Dream Team

WHERE would Manchester United be without Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m)?The Red Devils are languishing in 15th having mustered just 30 points from 26 games in the Premier League this season and yet their club captain is now Dream Team’s best-performing midfielder.Dream Team’s new midfield kingCredit: Dream TeamA 16-point haul at Goodison Park meant Fernandes leapfrogged Cole Palmer (£5.8m) to go third in the rankings overall at the weekend, behind superstar forwards Mohamed Salah (£8.3m) and Erling Haaland (£8.1m).It seemed as if Ruben Amorim’s side were going to suffer their third consecutive defeat in the top flight when they went 2-0 down to Everton after 33 minutes.However, the Portuguese playmaker inspired the visitors to a second-half comeback with a sweetly struck free-kick, followed eight minutes later by Manuel Ugarte’s (£3m) equaliser.One could reflect upon Man United’s weaknesses for hours on end but Dream Team managers should focus on Fernandes’ impressive returns when weighing up his viability.He is statistically the most in-form midfielder in the game right now having banked 34 points in his last three outings.Manchester United are ultra reliant on their skipperCredit: GettyFernandes has scored ten goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions this season but that tally only tells half the story.The 30-year-old is primarily an attack-minded midfielder but only seven players in his position have made more tackles, most of them being combative ball-winners who contribute few goal involvements.He also ranks ninth in his position for shots on target and third for big chances created.Most read in FootballFactor in 27 bonus points, seven of which have come in his last three outings, and it’s no wonder Fernandes has worked his way up to the top of the midfield rankings.Granted, he has played ten games more than Palmer and seven more than third-placed Bryan Mbeumo (£4.7m) but the fact he takes on such a high workload is what makes him such an appealing Dream Team asset.From Amorim’s point of view, his over reliance on Fernandes is a huge concern but it’s a helpful factor for Dream Team bosses as it ensures minutes on the pitch.Amorim has plenty of problems to solve but Fernandes continues to supply pointsCredit: GETTYGameweek 25 is only half complete as there’s a full round of Premier League fixtures to come in midweek, with Man United set to host 18th-placed Ipswich on Wednesday night.Looking further ahead, Fernandes might be among a tiny minority of players who plays twice in Gameweek 26.Man United and Aston Villa are the only two teams set to pull double duty on account of them still being active in the FA Cup and their respective European competitions.The former are due to face Fulham and Real Sociedad in quick succession – can Amorim really afford to go without Fernandes in either fixture given the current situation at Old Trafford?Fernandes looks to be a smart option for Gameweek 26Credit: ReutersIt’s early days but Fernandes, who features in 19.6% of teams, is currently the most popular recruit ahead of the Gameweek 26 deadline.Another bumper haul against the Tractor Boys will only boost his popularity further. More

DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news for Gameweek 25 in one convenient location.Erling Haaland is considered a doubt for Sunday’s huge match-up between Manchester City and Liverpool.Haaland is a doubt to face Liverpool this weekendCredit: Dream TeamThe Norwegian No9, who features in 53.9% of teams at the time of writing, was substituted against Newcastle last weekend and didn’t come off the bench against Real Madrid in midweek.When asked about Haaland’s availability, Pep Guardiola told reporters today: “Don’t know yet… tomorrow we will know.”John Stones is definitely sidelined and may even require surgery but Nathan Ake returned at the Bernabeu.As for the Reds, Cody Gakpo has not yet trained with the rest of the squad having been unfit in Gameweek 24.read more on footballArne Slot said on Thursday that it will be a “close call” in regards to the Dutch forward.Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez have been ruled out with the latter expected to be unavailable until near the end of the season.Bradley is unlikely to feature against either Man City or NewcastleCredit: PANoni Madueke has been added to Chelsea’s injury list ahead of their trip to Villa Park on Saturday.Ezri Konsa will be in contention to start for the hosts if he makes it through today’s training session without complaint.Most read in Dream TeamAxel Disasi is ineligible to play against his parent club.Christian Eriksen, Lenny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte are all likely to make Manchester United’s squad at Goodison Park.However, Kobbie Mainoo is not yet ready to return for the Red Devils.Lewis Dunk remains a doubt for Brighton but Fabian Hurzeler will be able to call upon Pervis Estupinan and Solly March ahead of the Seagulls’ trip to Southampton.Son will be available for Spurs this weekendCredit: AFPAnge Postecoglou provided a positive update on Son Heung-min, Kevin Danso and Rodrigo Bentancur.Speaking to journalists, the Tottenham boss said: “The three guys who picked up knocks last week… are all good, we’ve had a full week to recover and prepare.”West Ham will be without Lucas Paqueta at Arsenal this weekend following an unfortunate “training incident” with team-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Oliver Glasner believes Eberechi Eze is “ready to start” against Fulham on Saturday and reported no new concerns.