Dream Team

ALL eyes were on Alexander Isak (£6.2m) at the King Power on Monday night but it was Jacob Murphy (£3.8m) who starred for Newcastle in their win over Leicester.While the Swedish striker, who features in 35.4% of teams, had to settle for just two points, the Toon’s long-serving winger bagged a brace to pocket a cool 16 points.Murphy has contributed 19 goal involvements in all competitions this seasonCredit: Dream TeamMurphy’s goals came from two predatory finishes, the likes of which fans would expect from Isak.The 30-year-old was well positioned at the back post to convert a wicked Tino Livramento (£2.9m) cross from close range inside the first two minutes.Then in the 11th minute, he followed up an audacious long-range effort from Fabian Schar (£2.9m) and was perfectly placed when the ball cannoned back off the bar to gift him an unmissable chance with the home side’s defenders in a different postcode.Harvey Barnes (£2.6m) inflicted further pain on his former club in the 34th minute as Newcastle essentially completed the job with an hour to spare.It was another miserable night for the Foxes, who have now lost eight league games in a row without scoring a single goal in response!Newcastle made light work of Leicester at the King PowerCredit: GettyMurphy’s 16-point haul has only been bettered by Brennan Johnson (£2.8m) in Gameweek 30 thus far but that may change as there are five European fixtures still to come.The aforementioned Livramento, Schar and Barnes also notched double-digit hauls and Dream Team managers would do well to consider Eddie Howe’s troops ahead of Gameweek 31.Newcastle are among the select group of seven clubs set to pull double duty next Gameweek and one of just two teams (Chelsea being the other) with the luxury of two home fixtures.Most read in FootballThe Carabao Cup winners welcome Manchester United and Crystal Palace to St James’ Park as they continue their quest for Champions League qualification.Newcastle are fifth in the table with a game in hand on those around themCredit: ReutersMurphy has to be considered a viable differential option for this double header as he currently features in just 1.1% of teams.He has registered ten goal involvements in 16 games since the turn of the year.In fact, Murphy is statistically the fourth-most in-form midfielder in the game right now with only Morgan Rogers (£4.2m), Eberechi Eze (£4.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) having taken more points from their last three outings.Naturally, gaffers inclined to target Newcastle’s fixtures in Gameweek 31 will consider Isak first and foremost.The prolific 25-year-old was a doubt prior to kick-off on Monday night having complained of a groin niggle against Brentford last time out but he was fit enough to start against Leicester.Howe declared Isak 100% fit after the final whistle on Monday nightCredit: GettyWhile Isak wasn’t able to capitalise on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beleaguered troops, Howe provided a positive update on his condition after the final whistle.”I think he’s 100% fit,” Newcastle’s head coach said of his star striker. “I wouldn’t have taken any risks with him tonight if he wasn’t. “I don’t think we’ll have to manage him from this point onwards, fingers crossed he’ll be fine.”Read More on The SunExperienced Dream Team bosses will know to take Howe’s availability updates with a pinch of salt but it seems as if Isak will get two proper run outs in Gameweek 31.This is big news in the world of Dream Team as Isak is currently the most transferred-out player ahead of Saturday’s deadline.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

THIS is an uncomfortable conversation.It may be the case that no Dream Team player in history has had more credit in the bank than Mohamed Salah (£7.5m) does right now.That being said, it’s time for gaffers to question whether Liverpool’s No11 is still worthy of his place in a competitive XI.Say it ain’t soCredit: Dream TeamSalah is by far and away the top performer this season with 462 points to his name, 105 more than his closest rival.He’s scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions as the leader in both key metrics.Just three weeks ago, the faintest whisper of doubt about Salah’s viability would have been shot down by any right-minded Dream Team manager.But things change quickly in this game and not even the most dominant players are immune from fluctuations in form.Salah has mustered just 11 points from his last four games in a run that has featured just two shots on target.The goals have dried up for Dream Team’s outright top performerCredit: AlamySALAH’S FORM DIPGameweek 27: 3 pts v PSG (h)Gameweek 28: 2 pts v Newcastle (h)Gameweek 29: 4 pts v Everton (h)Gameweek 30: 2 pts v Fulham (a)Given the Egyptian superstar averages 10.3 points-per-game across 2024/25 as a whole, his recent returns have been bitterly disappointing.Most read in FootballSalah’s dwindling form is not the only cause for concern as the schedule also demands attention.Arne Slot’s side remain heavy favourites to lift the Premier League trophy but they suffered notable defeats in the other three competitions in the space of five dramatic weeks.Liverpool’s defeat to PSG has had a significant knock-on effectCredit: GettyIn February, the Reds were upset by Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round while March saw them humbled by PSG in the Champions League prior to defeat in the Carabao Cup final at the hands of Newcastle.Consequently, Liverpool have a maximum of seven fixtures remaining before the end of the season.This fixture deficit will be starkly apparent in the coming days when Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea will all fulfil European quarter-final first legs while Salah and friends twiddle their thumbs.Furthermore, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Aston Villa all have an additional domestic fixture over Liverpool in the form of an FA Cup semi-final, with two progressing to the final.Simply put, Salah has fewer point-scoring opportunities ahead of him than several other productive talents.Dream Team bosses will be reluctant to ditch SalahCredit: AFPReduced returns combined with a relatively relaxed schedule would usually be enough for Dream Team bosses to lose patience with an individual but Salah’s immense record means this is not a decision to take lightly.It would not come as a surprise if the prolific 32-year-old banked shed-loads of points against West Ham and Leicester across Gameweeks 31 and 32.Read More on The SunHowever, there are enough factors to justify what would have previously been viewed as an unthinkable transfer.Salah is currently the most popular player in the game with an ownership of 61.5% – nobody else features in the majority of teams – but it will be interesting to see if that’s still the case in a fortnight’s time.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

