Gameweek 25 in FPL sees Leeds and Southampton afforded a Double Gameweek, making their players exciting to own ahead of Friday’s deadline.
While Leeds and Southampton players are sought after ahead of their double, there are plenty of other desirable options with enticing fixtures.
With the resumption of the European calendar, it is important to wait until right before the deadline before making moves. Additionally, transfers should be planned with future double and blank Gameweeks in mind.
Here are some players to look for ahead of Gameweek 25, with a view to transferring these assets into teams in the near future.
Ben White – Defender – Brighton – 4.4m
An interesting defensive option could be Brighton’s Ben White. The young defender has returned in five of his last six outings, with Brighton possessing an excellent defensive record in recent weeks.
Brighton’s upcoming fixture list should be of interest to FPL managers. Although they will not feature in a likely Double Gameweek 26, Brighton will feature in a Blank Gameweek 29. With only eight teams featuring in the Blank Gameweek, transfers should have half an eye on minimising damage caused by the fixture congestion.
With four bottom-half sides in their next five, Brighton and White cover many bases in current and future weeks. At 4.4m, he is cheap, a regular starter and occasionally features at wing-back or in midfield due to his versatility. Owning a Brighton defender appears a smart move and Ben White could be the best option.
Raphinha or Jack Harrison – Midfielders – Leeds – 5.4m
At 5.4m, Raphinha and Jack Harrison are both exciting prospects ahead of Leeds’ Double Gameweek 25. Additionally, Leeds have a fixture in Gameweek 29 which should be in the back of our minds.
Leeds play Wolves and Southampton in Gameweek 25, two sides in poor form. Meanwhile, Leeds attackers are effectively fixture proof, such is the team’s relentless attacking style.
In Raphinha and Harrison, they possess exciting wide players with potential for goals and assists. Raphinha has been cited as a player to watch before. The Brazilian winger’s threat is epitomised by four goals and five assists in the Premier League this season. A goal contribution every other game is backed up by the eye test. Raphinha’s left-foot is a wand, while he possesses magic that makes him both fun and effective.
Meanwhile, Harrison has six goals and four assists in the Premier League this season. The Manchester City loanee has sparkled on the left-hand side albeit in a less eye-catching manner than Raphinha. Harrison’s form is good, with three goals in his last five outings.
One of Leeds’ wide attackers is essential ahead of the Double Gameweek. At 5.4m each, it is a toss-up between Raphinha and Harrison. Both would make excellent additions to a squad and could even be considered as captaincy differentials for Gameweek 25.
Harvey Barnes – Midfielder – Leicester – 6.8m
Harvey Barnes is one of the Premier League’s most underrated attacking players. With pace, trickery and excellent movement, Barnes has established himself as a first-XI player in a side chasing Champions League spots.
Already capped by England, Barnes is an outside contender to be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the delayed EURO 2020. It is clear to see why. Barnes has eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this season. The young Englishman is a constant threat with his penetrative runs in behind.
Interestingly, Brendan Rodgers’ switch to a midfield diamond in the latter stages of the 3-1 victory over Liverpool saw Barnes move into a forward role, rather than wide on the left. If Rodgers continues with a similar shape, the prospect of Barnes in a striking berth is tantalising.
Regardless of position, Barnes is an excellent option at 6.8m. Cheaper than teammate James Maddison, he could be the best value Leicester attacker, even more so than Jamie Vardy. With a likely Double in Gameweek 26 and kind upcoming fixtures, Barnes could be a viable option for Gameweek 25.
Mbaye Diagne – Forward – West Brom – 6.0m
A West Brom player? Surely they should not be an option, considering their woeful form? Despite this, Mbaye Diagne has made an instant impact since his loan arrival from Galatasaray.
Diagne has one goal and two assists for West Brom in just four Premier League appearances. He is a handful for central defenders, with his height coupled with West Brom’s direct approach ensuring he is always a factor.
Nine Galatasaray goals this season demonstrate the 29-year-old’s goalscoring pedigree. With fixtures against Burnley, Brighton and Newcastle in the next three Gameweeks, West Brom have an opportunity to seize. If they are to collect positive results, Diagne is likely to be at the heart of it.
6.0m is a tempting price for a short-term option for a side with kind fixtures. 0.3% ownership makes Diagne a potentially explosive differential and may provide much-needed reason to watch a dour West Brom side.
Gameweek 25 transfers may have half an eye on maximising the looming prospect of a huge Double Gameweek 26.
Fixture announcements are imminent, so it’s important to be aware and look to attack upcoming fixtures.
However, Gameweek 25 presents a huge opportunity in itself, with the tempting prospect of captaining a Leeds player. Patrick Bamford or Raphinha could be highly effective choices with the Leeds Double Gameweek. It is sure to be an exciting weekend of Premier League football and Gameweek 25 is another chance for FPL managers to improve their ranking.
