Fantasy Football 2025/26: Building the Ultimate Team of the Season (So Far)

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The 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League campaign has delivered everything fantasy managers crave: breakout stars, premium consistency, and a handful of unexpected heroes. After 31 Gameweeks, a clear “Team of the Season so far” has emerged — and it tells a deeper story about strategy, squad structure, and where the smartest managers are gaining their edge.

With Arsenal leading the way with four players in the lineup, this season has been defined by defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and carefully selected attacking firepower.

Goalkeeper: Reliability Over Rotation

  • David Raya (Arsenal) – 129 points

At the back, consistency is king — and no one embodies that better than David Raya.

With 15 clean sheets, he leads the Golden Glove race and has become both the most-owned and highest-scoring goalkeeper in FPL. His appeal goes beyond just clean sheets:

  • High save potential
  • Bonus point accumulation
  • Stability in selection

For managers, Raya represents a key lesson: investing in a top-tier goalkeeper from a defensively elite side often pays off more than rotating cheaper options.

Defence: Arsenal’s Backbone + Budget Efficiency

  • Gabriel (Arsenal) – 173 points
  • Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) – 149 points
  • James Tarkowski (Everton) – 142 points

The defensive unit is where this season’s fantasy narrative truly begins.

Gabriel Magalhães has been the standout defender, combining:

  • 3 goals
  • 4 assists
  • 14 clean sheets

His ability to deliver at both ends of the pitch has given him a commanding lead in defender rankings.

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has redefined the modern full-back role in fantasy. With 3 goals and 6 assists, he offers attacking returns that rival midfielders — a crucial advantage in today’s game.

Then there’s James Tarkowski — the budget hero. His 142 points highlight how defensive contributions and consistency can turn a mid-priced defender into a season-long asset.

Midfield: Creativity, Consistency, and Value

  • Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 189 points
  • Antoine Semenyo (Man City) – 174 points
  • Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 163 points
  • Harry Wilson (Fulham) – 152 points

Midfield has once again proven to be the engine room of fantasy success.

Bruno Fernandes leads all midfielders with 189 points, driven by:

  • 8 goals
  • 17 assists
  • 24 big chances created

He’s also delivered 11 double-digit hauls — making him one of the most explosive and reliable assets in the game.

A surprise inclusion is Antoine Semenyo, whose move to Manchester City transformed his season. With 15 goals and 6 assists, he has become a must-have option since Gameweek 22.

Declan Rice represents the ultimate all-rounder. His mix of goals, assists, defensive contributions, and bonus points makes him one of the safest picks in fantasy.

Finally, Harry Wilson stands out as the budget king. Starting at just £5.5m, his 10 goals and 8 assists have made him one of the best-value players of the season.

Attack: Premium Power Meets Emerging Stars

PlayerTeamPoints
Erling HaalandMan City197 points
Joao PedroChelsea164 points
Igor ThiagoBrentford153 points

Up front, the narrative is all about the balance between premium dominance and rising challengers.

Erling Haaland started the season in unstoppable form, with 19 goals in the first 17 Gameweeks. However, his output has slowed in recent weeks — a reminder that even elite assets can fluctuate.

João Pedro has thrived after his move to Chelsea, delivering 14 goals and 9 assists. Under new tactical direction, his underlying stats have improved dramatically, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.

Then there’s Igor Thiago — arguably the breakout striker of the season. With 19 goals, he’s second only to Haaland and has matched him in key attacking metrics like shots and big chances.

What This Team Tells Us About Winning FPL

Looking at the best-performing players across 31 Gameweeks reveals several key insights:

1. Defensive Investment Pays Off

Arsenal’s dominance shows that building around a strong defensive core is still one of the most reliable strategies.

2. Midfield Depth is Essential

Four midfielders in the team highlight the importance of flexibility and consistent point generation.

3. Value Picks Make the Difference

Players like Harry Wilson and Tarkowski enable managers to afford premium stars without sacrificing balance.

4. Form Over Reputation

Semenyo and Thiago prove that emerging players can outperform established names — if you spot them early.

A Note on Regulation and Responsible Play

As fantasy football continues to grow, its connection to the wider betting ecosystem has become more visible. The same applies to online/offline gambling. Here, the issue of responsible gambling arises. Organizations like the UK Gambling Commission ensure that platforms operate fairly and transparently. Major industry names such as Playtech, Skybet, and Leovegas are all part of a regulated environment designed to promote responsible engagement.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is simple: enjoy the competition, but keep it strategic and controlled.

Final Thoughts: Lessons from the 2025/26 Season

The “Team of the Season so far” isn’t just a list of high scorers — it’s a blueprint for success.

Winning managers in 2025/26 have:

  • Trusted defensively strong teams like Arsenal
  • Invested heavily in midfield consistency
  • Identified breakout stars early
  • Balanced premium and budget assets

As we head into the final stretch of the season, one thing is clear: fantasy football is no longer just about picking good players — it’s about building a system.

And if you can crack that system, you’re not just playing the game — you’re mastering it.

FPL GW31 Preview: Best Picks

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With Blank Gameweek 31 removing Arsenal (1st overall), Manchester City (2nd), Crystal Palace (14th) and Wolves (20th/Last) from the BGW31 schedule, many managers will be considering playing their Free Hit chip. Here we highlight a dozen players to consider bringing in either under a free hit or permanently using your spare transfers and we base those recommendations on:

  • projected GW31 results
  • recent FPL player form (last 30 days)
  • and the GW31–GW38 fixture run

This article builds directly from our GW31 score predictions where we project several clear winners this week based on recent Home & Away form. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 31 is set at 18:30pm (UK time) tomorrow Friday, 20th March 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. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

GW31 Overview: Where the Points Should Come From

From our GW31 score projections:

  • We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0 (highest confidence result)
  • We predict Manchester United to beat Bournemouth 2–1
  • We predict Liverpool to beat Brighton 2–1
  • We predict Brentford to beat Leeds 2–1
  • We predict Newcastle to beat Sunderland 2–1

These five teams form the backbone of the GW31 strategy — with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest offering stronger medium-term runs just beyond this week. See who the FISO Forum like for their GW31 Captain.

