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    Injuries & suspensions update ahead of Gameweek 30: Several popular players sidelined

    DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news for Gameweek 30 in one convenient location.Gabriel has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and is due to undergo surgery on his hamstring after limping off against Fulham in the week.Gabriel will be a big miss for ArsenalCredit: Dream TeamThe Arsenal centre-back currently ranks fifth among defenders and still appears in 12.8% of teams at the time of writing.The Gunners have other problems at the back with Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined.Mikel Arteta and his team will make late decisions on Jurrien Timber and Ben White – both are considered doubts at this stage.As for Arsenal’s weekend opponents, long-term absentee Dwight McNeil could be included in Everton’s squad having returned to training this week.Iliman Ndiaye made his comeback as a substitute against Liverpool last time out.Erling Haaland, one of just three players to have earned 300+ points this season, is estimated to be out for between five and seven weeks with an ankle injury.Haaland faces a spell on the sidelinesCredit: REXManchester City’s No9 is by far and away the most transferred-out player ahead of the deadline but such was his immense popularity, he remains the third-most selected player at present!Abdukodir Khusanov was absent from the squad against Leicester in Gameweek 29 but the Uzbek defender was merely rested.Most read in FootballAnge Postecoglou confirmed that Micky van de Ven suffered cramp and nothing more serious in the final moments of Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday.Richarlison has a chance of making the matchday squad when Spurs host Southampton on Sunday but key player Dejan Kulusevski is still not ready to return.Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola told reporters that it will be “difficult” for Justin Kluivert to make the trip to West Ham this weekend.The Dutch midfielder’s ownership was close to 20% before his setback but has now halved as a result.Kluivert is one of several popular Dream Team assets deemed unavailable for Gameweek 30Credit: AlamyEddie Howe was characteristically vague when discussing the condition of Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier.Speaking in his morning press conference, the Newcastle coach said: “I will see them for the first time today. We don’t think we have any big injuries from Wednesday night, but we have a few niggles.”The Swedish striker was substituted in midweek due to a groin complaint.Anthony Gordon is no longer suspended but he is a major doubt having not trained with his team-mates since withdrawing from the England squad during the international break.Only two defenders average more points-per-game than Ola Aina this season but the Nottingham Forest right-back will be unavailable “for a while” having incurred a calf injury.Callum Hudson-Odoi is available to face Aston Villa but Chris Wood faces a late assessment and therefore remains a major doubt.Isak’s groin troubled him against BrentfordCredit: GettyArne Slot confirmed that Alisson will return in goal for Liverpool as soon as the Brazilian satisfies the concussion protocols.Kobbie Mainoo may return in some capacity for Manchester United in Gameweek 30 but Ruben Amorim ruled out a start for the teenager in Sunday’s derby.Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt for the Red Devils.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWARSENALInjuries: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber (doubt), Ben White (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Ross Barkley (doubt), Leon BaileySuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Enes Unal, Luis Sinisterra, Justin Kluivert (doubt), Marcus Tavernier Suspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Rico Henry (doubt), Fabio Carvalho, Mathias Jensen (doubt)Suspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Igor Julio, Georginio Rutter, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, Joel VeltmanSuspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Marc Guiu (doubt), Romeo Lavia, Wesley FofanaSuspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Chris Richards (doubt)Suspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Dwight McNeil (doubt), Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-LewinSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Harry WilsonSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson (doubt), Leif Davis (doubt)Suspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Abdul FatawuSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley (doubt), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Rodri, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Erling HaalandSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden HeavenSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier (doubt), Alexander Isak (doubt), Anthony Gordon (doubt)Suspensions: Anthony GordonNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Chris Wood (doubt), Ola AinaSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Ross Stewart (doubt), Juan Larios (doubt), Will Smallbone, Ryan Manning, Lesley Ugochukwu (doubt), Paul Onuachu (doubt)Suspensions: Flynn DownesTOTTENHAMInjuries: Radu Dragusin, Richarlison (doubt), Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin DansoSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus (doubt), Crysencio SummervilleSuspensions: NoneWOLVESRead More on The SunInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Leon ChiwoneSuspensions: Matheus Cunha More

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    Captaincy options for Gameweek 30: Is this the most difficult decision of the season?

