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IN what was generally a low-scoring weekend for Dream Team assets, Son Heung-min (£4.6m) emerged as a magnificent outlier.On Sunday, Tottenham registered a hugely impressive 4-0 win over Aston Villa in what may ultimately turn out to be a significant result in the hunt for Champions League qualification.And the visitors’ captain was right at the heart of their victory.Very much in the pictureCredit: Dream TeamSon scored one goal and assisted two others as Spurs dominated the second half in the midlands.The South Korean superstar registered 16 points when all was said and done which was more than enough for him to finish as the weekend’s top performer.Most Dream Team managers would have been convinced of Son’s talents many years ago but there’s no doubt his Gameweek 27 exploits have provided a timely reminder of his pedigree. Ange Postecoglou’s side have enjoyed a comparatively relaxed schedule in recent weeks which has limited the viability of their key players in the world of Dream Team.But that’s all about to change as their fixtures across the next three Gameweeks look rather appealing.Spurs’ fixtures look good across the next three GameweeksCredit: PAIn Gameweek 28, when six other sides will blank, Spurs travel to Fulham.And then in Gameweek 29, Son and company face Luton (home) and West Ham (away) in what has to be considered a relatively favourable double header.Most read in FootballFollowing that, Gameweek 30 brings the luxury of a home game against a Nottingham Forest side increasingly at risk of relegation.Given that Son averages 7.5 points-per-game this season, a rate bettered by just five players at the time of writing, he’s likely to be a popular recruit ahead of this friendly run of fixtures.It’s early days but the 31-year-old is currently the third most transferred-in player ahead of Gameweek 28, just ahead of team-mates of Pedro Porro (£3.6m) and James Maddison (£4m), further underling Spurs’ schedule as one to target.Bound to be popular recruits this weekCredit: ReutersA lack of European fixtures coupled with early exits from both domestic cups (plus Asian Cup commitments) has tempered Son’s returns somewhat this season but he’s been utterly brilliant in the Premier League.In fact, all of his 14 goals and eight assists have come in the top flight this campaign.He’s averaging a goal involvement every 90.1 minutes in the league under Postecoglou.It may be the case that schedule-orientated gaffers can’t accommodate Son once the European quarter-finals get underway but he looks well placed to deliver plentiful points in the short term at least.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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DREAM TEAM managers underwhelmed by their weekend returns should take solace in the fact they’re not alone.Gameweek 27 has been a low-scoring affair so far with just one of the 20 most-popular players in the game registering more than five points across Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures.Erling Haaland was kept quiet at AnfieldCredit: Dream TeamKevin De Bruyne (£6.1m) was the only exception as the Belgian playmaker notched seven points via his set-piece assist against Liverpool at Anfield.But even his backers would have been frustrated to see the midfielder hooked midway through the second half.Cole Palmer (£4.4m) has the chance to buck the trend when he takes on Newcastle this evening – Chelsea’s No20 is the 18th most-selected asset right now – but the point still stands that it’s been a lean Gameweek to date.Disgruntled gaffers only have to take a look at the top end of the overall leaderboard to understand that the standard has dropped across the board this week.Just one of the top 35 Dream Team bosses worldwide scored more than 50 points at the weekend.Saka returned three points against BrentfordCredit: ReutersOne of the main reasons for this was the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.Neither Liverpool or Manchester City defenders kept a clean sheet and the respective goalscorers, John Stones (£3.6m) and Alexis Mac Allister (£3.9m), are two of the less popular players among the star-studded squads.Elsewhere, the likes of Bukayo Saka (£5.8m), Ollie Watkins (£4.9m) and Jarrod Bowen (£4.9m) were unable to continue their good form.Most read in FootballDominic Solanke (£3.8m) was among the most-popular recruits last week but the Cherries’ No9 missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed by VAR against Sheffield United on Saturday.So close yet so farCredit: PAThere’s still time for things to turn around in Gameweek 27.Following Chelsea v Newcastle tonight, seven teams will be in action in midweek: Bournemouth, Luton, Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Aston Villa.GAMEWEEK 27 MIDWEEK FIXTURES:
Arsenal v Porto (Champions League)
Bournemouth v Luton (Premier League)
Liverpool v Sparta Prague (Europa League)
West Ham v Freiburg (Europa League)
Brighton v Roma (Europa League)
Aston Villa v Ajax (Europa Conference League)
The fact all the English teams active in Europe this Gameweek will be at home gives gaffers a reason to be optimistic of bumper points.That being said, Jurgen Klopp is likely to rest most of his important players on Thursday with the Reds already 5-1 up on aggregate over their Czech opponents.Klopp doesn’t need to risk key players on Thursday nightCredit: GettySolanke will get his shot at redemption at home to the Hatters but it’s worth noting that Bournemouth are among the select crop of teams without a fixture in Gameweek 28 – Arsenal, Brighton, Everton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United being the othersREAD MORE SUN STORIESFingers crossed the midweek games make up for what was a lacklustre weekend.Those without suitable representation in the coming days may have to watch the action unfold from behind their sofas…talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 27 in one easily digestible dose.Kieran Trippier’s (£4.5m) calf injury was described as “not too bad” by Eddie Howe in his Friday press conference but Dream Team’s top defender isn’t expected to return until after the international break.Newcastle’s gaffer is prone to mind games when speaking on player availability but it does seem as if the England right-back, who still appears in 22.3% of teams at the time of writing, will not feature again until Gameweek 29.