Top 12 GW31 Picks (Form + Fixtures + Minutes)

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) — £10.2 — 43.6% Selected by

Form: 8.2 | Total Points: 176

We predict Manchester United to win at Bournemouth, and Fernandes remains the standout all-round pick in the active GW31 pool. He dominates both form (8.2) and involvement, and with Leeds, Brentford and Sunderland to follow, he is a clear buy-and-hold GW31 captaincy contender.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) — £6.3 — 2.5%

Form: 8.0

Liverpool are projected to win at Brighton, but it’s the run after that which really stands out. Mac Allister combines elite form with security of starts and a strong upcoming fixture block (although Liverpool retain UCL involvement), making him one of the best-value midfielders this week.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

João Pedro (Chelsea) — £7.8 — 50.6%

Form: 7.5

Chelsea’s trip to Everton is less convincing from a team perspective, but João Pedro’s form and central role keep him firmly in the conversation. He should start and remains one of the most consistent forwards playing this GW.

Next five: EVE (A), MCI (H), MUN (H), BHA (A), NFO (H)

Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool) — £9.2 — 36.0%

Form: 5.0

We predict Liverpool to score at least twice at Brighton, and Ekitiké should lead the line again. With Fulham, Everton and Palace next, he offers both immediate and medium-term upside (although the Fulham match occurs midway during Liverpool’s 2-leg UCL quarter final with PSG).

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) — £6.2 — 35.3%

Form: 5.2

Brighton away is not the easiest clean sheet fixture, but Liverpool’s defensive prospects improve significantly from GW32 onwards. Van Dijk should start even before/after UCL matches and adds attacking threat from set pieces.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

Alex Iwobi (Fulham) — £6.4 — 3.0%

Form: 7.0

We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0, making them the standout one-week target. Iwobi’s form is strong and he should start in an advanced role. Ideal for managers chasing a short-term punt with upside.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

Harry Wilson (Fulham) — £6.0 — 23.8%

Form: 5.8

Another Fulham attacker worth considering for this specific week. If Fulham deliver as projected, doubling up in midfield could pay off.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) — £5.6 — 1.0%

Form: 6.0

We predict Brentford to win at Leeds, and their next two home games (Everton and Fulham) strengthen the case further. Damsgaard should start and offers a strong blend of form and fixtures at a low ownership.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

Thiago (Brentford) — £7.3 — 36.4%

Form: 4.0

Less explosive in recent form but still heavily backed and should start up front having started hitting the back of the net again. With Leeds, Everton and Fulham next, he has one of the best forward fixture runs.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) — £7.3 — 6.1%

Form: 5.5

We predict Newcastle to win the derby against Sunderland. Gordon should start and remains their most direct attacking outlet. The next two (CRY, BOU) keep him viable beyond GW31.

Next five: SUN (H), CRY (A), BOU (H), ARS (A), BHA (H)

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nott’m Forest) — £7.4 — 5.1%

Form: 5.5

Not a pure GW31 pick, but one of the best forward-looking differentials. Forest’s fixture run is decent after the relegation clash against Spurs, with Burnley and Sunderland ahead and they’ll be desperate to avoid 18th place this season. Forest also play tonight away in Denmark in their 2nd leg Europa league KO.

Next five: TOT (A), AVL (H), BUR (H), SUN (A), NEW (H)

Casemiro (Man Utd) — £5.7 — 3.2%

Form: 5.8

A second route into a Manchester United side we project to win. He should start and benefits from the same strong fixture run as Fernandes.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

Strategy Summary

Best teams to target

  • Manchester United
  • Liverpool
  • Brentford
  • Fulham (short-term)
  • Newcastle

Best short-term punts (GW31 only)

  • Iwobi
  • Wilson
  • Fulham attackers generally

Best medium-term holds

  • Fernandes
  • Ekitiké
  • Mac Allister
  • Damsgaard

Final Thought

By limiting selection to players who should start, and combining that with projected results, recent form and fixture strength, the optimal GW31 approach becomes a little clearer:

  • attack Fulham for one week
  • build around Manchester United and Liverpool
  • and position for Brentford’s upcoming run

If you get that balance right, GW31 becomes less about surviving the blank — and more about gaining ground. 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

EPL GW31 Score Predictions

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FISO Goals is the EPL Predictions game for FISO Forum Members. Below we try to predict the EPL scores for GW31 using a statistical model. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

Gameweek 31 offers a moment of clarity in the Premier League season. With the Carabao Cup Final removing Arsenal and Manchester City, and an international break immediately after, we get a round with a little less rotation, fatigue and European prioritisation now that only 2 EPL clubs remain in the UCL.

That means this week leans heavily on:

  • ✅ Last 10 form
  • ✅ Home vs Away strength
  • ✅ Underlying scoring patterns
  • ✅ Scoreline probability matrix (630-match model logic applied)

The result is a tighter cluster of realistic scorelines, with probabilities helping differentiate between close calls like 2–1 vs 2–0.

🔢 GW31 Predictions Table (with Probabilities)

FixtureScore PredictionConfidenceMost Likely Score Probability
Bournemouth vs Man United1–2Medium–High22%
Brighton vs Liverpool1–2Medium21%
Fulham vs Burnley2–0High22%
Everton vs Chelsea1–1Medium22%
Leeds vs Brentford1–2Medium–High22%
Newcastle vs Sunderland2–1Medium20%
Aston Villa vs West Ham1–1Medium22%
Tottenham vs Nottm Forest2–1Medium21%

🔍 Match-by-Match Analysis

Bournemouth vs Manchester United

Manchester United remain top of the last-10 form table, and while Bournemouth (who’ve now had 4 draws in a row) are competitive at home, they lack the defensive consistency to contain United over 90 minutes. The model places this firmly in the “slight away edge” band, where 1–2 is the most common outcome (~22%).

👉 Prediction: 1–2

Brighton vs Liverpool

Brighton’s home strength keeps this competitive, but Liverpool’s attacking consistency (demonstrated when putting 4 past Galatasaray in the UCL at Anfield yesterday) and underlying numbers give them the edge. Again this falls into a narrow away-edge band, where 1–2 slightly edges 0–1 due to both sides’ scoring profiles and both doing well in the form table.

👉 Prediction: 1–2

Fulham vs Burnley

One of the clearest mismatches of the week when looking at the Home Form and Away Form tables.

  • Fulham strong at home
  • Burnley weak defensively
  • Low attacking threat from Burnley

This lands in the strong home edge bracket, where 2–0 (~22%) is the most likely scoreline.

👉 Prediction: 2–0

Everton vs Chelsea

A fascinating balance as, whilst Everton and Chelsea have similar overall results in the last 10, most points have been achieved by both clubs Away from home.

  • Chelsea = high attacking output, high BTTS profile
  • Everton = strong away side, but less dominant at home

This is a close call between an “even game” and a “close away win” but:

👉 1–1 is the single most common EPL result (~22%)

👉 Prediction: 1–1

Leeds vs Brentford

Brentford’s away form remains one of the strongest signals in our dataset as they sit joint top of the Away form table (whilst Leeds are bottom half of the Home form table)

Leeds:

  • concede regularly
  • struggle to control games

This sits firmly in away-edge territory, where 1–2 is the standout scoreline (~22%).