    DREAM TEAM managers must remember to select a captain for Gameweek 30 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.Thanks to Mohamed Salah’s (£7.7m) supremacy and Erling Haaland’s (£7.8m) relentless hunger for goals, this task has been a relatively straightforward one for much of the season but this week’s decision is arguably the most difficult of 2024/25 so far.Salah has been quiet in his last three outingsCredit: GettyWith Liverpool out of the Champions League, their prolific No11 has just one fixture this coming Gameweek in the form of Fulham away.And whisper it quietly but Salah’s level has dropped of late as he’s returned just nine points from his last three outings.As for Manchester City’s No9, he’s facing several weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.His replacement, Omar Marmoush (£4.6m), appears to be the real deal but again, Pep Guardiola’s side do not have a midweek Champions League fixture to enhance their schedule.The best captain is likely to come from the clubs still active in Europe: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea.But who?Over his slump?Credit: GettyCole Palmer (£5.4m) looked refreshed against Spurs in Gameweek 29 when he provided a sumptuous cross for what proved to be Enzo Fernandez’s (£3.9m) winner.The 22-year-old’s first goal involvement since early February helped him claim eight points, enough for him to regain his place as Dream Team’s second-best midfielder overall.Most read in FootballThe Blues haven’t fully recaptured the impressive form they exhibited throughout the first third of the campaign but five wins from their last six games in all competitions represents an encouraging upturn.Gameweek 30 brings a double header against Brentford (h) and Legia Warsaw (a), the latter being a Conference League quarter-final first leg.Palmer featured in both legs of the last 16 tie with Copenhagen and so his owners should be hopeful of substantial minutes against the Polish side on Thursday evening.The England international averages 8.6 points-per-game in 2024/25 and his showing against Spurs hinted that his slump may be behind him.Captain material?Credit: GettyBruno Fernandes (£7m) remains Dream Team’s most in-form player and must therefore be considered a viable captaincy option once again.The Red Devils are due to face Man City on Sunday before travelling to Lyon in the Europa League in midweek.Truth be told, that’s a relatively tricky double header given Ruben Amorim’s side currently sit 13th in the Premier League but the Portuguese playmaker has proven himself capable of healthy returns in losing efforts.Elsewhere, might Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) be the answer to this week’s captaincy conundrum?Arsenal’s No7 marked his return from injury in fine style when he scored against Fulham seven minutes after coming off the bench in Gameweek 29.Saka is the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 30Credit: GettyOnly Salah averages more points-per-game than Saka this season; his output is not an issue.It’s just whether his surgically-repaired hamstring is up to starting two games in the space of four days.The Gunners will visit Everton before welcoming Real Madrid to the Emirates.Tottenham’s double header of Southampton and Frankfurt looks inviting on paper but Ange Postecoglou appears increasingly frazzled and so Dream Team bosses will be reluctant to go there.Thinking outside the box, gaffers could ignore the European fixtures altogether and select a captain with an ultra favourable league opponent.This strategy seemingly points directly at Alexander Isak (£6.2m), who has racked up 291 points via 24 goals, ahead of Newcastle trip to Leicester.Isak could feast against Leicester… if availableCredit: ReutersThe Foxes are statistically the most out-of-form team in the top flight right now having lost seven in a row.However, this ploy may be scuppered by the fact the Magpies’ top scorer is considered a minor doubt for Gameweek 30.Eddie Howe told reporters that he would wait to see how Isak came through Friday’s training session before making a final decision, which doesn’t help Dream Team managers.Theoretically, one could captain Isak and then lean on their vice captain if the Swedish striker didn’t feature at the King Power.Read More on The SunAlthough this approach risks a situation in which Isak plays a handful of minutes without adding meaningful points.Palmer, Fernandes and Saka appear to be the frontrunners but this may be the most open captaincy conversation of the entire season.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 30: European quarter-final first legs key to unlocking bumper points

