Martin provides his recommended lineup picks for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Draft and Gameweek 26. Target these EPL players in your fantasy lineups.

One of the fastest growing fantasy games is the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) - a season-long version of fantasy soccer for the English Premier League (EPL). With almost six million players this year, the FPL game is becoming a fixture for soccer enthusiasts across the globe.

Here at RotoBaller, we will try to give you the best analysis possible so that you can beat your friends and take on the rest of the world by managing your team in the fantasy version of the beautiful game.

Here is the team analysis and lineup picks for fantasy drafts heading into Gameweek 26. At the end of the day, remember to make the decision you feel is best for the team. Good luck, and enjoy!

The Ones To Buy This Week - Fantasy Premier League

Chris Smalling - D, Manchester United (Price: 5.3M)

With most of the attention of fantasy players being directed on Smalling's counterpart Phil Jones, the center back has gone largely under the radar this season. Despite playing a few games less due to various injuries, Smalling still makes up half of one of the most solid defenses in the league this season. With a price almost half a million cheaper than Jones, Smalling should be able to garner a few clean sheets with the rest of the Manchester United defense and should be locked in to play for the majority of the upcoming fixtures, which include games against Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United.

Xerdan Shaqiri - M, Stoke City (Price: 6.1M)

With four goals and six assists on the season, Xerdan Shaqiri is the main attacking weapon for a struggling Stoke City team. However, with a bargain price of just over 6M and guaranteed minutes in almost every game for his team, Shaqiri can generate a return above his value if he can bag a few more goals for the rest of the season. Furthermore, Shaqiri has not found the back of the net in ten games, meaning a correction to his form from the first half of the season is not entirely unlikely. Therefore, you should consider Shaqiri as a decent depth option who you can plug-and-play if necessary and who can generate very solid performances for your lineup in the coming weeks as the centerpiece of Stoke's offense.

Keep Your Eye On Him

Daniel Sturridge - F, West Bromwich Albion (7.9M)

The Liverpool loanee is finally getting a chance to have regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup this summer after being replaced by Roberto Firmino at the start of the season. Although his price of just under 8M is a bit hefty considering the team he plays for and his luck with injuries, Sturridge could fix his season as the unquestioned starter for the team. You will be hard-pressed to find a striker with the proven production of Sturridge at a price below 8M, yet Sturridge has the potential to score often for the remainder of the season. Don't be afraid to invest in the forward for your lineups, but give it a few weeks to see how he performs for his new outfit first.

Offload Him Now

Eden Hazard - M, Chelsea  (10.6M)

Although nobody can question Hazard's ability to completely take over a game, the Belgian's standout performances this season have been few and far between. With the way Chelsea have been playing, Hazard is no longer required to make an impact for the offense to function smoothly. Furthermore, with a price point at 10.6M this season, it is hard to justify keeping a player who has not found the stats sheet more often than not this season. Given the potential replacements that can be attained for his value, it might be a good idea to offload Hazard now and pick up a near elite option in his place.

Potential Replacements: Raheem Sterling (8.9M), Christian Eriksen (9.2M)

RotoBaller Weekly XI

Team (Prices Over 100M):

GK: Nick Pope (4.7M)
DF: Chris Smalling (5.3M), Kyle Walker (6.6M), Ben Mee (4.9M)
MF: Kevin De Bruyne (10.2M), Raheem Sterling (8.9M), Anthony Martial (8.1), Nathan Dyer (4.4M)
FW: Harry Kane (12.9M), Jordan Ayew (5.2M), Jamie Vardy (8.6M)

Analysis:

With a host of elite options along the spine of the team supplemented by value at midfield and defense with Nathan Dyer and Ben Mee, this week's team contains a blend of proven ability with X-factor game-winning players. You can't go wrong with Harry Kane up top, but Anthony Martial could be called on to make an impact this weekend as Manchester United look to rebound from a midweek defeat to Tottenham. Keep Nick Pope in your lineups - the surprise goalkeeper of the season has been on fine form this season and doesn't seem to be close to stopping.

That's all for this week - good luck!