout and Fantasy Football Community contributor @FPLReaction to provide us with a wildcard team reveal for Gameweek 26.

As we approach any given deadline, managers will be scrambling for clarity on some of the biggest decisions in the game like transfers and captaincy. Taking a look at @FPLReaction’s wildcard team reveal for Gameweek 26 could benefit other managers when making those decisions.

Team reveal

Goalkeepers

I have never been one for goalkeeper rotation but the fixture swings between Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizbalaga (£4.7m) and David Raya (£4.8m) until the end of the season are too hard to ignore. Both rotate well around tougher fixtures and both have double Gameweeks ahead.

Defenders

Newcatstle may have a tough fixture next but they have proved that they are one of the best defensive units in the league. Not only do they play in blank Gameweek 28 but they also double immediately after that in Gameweek 29. Kieran Trippier (£6m) and Fabian Schar (£5.1m) both rank amongst the best defenders in the league for expected goal involvement so the double up could work well.

Arsenal do not double or blank but they have great fixtures and play in blank Gameweek 28. Because of this an the fact he has picked up three consecutive returns and tops his defensive teammates for expected goal involvement, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1m) is a lock.

Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan (£4.7m) is in great attacking form and his team also have two double Gameweeks ahead. It is worth monitoring news of his fitness after a recent injury but five assists in his last seven matches is too hard to ignore.

Making sure I have three Brentford assets is key so I have selected the cheap Ethan Pinnock (£4.4m) who helps enable the rest of the team and has lots of fixtures ahead.

Midfielders

Arsenal are facing some of the worst defences in the next several weeks and their penalty taker and in-form Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) is nailed into my wildcard draft. Saka also edges the captaincy for me this week. Another player who is absolutely secure in my team is Marcus Rashford (£7.3m). I would not be leaving any of these players out of my draft.

Leicester also have some good fixtures coming up. They play in Gameweek 28 and double in Gameweek 29. Manger Rogers did state ‘he should be ok’ in terms of James Maddison’s injury (£8.1m). The midfielder is an easy inclusion after bagging 14 goal contributions in 17 matches this season.

Brighton are maintaining some impressive offensive stats and have two double Gameweeks ahead so doubling up with Solly March (£5.1m) who starts and Kaoru Mitoma (£5.3m) who sits first on the bench could be a wise move.

Forwards

Erling Haland (£12.2m) may blank in Gameweek 28 and not double in Gameweek 29 but he has the potential to outscore any double Gameweek player in one fixture. Aston Villa play in Gameweek 28 and double in 29 so their main man Ollie Watkins (£7.3m) eases his way into the team.

Brentford’s fixtures indicate that investing in their attack is an obvious move. Because of this the standout choice is penalty taker and top performer Ivan Toney (£7.6m).

Important notes

Some players could change but players that will not leave this draft include Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Kieran Trippier and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
I am awaiting confirmation on the injury status of two Brighton players.
I have also been deliberating the inclusion of Cheslea’s Reece James (£5.8m) who I think could do well.
My captaincy is unlikely to change. I believe Bukayo Saka is a better captain option than both Marcus Rashford and Erling Haaland.
Again, there are plenty of players who change from now until the deadline, but I do like this draft a lot.