👉 Prediction: 1–2

Newcastle vs Sunderland (Derby)

Pure data from the form tables suggests a comfortable Newcastle win despite their midweek efforts via Barcelona.

But:

  • Derby dynamics increase variance
  • These games rarely follow clean statistical patterns

So instead of 2–0 (model default), we shift to 2–1 (~20%), which better reflects derby volatility.

👉 Prediction: 2–1

Aston Villa vs West Ham

Two very similar sides now that Villa have lost their last 3:

  • Mid-table form
  • Inconsistent attacking output
  • Neither dominant defensively

This lands squarely in the even band, making:

👉 1–1 (~22%) the standout probability

👉 Prediction: 1–1

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest

Tottenham’s home form is surprisingly poor, but their attacking output still gives them an edge although they have only taken 3 points from their last 10 matches. But UCL distraction is now gone (after their 5-7 aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid) and the new manager, after a very uncomfortable start, could be making an impression to ensure Spurs don’t slip into a relegation place.

Forest who sit 2nd bottom of the last 5 form table (Spurs are last – so this match may not be pretty to watch) are:

  • capable of scoring
  • unreliable defensively

This pushes the game into a BTTS-influenced home edge, where 2–1 (~21%) becomes the most logical call.

👉 Prediction: 2–1

📊 GW31 Outcome Profile

  • Home wins: 3
  • Draws: 2
  • Away wins: 3

FPL Gameweek 30 Preview: Form, Fixtures and the Best Players to Target

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Gameweek 30 arrives in the middle of six (yes 6!) Premier League sides battling to continue in the Champions League knockout stages so don’t be surprised with rotation/rest for some popular players. GW30 also marks the start of Fanteam’s EPL Sprint game covering GW30 to GW38 – a chance to play afresh with a game that lasts just nine gameweeks.

Our GW30 Score Predictions indicate a lot of close games with top sides distracted and tired from European matches. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 30 is set at 13:30pm (UK time) tomorrow Saturday 14th March 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. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

Gameweek 30 begins with Burnley hosting Bournemouth and concludes with Brentford taking on Wolves on Monday night. With just nine Gameweeks remaining, fixture quality and recent form become increasingly important when identifying the best Fantasy picks.

Using the GW30 fixtures alongside the Premier League home and away form tables, we try to identify which teams are most likely to score goals and which may deliver clean sheets. We then combine those clubs with players who are both expected to start and who rank highly in FPL total points or recent form.

GW30 Fixture List

14 Mar
Burnley v Bournemouth
Sunderland v Brighton
Arsenal v Everton
Chelsea v Newcastle
West Ham v Man City

15 Mar
Crystal Palace v Leeds
Man United v Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest v Fulham
Liverpool v Spurs

16 Mar
Brentford v Wolves

Ranked GW30 Teams – Clean Sheet Potential

This ranking combines:

• defensive form
• opponent attacking weakness
• fixture location

RankTeamOpponentReason
1Brentford (H)WolvesWolves bottom of away form table
2Liverpool (H)SpursSpurs bottom of overall form
3Arsenal (H)EvertonStrong defensive home record (although Everton top of Away form table)
4Man United (H)VillaBest home form in league
5Brighton (A)SunderlandSunderland low scoring
6Crystal Palace (H)LeedsLeeds struggle for away wins

Ranked GW30 Teams – Attacking Potential

RankTeamFixtureReason
1Liverpool (H)SpursHigh scoring attack vs struggling defence
2Man City (A)West HamCity strong away record
3Brighton (A)SunderlandWeak opponent defence
4Chelsea (H)NewcastleChelsea attack improving
5Brentford (H)WolvesWolves concede regularly away
6Man United (H)VillaTop home form

Goalkeepers to Consider

Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)

Brentford host Wolves, who sit bottom of the away form table with the lowest points per game. This is arguably the strongest clean sheet opportunity of the Gameweek.

Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Brighton travel to Sunderland. While Brighton’s away form is mixed, Sunderland’s attack has been among the least productive sides in the league.

Defenders to Consider

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Liverpool host Spurs, who currently sit bottom of the league’s recent form table. Van Dijk offers both clean sheet potential and aerial threat from set pieces.

Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Brentford’s fixture against Wolves is the standout defensive matchup this week.

Gabriel (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s home defensive record remains strong and Everton have struggled to score consistently away despite sitting top of the Away form table.

Luke Shaw (Man United)

United top the Home form table and Villa’s away attack has been inconsistent.

Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)

Palace host Leeds, who have one of the weaker away records in the league.

Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)

Brighton’s centre-back offers a budget route into a fixture against a low-scoring Sunderland side.

Midfielders to Consider

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s talisman faces Spurs at Anfield in what could be one of the most open matches of the weekend.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer remains Chelsea’s primary attacking outlet and penalty taker.

Bruno Fernandes (Man United)

United’s captain is central to their attacking play and consistently ranks highly for chances created.

Phil Foden (Man City)

With City facing West Ham away, Foden provides a high-upside attacking option from Guardiola’s side.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rogers has emerged as Villa’s most advanced midfielder and remains heavily involved in their attacking transitions.

Pascal Gross (Brighton)

Rejoined Brighton in January and has helped with set-pieces although if fully fit, Mitoma remains Brighton’s most explosive attacking player.

Forwards to Consider

Erling Haaland (Man City)

City’s striker continues to offer the highest ceiling in Fantasy. Even in tougher fixtures he remains the standout captaincy option.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)

Expected to lead Liverpool’s line against Spurs in a fixture that could produce several goals.

João Pedro (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s central striker role gives Pedro consistent involvement in the team’s attack.

Danny Welbeck (Brighton)

Brighton’s likely starting forward against Sunderland offers a solid differential option.

Final Thoughts

Gameweek 30 looks particularly favourable for Liverpool, Brentford and Manchester City assets, with Brighton also enjoying a promising fixture. See who the FISO forum think should be their GW30 FPL captain.

The key tactical approach is likely to be:

• Target Liverpool attackers against Spurs
• Back Brentford defensively against Wolves
• Maintain exposure to Manchester City’s attack
• Consider Brighton attackers against Sunderland

Managers who combine these fixture advantages with players already performing well in the FPL points and form tables should be well positioned for Gameweek 30.

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

EPL GW30 Score Predictions (14 to 16 March 2026)

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Gameweek 30 arrives with an unusual tactical backdrop. An incredible 6 Premier League sides are involved in the Champions League knockout second legs next week, and the level of jeopardy in those ties may influence selection and intensity in the league this weekend.

  • Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are still alive in their ties, meaning rotation or cautious minutes management could appear in GW30.
  • Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, having lost their first legs heavily (all by 3 goals), are more likely to prioritise the league.

Using our model principles — last-10 form, home/away form, and xG signals from the last two rounds — below are the projected outcomes. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

GW30 Predictions Table

FixtureModel ScoreNotes
Burnley vs Bournemouth1–1Two weak attacks
Sunderland vs Brighton1–2Brighton slight quality edge
Arsenal vs Everton2–1Everton strong away but Arsenal home strength
Chelsea vs Newcastle2–1Chelsea attacking well, Newcastle UCL distraction
West Ham vs Man City1–2City control but West Ham score at home
Crystal Palace vs Leeds1–1Very balanced matchup
Man Utd vs Aston Villa2–1United elite home form
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham1–1Forest poor but Fulham inconsistent
Liverpool vs Tottenham2–1Home advantage dominates despite UCL distraction
Brentford vs Wolves2–0Wolves worst away form

Match-by-Match Analysis

Burnley vs Bournemouth

Burnley remain one of the weakest sides in both the last-10 form table and home form metrics. Bournemouth, however, have struggled to convert chances recently. With both sides inconsistent defensively, this has the feel of a balanced lower-midtable contest.

Prediction: Burnley 1–1 Bournemouth

Sunderland vs Brighton

Brighton’s away form is poor overall, but Sunderland have struggled to generate goals in recent weeks. Brighton’s possession style usually produces enough chances against teams in the bottom half.

Prediction: Sunderland 1–2 Brighton

Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal are second in the last-10 form table and strong at home, but Everton arrive with the best away form in the league over the last six matches. Arsenal may also have an eye on their Champions League second leg.

Still, the Emirates advantage should be enough.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–1 Everton

Chelsea vs Newcastle

Chelsea’s attacking output over the last 10 matches has been strong (21 goals). Newcastle are inconsistent away from home and could be influenced by their European tie.

Chelsea’s freedom from Champions League pressure could show.

Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Newcastle

West Ham vs Man City

City remain unbeaten in their last six away matches and continue to generate strong xG numbers. West Ham can be competitive at home but tend to concede against elite sides.

Prediction: West Ham 1–2 Man City

Crystal Palace vs Leeds

Both teams sit mid-table in form metrics and neither defence is particularly reliable. Palace’s home edge may balance Leeds’ ability to nick goals on the counter.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Leeds

Man United vs Aston Villa

United top both the home form table and the last-10 form standings. Villa remain dangerous but their away performances have dipped recently.

United’s defensive record at Old Trafford suggests they should edge this.

Prediction: Man United 2–1 Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham

Forest are struggling badly at home (no wins in their last six). Fulham have produced strong attacking numbers but remain inconsistent on the road.

This looks like one of the most draw-leaning fixtures of the round.

Prediction: Forest 1–1 Fulham

Liverpool vs Tottenham

This is the most volatile match of the week. Tottenham’s form is extremely poor, but they remain capable of scoring. Liverpool may also rotate slightly ahead of their Champions League tie.

Goals look likely.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Tottenham

Brentford vs Wolves

Brentford are one of the best away teams in the league and solid at home too. Wolves remain bottom of the away-form metrics and struggle to create chances.

Brentford should control this one.

Prediction: Brentford 2–0 Wolves

Key Statistical Angles This Week

Best Home Edge:

  • Man United vs Villa

Strongest Away Side:

  • Man City at West Ham

Most Likely Draws:

  • Burnley vs Bournemouth
  • Forest vs Fulham
  • Palace vs Leeds

Most Open Match:

  • Liverpool vs Tottenham

✅ Model Lean Summary

  • Home wins: 5
  • Draws: 3
  • Away wins: 2

FISO Goals is the EPL Predictions game for FISO Forum Members.

FanTeam EPL Final Sprint Strategy: The Two-Club Clean Sheet Stack

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In our fantasy EPL Sprint article on Tuesday we highlighted the idea behind the Fanteam EPL Final Sprint, a mini-season fantasy contest starting in Gameweek 30 on 14th March 2026, covering the last nine Premier League Gameweeks (GW30–GW38) of the 2025/26 campaign. Yesterday we focussed on planning your FanTeam EPL Sprint team selection to help you grab a share of the £20,000 minimum guaranteed prize pool. Today we publish another article on selecting teams based on doubling up the defenders/GK.

FanTeam’s game is 18+ BeGambleAware T&Cs apply. For more discussion go to FISO’s FanTeam Forum. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

First a reminder of the rules:

How the Final Sprint Works

The format is designed to keep the game fast-moving and tactical across the nine Gameweeks. Below is an example of how you might select your team within the £85m budget when focussing on maximising Clean Sheet points and plan your 3 weekly transfers.

One tactic that works particularly well in short formats is the two-club clean sheet stack. Instead of spreading the goalkeeper and defenders across several clubs, you concentrate them into two teams. If either club keeps a clean sheet, multiple players in your squad score points simultaneously.

For this Sprint, the strongest structure is to start with a Liverpool and Brentford defensive stack and later pivot into an Aston Villa and Chelsea stack once the fixture swing arrives after Gameweek 33.

What is a two-club clean sheet stack?

A typical fantasy team might have a goalkeeper from one club and three defenders from three other clubs. That spreads risk but limits upside. If one team keeps a clean sheet, only one player benefits.

With a two-club stack the structure looks like this:

Goalkeeper – Brentford
Defender – Brentford
Defender – Liverpool
Defender – Liverpool

If Brentford keep a clean sheet, two players return points. If Liverpool keep one, two more players return points. In a short nine-Gameweek contest that kind of concentrated scoring potential can create large swings in weekly scores.

Why Liverpool and Brentford first?

The opening Sprint fixtures strongly favour Liverpool and Brentford.

Liverpool begin with Tottenham at home in GW30. Spurs are currently bottom of the six-match Premier League form table and struggling for consistency. Liverpool then face Fulham at home and Everton away, both perfectly reasonable defensive fixtures.

Brentford also begin the Sprint with a favourable run. Their early matches include Burnley away, Bournemouth at home, Everton away and Fulham at home. That gives them several opportunities for clean sheets in the opening weeks.

The key point is that these good fixtures overlap. That means there are several consecutive rounds where your defensive stack has the potential to deliver double returns.

Liverpool and Brentford £85m stack squad

The following squad fits within the £85m budget with a Liverpool and Brentford defensive stack.

