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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Gameweek 27 presents the same age-old dilemma: do you captain Mohamed Salah or Cole Palmer?
And if Chelsea’s main man fails to deliver again, it may be time to start sounding the alarm bells.
Your regular FPL guru Lars Hamer is away, which means I’m stepping into his shoes, and while I certainly feel the pressure, that’s nothing compared with Palmer, who has now gone six matches without scoring.
But before we take a look at what’s to come, here’s a quick recap on how last week went.

Gameweek 26 review
With Erling Haaland (£14.7m) unavailable, it was time for managers to get creative in attack.
So a shout-out to anyone who plumped for in-form Everton forward Beto (£5m), who continues his impressive recent scoring form with five since David Moyes took charge, compared with just one previous league goal all season.
Meanwhile, the upturn in performance from Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£6.9m) has seen the forward become the most brought-in player from the previous week, with more than 280,000 managers adding him to their teams.
The shock of the weekend was at the Emirates where Arsenal succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to West Ham, thanks to a goal from Jarred Bowen (£7.3m).
But, of course, the man who continues to deliver, no matter the opposition, is Liverpool’s Salah (£13.7m): a goal and an assist helped his side earn a 2-0 victory away at Manchester City.
And, finally, well done to 126,000+ managers who had Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner (£0.8m) as assistant manager, and brought home 20 points.

Captain Cole?
It’s now or never for the Chelsea man.
With Southampton visiting Stamford Bridge in midweek and a trip to Leicester City on the horizon, surely now is the time for Palmer (£11.1m) to find goals and assists.
Dare I say it, he should even remain a strong contender for the armband.
It’s been a shocking 2025 for Chelsea, with two league wins in their past 10 matches, but it’s Southampton at home next.
The Saints still need three points to avoid becoming the worst team in Premier League history and the Blues left St Mary’s with a 5-1 victory earlier in the campaign.
A nice points haul would set Palmer up well for the visit of hapless Leicester, who have won two league matches since October.

However, can you really look past Salah? It’s Newcastle at home for the champions-elect and Eddie Howe’s side have conceded seven in their past two matches, as well as three the last time these two sides met.
Bowen could have fun once again midweek with Leicester visiting the London Stadium, while Pedro Neto (£6.2m) impressed despite Chelsea’s defeat to Aston Villa and could have more joy against Southampton.
As managers look for cheap, temporary replacements for Haaland, an outside choice in attack is Manchester United’s young forward Chido Obi (£4.5m). Under Ruben Amorim, the forwards have been woeful and Ipswich Town at home could be the perfect opportunity to throw on a young player who scored plenty in the academy.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.4m) is another steady option in an attack.
However, it’s worth remembering that Liverpool, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Palace will have a blank Gameweek 29, which coincides with the Carabao Cup final.
The potential banana skin of the midweek round of fixtures is Tottenham v Manchester City. It is almost impossible to know what to expect from either side.
Expect plenty of goals coming from unlikely sources. So perhaps one to avoid altogether.


Fantasy Premier League: showtime for Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and will Bukayo Saka play?

Fantasy Premier League: Southampton set for the drop, managers face double jeopardy

Fantasy Premier League: who’s hurt, which teams to target, best Gameweek 30 Wildcard draft

Fantasy football GW29 strategy with snooker’s Neil Robertson, after his Hong Kong triumph

Fantasy Premier League (FPL)

Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 27 will see Palmer finally deliver – but never ignore Salah

Cole Palmer has struggled of late but Chelsea face Southampton at home this midweek and a trip to Leicester City next. Photo: Reuters

Everton forward Beto (left) scores the opener against Manchester United. Photo: Reuters

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was the top-scoring assistant manager in the FPL’s GW26. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah cannot be ignored for the captaincy. Photo: AFP

2031 Asian Cup: Australia interested in hosting, Central Asian nations launch joint bid

Qatar players celebrate after lifting the 2023 AFC Asian Cup trophy on home soil. Photo: AP

Manchester United job cuts to reach over 400, Leeds’ huge win, Luka Doncic to face Mavs

Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford, where the number of job cuts over the past year is expected to reach 400. Photo: AP

The situation at Manchester United continues to look bleak. Photo: EPA

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips (right) and Michael Bracewell shake hands with Bangladesh players. Photo: AFP

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is set to face former side Dallas Mavericks. Photo: AP

Sport

Football

Chelsea host Southampton midweek with their next Premier League match a trip to relegation-threatened Leicester City


Chelsea host Southampton midweek with their next Premier League match a trip to relegation-threatened Leicester City.