SUCH is the nature of Tottenham’s season that even their wins are tarnished to some degree.The North Londoners condemned Southampton to relegation on Sunday thanks to a Brennan Johnson (£2.8m) brace but the Wales international was visibly upset at full time having been denied the chance to score his first hat-trick for the club.Johnson produced two accomplished finishes but wasn’t given the chance to bag a hat-trickCredit: ReutersJohnson produced two excellent finishes in the first half, the first an emphatic strike and the second a deft effort of considerable composure.When he suckered Saints defender Welington into an ill-judged challenge in the box deep into stoppage time, it looked for all the world as if he would end up taking the match ball home.With Spurs leading and first-choice penalty taker Son Heung-min (£4.5m) having been substituted, Johnson clearly expected to take the spot-kick he earned.However, after a discussion that involved several players, Mathys Tel (£3.1m) took charge and converted the penalty, much to Johnson’s frustration.Tel scored from the spot in stoppage timeCredit: PADespite this missed opportunity, the 23-year-old banked 19 Dream Team points when all was said and done as he was credited with a fantasy assist for his side’s third goal having drawn the foul.He is Gameweek 30’s top performer as it stands.MOST POINTS EARNED IN GAMEWEEK 30 SO FAR19 pts – Brennan Johnson16 pts – Evanilson16 pts – Alex Iwobi15 pts – Mateus Fernandes12 pts – Pablo SarabiaMost read in FootballJohnson is the only player in the top five with another fixture to fulfil before the end of the Gameweek.Ange Postecoglou’s side are due to host Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.Johnson may have earned a promotion in the pecking orderCredit: RexThe Australian coach has varied his team selections all season long but Johnson’s impressive brace has surely improved his chances of starting against the Bundesliga outfit.The former Nottingham Forest man has jumped up to 11th in the midfield rankings, with a total of 229 points to his name.With 16 goals in all competitions, he is Tottenham’s top scorer this season.In fact, only four Dream Team assets have scored more goals in 2024/25 to date.Add in seven assists and Johnson’s output is certainly not to be sniffed at, even if he has blown hot and cold throughout the campaign.The Europa League is Postecoglou’s last possible route to a trophy this seasonCredit: ReutersHaving grabbed the headlines at the weekend, Johnson has to be considered a viable option for Gameweek 31, when Spurs will travel to Wolves before the second leg of their European quarter-final in Frankfurt.They are one of just seven clubs set to pull double duty next Gameweek.The main limiting factor to his viability is that his minutes are far from assured.JOHNSON’S GAME TIME SINCE GAMEWEEK 2745 minutes vs Bournemouth (h)12 minutes vs AZ Alkmaar (h)45 minutes vs Fulham (a)26 minutes vs Chelsea (a)90 minutes vs Southampton (h)For many gaffers, those numbers simply won’t do – players can’t earn points if they’re not on the pitch.Read More on The SunWho will line up in Spurs’ front three against Frankfurt?Credit: ReutersBut if Johnson does get the nod in Gameweek 31 then he may well add to his healthy goal tally.Thursday night’s game in North London will give Dream Team bosses a clearer indication of Postecoglou’s pecking order before the deadline.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

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

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