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Welcome to Double Gameweek 28, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
Twenty-seven gameweeks down, 11 to go. It's starting to get down to the nitty-gritty of the FPL season. Double and Blank gameweeks are coming thick and fast over the final 11 gameweeks, but the RotoBaller squad will keep you in check for the final stretch of the campaign. Bournemouth and Luton Town play two matches this week, and it makes their assets mighty tempting. Bournemouth is especially mouth-watering with two ties at home versus teams in the relegation zone.
The Fantasy Premier League Double Gameweek 28 deadline is 6:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 9, when Man United welcomes Everton to Old Trafford. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
I seldom play #EPL #DFS. But when I do, I make sure I check out my @RotoBaller buddies @EuanFPL and @df_solutions
before creating my lineup https://t.co/rmQTeGmSRg pic.twitter.com/b0xGTcSxp4— Jamie Steed (@Baseball_Jimbo) February 10, 2024
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Double Gameweek 28 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Double Gameweek 28!
Bournemouth has a Double Gameweek versus Luton and Sheffield United. Outside of Dominic Solanke, who is their best option?
- Euan Leith: This is probably the least-exciting option, but it's the goalkeeper, Neto. The Brazilian shot-stopper faces two of the bottom-three teams when it comes expected goals (xG) away from home in Sheffield United and Luton Town. He's had four nine-point games this season, and three of those four came at home.
- Jamie Steed: I’ve been rolling with Adam Smith in recent weeks ready for this run as a cheap option. Justin Kluivert has started four of Bournemouth’s last five games, scoring twice. At just £4.6m, he makes an interesting midfielder. Marcus Tavernier hasn’t returned a goal involvement in the last seven games. But his 74 shot-creating actions this season leads the team and he’s due a goal or assist.
- Tom Bellucco: The only sneaky option I could come up with as a cheap defender would be Milos Kerkez. He's provided some decent looking overlap on the wings and could get involved in a bit of offense, but also provides a clean sheet bonus upside. I don't LOVE the play, but it's there if you're looking for a cheap defender this week.
After a Bournemouth differential for their Double Gameweek? 🍒
Antoine Semenyo is owned by just 2.2% of #FPL managers 👀#BURBOU pic.twitter.com/hodz32jJoP
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 3, 2024
On the other side of the pitch, Luton also has two games. Who is your favorite Hatter for Double Gameweek 28?
- Euan: I'm going to leave Jamie to wax poetically over Alfie Doughty and I'll take Carlton Morris. The veteran will lead the Luton frontline in both games, and he's also their penalty kick taker. Morris has started every game (six) since Gameweek 22 and played at least 78 minutes in every contest. In that six-game stretch, he's got six attacking returns, six bonus points, and he's only blanked once.
- Jamie: There’s only one option here and that’s my man Alfie Doughty. He picked up his eighth assist of the season last weekend. Only Kieran Trippier (10) has more assists among defenders. His 85 shot-creating actions leads the team and ranks 21st most in the entire league.
- Tom: Carlton Morris is the clear favorite for production when it comes to Luton without Elijah Adebayo on the pitch. If you wanted to get a little sneaky with lower-owned players, Chiedozie Ogbene and Alfie Doughty could be involved in offense enough to make an FPL impact in DGW28.
Several players, including Ollie Watkins and Son Heung-min, outscored Erling Haaland last week. Are you likely to go against the Norwegian when the time feels right?
- Euan: Last year, a lot of FPL managers gave Erling Haaland the armband out of fear of what he could do to their standings in mini-leagues and overall rank. However, it's been a brave new world for the 2023-24 campaign. I've given the armband to Mohamed Salah, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke, and Son Heung-min on several occasions this season. With Luton, Sheffield United, and Burnley being so poor, I would rather captain any of the previously menti0ned players over Haaland in a tasty matchup.
- Jamie: I’m keeping him as long as he’s healthy. Even when not at his best, Haaland has returned 39 points in his last six games. His five goals against Luton Town in the FA Cup was a reminder of how devastating he can be. His schedule to end the season is too juicy to ignore.
- Tom: It's always dangerous to say, but Haaland was due for a down week in GW27 coming off a five-game outburst in the FA Cup. Son didn't play particularly well, and Watkins was in a perfect spot. This week, with a massive matchup at Liverpool on the docket, Haaland is my favorite option. But in the future, there could be spots where it makes sense to take the leap to Watkins, Son, or others.
A six-point return for Erling Haaland 6️⃣
Are you happy with that return, Haaland owners? 💭#FPL #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/gylojLH3n4
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 3, 2024
Several goalkeepers came through for FPL managers in Gameweek 27. Who would you stick with for the remainder of the campaign?
- Euan: After Gameweek 30, Newcastle and Chelsea only play one top-four teams each for the rest of the season. They've made it through the toughest (defensive) parts of their years. Unfortunately, neither is all that great on the defensive side of the ball. When I activate my Wildcard in Gameweek 30 or 31, I'll likely have Dubravka as my backup keeper, but I'm tempted to pay up at the position and get David Raya as my mainstay between the sticks.
- Jamie: With Allison set to miss the rest of March, I’ve been rolling with Caoimhin Kelleher. At £3.7m, he’s already paid off with last weekend’s clean sheet. I’d be tempted to go with Palace’s Sam Johnstone as a gamble. Other than back-to-back games against Liverpool and Manchester City, Palace’s fixtures aren’t too bad. If Oliver Glasner can tighten things up, he could be a solid source of clean sheets.
- Tom: Ederson is the easy answer. When Man City is worried about an opposing attack, they're so good at buckling down and frustrating opposing offenses. They don't mind winning 1-0, which is great for Ederson's production. Vicario and Dubravka continue to look great, but the lack of defensive stability and clean sheets is too concerning.