Goalkeeper
Kelleher (BRE) £4.7m

Defenders
van Dijk (LIV) £5.8m
Konaté (LIV) £5.4m
Ajer (BRE) £4.4m

Midfielders
Palmer (CHE) £10.8m
Fernandes (MUN) £8.6m
Rogers (AV) £7.7m
Semenyo (MCI) £7.5m

Forwards
Haaland (MCI) £13.4m
Ekitiké (LIV) £8.2m
João Pedro (CHE) £7.6m

Total cost: £84.1m

This structure provides the Liverpool and Brentford clean sheet stack while still including the key attacking players with strong form and captaincy potential.

Why this squad works for the early Sprint

There are three main strengths to this build.

First, it targets the best early clean sheet run in the fixture grid by stacking Liverpool and Brentford.

Second, it still provides elite attacking options. Haaland, Palmer and Fernandes offer strong captaincy choices every week.

Third, it manages the GW31 Arsenal and Manchester City blank reasonably well. Haaland and Semenyo are the only players affected, and with three transfers available every Gameweek it is fairly easy to move around them temporarily.

Why pivot to Aston Villa and Chelsea later?

After Gameweek 33 the defensive fixture landscape changes.

Aston Villa move into a particularly favourable run that includes West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Fulham, Tottenham and Burnley. Several of those matches offer realistic clean sheet potential.

Chelsea also have a number of attractive fixtures later in the Sprint, including matches against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Sunderland.

That makes Aston Villa and Chelsea the most appealing defensive pairing for the middle and later stages of the mini-season.

Aston Villa and Chelsea £85m stack squad

The following squad illustrates the later-stage version of the two-club clean sheet stack.

Goalkeeper
Martínez (AV) £5.1m

Defenders
Cash (AV) £5.4m
James (CHE) £5.7m
Chalobah (CHE) £5.3m

Midfielders
Palmer (CHE) £10.8m
Fernandes (MUN) £8.6m
Semenyo (MCI) £7.5m
Mac Allister (LIV) £5.8m

Forwards
Haaland (MCI) £13.4m
Watkins (AV) £9.2m
Ekitiké (LIV) £8.2m

Total cost: £85.0m

This squad uses a true two-club defensive stack. Martínez and Cash benefit from Aston Villa clean sheets, while James and Chalobah benefit from Chelsea clean sheets.

How to make the transition

Because the FanTeam format allows three transfers every week, switching between defensive stacks is straightforward.

A typical transition around Gameweek 34 could look like this:

Kelleher → Martínez
Konaté → Cash
Ajer → James

Within a single Gameweek the defensive structure shifts completely from Liverpool and Brentford to Aston Villa and Chelsea.

Captaincy strategy

Even with a defensive stacking approach, captaincy should focus on the highest-ceiling attackers.

Strong options throughout the Sprint include:

Haaland
Palmer
Fernandes
Semenyo

Captaining attackers from different teams than your defensive stack also helps balance risk.

Why the tactic works in the Sprint

The two-club clean sheet stack is particularly suited to the FanTeam Sprint format.

The contest is short, so chasing upside matters more than long-term balance. Transfers are plentiful, allowing managers to adjust quickly when fixture runs change. Clean sheet points stack quickly, so a single defensive result can produce a large score swing. And because fixture swings occur across the run-in, the ability to pivot between defensive pairings becomes a real advantage.

Final thoughts

In a nine-Gameweek mini-season the key to success is identifying where points can spike rather than simply aiming for consistency.

Starting with a Liverpool and Brentford clean sheet stack targets the strongest early defensive fixtures. Later in the run-in, moving to an Aston Villa and Chelsea stack allows managers to continue exploiting the fixture grid as it evolves.

Team Selection Planning for FanTeam’s £20k EPL Sprint

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In our fantasy EPL Sprint article yesterday we highlighted the idea behind the Fanteam EPL Final Sprint, a mini-season fantasy contest starting in Gameweek 30 on 14th March 2026, covering the last nine Premier League Gameweeks (GW30–GW38) of the 2025/26 campaign. Today we focus on planning your team selection to help you grab a share of the £20,000 minimum guaranteed prize pool. Tomorrow we will publish another article on selecting teams based on doubling up the defenders/GK.

FanTeam’s game is 18+ BeGambleAware T&Cs apply. For more discussion go to FISO’s FanTeam Forum. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

First a reminder of the rules:

How the Final Sprint Works

The format is designed to keep the game fast-moving and tactical across the nine Gameweeks. Below is an example of how you might select your team within the £85m budget and plan your transfers:

Possible FanTeam EPL Sprint starting team (GW30)

Bernd Leno – Fulham – GK – £4.7m
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool – DEF – £5.8m
Trevoh Chalobah – Chelsea – DEF – £5.3m
Hill – Bournemouth – DEF – £4.1m
Bruno Fernandes – Man Utd – MID – £8.6m
Cole Palmer – Chelsea – MID – £10.8m
Semenyo – Man City – MID – £7.5m
Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa – MID – £7.7m
Erling Haaland – Man City – FWD – £13.4m
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa – FWD – £9.2m
João Pedro – Chelsea – FWD – £7.6m

Total: £84.7m

Why this team

This squad is trying to do two things at once:

  1. Maximise GW30 points
  2. Avoid getting trapped by the GW31 Arsenal/Man City blank

That’s why it has:

  • only 2 Man City players
  • 0 Arsenal players at the start
  • heavy investment in Chelsea, Villa, Liverpool and Man Utd
  • one budget Bournemouth defender to keep money free for premiums

Core strengths of this squad

  • Haaland still has the best potential single-player ceiling in the game.
  • Palmer and João Pedro are both elite recent-form picks and Chelsea’s run is very usable.
  • Bruno Fernandes combines strong total points with a very playable run.
  • Watkins and Rogers give you Villa exposure without overcommitting to the tougher late fixtures.
  • Virgil could be one of the best defender picks because he combines strong total points, strong recent form and a solid fixture run.
  • Leno is a cheap, reliable goalkeeper with a decent short-term schedule.

Why not to start with Arsenal

Arsenal do have a strong run overall, but they blank in GW31, and with only 11 players in the FanTeam format, every blank really matters.

Because there are no transfer carryovers, you do not gain anything by sitting on too many blanking assets early. It is cleaner to:

  • start with no Arsenal
  • exploit Haaland and Semenyo in GW30 (away to West Ham)
  • then use transfers in GW31
  • and reintroduce Arsenal after the blank

That is a better Sprint-game structure than forcing Arsenal in from the beginning.