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!199 Dream Team points and countingCredit: Dream TeamDominic Solanke (£3.9m) insists he’s “fine” ahead of Bournemouth’s favourable double header against Sheffield United and Luton but the in-form striker hasn’t participated in full training this week.Andoni Iraola told reporters: “Dom is in a similar position to this past week. He hasn’t trained fully with the team… we are trying to put him in the best positions to play tomorrow. Hopefully, he’ll train normally this evening. We will take the decision much like we did last week.”Marcos Senesi (£2.4m) is a confirmed absentee for the Cherries having strained his hamstring – the Argentina defender is expected to be sidelined until after the international break.Pep Guardiola may be without both Jack Grealish (£3m) and Jeremy Doku (£3.8m) for Manchester City’s crunch trip to Anfield on Sunday.The Belgian winger missed out against Copenhagen in midweek and faces a late assessment ahead of Gameweek 27 – as does Matheus Nunes (£2.9m).As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp told journalists that both Joe Gomez (£3.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) are “fine” following the Reds’ routine win over Sparta Prague on Thursday night.Doku is a doubtCredit: GETTYIbrahima Konate (£2.9m) was said to be “positive” about his condition having been forced off in Czechia but the centre-back is awaiting a scan.Dominik Szoboszlai (£3.9m) came off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Sparta Prague in Gameweek 26, scoring against the latter.Pedro Porro (£3.6m) returned to training this week and is therefore available for Tottenham’s trip to Villa Park.Ange Postecoglou explained that “all the rest are still in rehab” in regards to Spurs’ other absentees which suggests Richarlison (£3.5m) is unlikely to travel.As for Aston Villa, both John McGinn (£3.7m) and Pau Torres (£2.7m) “will be available” this weekend despite rumours to the contrary.A late decision will be made on Jacob Ramsey (£2.1m).Mikel Arteta is confident he’ll be able to call upon both Bukayo Saka (£5.9m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£3.8m) for Arsenal’s home game against Brentford on Saturday.The England winger was replaced at half-time against Sheffield United after falling ill.David Raya (£3.1m) is not available to face his parent club this weekend.Saka is expected to play against BrentfordCredit: PAWest Ham have doubts in defence in the form of Nayef Aguerd (£2.4m) and Emerson (£3m) – the latter was forced off against Freiburg on Thursday night.The Italy left-back, who is currently tenth among Dream Team defenders, faces a late assessment ahead of Burnley’s visit to the London Stadium.Gary O’Neil confirmed that Pedro Neto (£3.3m) and Jose Sa (£2.6m) will be among Wolves’ squad to face Fulham on Saturday despite the pair’s premature substitutions against Newcastle.ARSENALInjuries: Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko (doubt), Takehiro Tomiyasu (doubt), Bukayo Saka (doubt), Gabriel Martinelli (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Jhon Duran, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey (doubt)Suspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Ryan Fredericks, Tyler Adams, James Hill, Max Aarons, Ryan Christie (doubt), Dominic Solanke (doubt), Lloyd Kelly, Marcos SenesiSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, Bryan Mbeumo, Josh Dasilva, Ethan Pinnock, Ben MeeSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: Solly March, Joao Pedro, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru MitomaSuspensions: Billy GilmourBURNLEYInjuries: Luka Koleosho, Nathan Redmond, Lyle Foster, Aaron Ramsey, Jordan Beyer (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwo, Reece James, Beniot Badashile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Conor Gallagher (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Matheus Franca, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew (doubt)Suspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Dele Alli, Arnaut Danjuma, Idrissa Gueye (doubt)Suspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Raul JimenezSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate (doubt), Ryan GravenberchSuspensions: NoneLUTONInjuries: Tom Lockyer, Marvelous Nakamba, Mads Andersen, Elijah Adebayo, Jacob Brown, Gabriel Osho (doubt), Amari’i Bell (doubt), Dan Potts, Joseph Johnson, Albert-Mboyo Sambi LokongaSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes (doubt), Jeremy Doku (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire Suspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Matt Targett, Nick Pope, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Kieran TrippierSuspensions: Sandro TonaliNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Chris Wood (doubt), Willy Boly (doubt), Ola Aina (doubt), Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Dominguez (doubt)Suspensions: NoneSHEFFIELD UNITEDInjuries: Daniel Jebbison, John Egan, Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Max Lowe, Cameron Archer, Anis Ben Slimane, Rhian BrewsterSuspensions: Mason HolgateTOTTENHAMInjuries: Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster, RicharlisonSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Maxwel Cornet, Nayef Aguerd (doubt), Emerson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESInjuries: Matheus Cunha, Hwang Hee-chan, Craig Dawson (doubt)Suspensions: NonetalkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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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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