In a surprising turn for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) gameweek 26, managers are being encouraged to consider a bold strategy that excludes premium assets like Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland. Instead, the focus shifts to budget-friendly options with an emphasis on triple Bournemouth and Arsenal selections.
The previous gameweek saw impressive returns, with Ollie Watkins (15 points) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (7 points) contributing to a substantial 95-point haul, boosted by captain Salah's 40-point performance. However, this week's strategy takes a different approach, working within the standard £100m budget as if using a Free Hit chip.
In defense, Everton's Jordan Pickford (£5.1m) emerges as a compelling choice against Manchester United, who have struggled offensively with just two goals in their last four league matches. Arsenal's defensive duo of Gabriel (£6.3m) and William Saliba (£6.2m) look promising against West Ham, who have managed only two goals in their previous four games. Fulham's Antonee Robinson (£5.1m) rounds out the defensive selections, boasting more Premier League assists than any player except Salah and Bukayo Saka.
The most intriguing aspect of this week's strategy is the Bournemouth triple-up in attack. Dango Ouattara (£5.1m), Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m), and Justin Kluivert (£6m) have been in exceptional form. The Cherries have averaged four goals per game in their last three matches, excluding their recent Liverpool defeat. Notably, only Salah has accumulated more FPL points in the past four weeks than Kluivert (42) and Ouattara (34), with Ouattara being appointed captain for this gameweek.
Arsenal's young talent Ethan Nwaneri (£4.6m) presents an exciting budget option, averaging an impressive 9.44 points per 90 minutes. Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma (£6.3m) continues to shine with three double-digit returns in his last five games, facing a vulnerable Southampton defense that has conceded at least three goals in five of their last six league games.
Up front, Everton's Beto (£4.9m) has emerged as a value pick with four goals in three gameweeks. Looking ahead, managers might want to consider their strategy for blank gameweek 29, when Liverpool won't play and Manchester City hosts Brighton, followed by a favorable fixture against Leicester.
This unconventional approach to FPL team selection challenges the traditional reliance on premium assets, potentially offering managers a unique opportunity to climb their mini-leagues through differentiated picks and calculated risks.