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, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai HavertzSuspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Pau Torres, Ross Barkley, Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa (doubt), Boubacar KamaraSuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Adam Smith, Evanilson, Enes Unal, James Hill (doubt)Suspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Rico Henry, Sepp van den BergSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Igor Julio, Lewis Dunk (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Noni MaduekeSuspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, Chadi RiadSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Seamus Coleman, Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye, Nathan PattersonSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Harry WilsonSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Chaplin (doubt), Christian Walton, Wes Burns, Julio EncisoSuspensions: Axel TuanzebeLEICESTERInjuries: Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, James JustinSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Cody Gakpo (doubt), Tyler Morton, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley (doubt)Suspensions: Curtis JonesMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb, Rodri, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Erling Haaland (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Altay Bayindir, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Tom Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad DialloSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, JoelintonSuspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Carlos MiguelSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Ross Stewart, Ryan Fraser (doubt), Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam LallanaSuspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Cristian Romero, Timo Werner (doubt), Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin, Richarlison, Micky van de VenSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Lucas PaquetaSuspensions: NoneWOLVESREAD MORE SUN STORIESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Jorgen Strand Larsen (doubt), Leon Chiwone, Hwang Hee-chan, Sam Johnstone (doubt), Rodrigo Gomes (doubt), Emmanuel Agbadou (doubt)Suspensions: None More

ALL 20 Premier League clubs will be in action TWICE in double Gameweek 25!As a result, Dream Team managers are spoiled for choice when deciding upon their transfers before Friday’s 6:30pm deadline.Cole Palmer faces Aston Villa and Southampton in Gameweek 25Credit: GettyBefore we rattle off some specific transfer recommendations, a quick word for top-tier midfielders Cole Palmer (£5.9m) and Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m).We wouldn’t usually insult your intelligence by including such obvious players in our transfer recommendations but the pair are worth a mention as they remain strong selections despite Chelsea and Manchester United’s faltering form.Jean-Philippe Mateta (£4.4m)A man in formCredit: ReutersThe beautiful thing about a full double Gameweek is that it opens up a host of options from clubs that are usually overlooked.Crystal Palace are a great example as they have improved dramatically in the last two months, producing plenty of Dream Team points in the process.The Eagles’ lack of European fixtures would usually be a hindrance but that’s irrelevant in Gameweek 25 and so Mateta has to be considered a strong differential given his form of late.The French forward, who features in just 3.4% of teams, has scored seven goals in his last seven games in a fruitful spell that has yielded 72 points.Palace are due to face Fulham and Aston Villa this coming Gameweek.Daniel Munoz (£5.2m) is a super viable option too as Dream Team’s most in-form defender.Most read in FootballLooking further ahead, Oliver Glasner’s side have an FA Cup fifth round tie with Millwall in Gameweek 26 – they’re one of only three top-flight teams due to face lower-league opposition.Bryan Mbeumo (£4.7m)A popular transfer this weekCredit: GettyYou probably don’t need a second invitation to back Brentford’s talisman.Only the aforementioned Palmer and Fernandes have outscored the Cameroon international among midfielders to this point, a remarkable statistic given the Bees have no European commitments.Not only does Mbeumo have the luxury of a rare double Gameweek, he’ll kick things off against Leicester on Friday night – only Southampton have conceded more league goals than the Foxes in 2024/25.Yoane Wissa (£3m) and Kevin Schade (£3.1m) will also be licking their lips but Mbeumo is surely the most likely man to take advantage at the King Power – he’s scored 14 league goals this term.Kaoru Mitoma (£3.6m)Fresh off a Goal of the Season contenderCredit: GettyLike Mbeumo, Brighton’s No22 will be unleashed upon relegation-bound opposition in the first of his two fixtures this Gameweek.The Seagulls travel to St Mary’s to face a Southampton side still in need of some points to scrape past Derby’s record-low total of 11 from 2007/08.Mitoma has scored four goals in his last six games and will fancy his chances of extending his good form when he meets the top flight’s worst defence on Saturday.Bournemouth will provide a tougher test in midweek.See also: Yankuba Minteh (£2.5m) and Georginio Rutter (£3.2m)Matheus Cunha (£5m)Talent to burnCredit: PAArne Slot recently claimed Wolves’ No10 was good enough to play for any of the Premier League’s top five teams and the Dutchman has a point.Cunha ranks in the top three forwards for big chances created, tackles and bonus points.And that’s just the additional extras he has provided on top of his 17 goal involvements.Without over complicating it, the Brazilian is Dream Team’s most in-form player ahead of Gameweek 25 and that alone makes him a strong option.READ MORE SUN STORIESGranted, a double header against Bournemouth and Fulham is a tricky proposition this season but Cunha took 12 points off Liverpool last time out, proof he has the ability to cash in against any opponent.Amazingly, the 25-year-old appears in just 3.4% of teams at the time of writing.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

