Dream Team

FEBRUARY is almost at an end which means the March international break is coming into view.Dream Team will pause for World Cup qualifiers at the end of March but managers have three Gameweeks to navigate before then and they should take note of which teams have the most favourable fixtures in this time.Target additional European fixtures in MarchCredit: Dream TeamThe first thing to note is that Crystal Palace, West Ham, Everton, Southampton, Brentford and Leicester have just two fixtures each across the next three Gameweeks – a light workload.The Eagles’ two games are relatively favourable – Millwall and Ipswich – but backers of Daniel Munoz (£5.1m), Eberechi Eze (£4.5m) and friends should be wary of their blank in Gameweek 28.Now let’s take a closer look at the teams with three fixtures to fulfil until the international break.MANCHESTER CITY: Plymouth (h), Nottingham Forest (a), Brighton (h) NEWCASTLE: Brighton (h), West Ham (a), Liverpool (n)NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Ipswich (h), Manchester City (a), Ipswich (h)BOURNEMOUTH: Wolves (h), Tottenham (a), Brentford (h)WOLVES: Bournemouth (a), Everton (h), Southampton (a) FULHAM: Manchester United (a), Brighton (a), Tottenham (h)BRIGHTON: Newcastle (a), Fulham (h), Manchester City (a)IPSWICH: Nottingham Forest (a), Crystal Palace (h), Nottingham Forest (a)In previous seasons, Pep Guardiola’s side have nearly always been on the right side of any fixture imbalances but their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid means the likes of Erling Haaland (£8.1m), Josko Gvardiol (£4.3m) and Phil Foden (£6.3m) won’t have as many point-scoring opportunities as usual.This will never be more apparent than in Gameweek 27 when six English clubs will have a European round of 16 second leg as an additional midweek fixture while Man City’s stars twiddle their thumbs.Man City will not be involved in the Champions League round of 16Credit: GettyA quick glance at those match-ups suggests there could be more points to come from in-form players such as Chris Wood (£4.2m), Alexander Isak (£6m) and Matheus Cunha (£5.2m) but gaffers shouldn’t accommodate too many players with just three games in the diary from now until the end of Gameweek 28.The focus should be on individuals with a busy schedule, which brings us neatly onto the clubs with FOUR fixtures…Most read in FootballLIVERPOOL: PSG (a), Southampton (h), PSG (h), Newcastle (n)ARSENAL: PSV (a), Manchester United (a), PSV (h), Chelsea (h)ASTON VILLA: Cardiff (h), Club Brugge (a), Brentford (a), Club Brugge (h)TOTTENHAM: AZ Alkmaar (a), Bournemouth (h), AZ Alkmaar (h), Fulham (a)CHELSEA: Copenhagen (a), Leicester (h), Copenhagen (h), Arsenal (a)The Reds’ double header at Anfield in Gameweek 27 against Saints and PSG looks particularly appealing – Mohamed Salah (£8.3m) could go stratospheric – and it will be interesting to see what Cole Palmer (£5.8m) can achieve in the Conference League now he’s been added to Chelsea’s squad for the knockout stage.Gaffers keen on Morgan Rogers (£3.8m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and other Villa assets should bear in mind that Unai Emery’s troops will blank in Gameweek 28 – their four games are crammed into Gameweeks 26 and 27.Rogers and Watkins have two double headers then a blank across the next three GameweeksCredit: GettySpurs remain 13th in the Premier League but several of their players have excelled in Dream Team this season.Son Heung-min (£4.8m), Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m), Pedro Porro (£4.8m), James Maddison (£4.3m) and Brennan Johnson (£3.5m) are all among the elite group of 26 assets on 200+ points at this stage of the campaign.An emphatic performance over two legs against Eredivisie opposition in the Europa League last 16 would be very useful indeed.Last but by no means least, it’s Manchester United, the only team with FIVE fixtures across the next three Gameweeks.MANCHESTER UNITED: Fulham (h), Real Sociedad (a), Arsenal (h), Real Sociedad (h), Leicester (a)This quirk in the schedule would usually encourage Dream Team managers to stock up on Red Devils but such a strategy feels counterintuitive given the unconvincing nature of their performances.By far and away Man United’s top performer in Dream TeamCredit: GettyBruno Fernandes (£6.2m) is the blindingly obvious exception.The Portuguese playmaker is a one-man army who has amassed 271 points to date, a tally only bettered by Salah and Haaland.READ MORE SUN STORIESFernandes’ form combined with his fixtures essentially makes him a must-have lock for March.Among available players, Alejandro Garnacho (£3.1m), Noussair Mazraoui (£3.1m) and Diogo Dalot (£2.7m) are Man United’s next best performers in terms of total points but many gaffers will be understandably hesitant to put their trust in any Old Trafford resident other than Fernandes. More

