Just one of Dream Team’s 20 most-popular players scored more than five points at the weekend

DREAM TEAM managers underwhelmed by their weekend returns should take solace in the fact they’re not alone.

Gameweek 27 has been a low-scoring affair so far with just one of the 20 most-popular players in the game registering more than five points across Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures.

Kevin De Bruyne (£6.1m) was the only exception as the Belgian playmaker notched seven points via his set-piece assist against Liverpool at Anfield.

But even his backers would have been frustrated to see the midfielder hooked midway through the second half.

Cole Palmer (£4.4m) has the chance to buck the trend when he takes on Newcastle this evening – Chelsea’s No20 is the 18th most-selected asset right now – but the point still stands that it’s been a lean Gameweek to date.

Disgruntled gaffers only have to take a look at the top end of the overall leaderboard to understand that the standard has dropped across the board this week.

Just one of the top 35 Dream Team bosses worldwide scored more than 50 points at the weekend.

One of the main reasons for this was the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

Neither Liverpool or Manchester City defenders kept a clean sheet and the respective goalscorers, John Stones (£3.6m) and Alexis Mac Allister (£3.9m), are two of the less popular players among the star-studded squads.

Elsewhere, the likes of Bukayo Saka (£5.8m), Ollie Watkins (£4.9m) and Jarrod Bowen (£4.9m) were unable to continue their good form.

Dominic Solanke (£3.8m) was among the most-popular recruits last week but the Cherries’ No9 missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed by VAR against Sheffield United on Saturday.

There’s still time for things to turn around in Gameweek 27.

Following Chelsea v Newcastle tonight, seven teams will be in action in midweek: Bournemouth, Luton, Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Aston Villa.

GAMEWEEK 27 MIDWEEK FIXTURES:

• Arsenal v Porto (Champions League)
• Bournemouth v Luton (Premier League)
• Liverpool v Sparta Prague (Europa League)
• West Ham v Freiburg (Europa League)
• Brighton v Roma (Europa League)
• Aston Villa v Ajax (Europa Conference League)

The fact all the English teams active in Europe this Gameweek will be at home gives gaffers a reason to be optimistic of bumper points.

That being said, Jurgen Klopp is likely to rest most of his important players on Thursday with the Reds already 5-1 up on aggregate over their Czech opponents.

Solanke will get his shot at redemption at home to the Hatters but it’s worth noting that Bournemouth are among the select crop of teams without a fixture in Gameweek 28 – Arsenal, Brighton, Everton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United being the others

Fingers crossed the midweek games make up for what was a lacklustre weekend.

Those without suitable representation in the coming days may have to watch the action unfold from behind their sofas…

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk