FPL top picks for Gameweek 28

Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 28. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.

Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 28 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.

Note: This article was written before Gameweek 27 started. Any changes in terms of injuries will be updated upon its republishing as we draw closer to the Gameweek 28 deadline. Stats will naturally change during the upcoming Gameweek but won’t take anything away from the selections.

Fixtures

Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures. This will help us pick out some of the best options for Gameweek 28.

Goalkeepers – Emi Martinez

Aston Villa rank first on the fixture ticker this week. Although they have conceded some concerning defensive stats as of late, things have been improving. Aston Villa have now managed clean sheets in both of their last two matches.

One of the biggest factors in the appeal of their backline is the fact they face one of the worst offensive units in the league this week, Bournemouth. In fact this season they rank as the worst team in the league for attempts on goal (212), joint worst for shots in the box (152) and the worst for big chances total (28). Because of this Emi Martinez (£4.9m) could extend his run to three clean sheets on the bounce and that is why he makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Chelsea are another team who have suffered from instability at the back this season. The Blues may have hit a turning point in their season after securing their second clean sheet in a row against Dortmund in their round of 16 Champions League match.

Everton lay ahead for Chelsea in Gameweek 28. The Toffees have been struggling all campaign and find themselves in a relegation battle. Everton also rank the joint worst team in the league for goals scored this season (19) so sticking or investing in Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) could be hugely beneficial.

Aaron Ramsdale

Arsenal have maintained some great defensive stats this season. This indicates that investing in their defence could be a good move. Arsenal have managed to pick up two clean sheets in their last three games and face Crystal Palace in the round ahead.

In the last six matches Crystal Palace have shown some concerning offensive stats, In fact they rank joint second worst for goals scored (three), the worst for attempts on goal (41), the worst for shots in the box (32) and the worst for shots on target (nine). This could give Aaron Ramsdale (£4.9m) bags of potential in the new round and that is why he makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Defenders – Ben Chilwell

Chelsea continue to pour out great FPL options this week. The Blues have adjusted their set-up meaning they are now playing with a wing back system. This means that the Chelsea wing backs can advance into some of the most dangerous positions on the pitch.

One of their flying wing backs is none other than Ben Chilwell (£5.8m). The left sided defender has suffered several serious injuries in the past but has now returned to full fitness. Chilwell reflected his potential in Gameweek 26 picking up a 10-point return. He also created both goals in their most recent Champions League matches. Against Everton, he could have massive potential and for that reason makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Reece James

Staying with the Chelsea backline the Everton game could be too good to miss out on. The Toffees may have tightened up but they have still failed to scored score in half of their last six matches. They also rank as the third worst team in the league for shots in the box conceded (60) in the same period.

Although he is expected to miss out due to illness in Gameweek 26, there is a very likely chance Reece James (£5.8m) starts in Gameweek 28. The wing back managed 14 goal contributions in the league last season, making him the joint most dangerous defender in the league alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Kieran Trippier

There will be no surprise to readers with the inclusion of this man. Newcastle reign as the best defence in the league this season , keeping more clean sheets and conceding less goals than any other team in the division.

Kieran Trippier (£6m) sits as the highest scoring defender the league and has produced more crosses, successful crosses, chances and big chances than any other defender in the league this season. He has a great opportunity to continue that with a game against Nottingham Forest in the round ahead. Taking all of this into account he walks into the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arsenal continue their fight for the Premier League trophy this week. Whilst everyone understandably clambers for their attacking assets, it could be worth looking into their defence. This season they rank the joint best for goals conceded (25), second best for clean sheets kept (11) and second best for total attempts conceded (212).

One player who should be considered is Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.2m). The Ukrainian has managed to solidify his position in the starting 11 now. Zinchenko has picked up two attacking returns in his last four matches and also betters his defensive teammates for non penalty expected goal involvement.

Midfielders – Bukayo Saka

In the last six matches Crystal Palace rank the joint second worst team in the league for shots on target conceded (29) and joint third worst for chances conceded down the left flank (26). This highlights Crystal Palace as a team to target.