CONSIDER this a timely reminder that Dream Team managers can reverse their transfers any time before the deadline.Morgan Rogers (£3.8m) is currently the most transferred-out player this week despite the fact he appears to be a strong option for Gameweek 26.Rogers is not injured, far from it…Credit: Dream TeamThe Aston Villa midfielder picked up a minor injury against Chelsea last weekend and was considered a doubt for his side’s trip to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.However, not only was Rogers named in the starting line-up at Selhurst Park, he scored a classy goal as part of a 10-point return.It was a sobering night for the Villains as they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Oliver Glasner’s side but a 12th goal of the season for their skilful No27 should prompt thousands of overzealous Dream Team bosses to rethink their strategy for the upcoming Gameweek.There’s no doubt Rogers’ availability question mark was a significant factor in his popularity drop but Tuesday night’s events have changed the outlook dramatically.Rogers is in line to start against Club BruggeCredit: GettyFar from a player to ditch ahead of Gameweek 26, the 22-year-old appears to be an easy hold.Unai Emery’s side are one of only two teams (Manchester United being the other) set to play twice this coming Gameweek, although rotation is to be expected against Cardiff in Friday night’s FA Cup fifth round fixture.Even if Rogers doesn’t feature at all against the Bluebirds, he is virtually guaranteed to start against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night.And given five teams will blank in Gameweek 26 around some unpredictable fixtures in the FA Cup, keeping hold of Dream Team’s sixth-best midfielder seems sensible.Most read in FootballLooking further ahead, Villa are one of just six teams with two fixtures in Gameweek 27: Brentford (a) and Club Brugge (h).Villa have two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 26Credit: RexHaving been a bit-part player in the second half of 2023/24 following his arrival from Middlesbrough, Rogers has become one of Emery’s most trusted regulars this season.Among outfield players, only Youri Tielemans (£4m) has played more minutes for Villa in the Premier League at this stage of the campaign.Rogers has amassed 215 points via 19 goal involvements.He’s also registered more successful dribbles (83) than any other player in the game, his main source of bonus points.His disciplinary record is a worry as only Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes (£3m) has received more yellow cards this season but his strengths far outweigh his weaknesses.Rogers shouldn’t even be among the top five most transferred-out players for Gameweek 26, let alone number one. More

GAMEWEEK 25 is not done yet with a full round of Premier League fixtures still to come but Dream Team managers should already have one eye on Gameweek 26.That’s because the upcoming Gameweek features both double headers and blanks, creating an imbalance that can be worked to one’s advantage.Fernandes will be busy while Mbeumo restsCredit: Dream TeamGameweek 26 features seven FA Cup games and six European fixtures spread across the three Uefa competitions.The two teams still active in the cup and Europe are Aston Villa and Manchester United.Therefore, the Villains and the Red Devils are the only two sides with TWO fixtures in Gameweek 26.Unai Emery’s side will host Cardiff on Friday night before flying to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the Champions League round of 16.Amid a busy spell for Villa, extensive rotation is probably to be expected against Championship opposition in the fifth round of the FA Cup.It would be a surprise if popular assets such as Morgan Rogers (£3.8m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) Youri Tielemans (£4m) and Lucas Digne (£3m) were given substantial minutes against the Bluebirds.Will Watkins