GW30 captaincy

Captain: Haaland (away at West Ham)
Vice-captain: Palmer (home to Newcastle)

That gives you:

  • a high upside player in the game as captain
  • a strong vice-captain with a high recent-form profile and secure role

GW31 transfer plan

This is the key week because Man City blank and Arsenal blank.

Your starting team only has 2 blankers:

  • Haaland
  • Semenyo

That is manageable with 1 spare transfer for injury/suspension.

Recommended GW31 transfers

1. Haaland ➜ Ekitiké
Liverpool have a good short-term run and Ekitiké gives you an active forward immediately.

2. Semenyo ➜ Alex Iwobi
Fulham’s GW31 fixture is attractive and Iwobi’s recent form is strong for the price.

3. Hill ➜ Kristoffer Ajer
Brentford’s run from GW31 onwards is very useful and this improves the defence without breaking the budget.

That would leave you with a GW31 team of:

  • Leno
  • Virgil
  • Chalobah
  • Ajer
  • Fernandes
  • Palmer
  • Rogers
  • Iwobi
  • Watkins
  • João Pedro
  • Ekitiké

This avoids the blank cleanly and uses all 3 free transfers without taking hits.

Wildcard plan

Best Wildcard timing: GW32? Or GW34?

GW32 could be a clean point to use the Wildcard because:

  • the Arsenal and Man City blank is gone
  • you can immediately rebuild around the best GW32–38 runs
  • you still have 7 Gameweeks left to exploit the new squad

Do not use the Wildcard in GW30 or GW31 unless injury chaos forces it. Also consider keeping it available until you know if there will be more blank or double GWs – such as in GW34 due to FA Cup matches.

What the GW32 Wildcard should target

Looking at the FDR, the clubs you may most want to load up on from GW32 onward may be:

  • Arsenal
  • Man City
  • Liverpool
  • Man Utd
  • Brentford
  • Aston Villa

Why

Arsenal
After the blank they get: BOU, MCI, NEW, FUL, WHU, BUR, CRY
The key stretch is especially good from GW35–GW37.

Man City
After the blank they still offer elite upside with: CHE, ARS, BUR, EVE, BRE, BOU, AV
There are enough green fixtures in there to justify bringing Haaland back quickly.

Liverpool
FUL, EVE, CRY, MUN, CHE, AV, BRE
Excellent home matches and a strong balanced run on a team striving for Champions League qualification again.

Man Utd
LEE, CHE, BRE, LIV, SUN, NFO, BHA
Leeds, Brentford, Sunderland and Forest all stand out.

Brentford
EVE, FUL, MUN, WHU, MCI, CRY, LIV
Great value club for with 4 easy and 3 hard fixtures..

Aston Villa
NFO, SUN, FUL, TOT, BUR, LIV, MCI
There is a very good stretch from GW32–GW36.

Suggested GW32 Wildcard core

Your Wildcard spine may look something like:

  • Gabriel or Timber
  • Haaland
  • Semenyo
  • Bruno Fernandes
  • Virgil
  • Watkins
  • Rogers
  • Palmer
  • João Pedro
  • one or two Brentford value picks
  • one or two extra Arsenal slots

You do not need to commit to the exact GW32 team now, but the structure could be:

  • 3 Arsenal
  • 2 Man City
  • 2 Liverpool
  • 1–2 Man Utd
  • 1–2 Villa
  • 1–2 Brentford/Chelsea

Simple week-by-week Sprint plan

GW30

Attack upside immediately.
Captain Haaland?

GW31

Use the 3 free transfers to remove the City blankers and improve one weak slot.

GW32

Wildcard into Arsenal + City + Liverpool + Brentford + United.

GW33–GW38

Use the weekly 3 transfers aggressively.
Because transfers do not roll, there is no reason to play cautiously.
Treat each week as a short sprint inside the bigger sprint.

Why this approach gives you a strong chance

This plan avoids the two biggest mistakes in this format:

  • loading up on blanking players too early
  • holding the Wildcard too long (although check what will happen in GW34 due to FA Cup matches)

It gives you:

  • a strong GW30 starting XI
  • a simple GW31 escape route
  • a powerful GW32 reset
  • and a clear route into the best fixture runs for the final seven Gameweeks

Fanteam £20k EPL Final Sprint: A New Fantasy Season for the Run-In

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For some Fantasy EPL managers, the final weeks of the Premier League season are when the drama really begins. Title races, European qualification battles and relegation fights combine to create unpredictable but exciting football. Many Fantasy Managers however will have lost interest during the season as their team(s) lag further behind the overall leaders so will be looking for ways to keep their interest high.

That is exactly the idea behind the Fanteam EPL Final Sprint, a mini-season fantasy contest covering the last nine Premier League Gameweeks (GW30–GW38) of the 2025/26 campaign. With a £20,000 minimum guaranteed prize pool, the Final Sprint effectively gives managers a brand-new season starting in Gameweek 30 on 14th March 2026. Even if your season-long fantasy teams have faded, this format offers a fresh opportunity to compete. FanTeam’s game is 18+ BeGambleAware T&Cs apply.

Check out our next FanTeam EPL Sprint article looking at a team selection process and transfer planning.

How the Final Sprint Works

The format is designed to keep the game fast-moving and tactical across the nine Gameweeks.

Key rules include:

  • £85M Budget to pick 11 players
  • Maximum 3 players per Premier League club
  • 3 transfers per Gameweek (extra transfers cost 4 points)
  • 1 Wildcard available at any point
  • Captain scores 2x points
  • Safety Net system replaces non-starting players automatically

The Safety Net feature is particularly useful during the chaotic end of the season when rotation becomes common. If one of your players does not start, they will be automatically replaced by a player from the same club and position of equal or lower value (assuming there is one playing).

With nine Gameweeks only, aggressive transfer strategies and fixture targeting become crucial.

Fixture Planning: Target the Run-In

The final stretch of the season often rewards managers who plan ahead. Looking at the fixture difficulty ratings from GW30 to GW38, several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs stand out as key targets.

Below are the run-ins for the current top six sides — Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool — with the more favourable fixtures highlighted.

Arsenal

GW30: Everton (H)
GW31: —
GW32: Bournemouth (H)
GW33: Manchester City (A)
GW34: Newcastle (H)
GW35: Fulham (H)
GW36: West Ham (A)
GW37: Burnley (H)
GW38: Crystal Palace (A)

Arsenal’s run-in becomes particularly attractive from GW35 onwards.

Key easier fixtures

  • Everton (H)
  • Bournemouth (H)
  • Fulham (H)
  • West Ham (A)
  • Burnley (H)
  • Crystal Palace (A)

The late sequence of Fulham, West Ham, Burnley and Palace could be particularly profitable for Arsenal attackers.

