Dream Team

ERLING HAALAND (£7.7m) is justifiably the default captain for most Dream Team managers.However, with just one fixture for the Norwegian poacher in Gameweek 27, and that being a difficult match-up away to Liverpool, gaffers are encouraged to think outside the box ahead of Saturday’s 11:30 deadline.In fact, such is the unpredictable nature of Sunday’s mouthwatering clash between two of the Premier League’s title contenders, it’s probably best to stay clear of the fixture altogether when allocating the armband this time around.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Many Dream Team bosses will keep the armband on Haaland despite his tricky fixtureCredit: GettyGranted, Jurgen Klopp’s side have an additional fixture in the form of Sparta Prague at home in the Europa League but with a 5-1 aggregate lead, the German tactician will be able to rest his most important players (the main captaincy candidates) if he so wishes.With that in mind, let’s peruse the other options.Dominic Solanke (£3.9m)Bournemouth’s No9 is the third-most popular recruit this week and it’s not inconceivable he’ll jump up to number one before tomorrow’s deadline.And those who have brought him in ahead of Gameweek 27 should certainly consider him a viable captain.Solanke has scored 16 goals already this season and his upcoming double header is about as favourable as it gets.Most read in FootballThe Cherries host Sheffield United this weekend before welcoming Luton to the south coast on Wednesday night.Given their top scorer averages 6.2 points-per-game in 2023/24, he’s well placed for a healthy double-digit haul – he may even achieve that against the beleaguered Blades alone.Cherry picked!Credit: Dream TeamBukayo Saka (£5.9m)Arsenal’s main man is clearly the best option among the highly-owned assets, assuming he’s available of course.The England winger was substituted at half-time on Monday night having shown signs of illness and gaffers will be hoping for a positive update from Mikel Arteta this afternoon.At the time of writing it seems unlikely Saka will sit out as he generally plays if available, no matter his condition.Arsenal host Brentford on Saturday which is certainly a favourable match-up for attacking players this season – only the three promoted clubs have conceded more league goals than the Bees.Arteta’s side will then welcome Porto to the Emirates for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 and with a 1-0 deficit to overturn, Saka will surely be needed from the get-go.If the 22-year-old does start both fixtures then he should fill his boots – he’s scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions!A fantastic option as long as he’s availableCredit: ReutersJarrod Bowen (£4.7m)Another popular Dream Team player with an appealing double header here.On Sunday, West Ham are at home to a Burnley side with just 13 points to their name since promotion.Only Sheffield United have conceded more goals than the Clarets in the top flight and so Bowen will fancy his chances of adding to his season tally of 17 goals.Then on Thursday night, the Hammers will get another crack at Freiburg having lost 1-0 to the Bundesliga outfit in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie, this time on home soil.More broadly, David Moyes’ side are one of just four teams with three fixtures across the next two Gameweeks so Bowen has the potential to climb the rankings.The England international is already the fifth-best performer among all assets in terms of total points.Burnley at home is a fixture to targetCredit: GettyOllie Watkins (£4.6m)Aston Villa’s No11 has banked 81 points across the last six Gameweeks and is therefore a strong captaincy candidate on form alone.Like Solanke, Saka and Bowen, Watkins also has the benefit of two home fixtures in Gameweek 29 although his opponents are hardly favourable.Tottenham will frequent Villa Park on Sunday in what has the potential to be an enthralling contest before Ajax arrive on English shores for Europa Conference League commitments.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile other players certainly have more friendly fixtures, few are able to match Watkins’ pedigree given he’s scored 18 goals and registered 15 assists so far in 2023/24.He has developed into an incredibly productive forward under Unai Emery’s tutelage and Villa’s home record in the last year offsets the fact that neither Spurs nor the Dutch giants are expected to roll over without resistance.A man in fine formCredit: GettytalkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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SEVEN teams are set to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 27 and Dream Team managers should shop around these clubs when confirming their latest transfers.Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, Aston Villa, West Ham, Bournemouth and Luton are the sides in question.With that in mind, allow us to propose some transfer recommendations.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Well placed to cash in this coming GameweekCredit: GettyDominic Solanke (£3.9m)The Cherries have the luxury of back-to-back home games against two sides below them in the table this coming Gameweek.Andoni Iraola’s men will host Sheffield United on Saturday before welcoming Luton to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night.Both the Blades and the Hatters are currently in the relegation zone having conceded 72 and 54 goals respectively.All signs point to more success for a 3.8%-owned striker who has already scored 16 goals and provided five assists this season.Only Erling Haaland (£7.7m), Ollie Watkins (£4.