MANCHESTER CITY v Liverpool headlines Matchweek 23 but Score Predictor users have four other fixtures to decipher before Sunday’s main event.Once again, we’re putting up £250 as the weekly prize for our free-to-play game that takes just seconds to enter. Play now!Credit: 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 amass the most points then you’ll claim the cash prize!Allow us to present some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture to help inform your decisions…Arsenal v West HamThe Hammers won at the Emirates last season but the likelihood of a repeat this time around is slim to none.The Gunners haven’t lost in the league since November 2nd and their last two meetings with West Ham (at the London Stadium) yielded emphatic wins: 6-0 and 5-2.Even accounting for injured absentees in the forward line, Mikel Arteta’s side should have enough to overpower Graham Potter’s troops, who have lost to Chelsea and Brentford this month.Arsenal are the only top-flight team yet to taste defeat on home soil this campaign.Our Prediction: 2-0 to ArsenalMost read in FootballEthan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino stepped up for Arsenal at Leicester last weekendCredit: GettyIpswich v TottenhamThe Tractors Boys’ 2-1 victory in North London back in November is arguably the high point of their entire season.However, Kieran McKenna’s boys look increasingly resigned to relegation having mustered just 17 points from 25 games to date.Only Southampton have allowed their opponents more xG than Ipswich this term.As for Spurs, this month’s low-scoring wins and clean sheets against Brentford and Manchester United were uncharacteristic of the Ange Postecoglou era but warmly received by fans.Their injury list isn’t as lengthy as it was a fortnight ago and while there’s still plenty of room for improvement, Saturday’s trip to Portman Road represents a golden chance to register three consecutive league wins for the first time in 2024/25.Ipswich average just nine shots per 90 minutes this season, the lowest rate in the league.Our Prediction: 2-1 to SpursMaddison scored the game’s only goal when Spurs beat Man United last time outCredit: GettyAston Villa v ChelseaThe Villains have made good progress in the Champions League and FA Cup but Wednesday night’s draw against Liverpool means they’ve now gone five leagues games without a win.In that time they’ve lost to Wolves and drawn to West Ham and Ipswich – three of the current bottom five in the table.It’s a similar story for Cole Palmer and company, who have celebrated just two wins in their last nine league games in a run that stretches back before Christmas.Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off is very much a meeting of two teams in search of better domestic form.Clean sheets have been few and far between for both sides of late.Our Prediction: 2-2 drawChelsea are heading in the wrong directionCredit: GettyNewcastle v Nottingham ForestLast season’s game at St James’ Park was notable for the fact it featured a Chris Wood hat-trick.And that was before the big New Zealander tapped into the clinical form he’s displayed throughout the current campaign.Defeat to Fulham last time out brought Nuno Espirito Santo’s side back down to Earth after their 7-0 triumph over Brighton but Forest are still very much in Dreamland, nestled between Arsenal and Manchester City in third.The Magpies are making waves in the domestic cups this season but defeat at the Etihad last weekend was their third loss in their last four league fixtures.Newcastle away is usually a daunting prospect but only Liverpool and Arsenal have earned more points than Forest on the road this season.A tough one to call.Our Prediction: 1-1 drawWood returned to haunt his old club upon his last visit to St James’ ParkCredit: PAManchester City v LiverpoolThis match-up has produced some of the most entertaining games of the modern era but rarely have Pep Guardiola’s side looked as vulnerable as they do at present.City produced a meek display in Madrid on Wednesday night and were soundly beaten by Arsenal at the start of the month, an indication that they are not equipped to resist top teams at this moment in time.Arne Slot’s side may have dropped points to Everton and Villa – not forgetting a shock elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Plymouth – but they remain clear favourites to lift the Premier League trophy come May.Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the win at Anfield back in early December and in the Egyptian superstar, Sunday’s visitors have a cheat code.Salah is five goals clear of Erling Haaland (an availability doubt for this weekend) and five assists ahead of Antonee Robinson and Bukayo Saka as the outright leader in both metrics.The 32-year-old is on course for his best ever season in terms of pure goal involvements – and that’s a high bar to clear.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur Prediction: 3-1 to LiverpoolVirtually unstoppableCredit: ReutersProve you know better by entering your predictions for Matchweek 23 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