feature against Cardiff on Friday night?Credit: GettyEven so, Villa’s relatively favourable European match-up means their best performers are certainly viable.As for Man United, their double header comes in the form of Fulham (h) and Real Sociedad (a).Most read in FootballNot even the most partisan members of the Old Trafford faithful will be feeling particularly confident during this increasingly disappointing campaign but Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m) continues to thrive in Dream Team nonetheless.The Portuguese playmaker earned 16 points against Everton at the weekend to take his overall total for the season to 260.At the time of writing, only Mohamed Salah (£8.3m) and Erling Haaland (£8.1m) are above him in the rankings.Fernandes banked 16 points at Goodison ParkCredit: PASuch is Fernandes’ importance to Ruben Amorim’s side, he will surely be required to start both fixtures in Gameweek 26.Dream Team’s leading midfielder is therefore an excellent option at this point in time, despite his team’s broader struggles.Some gaffers might be able to identify another Man United player with the potential to cash in against Fulham and Real Sociedad but we certainly wouldn’t feel confident putting any other names forward at this stage.In contrast to the double headers, the following teams will all BLANK in Gameweek 26: Brentford, West Ham, Everton, Southampton and Leicester.Mbeumo is the fourth-most selected midfielder in Dream TeamCredit: RexFirst and foremost, this should prompt Bryan Mbeumo’s (£4.7m) owners to take action.The Bees’ talisman has scored 15 goals on his way to 243 points in what has been a sensational campaign to date but he’ll be watching the cup action from his sofa this weekend.Jordan Pickford (£4.1m) ranks fourth among Dream Team goalkeepers at present but he too is without a fixture in Gameweek 26.As are in-form forwards Beto (£2.7m) and Jarrod Bowen (£5.4m) – Dream Team bosses keen on these tempting differentials should keep their powder dry for now.The other 13 teams have one fixture each, split between the FA Cup and the European competitions.Liverpool travel to PSG in Gameweek 26Credit: GettyGAMEWEEK 26 FIXTURES:FRIDAYAston Villa v CardiffSATURDAYCrystal Palace v MillwallBournemouth v WolvesManchester City v PlymouthSUNDAYNewcastle v BrightonManchester United v FulhamMONDAYNottingham Forest v IpswichTUESDAYClub Brugge v Aston VillaPSV v ArsenalWEDNESDAYPSG v LiverpoolTHURSDAYAZ Alkmaar v TottenhamReal Sociedad v Manchester UnitedCopenhagen v ChelseaREAD MORE SUN STORIESMake sure you take the schedule into consideration when making your transfers for Gameweek 26.The fact Fernandes plays twice while Mbeumo is without a fixture could result in some decisive swings in Mini Leagues worldwide. More

LIVERPOOL have become Premier League champions elect after victory over Manchester City on Sunday.The Reds’ 2-0 win at the Etihad, coupled with Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham, has made them overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy come May.One hand on the trophyCredit: GETTYMohamed Salah (£8.3m) was once again the star of the show against Pep Guardiola’s side as he scored one goal and assisted another for a 16-point return – only Alexander Isak (£6m) earned more points over the weekend among all Dream Team assets.But Dominik Szoboszlai (£4.3m) deserves his time in the spotlight too having also scored and assisted in Manchester.The Hungary international banked 13 points for his efforts to continue his fine form of late.He has notched 59 points in his last seven outings via three goals and two assists.What’s interesting is that Szoboszlai features in just 6.2% of teams at the time of writing, a relatively low ownership for an in-form starter for the best team in the land.Salah and Szoboszlai combined twice against Man CityCredit: GettyFor comparison, Luis Diaz (£3.5m) appears in 38.8% of teams, making him the fourth-most popular player in the game, despite his dwindling returns since the turn of the year.The Colombian winger has mustered just 26 points from his last seven appearances, 33 fewer than Szoboszlai.Widening the lens, Diaz has produced 44 points in 13 games this calendar year, which works out at an average of 3.4 per fixture.Most read in FootballThese stats are not befitting a player who features in well over a third of all teams.Dream Team bosses who want a Liverpool