Manchester City

GW30: West Ham (A)
GW31: —
GW32: Chelsea (A)
GW33: Arsenal (H)
GW34: Burnley (A)
GW35: Everton (A)
GW36: Brentford (H)
GW37: Bournemouth (A)
GW38: Aston Villa (H)

City’s fixtures are mixed early but open up significantly in the middle of the run-in.

Key easier fixtures

  • West Ham (A)
  • Burnley (A)
  • Everton (A)
  • Brentford (H)
  • Bournemouth (A)

Those five fixtures could produce strong attacking returns, particularly for City’s forwards and attacking midfielders.

Manchester United

GW30: Aston Villa (H)
GW31: Bournemouth (A)
GW32: Leeds (H)
GW33: Chelsea (A)
GW34: Brentford (H)
GW35: Liverpool (H)
GW36: Sunderland (A)
GW37: Nottingham Forest (H)
GW38: Brighton (A)

United’s run-in contains several favourable attacking fixtures.

Key easier fixtures

  • Bournemouth (A)
  • Leeds (H)
  • Brentford (H)
  • Sunderland (A)
  • Nottingham Forest (H)

The late double of Sunderland and Forest could be especially appealing for managers chasing points.

Aston Villa

GW30: Manchester United (A)
GW31: West Ham (H)
GW32: Nottingham Forest (A)
GW33: Sunderland (H)
GW34: Fulham (A)
GW35: Tottenham (H)
GW36: Burnley (A)
GW37: Liverpool (H)
GW38: Manchester City (A)

Villa have several favourable home fixtures and a key stretch in the middle of the run-in.

Key easier fixtures

  • West Ham (H)
  • Nottingham Forest (A)
  • Sunderland (H)
  • Fulham (A)
  • Burnley (A)

The Forest–Sunderland sequence around GW32–33 stands out as a particularly strong opportunity.

Chelsea

GW30: Newcastle (H)
GW31: Everton (A)
GW32: Manchester City (H)
GW33: Manchester United (H)
GW34: Brighton (A)
GW35: Nottingham Forest (H)
GW36: Liverpool (A)
GW37: Tottenham (H)
GW38: Sunderland (A)

Chelsea’s run includes a few difficult matches, but also some standout opportunities.

Key easier fixtures

  • Everton (A)
  • Brighton (A)
  • Nottingham Forest (H)
  • Sunderland (A)

The GW35–GW38 stretch could reward Chelsea attacking investments.

Liverpool

GW30: Tottenham (H)
GW31: Brighton (A)
GW32: Fulham (H)
GW33: Everton (A)
GW34: Crystal Palace (H)
GW35: Manchester United (A)
GW36: Chelsea (H)
GW37: Aston Villa (A)
GW38: Brentford (H)

Liverpool’s mid-run sequence looks particularly appealing.

Key easier fixtures

  • Fulham (H)
  • Everton (A)
  • Crystal Palace (H)
  • Brentford (H)

The Fulham–Everton–Palace stretch could be one of the best three-Gameweek runs for attacking returns.

Why the Final Sprint Is Different

The EPL Final Sprint rewards aggressive planning.

Because the game only lasts nine Gameweeks, the usual long-term caution of season-long fantasy football disappears. Managers can:

  • target short fixture runs
  • rotate players quickly
  • use the Wildcard strategically
  • attack captaincy opportunities

With only 11 players in the squad, each decision carries more impact.

The Perfect Fantasy Run-In

The closing weeks of the Premier League season are famous for drama. Teams fighting for the title, Champions League places or survival often produce open, high-scoring games.

That volatility is exactly what makes the Fanteam EPL Final Sprint exciting.

Instead of simply watching the run-in unfold, managers can build a brand-new fantasy team and compete for a share of the £20,000 prize pool.

Nine Gameweeks.
A fresh squad.
And the Premier League run-in still to play.

For fantasy managers, the season isn’t over yet — it’s just starting again. For more discussion go to FISO’s FanTeam Forum. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

FISO GW29 Preview: Green Fixtures + Red-Hot Form

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Gameweek 29 starts tonight 3rd March 2026 after just a short break from GW28 (so rotation/rests are an issue) with FA Cup matches following at the weekend. Our GW29 Score Predictions indicate a lot of close games. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 29 is set at 18:00pm (UK time) today Tuesday, 3rd March 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. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

This preview focuses on the easier on paper GW29 fixtures:

  • Arsenal (A) v Brighton
  • Everton (H) v Burnley
  • Fulham (H) v West Ham
  • Leeds (H) v Sunderland
  • Liverpool (A) v Wolves
  • Man City (H) v Nottingham Forest

Each section includes up to two players per club (focus is on the 30 day FPL Player Form table), plus their GW30 and GW31 fixtures.

Blank Gameweek 31 Warning

FPL managers should also keep one eye on the horizon. Gameweek 31 is a Blank Gameweek for Arsenal, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Wolves. That means any heavy investment in Arsenal or City now could quickly become problematic. Owning three players in total from those 4 clubs is manageable, but exceeding that may leave squads short in GW31 unless a chip such as Free Hit is planned. Managers loading up on City for the NFO fixture in GW29, or holding multiple Arsenal attackers for their GW30 home game against Everton, should already be mapping their exit strategy.

Arsenal – GW29: BHA (A)

GW30: EVE (H)
GW31: Blank

Brighton away is not an easy fixture, but Arsenal attackers remain relevant.

Viktor Gyökeres – Averaging 6.0 over the last 30 days and central to Arsenal’s attack. His profile suits open away games where space appears in transition.

Declan Rice – Averaging 5.6 and heavily owned. Offers assist threat and bonus potential even in tighter matches. Injury doubt though.

The real upside may come in GW30 at home to Everton.

Everton – GW29: BUR (H)

GW30: ARS (A)
GW31: CHE (H)

One of the clearest green fixtures this week but two difficult fixtures follow.

Iliman Ndiaye – Expected to lead the line at home to Burnley. Strong one-week appeal before fixtures toughen.

Dewsbury-Hall – Averaging 6.2 in the last 30 days. Advanced midfield involvement makes him a viable short-term pick.

Everton look attractive for GW29 only; the run stiffens immediately after.

Fulham – GW29: WHU (H)

GW30: NFO (A)
GW31: BUR (H)

Fulham arguably have the best three-week run.

Alex Iwobi – Averaging 6.2 and increasingly involved in attacking phases.

Wilson – Averaging 5.2 and offering strong minutes security. Injury doubt though.