COLE PALMER (£5.9m) is the second-most popular player in Dream Team right now.Only Mohamed Salah (£8.3m) currently appears in more teams than Chelsea’s talisman, who is experiencing a popularity spike this week despite the Blues’ faltering form.Palmer features in 55.8% of teamsCredit: Dream TeamEnzo Maresca’s side find themselves in the bottom half of the form table having won just two of their last nine games in the Premier League.Despite this downturn in form, Palmer’s ownership is increasing ahead of double Gameweek 25, when he will take on Aston Villa and Southampton.Having not been included in Chelsea’s initial Conference League squad and frequently rested in the domestic cups, the England international has pulled double duty just twice in 2024/25 to date.In Gameweek 16, he notched 19 points across outings versus Everton and Fulham.And in Gameweek 13, he produced a combined haul of 28 points against the Villains and Saints – the exact reverse fixtures of those coming up in Gameweek 25.Palmer can’t do it all on his own at ChelseaCredit: PANot only is Palmer set for a rare double header, his recent record against said opponents is hugely encouraging.It’s no wonder Dream Team managers are backing him for a sizeable haul this coming Gameweek but there’s no doubt Chelsea’s downturn is a limiting factor to consider.Palmer has averaged 5.4 points-per-game across his last five appearances, way down on his overall season average of 9.5.Most read in FootballThe 22-year-old has provided two assists in that time, not to mention six bonus points, but it’s now over a month since his last goal.Palmer’s record is impressive but his numbers are heading in the wrong directionCredit: ReutersThis is not to say Palmer should be criticised for his tangible output as he has been an absolute superstar in that department ever since his move to Stamford Bridge.He has scored 14 goals and registered nine assists in 26 outings this season – remarkable figures.But recent data suggests that even Palmer has been hindered by the broader issues dogging Chelsea of late.Earlier in the campaign, he dovetailed with Nicolas Jackson (£3.7m) to great effect but the Senegalese striker went off the boil and then picked up an injury.More importantly, Maresca has struggled to replicate the dynamic football that caught the eye in the first half of the campaign.Palmer scored against both Aston Villa ad Southampton back in Gameweek 13Credit: AlamyPalmer owners may have a decision to make in the near future if his returns continue to stagnate but hopes are high for Gameweek 25 – he could feast at home to relegation-bound Southampton next Tuesday.It’s also worth noting that while Chelsea won’t have an FA Cup fifth round fixture in Gameweek 26, the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 tie will be added to Match Centre once the draw has taken place later this week.Palmer did not participate in the league phase due to “load management” but he has been added to the squad for the knockout stage.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith all due to respect to Uefa’s tertiary club competition, the prospect of mismatches against the likes of Heidenheim, Jagiellonia Bialystok and Celje would be hugely appealing to Dream Team gaffers.If only Chelsea would sort themselves out…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

MATHEUS CUNHA (£5m) is Dream Team’s Swiss Army Knife; he does it all.The Wolves forward is statistically the most in-form player in the game right now having amassed 41 points in his last three outings.Oozes qualityCredit: Dream TeamThe 25-year-old has scored against Aston Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool in consecutive fixtures but his goal threat is only one aspect of his game.Cunha has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season and ranks fifth for shots on target among assets in his position.Furthermore, he ranks third for bonus points, third for big chances created, and second for tackles among strikers – a gargantuan effort without European fixtures to bolster his schedule.And it’s the fact Cunha offers multiple routes to points that makes him such an appealing Dream Team option ahead of double Gameweek 25.Cunha has reached top form in recent weeksCredit: ReutersWith all 20 Premier League clubs set to play twice, Wolves will not be on the wrong side of a fixture deficit, which is the main reason gaffers have resisted Cunha this season.Vitor Pereira’s side are due to face Bournemouth and Fulham, two of the league’s best-coached sides both pushing for European qualification.While that’s far from a favourable double header, Cunha has proven himself capable of success against tough opposition, as evidenced by his 12-point haul against Liverpool last time out.Arne Slot was first in line to praise the former Atletico Madrid forward, saying: “Matheus Cunha is a quality player and has the quality to play for one of the top five teams in England.”Most read in FootballCunha took 12 points off Liverpool last time outCredit: GettyThe Dream Team Stats Centre paints the Brazil international in a very flattering light.He averages 8.4 points-per-game this season, a rate only bettered by the absolute cream of the crop: Mohamed Salah (£8.3m), Cole Palmer (£5.9m), Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), Erling Haaland (£8.1m).Even accounting for two deceptively difficult opponents, it would be reasonable to expect a healthy double-digit haul from Cunha in Gameweek 25.Hence why he’s currently the fifth-most popular recruit ahead of Friday’s 6:30pm 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