    DREAM TEAM managers have until 11am on Saturday morning to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 30.In terms of strategy, it’s all eyes on the European quarter-final first legs with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea set to play again after the weekend’s Premier League action.Arsenal v Real Madrid is just one mouthwatering fixture included in Gameweek 30Credit: APNaturally, these double headers are the focus of this week’s transfer recommendations.Just to clarify, we consider Bruno Fernandes (£7m), the game’s most in-form player, firmly in the camp of: blindingly obvious.Bukayo Saka (£6.6m)In a week that featured several popular assets suffer ill-timed injuries, Dream Team bosses were boosted by the return of Arsenal’s No7.Saka marked his comeback with a goal against Fulham to underline his credentials.Only Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) averages more points-per-game than the England winger in 2024/25.Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have his star player back ahead of a trip to Everton and Real Madrid’s visit to the Emirates.Saka’s ownership has already increased to nigh on 20%.Saka marked his return with a goalCredit: ReutersMarcus Rashford (£3.7m)It’s a good time to back Unai Emery’s troops amid an unmatched succession of double Gameweeks.Most read in FootballNo fewer than nine Villa assets notched double-digit hauls in Gameweek 29 but Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) was not among them; far from it in fact as he mustered just one point from two substitute appearances.Instead it was Rashford who led the line against Preston and Brighton and boy did he capitalise.The 27 year-old loanee bagged a brace in the FA Cup and then got on the scoresheet again during his side’s win over the Seagulls in midweek for a 29-point return in total.Barring something extraordinary at Stamford Bridge this evening, he will finish as Gameweek 29’s top performer.Villa’s Gameweek 30 is far from favourable with high-flying Nottingham Forest to come before a daunting meeting with PSG in the Champions League but Rashford has form on his side.A word for Marco Asensio (£4.1m) who has now scored EIGHT goals since his loan switch despite having started just four times for Villa.The Spaniard’s minutes are a slight concern but his impressive average of 8.2 points-per-game is the headline right now.Rashford thrived in Gameweek 29Credit: GettyDominic Solanke (£4m)This suggestion comes with the caveat that Spurs are due to face Chelsea this evening and so the outlook may change depending on how things play out in West London.Ange Postecoglou’s side are the only team with the luxury of two home fixtures this coming Gameweek and that includes one against relegation-bound Southampton.Frankfurt are expected to provide stiffer competition next Thursday but it’s an appealing double header nonetheless.Son Heung-min (£4.6m) is currently the second-most popular recruit ahead of Saturday’s deadline on account of him being Spurs’ top points scorer.However, it’s worth noting the South Korean superstar has played just 275 minutes across his last five outings at an average of 55 minutes per appearance.In contrast, Solanke has completed the full 90 minutes three times in a row since his return to the starting line-up after injury.Son may pack more of a punch (he’s first-choice penalty taker too) but the England striker seems to be far more immune to Postecoglou’s rotation.It’s worth remembering that for all Spurs’ problems this season, they have scored plenty of goals across all competitions.Solanke has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists this seasonCredit: ReutersDjed Spence (£3.2m)It’s a similar story in defence.Pedro Porro (£4.5m) is by far and away the top performer in his position among his team-mates with a mighty 223 points but, like Son, his minutes have decreased lately – he didn’t feature at all against Fulham last time out.Whereas Spence’s form has seen him play every minute of the last four games.This shuffle in the pecking order is interesting as the 24-year-old currently features in just 0.8% of teams, making him a huge differential option.Read More on The SunSpence ranks fifth in his position for bonus points this season despite the fact he hardly featured at all during the first four months of the campaign.He is certainly capable of a satisfying double-digit haul if given the nod against Saints and Frankfurt.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Score Predictor Tips for Matchweek 26 – stats and facts for all five fixtures

    THE winner of Score Predictor Matchweek 26 will bank £250 in cold, hard cash.Well, it’ll actually be a bank transfer but that doesn’t sound as good even though it’s far more convenient.Play Score Predictor now ahead of Matchweek 26Credit: Dream TeamSimply enter your predictions for the five selected Premier League games and earn points for the accuracy of your forecast as the action unfolds.If you earn the most points then you’ll claim the cash prize!PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR NOW!Allow us to present some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture to help inform your decisions…Brentford v ChelseaScore Predictor users would probably be wise to wait until after the Blues have faced Spurs before submitting a prediction for their Sunday fixture but we can analyse other factors in the meantime.Enzo Maresca’s side won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in December but the Bees have generally been a bogey team in recent years.In fact, Chelsea haven’t won at the Gtech Stadium since 2021.That being said, Brentford’s home form has taken a dramatic dive of late with only Southampton and Leicester having earned fewer points in front of their own fans across the last six fixtures.Our Prediction: 2-2 drawMost read in FootballCole Palmer has been passed fitCredit: GettyFulham v LiverpoolWith no other commitments for the remainder of the season, the Reds can solely focus on their march to Premier League glory.Victory in Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby maintained their 12-point lead at the top of the table and it’s really just a matter of when their triumph is officially confirmed from this point onwards.Impressively, Liverpool are the only