Kevin De Bruyne in the Carabao Cup semi-final between Manchester City & Manchester United, 2020
Kevin De Bruyne in the Carabao Cup semi-final between Manchester City & Manchester United, 2020 | (Photo by Visionhaus)

Football | Premier League 2020/21 | Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27 picks

  • Manchester derby headlines Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27
  • Citizens complete league catch-up with another double GW
  • Aston Villa and Wolves also meet in West Midlands derby, Chelsea entertain Everton and West Ham host Leeds
PREMIER LEAGUE – With the champions elect playing another double fixture, who should be in your squads for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27?

 

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Kevin De Bruyne (c)

To kick off Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27’s picks, it is once more time to turn to the champions’ elect in Manchester City and with another double gameweek to come, Kevin De Bruyne (11.8) could be bang on the money.

After GW26’s pick Riyad Mahrez stole the show last week, this time around could see the chance for their talisman to shine, having picked up only an assist during the last DGW.

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Completing both games against West Ham United and Wolves, De Bruyne looks to be back to full fitness and that could spell danger for both Manchester United and Southampton in the next seven days.

Until recently, Ilkay Gundogan had made a seismic impact in the City midfield – and in FPL to boot – but with De Bruyne an option to play as a false number nine against United, the Belgian’s 11.8 price-tag could look a bargain here instead, come the close of GW27.

Not to mention his spot-kick duties, De Bruyne looks like the man for armband this week.

 

Michail Antonio

West Ham United continue to impress this season, and after a narrow loss to the future Premier League champions in GW26, GW27 sees the Irons look to bounce back and that could come in the shape of Michail Antonio (6.5).

Now netting in successive league outings – including becoming only the third player in 11 games to breach the City boughs – West Ham’s in-form hit-man has taken his tally to just seven this term, but if we look at his stats another way, its four in nine.

Without doubt central to the east Londoners’ ambitions for an unlikely top-four finish this season, Antonio has taken bps on five of the seven occasions he has scored this campaign – three of which, were maximum three-point hauls.

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As Leeds United travel to the London Stadium, the Whites continue to harbour top-ten hopes of their own, and will not be shy in attack this weekend.

That should play right into the Hammers’ ball-park, and though Leeds have been one of the star teams on the road of late, West Ham look a different nut to crack in defence, and attack. Antonio, at just 6.5 value but with 11.2% of fantasy owners, may make a sizeable impact in GW27.

 

Ruben Dias

Most managers will have already set up for City’s latest double gameweek with both defensive and attacking recruits, and though the threat of rotation looms large, Ruben Dias (6.1) could be the one to shine again.

Though failing to pick up a clean sheet in GW26, the ever-reliable Dias netted his first league goal against West Ham last weekend, and in playing the full 180 minutes, was the only player in the Citizens’ back line to start and finish both games last week.

With another potential two games to notch to his belt in GW27, the Portuguese has proved his indispensability to Pep Guardiola in recent weeks.

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We have already earmarked his threat from set pieces on a number of occasions this term, and with a tight-looking Manchester derby, and a goal-shy Southampton to come in the next seven days, Dias’ chances of back-to-back shut-outs – and more – look a possibility.

It might be true that Joao Cancelo remains City’s most-owned defender due to his rampaging runs from defence, but Dias’ 23.6% of owners stand to again be richly rewarded, and if not owned, should be a strong consideration.

 

Mason Mount

It may have taken Mason Mount (6.8) a few games to convince new boss Thomas Tuchel of his value to Chelsea, but the England midfielder is arguably the Blues’ most important player right now, and fantasy owners are queuing up to bring him in.

With another 80,000 players having brought the Chelsea man in this past week, his winner at Anfield will surely see his stock climb further, ahead of a home clash versus Everton in GW27.

A paltry five goals and assists from 26 games may not scream value, but Mount is improving by the game and as Chelsea looks to cement top-four status come May, his place for both club and country is looking all the more vital.

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The real FPL truth is, it is now three goals in five for the Blues’ dynamo, with seven bonus points having come his way also in that period.

For the moment, the west Londoners are looking surer in defence than they have been in quite some time, and that has allowed Chelsea toΒ  be a greater threat on the counter.

As an attacking Everton rock up to Stamford Bridge looking to become the first side to inflict defeat during the Tuchel era, Mount looks primed for more points in GW27.

 

Punt of the Week: Jannik Vestergaard

As the other element of GW27’s double act, Southampton may not command much transfer attention, but in Jannik Vestergaard (4.7), FPL managers could be rewarded for what is still a significant punt.

Though a trip to the Etihad could be a daunting one for the Saints, in recent weeks, City have been second gear somewhat, so the risk of the concession of a wave of goals may not transpire.

In any event, the first part of the Hampshire side’s week sees a trip to Sheffield United, who, though having scrapped a point against Aston Villa on Tuesday night, may find Southampton’s counter-attack too much to handle.

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Their biggest threat will undoubtedly be from set-pieces, where Vestergaard comes into play.

With three league goals this term, the towering Danish centre-back has not added to his tally since GW11, but has come close on more than one occasion since then.

Having not missed a minute in the last five games, Vestergaard looks assured of 180 minutes this gameweek, and his recruitment could just pay off, with only 3.1% of managers retaining his services.

 

Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27 deadline is Saturday, 11:00 UK time.

 

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