Another weekend of Fantasy Premier League action is in the books, and while there were some big hauls and eye-catching performances, this gameweek was more about what might happen next than what’s already taken place.
Injuries, form swings, and a looming Carabao Cup semi-final mean this is one of those weeks where patience could be just as important as points.
Saka injury chaos: what should FPL managers do?
The headline news of the weekend was that Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) got injured in the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s match against Leeds United.
For many managers, that meant an immediate zero and a sudden headache heading into one of the most important planning periods of the season. At this stage, the key message is simple: wait for clarity.
If Saka is ruled out for even a week, then selling makes sense. His price is high, Arsenal have strong alternatives, and holding a premium who isn’t playing is rarely optimal unless there’s an instant return confirmed.
Even if the injury is minor and we’re talking about a possible return for Gamweek 25, I don’t think we can trust his minutes — especially with what’s coming up.
The big factor here is Gameweek 26, where Arsenal could have a potential Double Gameweek depending on the Carabao Cup semi-final results.
Even if he is back fit for the potential double, Arteta will likely be cautious with him, and it’s not like Saka has been pulling up any trees anyway.
Who are the best replacements?
If we do get confirmation that Saka is out, then there are a couple of interesting angles.
Declan Rice (£7.5m) becomes a viable in-team replacement. He’s cheaper, nailed to start, and has proven this season he can get attacking returns, too. He allows you to keep Arsenal coverage ahead of a possible double.
Declan Rice is the third-highest scoring FPL midfielder, and joint-highest player at Arsenal (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The alternative is leaning into triple Arsenal defence. With clean sheets looking more reliable than attacking returns recently, doubling or tripling up at the back could be a smart structural move — especially if you’re already well set up elsewhere.
For now, though, this is a classic don’t-rush situation. Information will be everything. We should get more news on Saka on Tuesday when Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Liverpool give us food for thought
One of the more intriguing developments this weekend was Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Their performance was sharper; they looked more assured both at the back and front, and, crucially for FPL, individuals are starting to stand out again.
Florian Wirtz (£8.3m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.8m) were particularly impressive. Wirtz has looked much better recently, knitting play together beautifully, offering creativity and goal threat, while Ekitike looks full of confidence and increasingly central to Liverpool’s attack.
This raises a question many managers may not have expected to ask at this stage of the season: should we start considering Liverpool assets again?
The answer might be yes. Liverpool’s fixtures are turning kinder, the underlying numbers are improving, and the eye test backs it up.
If you have Liverpool assets, I think they are an easy keep, but if you do not own them, I do think we can wait a few weeks. Liverpool play Manchester City (H), Sunderland (A) and Nottingham Forest (A) next, so the fixtures are fine but not great.
Giving them one more week to assess could be the right play, and their fixtures from Gameweek 28 are actually fantastic, so that’s when we should really be considering investing.
They’re not yet “essential”, but they are firmly back on the watchlist, and ignoring them entirely could be risky over the next few gameweeks.
Who are the best picks at Manchester United?
Manchester United assets are another hot topic right now, and this weekend gave us some important clues. Three names stand out.
Bruno Fernandes (£9.6m) remains the heartbeat of this team. He is on set pieces, involved in everything, and still capable of explosive returns even when United aren’t at their best. If you don’t own him yet, he should be a priority.
Bryan Mbeumo (£8.4m) is becoming increasingly interesting, especially after playing 90 minutes this weekend. Also, with Benjamin Sesko (£7.2m) replacing Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) after 74 minutes instead of Mbeumo, tells us that the Cameroon international is higher in the pecking order.
With rotation fears easing and his role clearly defined, he looks set for plenty of minutes going forward. That alone makes him appealing in a season where minutes are often half the battle.
I don’t think this means Cunha isn’t an option, though. He is clearly first choice and will start as long as Patrick Dorgu (£4.4m) remains out. He is a fine FPL option, as he proved this week with a well-taken goal.
If you’re looking at United coverage, these three are clearly the standout options. United are scoring a lot of goals under Michael Carrick, and their fixtures are still good for a while.
Carabao Cup semi-finals, and the transfers you shouldn’t make yet
Now for the most important advice of the week: do not make transfers before this week’s Carabao Cup semi-finals.
These matches will have massive implications for FPL planning, particularly around Gameweek 26 doubles and Blank Gameweek 31. Here’s why.
The first semi-final involves Arsenal vs Chelsea, and the outcome will directly shape Double Gameweek 26:
- If Arsenal go through, then they and Wolves will double in Gameweek 26 and blank in Gameweek 31.
- If Chelsea win, then Chelsea and Everton will double in Gameweek 26 and blank in Gameweek 31.
The outcome of these games could totally change your transfer plans. An Arsenal double would make investing in the Arsenal defence attractive.
A Chelsea win, on the other hand, would significantly boost the appeal of Chelsea and Everton players, which I imagine not many FPL managers will be stocked up on.
But the implications don’t stop there.
On Wednesday, we also have the Carabao Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Newcastle — and this one carries serious consequences for Blank Gameweek 31.
It’s important to note that whoever makes the final here will not double in Gameweek 26, but they and their opponents will blank in Gameweek 31.
That means committing now to heavy City or Newcastle exposure without clarity could leave managers scrambling later when Blank 31 planning becomes unavoidable. This is exactly the kind of week where patience pays off.
Hold your transfers, let the semi-finals play out, then make your moves with all the information in hand.