Amongst all players in the league in the last six games Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) ranks first for attempts on goal (32) and first for shots in the box (23). The winger also takes his teams penalties and has also picked up an impressive four returns in his last six games.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal have been impressive and what is even more appealing about them is their offensive stats. In the last six matches they rank first for goals scored (17), first for attempts on goal (149), first for shots in the box (99) and joint second for shots on target (36).

The Arsenal front line have torn through teams this season so a second Arsenal attacking option could be hugely beneficial. Martin Odegaard (£6.9m) has been instrumental to Arsenal this campaign, The Norwegian ranks second for attempts on goal (28) in the last six matches so could have massive potential against a team who have conceded a lot of shots. Taking all of the above into account, Odegaard makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal have managed to net two or more goals in half of their last 10 Premier League matches which makes them a must in terms of offensive investment. It would have been very difficult to leave out Gabriel Martinelli (£6.5m) this week with his teammates included.

Whilst many chose to dump Martinelli, the Brazilian punished sellers. He picked up two returns in his last three matches including a whopping 26 points in double Gameweek 25. Martinelli, with his two teammates makes up the best six players in the league for non penalty expected goal involvement in the last six matches (3.63).

Miguel Almiron

Nottingham Forest rank amongst the worst five teams in the league in the last six matches for shots in the box conceded (59), total attempts conceded (93) and and big chances conceded (17). Interestingly, they also concede most of their chances down the same flank that our next top pick plays on.

Newcastle have hit a mini-slump recently but after playing Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in the last three, there is no huge surprise. Their opponents are conceding some poor defensive stats and Miguel Almiron (£5.4m) could be key to capitalise on that. The midfielder has already banked 10 goals this season and has a great opportunity to extend that this week.

James Maddison

Leicester face Brentford this week. Although this could be considered as a tough game for the Foxes they have proved they can score goals this season. In fact, in their last six matches they have managed to score between two and four goals in half of them.

One player many should look to is James Maddison (£8.1m). The midfielder has already racked up an impressive 14 goal contributions this season. He also comes up against an opponent who rank amongst the five worst teams for shots conceded outside the box and conveniently no team have scored more goals outside the box this season than Leicester (11).

Pablo Sarabia

Wolves are improving as of late and that is reflected in the fact that they have won half of their last six matches. They come up against a struggling Leeds side who have won just one of their last six. They also rank joint third worst for chances conceded down their left flank (26).

Leeds are conceding some concerning defensive stats down their flanks and one player who could capitalise on that is Pablo Sarabia (£5.5m). The winger has already made a positive impact and managed a 10-point return against Fulham recently. The new signing has a great opportunity this week and for that reason makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa have not failed to score in any of their last six matches whilst also bagging two goals in half of the same games. Their opponents Bournemouth, in the last six matches rank the worst for shots in the box conceded (77), the worst for total attempts conceded (121), the worst for shots on target conceded (35) and the worst for headed attempts conceded (18).

Taking the above into account Ollie Watkins (£7.3m) could be an absolute must going into the new round. The striker has picked up a return in five of his last six matches, racking up a cool 42 points in the process. Bournemouth are a team to target and with the form he is in Watkins eases his way into the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Harry Kane

Tottenham face another struggling team this week. They come up against Southampton who sit rock bottom of the Premier League. Interestingly the Saints rank as the fourth worst team in the league for goals conceded this season (41).

One player who many could struggle to exclude from their teams is Harry Kane (£11.7m). The striker sits as the second highest scoring player in FPL so far this season. Amongst all players in the league so far he also ranks second for goals (18), first for attempts on goal (92) and second for headed attempts on goal (28). Kane could have massive potential this week and because of that makes the top picks for Gameweek 28.

Kai Havertz

Chelsea look like a team on the turn. The Blues recent improvements and tactical change indicate that their assets are becoming increasingly appealing. They face Everton next who are in a relegation fight and also rank second worst team in the last six matches for goals conceded (12) and third worst for shots in the box conceded (60).

Because of the factors above one player who could have potential is Kai Havertz (£7.5m). The German international has struggled to maintain consistent scoring form but with the uptake in team confidence that could change. Taking his teams penalties and having a great fixture ahead all combine to Havertz sneaking his way into the top picks for Gameweek 28.