- Euan: Every transfer I make over the next two gameweeks will be for a player with a fixture in Gameweek 29 and I'm likely taking a four-point hit in each gameweek. This week will be to get two Luton players for the double and their game versus Nottingham Forest. Then, I'll bring in Jarrod Bowen or James Maddison along with Ivan Toney in place of Dominic Solanke for Brentford's matchup with Burnley. That gets me to eight players. As long as you can get to eight players, I would avoid activating the Free Hit chip.
- Jamie: I’ll be using my Free Hit. Get myself a full team (plus bench), navigate the week, and then reset for the rest of the season. That’ll leave me with the squad I currently have, will give me plenty of Double Gameweeks for the remainder of the season, and leave me with my Wildcard to maximize the games in hand.
Four attacking returns in his last two matches 👀
With Burnley up next AND a fixture in Blank Gameweek 29, what are your thoughts on Jarrod Bowen?#FPL pic.twitter.com/O5x1n4pC3q
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 5, 2024
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Double Gameweek 28?
- Jamie: Bournemouth at home to a Sheffield United team in shambles at both ends of the pitch is the best option, especially with Luton Town in midweek. Although, I expect Luton to score against them. Manchester United at home to an Everton side that’s only scored 14 goals on their travels is my play. Everton had blanked in three straight away from home before scoring at Brighton.
- Tom: Manchester United with Casemiro back in the mix and Harry McGuire on the bench should be able to hold Everton to minimal production at Old Trafford. Brighton is the only other team that has a strong chance in my opinion, and it's a pretty bet at home against Forest.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
- Euan: With two games on the schedule, Alfie Doughty is the man to watch. He’s a bargain at his current price tag and gets three fixtures in the next two gameweeks.
- Jamie: I’ve already mentioned him as my favorite Luton Town player. Alfie Doughty is an attacking threat in open play. And his two opponents this week have both conceded nine goals from set-pieces, leaving him with another route to an assist.
- Tom: Tino Livramento has all the tools needed to be a consistent offensive contributor. Between the Dan Burn concerns and Kieran Trippier injury, we should see a heavy dose of the youngster. He won't be 4.1m for long!
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: Alejandro Garnacho has the early kickoff versus Everton at home, and is nailed in the starting XI for Man United. The up-and-coming winger has five returns in his previous four home games and should make it six in five on Saturday.
- Jamie: The previously mentioned Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier would be my picks. But if we want someone with just the one game this week, Mohammed Kudus is a great play. He’s only on 3.3% of FPL rosters after West Ham’s dreadful run. They’ve won their last two games, scoring seven in the process. And Kudus had an assist in each game. He’s up against Burnley, a side that’s conceded 18 goals in their last six games.
- Tom: We might be dangerously close to Bruno Guimaraes' time in FPL. The Brazilian has taken on a much more offensive approach of late, pushing forward with Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, and Lewis Miley helping cover behind him. The passing ability alone is enough to make him a value at 5.8m. He can strike the occasional beauty from outside the box, too, and he's not afraid to scrap inside. Bruno is the real deal, and he's slowly getting fully unleashed on offense.
Who is one player you want but can’t have for the Gameweek 28 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: Darwin Nunez is in some red-hot form for Liverpool and is on my radar for a Gameweek 30-31 Wildcard. He’s up to 29 goal involvements in all competitions this year and has three goals in his last two appearances.
- Jamie: I have Kudus but feel like Jarrod Bowen is an ideal play this week. I’ve already brought in Dominic Solanke for the Double Gameweek and couldn’t justify bringing in Bowen for a minus. But Burnley’s been leaking goals and Bowen could easily overcome the minus, making it worthwhile bringing him in.
- Tom: This would've been another prime Matheus Cunha spot at home against Fulham. The end of March can't come soon enough, so hopefully we can get the dynamic forward back in the mix.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
- Euan: As long as we get the all-clear from Bournemouth's manager, Andoni Iraola, Dominic Solanke is getting the armband for Double Gameweek 28. If there's any doubt regarding his fitness, I'll switch it over the Carlton Morris or even a player with one excellent fixture like Bukayo Saka versus Brentford or Ollie Watkins against a leaky Spurs defense.
- Jamie: It has to go on Solanke this week. Two games would be enough to justify that. One opponent is on course to set the record for most goals conceded in a Premier League season. And both opponents have conceded a league-high 30 goals away from home this season. He literally couldn’t have picked two better games. He’s the optimal Triple Captain option this week, too.
- Tom: As alluded to above, Erling Haaland is the answer this week despite a DGW for Bournemouth and Luton. Dominic Solanke made me pause with two chances to do damage, but I'll stick with Haaland.
📅 #FPL Double Gameweek 28 fixtures:
🍒 Bournemouth: SHU (H)/LUT (H)
👒 Luton: CRY (A)/BOU (A)Who are you targeting? 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ktSup0o9T6
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) March 5, 2024
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Double Gameweek 28?
- Euan: Carlton Morris outscores Dominic Solanke, but Bournemouth wins both games of it's double gameweek. Elsewhere, Man City moves to the top of the Premier League after beating Liverpool's youth squad, but Mohamed Salah does make an appearance to give us a captaincy option for Gameweek 30 when Liverpool plays Brighton and Man City faces Arsenal in another title clash.
- Jamie: So many games look like being high-scoring affairs, so I reckon we see 40 goals across the 11 games. Morgan Gibbs-White inspires Nottingham Forest to a win at Brighton. And James Ward-Prowse, Jarrod Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus combine for five goal involvements between them.
- Tom: Burnley finally finds some room to operate at West Ham and scores TWICE en route to snatching at least one point at London Stadium this weekend.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