WHU, NFO and BUR across three weeks makes Fulham assets viable beyond a one-week punt.

Leeds – GW29: SUN (H)

GW30: CRY (A)
GW31: BRE (H)

Home to Sunderland is firmly green.

Calvert-Lewin – Leading the line for Leeds and well placed in this home fixture.

Anton Stach – Offers central influence and potential attacking contribution from midfield along with free-kick duties.

Leeds also retain appeal for their next two fixtures.

Liverpool – GW29: WOL (A)

GW30: TOT (H)
GW31: BHA (A)

Liverpool’s run is potentially very playable.

Virgil van Dijk – Averaging 8.8, one of the highest on the form table. Clean sheet plus set-piece threat.

Ekitike – Averaging 5.2 and central striker in a counter-friendly away matchup.

Spurs at home in GW30 keeps Liverpool investment viable.

Manchester City – GW29: NFO (H)

GW30: WHU (A)
GW31: –

City at home to Forest is arguably the best attacking fixture of the Gameweek.

Erling Haaland – Despite a modest 5.4 recent average, ceiling remains unmatched in this fixture but will he be fit to play after missing GW28.

Semenyo – Averaging 7.0 and highly owned (55.5%). Offers explosive potential from wide areas.

This is the standout captaincy pool but beware Pep rotation

High-Form Players Outside These Fixtures

Several players sit high on the 30-day Form table and deserve attention even without a green GW29 fixture:

Cole Palmer – 9.0 average. The form player in the league.

Bruno Fernandes – 7.4 average and consistently central to United’s returns.

João Pedro – 6.8 average and heavily involved in Chelsea’s attack.

Mac Allister – 6.8 average and strong midfield value.

Form sometimes outweighs fixture — especially for premium assets.

GW29 Captaincy Angle

Based on form plus fixture:

  1. Haaland (NFO H) but injury doubt
  2. Semenyo (NFO H)
  3. Virgil van Dijk (WOL A)
  4. Gyökeres (BHA A)

GW29 is shaping up as a balance week: strong one-week punts from Everton and Leeds, medium-term value from Fulham, and captaincy strength from Manchester City.

Trust the green. Respect the form. 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.

Premier League GW29 Score Predictions (Tue 3 Mar – Thu 5 Mar)

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GW28 (7 correct scores including 2 exact for us out of the 10 matches) was a classic mix of “xG told the truth” (Man Utd, Fulham) and “scoreline ran away from the chance quality” (Liverpool–West Ham was wild given the xG was basically level; Wolves beat Villa despite lower xG but then it was a derby). With no major midweek distractions beyond GW29 itself other than approaching FA Cup matches, this is mostly about fatigue/rotation risk and how teams respond to GW28’s finishing swings. FISO Goals is the EPL Predictions game for FISO Forum Members.

Quick GW28 xG notes feeding into GW29

  • Liverpool 5–2 West Ham → scoreline was way more dramatic than the chance gap.
  • Wolves 2–0 Villa → Wolves “clinical / Villa wasteful” flag.
  • Burnley 3–4 Brentford → Brentford created the better chances again.
  • Leeds 0–1 Man City → Leeds still produced, City controlled enough.

GW29 predicted scores

DateFixturePredicted scoreConfidence
Tue 3 MarBournemouth vs Brentford1–2Medium
Tue 3 MarEverton vs Burnley2–1Medium
Tue 3 MarLeeds vs Sunderland2–1Medium
Tue 3 MarWolves vs Liverpool1–2Medium
Wed 4 MarAston Villa vs Chelsea1–1Medium
Wed 4 MarBrighton vs Arsenal1–2Medium
Wed 4 MarFulham vs West Ham2–1Medium
Wed 4 MarMan City vs Nottm Forest3–0High
Wed 4 MarNewcastle vs Man Utd1–1Medium
Thu 5 MarTottenham vs Crystal Palace1–1Medium

Match-by-match reasoning (tight turnaround edition)

Bournemouth vs Brentford (1–2)

Brentford’s chance creation stayed strong in GW28 (2+ xG away at Burnley) and Bournemouth/Sunderland (1–1) looked fairly even on xG. Brentford edge it if they carry any of that attacking momentum.

Everton vs Burnley (2–1)

Everton just won 3–2 at Newcastle and deserved it on xG. Burnley conceded 4 again and also gave up 2+ xG. Feels like Everton can get on the scoresheet twice.

Leeds vs Sunderland (2–1)

Leeds lost 0–1 to City but still posted 1+ xG — that’s the sort of “didn’t score but created” profile that often flips next match. Sunderland were competitive at Bournemouth (1+ away xG), so I’m not calling it comfy — but Leeds at home.

Wolves vs Liverpool (1–2)

Wolves beat Villa 2–0 despite losing the xG, which is exactly the kind of result that can get over-read and a typical derby. Liverpool’s 5 goals last week came from ~2 xG, so I’m not going mega here — but they’ve got enough to win by one (or two).

Aston Villa vs Chelsea (1–1)

Villa “lost the scoreboard, not the chances” at Wolves (slightly higher xG). Chelsea were competitive at Arsenal on xG. With fatigue and both sides capable of sloppy spells, a draw fits.

Brighton vs Arsenal (1–2)

Brighton did what they needed vs Forest, but Arsenal keep finding ways to win tight matches. I’m expecting Arsenal to concede (Brighton usually create at home), but still edge it.

Fulham vs West Ham (2–1)

Fulham’s 2–1 over Spurs was backed by xG (2 v 1). West Ham just got hit for 5 in a match where the xG was basically even — which screams “don’t overreact”, but it still points to a leaky/chaotic game state. Fulham at home.

Man City vs Nottingham Forest (3–0)

City are the one team I’m comfortable going bigger on in a short-rest week: they got the job done at Leeds while generating 2 xG, and Forest didn’t create much in their loss to Brighton. Looks like a controlled City win + clean sheet.

Newcastle vs Man Utd (1–1)

Man Utd deserved their win over Palace on xG, but Newcastle at home is a different proposition. Newcastle lost to Everton while conceding 2 xG — so they can be got at — but I’m expecting this to land as a draw more often than not.

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace (1–1)

Spurs are struggling to put teams away and Palace’s attack hasn’t screamed “reliable goals” either (their xG at Man Utd was tiny although they did lose a player). Feels like a grindy, low-ceiling fixture.

Best “leans” this week

  • Most confident: Man City win (and City clean sheet)
  • Most draw-ish fixtures: Villa–Chelsea, Newcastle–Man Utd, Spurs–Palace
  • If you want a goals punt: Bournemouth–Brentford and Everton–Burnley look the most “open game” candidates