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) have scored more Premier League goals than Solanke this campaign.Most read in FootballThe 26-year-old is clearly a fantastic option for Gameweek 27 but Dream Team bosses should be aware that Bournemouth will blank in Gameweek 28.Still, as far as one-week punts go, this is right up there.Carlton Morris (£3.3m)Anyone for a wildcard?Credit: GettyLuton’s acting captain is a massive differential option as he currently features in just 0.2% of teams!Much of what applied to Solanke is also relevant for Morris.The Hatters face Crystal Palace at the weekend before their aforementioned trip to Bournemouth – a relatively favourable double header.Luton’s No9 has been in fine form of late; he’s banked 70 points across the last seven Gameweeks via five goals and three assists.Out of the two, Solanke is the better selection for Gameweek 27 but Morris has the advantage of a fixture in Gameweek 28 (Nottingham Forest at home) and so the latter won’t need to be replaced in a hurry.Many gaffers will be hesitant to back a Luton player but it’s simply a fact that Morris is one of the most in-form strikers in the game right now and one of very few assets with three fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.William Saliba (£3.3m), Gabriel (£4m) and/or Ben White (£3.5m)White bagged 15 points in Gameweek 26Credit: GettyFor those with more mainstream tastes, targeting Arsenal’s solid defence looks promising once again.The Gunners have been in magnificent form since the winter break and their fans will be hopeful of positive results at home to Brentford and Porto in Gameweek 27.Following their thrashing of Sheffield United, Gabriel, Saliba and White all feature in Dream Team’s top seven defenders.It’s mildly interesting that the Frenchman has the fewest points of the three but he’s by far and away the most popular – he’s also the cheapest.Ivan Toney packs a punch but the Bees have taken just one point from their last four league games and are in danger of being dragged into the relegation scrap – Mikel Arteta will feel confident of another comfortable victory.As for the Portuguese outfit, they breached Arsenal’s tight defence deep into stoppage time in the first leg but they are likely to be up against it at the Emirates.Arsenal boast the best defence in the Premier League this season and they’ve also kept the most clean sheets in all competitions.Once again, gaffers should be wary of the fact that the North Londoners don’t have a fixture in Gameweek 28.Targeting clean sheets in Gameweek 27 is all well and good but an XI that features three or more Arsenal players is at risk of being caught short next week.Jarrod Bowen (£4.7m) and/or Mohammed Kudus (£4.6m)West Ham’s first-choice front three is stacked with qualityCredit: GettyWest Ham are among the handful of clubs with three fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.This alone would be enough to justify the selections of their talented attacking assets but factor in a favourable match-up at home to Burnley on Sunday and this strategy appears that much sweeter.With 17 goals to his name, Bowen is the obvious choice, as evidenced by his ownership of 22.4%.The Hammers’ No20 is generously categorised as a midfielder but he’s played the vast majority of his minutes as a centre-forward this season.Gaffers seeking a potential difference-maker would do well to consider Kudus as he appears in 1.4% of teams at present.The Ghana star is one of the best dribblers in the league and he hoards bonus points as a result.Dream Team managers will be able to scout how David Moyes’ side get on against Freiburg this evening ahead of the second leg in East London next week.Elsewhere, it’s worth repeating a couple of names we’ve mentioned a fair bit of late in Ollie Watkins (£4.6m) and Leon Bailey (£3.1m).READ MORE SUN STORIESAston Villa host Tottenham and Ajax in Gameweek 27 before travelling to West Ham in Gameweek 28.Lock in your transfers prior to Saturday’s 11:30am deadline.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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LEON BAILEY (£3.1m) has ascended to another level this season.The Jamaica international’s first season at Aston Villa was blighted by injuries while his second campaign was an underwhelming one punctuated by inconsistent performances.So far in 2023/24, however, fans of the Villains have finally seen the player who made waves in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.In fact, he’s statistically one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking talents this term.