team yet to lose a league game away from home this season.As for the Cottagers, it’s been a case of one-on-one-off lately with three wins and three defeats in their last six league outings.They were beaten by Arsenal in midweek and while they played very well at Anfield earlier in the campaign, the smart money has to be on the visitors.Fulham have performed well this season but have won just six of their 15 league games at Craven Cottage.Our Prediction: 2-1 to LiverpoolLiverpool are cruising towards the titleCredit: PATottenham v SouthamptonAnge Postecoglou’s troops play at Stamford Bridge tonight and the Australian tactician will already have one eye on the Europa League quarter-finals.There is a risk Spurs take a home game against Saints for granted; let’s not forget both Ipswich and Leicester won in North London this season.On Wednesday night, it looked for all the world that Southampton were going to claim a rare victory over an in-form Crystal Palace side but Matheus Franca’s stoppage-time equaliser denied the St Mary’s faithful that joy.There aren’t many Spurs fans who would be surprised if they were to drop points on Sunday but Score Predictor users will find it hard to commit to anything other than a home win of some variety given Southampton have just ten points to their name at this late stage of the campaign.Our Prediction: 2-0 to SpursSpurs are predictably unpredictableCredit: GettyManchester United v Manchester CityLate goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo meant the Red Devils pulled off a classic smash and grab in December’s Manchester derby at the Etihad but will lightning strike twice?Pep Guardiola’s side have failed to win half their league games this season – something almost inconceivable in years gone by – but still they remain 14 points and nine places above their neighbours in the table.In truth, United have nothing to play for in the league except pride with the Europa League being their last trophy hope but motivation shouldn’t be a problem on derby day.In his limited meetings with Guardiola to date, Ruben Amorim has got the upper hand but his side will start as underdogs this weekend.Erling Haaland will be missing for the visitors but Omar Marmoush has hit the ground running since his Janaury transfer from Frankfurt.A difficult one to predict with both teams below par in 2024/25.Our Prediction: 3-2 to Man CityMarmoush will lead the line while Haaland is sidelinedCredit: RexLeicester v NewcastleThe Foxes slipped to 19th in midweek and are currently the most out-of-form side in the top flight having lost seven in a row without scoring a single goal in response.The harsh reality is that Leicester are sinking closer and closer to Southampton with each passing game.It’s difficult to envision anything other than more misery for Ruud van Nistelrooy on Monday night when Alexander Isak and friends come to town.Buoyed by their Carabao Cup triumph, the Magpies are now targeting Champions League qualification with a game in hand over fourth-placed Man City and just one point to make up.There’s a perception that Newcastle are far stronger at St James’ Park but Eddie Howe’s side rank fourth for points earned on the road this season.Read More on The SunOur Prediction: 3-0 to NewcastleProve you know better by entering your predictions for Matchweek 26 now!Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Is Bruno Fernandes really the only viable Manchester United player ahead of back-to-back double Gameweeks?

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been a one-man team for much of the season.This description is certainly fair in the realm of Dream Team, where Bruno Fernandes (£7m) is 125 points ahead of his closest team-mate.Fernandes has excelled despite Man United’s troublesCredit: ReutersThe Portugal international has been on a roll of late having amassed 101 points from his last seven outings!As a result, Fernandes has become the game’s leading midfielder by a wide margin with only superstar forwards Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) and Erling Haaland (£7.8m) above him in the overall rankings.Any Dream Team manager worth their salt would have recognised the 30 year-old playmaker as an excellent option and he’s currently the third-most selected asset in his position.Fernandes seems well placed to deliver further returns in the coming weeks.The Red Devils travel to Nottingham Forest this evening and will then be one of just five teams to fulfil four fixtures across Gameweeks 30 and 31: Manchester City (h), Lyon (a), Newcastle (a), Lyon (h).Fernandes is head and shoulders above his team-mates right nowCredit: GettyIt’s not a favourable set of games by any means but the fact Ruben Amorim’s side remain active in Europe means they have more point-scoring opportunities than the vast majority of teams this month.And so the question must be asked: is Fernandes really the only viable Man United player at this moment in time?The next-best performer in the squad is Alejandro Garnacho (£3.4m) with 220 points to his name.Most read in FootballAll things considered, that’s a good return from the Argentine winger, one that puts him 12th among midfielders at the time of writing.However, the 20-year-old can be a frustrating asset to own at times.Garnacho blows hot and cold but is certainly capable of providing pointsCredit: GettyGarnacho ranks first in his position for shots on target but just 14th for goals, evidence of inefficiency in front of goal.In terms of