midfielder, an understandable inclination, should certainly consider pivoting from Diaz to Szoboszlai.Diaz’s points-per-game average has dropped since the turn of the yearCredit: GettyArne Slot’s side are due to host Newcastle at Anfield on Wednesday night and the outlook would change again if the Reds’ No8 picked up an injury or Diaz produced a decisive performance – both feasible possibilities.Either way, any transfers made this week wouldn’t come into effect until Gameweek 26, when Liverpool’s only fixture is a trip to PSG in the Champions League round of 16.The Ligue 1 leaders have won 13 of their 14 games in all competitions and made a statement in their European play-off with a 10-0 aggregate triumph over Brest.Gameweek 26 represents a tough test for Salah and company but, looking further ahead, Gameweek 27 could yield lorry-loads of points.Szoboszlai and friends are due to play PSG in the last 16 of the Champions LeagueCredit: GETTYLiverpool will be one of just six teams to pull double duty in Gameweek 27 and they have the luxury of back-to-back home games against relegation-bound Southampton and PSG.Previous comments about the Parisians’ form remain pertinent but that match-up becomes more appealing when the venue shifts to Merseyside.READ MORE SUN STORIESBarring a disaster in the French capital, Dream Team managers should aim to be well stocked with Liverpool players come Gameweek 27.It wouldn’t be overkill to have five, six or even seven of Slot’s favourites in the ranks for that double header and Szoboszlai’s recent returns suggest he’s worthy of selection. More

MARCO ASENSIO (£3.2m) was Aston Villa’s hero against Chelsea on Saturday.The 29-year-old, signed on loan from PSG in January, scored twice to help the Villains overturn a half-time deficit and take all three points.Asensio earned 16 points against ChelseaAsensio’s brace yielded 16 Dream Team points, more than enough to catch the eye of a few managers.In fact, the Spain international is currently the third-most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 26.A lot can change before Friday’s deadline, especially with a full round of Premier League fixtures still to come before Gameweek 25 is complete, but a certain portion of Dream Team bosses have made their intentions clear.At the time of writing, only Alexander Isak (£6m) has scored more points than Asensio this Gameweek.Asensio is enjoying a popularity boost this weekCredit: GettyThe former Real Madrid midfielder has impressed since his switch to the midlands but, prior to Saturday, he wasn’t rewarded with points to show for his efforts.But a decisive 16-point return from his first full 90 minutes in Villa colours has changed the outlook.Asensio’s heroic performance is rather timely too as Unai Emery’s side are one of just two teams set to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 26.Rotation is to be expected against Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday night but next Tuesday’s trip to Club Brugge in the Champions League has to be considered one of the more favourable European match-ups in Gameweek 26.Most read in FootballGranted, the Belgian side did beat Villa 1-0 back in November but they also finished 24th in the league phase, scraping through to the play-offs by the skin of their teeth.Rashford has made an impact at VillaCredit: GettyAsensio’s minutes are a slight concern but a match-winning brace will surely stand him in good stead for the Gameweek to come – it will be interesting to see whether he gets the full 90 minutes again at Selhurst Park on Tuesday.Marcus Rashford (£3.4m) set up both goals against Chelsea having come off the bench at half time.The 27 year-old England international has flexed his creative muscles since his loan move with three assists in four outings at an average of one every 45.3 minutes.Having been frozen out at Manchester United, Rashford has notched 23 points in three Gameweeks since his much-needed change of scenery.Rogers is a doubt for Tuesday’s game against PalaceCredit: AlamyOllie Watkins (£5.2m) and Morgan Rogers (£3.8m) have been Villa’s two best performers in Dream Team this season and both are among the most selected players in their respective positions right now.The latter picked up a minor injury at the weekend and is a doubt to face Crystal Palace but he should be available again in Gameweek 26 – the trip to Belgium is still eight days away. More