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!One of the Premier League’s most-exciting players this seasonCredit: Dream TeamUsing Dream Team definitions, Bailey is averaging a goal or assist every 78.6 minutes in the top flight!This alone suggests he deserves to be more popular among gaffers as his current ownership of 2.6% means he features in fewer teams than Nicolas Jackson (£3.3m).The 26-year-old has scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions this season.Only four midfielders have registered more goal involvements at the time of writing: Bukayo Saka (£5.9m), Jarrod Bowen (£4.7m), Phil Foden (£5.7m) and Cole Palmer (£4.3m).All members of that quartet are significantly more popular than Bailey – Palmer is the least-selected of the four and his ownership of 16.6% is enough to make him the seventh most-popular asset in his position.Most read in FootballSurely Bailey deserves to be more popular among Dream Team managers?Credit: GettyThe fact Bailey rarely completes 90 minutes may be the reason his ownership doesn’t reflect the quality of his output.While that’s an understandable inclination, the only thing that should matter to gaffers is a player’s capacity to returns plentiful points.And Bailey has done just that in his last two outings having taken Nottingham Forest and Luton for 19 points via one goal and two assists.Dream Team bosses warming to the idea of transferring Bailey into their XI may be tempted to enact such a ploy prior to Gameweek 27.Unai Emery’s side one of seven teams with two fixtures to fulfil this coming Gameweek and both games are due to played at Villa Park, where they have an excellent record.Granted, Tottenham and Ajax are hardly the most favourable opponents but both sides have conceded their fair share of goals this season.Watkins and Bailey have dovetailed superblyCredit: GettyDream Team gaffers will (correctly) been drawn to Ollie Watkins (£4.6m) first when targeting Villa’s attack but doubling up is a perfectly viable strategy.The England striker has developed a strong understanding with Bailey in recent months.Looking forward, Villa have a fixture in Gameweek 28, unlike Arsenal and Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn fact, Villa, Liverpool, West Ham and Luton are the only clubs with three fixtures across Gameweeks 27 and 28.All things considered, Bailey appears to be a smart option up until the international break.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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NO Dream Team manager wants to be in a position that forces them to bet against Kevin De Bruyne (£6.3m).But that’s exactly how Gameweek 27 is shaping up for a sizeable chunk of gaffers.With the deadline still three days away there’s still time for the outlook to change but, as it stands, Manchester City’s playmaker-in-chief is the fourth most transferred-out player this week.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Not a player you want to bet againstCredit: Dream TeamDe Bruyne mustered just four points against Manchester United last time out but it was only a week ago he produced FOUR assists against Luton for a 15-point return in what was a truly brilliant display.Some Dream Team bosses are perhaps still frustrated by the fact he played just six minutes against Bournemouth and didn’t feature at all at home to Brentford.But again, prior to that he took Copenhagen and Chelsea for 24 points via one goal, two assists and five bonus points.Realistically, De Bruyne’s ability is not under scrutiny, he’s proven himself a world-class talent several times over at this stage of his career.The reason swathes of gaffers have ditched him this week is because Pep Guardiola’s side face an unfavourable Gameweek 27.A formidable combinationCredit: ReutersFor first time in over a month, the defending champions will only have one fixture to fulfil and that being a trip to Liverpool – the toughest match-up possible for them in the Premier League.Most read in FootballAnfield has not been a happy hunting ground for City during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, although De Bruyne did score in Merseyside the season before last.Many gaffers will feel they have to sacrifice the Belgium international in order to squeeze the schedule for all it’s worth, replacing him with an attacking asset likely to start two fixtures in Gameweek 27.Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Luton are all set to pull double duty.The logic is relatively sound but the risk of being punished by De Bruyne is not easy to stomach, such is his pedigree.He only returned from a long-term injury on January 7th and yet he’s already registered 12 assists in all competitions, a tally bettered by just five players.More broadly, the 32-year-old is averaging 6.5 points-per-game this season.De Bruyne may feature against Copenhagen this eveningCredit: PAIn fairness, Phil Foden (£5.7m) and Erling Haaland (£7.7m) are the two top point-scorers in the game right now and so it’s understandable why some gaffers are turning towards De Bruyne for their City sacrifice.And yet still it feels counter-intuitive; De Bruyne is one of very few players who could justifiably be described as “fixture-proof”. There’s no downplaying the significance of this weekend’s headline showdown, both in terms of the title race and in relation to Dream Team.11 of the top 20 most-selected players in the game represent either Liverpool or Man City at present.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith so many popular players in direct opposition, Sunday’s game will go a long way to determining Mini Leagues all over the world. Those who have ditched De Bruyne may find it a stressful watch…talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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AT this stage of the season, many Dream Team managers will be searching for smart differential options.This is to say, players who are overlooked by the vast majority of gaffers but have the ability to rack up plentiful points.The likes of Erling Haaland (£7.7m), Bukayo Saka (£5.9m) and Phil Foden (£5.7m) are obviously fantastic assets but they’re so popular that their points are unlikely to change the outlook of most Mini Leagues.This is why somebody like Mohammed Kudus (£4.6m) has the potential to be a difference-maker.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!All the talent in the worldCredit: Dream TeamThe West Ham winger features in just 1.1% of teams and is therefore a massive differential.His low ownership is a result of his recent Africa Cup of Nations commitments and the Hammers’ poor form.David Moyes’ side started the year with eight games in a row without a win but they’ve addressed that dip with two consecutive wins most recently.It’s no coincidence that results have picked up since the first-choice front three were reunited with the return of Lucas Paqueta (£4m) from injury.West Ham have scored seven goals in two games since the Brazilian rejoined Kudus and Jarrod Bowen (£4.7m) in the starting line-up.Most read in FootballWith his side’s worst form seemingly over and AFCON no longer a factor, the ex-Ajax midfielder deserves to be more popular in the realm of Dream Team.Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta is a fantastic forward lineCredit: GettyKudus produced 68 points across four Gameweeks before he joined up with Ghana in January.And he’s earned 41 points in six outings since returning.In fact, the 23-year-old’s average of 6.1 points-per-game in 2023/24 is only bettered by eight midfielders.Kudus has scored nine goals and provided six assists but it’s his ability to rack up bonus points that makes him such an appealing option.Only four players have registered more than his 38 bonus points at this stage which is remarkable considering Kudus didn’t start his first game until late September and missed all of January while away at AFCON.As if to illustrate this point, he earned six bonus points across West Ham’s recent wins over Brentford and Everton.West Ham’s results have picked up latelyCredit: PAThose stats alone would be enough to justify a transfer for Kudus but this strategy becomes even more tempting when the schedule is also taken into account.West Ham have the luxury of back-to-back home games in Gameweek 27 against Burnley and Freiburg.The second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie promises to be competitive but the Clarets have been easy pickings in the Premier League.Suddenly Kudus’ ownership of 1.1% looks very, very low indeed.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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NEWCASTLE are the only team with two midfielders on 200+ Dream Team points at the time of writing.Given that the Magpies are currently eighth in the Premier League table and were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, this may come as a surprise to many gaffers.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!415 Dream Team points between themCredit: Dream TeamAnthony Gordon (£3.9m) scored his tenth goal of the season in his side’s 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday for a nine-point return.The ex-Everton winger has also provided nine assists in all competitions.His overall tally of 209 points puts him fifth among assets in his position, one point ahead of Bruno Fernandes (£5m) and four points shy of Cole Palmer (£4.3m).Bruno Guimaraes (£4.4m) isn’t far behind as the seventh-best midfielder on 206 points.The Brazilian is a unique Dream Team asset as his style lends itself perfectly to the bonus system.In fact, just over 30% of the 26-year-old’s total is made up of bonus points.He’s amassed 63 bonus points to date, 17 more than his closest rival in the metric, Phil Foden (£5.7m).Most read in FootballBonus point kingCredit: GettyGaffers are able to view the breakdown of Guimaraes’ player performance marks (which determine bonus points) in the Stats Centre.In short, he wins a huge number of fouls and also ranks highly in his position for successful dribbles, blocks and interceptions.Add in 83 tackles, a tally only bettered by five other players, plus ten goal involvements and the numbers reflect what the St James’ Park faithful have observed, Guimaraes is a tremendously effective all-action midfielder.He too banked nine points at Wolves’ expense via an assist, three bonus points and a big chance created.Newcastle have not been at their best this season, mainly because they have been severely hampered by injuries, by Gordon and Guimaraes have emerged as top-tier midfield options for Dream Team managers.That being said, a quick glance at the schedule suggests gaffers might be wise to wait until the international break if they are tempted to recruit either (or both) of Eddie Howe’s favourites.19 goal involvements in 2023/24Credit: GettyNewcastle are not among the seven teams with two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 27 and their only game, a trip to Chelsea, isn’t one that demands to be targeted.Then in Gameweek 28, they face Manchester City in the FA Cup.Once that difficult match-up is out of the way and the international break is complete, that’s when Gordon and Guimaraes will look like smart transfer options.Gameweek 29 consists of back-to-back home games against West Ham and Everton.One thing to be wary of, however, is Guimaraes’ disciplinary record.He’s racked 13 yellow cards already this season and is perhaps a tad fortunate not to have seen red at least once.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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