playmaking, the opposite is true as he ranks joint-fourth for assists among midfielders but just joint-35th for big chances created, suggesting his team-mates really have made the most of his relatively limited creative output.Garnacho is a curious player for sure, one who occasionally leaves points unclaimed, but it’s simply a fact that he returned 32 points in four appearances just prior to the international break.This fruitful run featured a goal and three assists.Fernandes is undoubtedly the best attack-minded option in Man United’s ranks but doubling up is a viable strategy for the next two Gameweeks at least and Garnacho seems to be best accomplice for such an approach.Dalot has earned 188 pointsCredit: PAIt may surprise some Dream Team bosses to learn that Diogo Dalot (£3.4m) is among the top ten defenders in the game.Despite Man United’s problems as a collective this season, the Portuguese wing-back has contributed seven goal involvements on top of ten clean sheets – he ranks highly for tackles too.Not as highly as Noussair Mazraoui (£3.2m) though, who has racked up 131 tackles in all competitions – the highest tally among all players.The Morocco international is just three points shy of Dalot overall.Only David Raya and Emi Martinez have more points among goalkeepers this seasonCredit: AFPThen there’s Andre Onana (£3.4m), who ranks third among goalkeepers despite the fact he’s conceded a whopping 52 goals in all competitions this season.The former Inter custodian has made 107 saves, a total only bettered by Mark Flekken (£3.4m) and Emi Martinez (£3.9m).Read More on The SunIt’s understandable if gaffers feel reluctant to back Man United’s defensive assets with Man City, Lyon (x2) and Newcastle in the diary but the Stats Centre suggest Dalot, Mazraoui and Onana are worthy of consideration.Things might get really interesting if Fernandes and company progress to last four of the Europa League, especially if the other English clubs still active in Europe are eliminated at the quarter-final stage.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Bukayo Saka’s return marks game-changing junction as Dream Team season reaches dramatic climax

    BUKAYO SAKA (£6.6m) is set to return and that’s no April Fool’s hoax.Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta told reporters that Arsenal’s No7 is “ready to go” and may even be fit enough to start against Fulham tonight.Saka averages 9.3 points-per-game this seasonCredit: Dream TeamNeedless to say, Dream Team managers worldwide should have their eyes fixed on the Emirates this evening as Saka’s comeback would be a game-changing moment.The England winger was among the game’s top performers throughout the first half of the season when he plundered 224 points via nine goals and 15 assists.Despite the fact he’s been sidelined since Christmas, Saka remains the Gunners’ top points scorer and still ranks joint-eighth among all midfielders.Furthermore, Bruno Fernandes (£7m) is the only player in his position to have provided more assists while team-mate Declan Rice (£4.8m) is the only midfielder to have created more big chances.Perhaps the most telling statistic is that runaway leader Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) is the only man who averages more points-per-game in 2024/25.Saka has been pictured in training this weekCredit: GettyThis is all to say that Saka is a top-tier Dream Team asset.At this moment in time, the 23-year-old is the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 30 and any showing of note against the Cottagers will surely cement that status.Arteta’s positive update comes at an intriguing time as Arsenal are one of just five teams set to fulfil four fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.Most read in FootballIn Gameweek 30, they will travel to Everton in the league before welcoming Real Madrid to North London for the first leg of a highly-anticipated Champions League quarter-final.In Gameweek 31, Arsenal are due to host Brentford before flying to the Spanish capital.If Saka’s surgically repaired hamstring allows him to start all four fixtures then he has to be considered one of the best options in the game this month.Arteta rarely rests Saka if the winger is availableCredit: APSuch is his pedigree, it’s no exaggeration to say that the divide between Dream Team bosses who eagerly recruit Saka and those who delay the transfer may be the strategic decision that defines the business end of the campaign.If he immediately picks up where he left off and returns close to 40 points across the next two Gameweeks then hesitant gaffers will be severely punished.However, if Saka’s workload is managed and it takes him some time to get back up to speed – which would be understandable after three months out – then the early adopters might end up regretting their keenness.An impressive performance against Fulham this evening would prompt major activity – over to you, Bukayo!Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Marcus Rashford stars on FA Cup weekend with 20-point haul to prompt wave of early transfers

