FPL GW27 Preview: Fixture Swings, Captaincy Calls & Chip Planning

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As Gameweek 27 arrives, many FPL managers are already thinking a few moves ahead. The dominant chip strategy emerging across the community is to Wildcard in GW32, once Double Gameweek 33 and Blank Gameweek 34 are fully confirmed, followed by a Bench Boost in GW33 and Free Hit in GW34.

That means GW27–GW31 is a crucial mini-window to attack fixture runs, build team value, and stock up on players you’ll want to carry into that late-season chip play. This preview focuses on the clubs with the most favourable runs:

  • Best on paper GW27 fixture: Chelsea (home to Burnley)
  • Best looking fixture runs:
    • Bournemouth
    • Brentford
    • Liverpool
    • Manchester City
    • Aston Villa

Our algorithm-based score predictions based on form & recent XGs for GW27 are here. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 27 is set at 13:30pm (UK time) Saturday, 21st February 2026. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action.

Chelsea (v Burnley, H) – Standout GW27 Fixture

Chelsea have the plum fixture of the Gameweek at home to Burnley and Chelsea attackers will show in the captaincy voting. This is the kind of matchup where FPL managers can reasonably target both goals and a clean sheet, making double-ups very viable. Chelsea however have two tough fixtures in GW28 (Away to Arsenal) and GW29 (Away to AV) so don’t get carried away bringing in Chelsea players.

Players to consider:

  • Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s talisman this season and probably the most popular GW27 captaincy option. Penalties and set pieces make him the standout.
  • João Pedro – Leading the line in the predicted XI and offering explosive potential against one of the league’s weakest defences.
  • Pedro Neto – Direct, high-volume chance creator who thrives against deep blocks and vulnerable full-backs.
  • Enzo – A steady pick who has quietly become more involved in the final third, with assist potential in dominant home fixtures.
  • Reece James – Likely starting (unlike Cucurella who is out with a hamstring injury), he offers one of the highest ceilings among defenders thanks to attacking threat and strong clean sheet odds.

FPL impact:
Chelsea are one of the clearest teams to invest in for GW27. Palmer is a legitimate captaincy candidate, while João Pedro and Neto offer strong upside for those looking to attack Burnley’s defensive weaknesses.

Liverpool (v Nottingham Forest, A)

Liverpool travel to Forest in a fixture that looks favourable on paper and fits neatly into a broader green run. With a week’s rest at last, Liverpool will go strong, with multiple FPL-relevant attackers likely to start.

Players to consider:

  • Mohamed Salah – Not going to be the top captaincy pick this week, but still an elite option with explosive away potential and strong underlying numbers.
  • Florian Wirtz – Continues to offer value as Liverpool’s creative hub, with both goal and assist threat.
  • Ekitike – A high-ceiling forward pick who benefits from Liverpool’s volume of chances, especially in away games against lower-table sides.
  • Cody Gakpo – Versatile attacker who can return from multiple positions across the front line.
  • Virgil van Dijk – Set-piece threat plus clean sheet potential, useful for managers wanting a safer Liverpool route.

FPL impact:
Liverpool attackers remain premium FPL assets during this fixture run. Salah would have been the obvious headline pick last season but less so this, while Wirtz and Ekitike offer attractive alternatives for managers looking to diversify.

Manchester City (v Newcastle, H)

City host Newcastle in what is a trickier fixture than some of the others highlighted, but still one where Pep’s side are expected to dominate possession and chances after a week’s rest unlike Newcastle who had a long journey midweek to Azerbaijan for a very satisfying 6-1 away win. The captaincy poll reflects continued trust in City’s main goal threat.

Players to consider:

  • Erling Haaland – Still likely among the top three captaincy options for GW27. Even in tougher fixtures, he remains capable of hauling.
  • Phil Foden – often central to their chance creation.
  • Semenyo – bang on form after signing from Bournemouth, offering differential appeal if he starts as expected wide in an attacking role.
  • Bernardo Silva – A consistent minutes option who benefits from City’s dominance in home fixtures.
  • Rodri – Less explosive but often involved in bonus and occasional attacking returns, offering stability in tougher matchups.

FPL impact:
Haaland remains a viable captaincy alternative for those swerving Chelsea assets. Foden and Semenyo offer other routes to potential points.

Aston Villa (v Leeds, H)

Villa’s home fixture against Leeds forms part of a strong short-term run and is exactly the type of game FPL managers like to target. Villa after a top 4 finish suggests a front-foot approach with plenty of attacking intent.

Players to consider:

  • Ollie Watkins – The focal point of Villa’s attack and a consistent FPL scorer against weaker defences.
  • Rogers – Continues to offer strong value as a mid-priced attacking midfielder with goal involvement.
  • Buendía – Creative hub who can pick up assists in matches where Villa dominate territory.
  • Matty Cash – Offers attacking upside from right-back alongside decent clean sheet potential.
  • Douglas Luiz – A reliable minutes pick with set-piece involvement and occasional goal threat.

FPL impact:
Watkins is the standout Villa asset for GW27, with Rogers an excellent midfield option for managers targeting Villa’s fixture run.

Brentford (v Brighton, H)

Brentford’s home match against Brighton sits within a broader green patch, and they’ll look to exploit Brighton’s defensive vulnerabilities with pace and directness.

Players to consider:

  • Kevin Schade – A high-impact wide attacker returning from suspension with strong goal threat when Brentford transition quickly.
  • Thiago – The budget forward option who benefits from Brentford’s service in home fixtures.
  • Mikkel Damsgaard – Creative midfielder who can pick up assists when Brentford are on the front foot.
  • Christian Nørgaard – Not explosive, but a steady pick who can chip in with the odd return and bonus.
  • Kristoffer Ajer – Offers aerial threat from set pieces plus reasonable clean sheet potential at home.

FPL impact:
Schade is the standout attacking pick for Brentford, with Thiago offering a cheaper route into their frontline for managers needing budget flexibility.

Bournemouth (v West Ham, A)

Bournemouth’s away trip to West Ham is part of a favourable run and presents opportunities for counter-attacking returns. Their XI points towards pace and direct runners being central to their threat.

Players to consider:

  • Evanilson – The main goal threat in the Bournemouth attack and the most likely source of returns.
  • Kroupi Jr – A budget midfield option who benefits from Bournemouth’s transitional play.
  • Lewis Cook – A steady minutes option with assist potential in open games.
  • Marcos Senesi – Set-piece threat at the back and useful for managers seeking defensive coverage.
  • Romain Faivre – Offers creativity and differential appeal in attacking midfield areas.

FPL impact:
Evanilson is the clear Bournemouth pick for those backing attacking returns, while Kroupi Jr and Faivre provide cheaper routes into their attacking unit.

GW27 Strategy Note

A major theme among FPL managers right now is longer-term planning. Many are eyeing a Wildcard in GW32, followed by a Bench Boost in DGW33 and a Free Hit in BGW34 once the doubles and blanks are fully confirmed. That context makes short-term punts on clubs with green fixture runs particularly attractive, as managers look to maximise points before restructuring their squads later in the season.

For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available.