    MARCUS RASHFORD (£3.7m) earned more points than anyone else over the FA Cup weekend.The England international scored a brace as Aston Villa beat Preston 3-0 at Deepdale for the 20-point return.Rashford enjoyed himself at DeepdaleCredit: Dream TeamIn addition to his goals, one coming from the penalty spot, Rashford registered four shots on target and created two big chances before he was replaced in the 81st minute.He was far from the only Villain to take advantage of what was the most favourable fixture of the cup quarter-finals as Lucas Digne (£3m), Jacob Ramsey (£2.4m) and Ezri Konsa (£3.4m) also notched double-digit hauls.But it’s Rashford who tops the rankings for Gameweek 29 ahead of the midweek Premier League fixtures.Unai Emery’s side are due to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night and it will be interesting to see how many points the 27-year-old on loan from Manchester United is able to add to his tally.Some gaffers have wasted no time in recruiting RashfordCredit: ReutersHe is already among the most popular recruits ahead of Gameweek 30, favoured by those who rightly see no harm in early transfers if they like what they see at the weekend.Remember, transfers can be reversed any time before the deadline if the outlook changes.Broadly speaking, this seems like a good time to back Villa players as they are the only team set to follow up a double header in Gameweek 29 with two more double Gameweeks.In Gameweek 30, Rashford and company will host Nottingham Forest before travelling to PSG for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.Most read in FootballIn Gameweek 31, they will visit Southampton before welcoming the Ligue 1 leaders to Villa Park.Emery will need to rotate his squad as Villa remain active in three competitionsCredit: GettyRelegation-bound Saints aside, it’s a relatively tricky run of opponents but the sheer volume of point-scoring opportunities means Emery’s troops are worthy of proper consideration.As expected, a 20-point haul has put Rashford in the spotlight but Villa’s attacking assets have shared the points around lately.Marco Asensio (£4.1m) has scored seven goals in nine appearances since his loan switch from PSG in January.Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) leads the way for goals (14), assists (13) and points (251) but he had to settle for a one-pointer against Preston as he was restricted to just a few minutes off the bench having skipped England duty because of a troublesome knee.Will Watkins be fit enough to start against Brighton on Wednesday night?Credit: GettyMorgan Rogers (£3.9m) and Youri Tielemans (£4m) have been the most reliable options in terms of minutes and both rank among the top ten midfielders in the game at the time of writing.Villa will have to produce something special to get past PSG in the Champions League but at present they are the only team still active in Europe and the FA Cup which makes them a huge point of focus.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Erling Haaland’s injury is a frustrating setback but it solves a tricky problem for Dream Team bosses

    IT was an eventful Sunday for Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and the many Dream Team managers relying on him for points.Manchester City’s No9 had his first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga (£3.4m) as Pep Guardiola’s side took on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-finals.Haaland banked seven points against the CherriesCredit: RexHaaland turned from zero to hero when he scored a typical poacher’s effort soon after the restart to spark the visitors’ comeback victory on the south coast.However, the majority of Dream Team bosses were then frustrated when the Norwegian striker was forced off just after the hour mark with what appeared to be an ankle injury.He was later pictured leaving the stadium on crutches.At this point in time, it seems highly unlikely Haaland will feature against Leicester on Wednesday night – a favourable fixture that may have yielded plentiful returns.In fact, Haaland was among the most transferred-in players prior to Gameweek 29 and, for the first time in months, the most popular captain.Haaland was replaced by Omar Marmoush in the 61st minuteCredit: PAIf he doesn’t play against the Foxes in midweek then many gaffers will see their best-laid plans scuppered by unpreventable circumstances.Naturally, those who captained the prolific 24-year-old will be irritated but this twist of fate may turn a difficult decision into an easy one in relation to the upcoming Gameweeks.Man City are one of just seven teams with two games to fulfil this Gameweek but the tables will turn after the next deadline.Most read in FootballHaving been eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, City do not have any European fixtures to bolster their schedule for the remainder of the campaign.As a result, they have just two fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks at a time when Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will play four times, due to the two-legged European quarter-finals.The FA Cup is Guardiola’s last trophy hope this seasonCredit: GettyNewcastle and Crystal Palace will also play three times in the same time frame.That’s seven teams with more fixtures than City across the next fortnight or so.Had Haaland avoided injury and added to his goal tally against Leicester, gaffers will have faced the difficult choice of sticking by the game’s second-best performer or replacing him with one of the many viable options on the right side of the fixture deficit.That tricky conundrum is seemingly a straightforward decision now Haaland is a major availability doubt for Gameweek 30.The likes of Son Heung-min (£4.6m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) are likely to be popular recruits this week.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More