In this blog the Top Five Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Key Players for Gameweek 27 are discussed. Every FPL Gameweek, picks will be in the below format:

1x Defender or Goalkeeper

2x Attackers less than £8.5m

2x Attackers £8.5m or over

Erling Haaland (MUN)

Haaland has found the back of the net three times over the last six Gameweeks and as the Opta Stats Sandbox image below shows, the Norwegian international is top amongst forwards for shots (28), shots in the box (SiB) (24) and ‘big chances’ (BC) (nine) while only Watkins (4.53) had a higher ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) tally than his 4.29. Man. City have scored 14 goals (fourth) over the last six Gameweeks with only Newcastle (15), Liverpool (20) and Arsenal (25) more prolific. They are ranked top for shots (156) and shots on target (SoT) while only Liverpool (23) and Arsenal (24) have created more BC than their 21. Their visitors Man. Utd. have conceded nine goals (eighth) over the same period and have kept just one clean sheet. They have allowed opponents 116 shots (19th) with only Brentford (130) more generous. Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 6.5 for Haaland.

Bukayo Saka (shu)

Saka has scored seven goals over the last six Gameweeks, more than any player in the league. No midfielder has been afforded more BC (six) or registered a higher xG (4.15) while only Foden (31) has taken more shots than his 26. As the image below from our Transfer Analytics shows, Arsenal have been the league’s form attack with 25 goals over the last six Gameweeks (first), the North London side are also top for BC (24) and xG (15.55). Their hosts Sheff. Utd. have conceded 17 goals over the last six Gameweeks (20th) while only West Ham (12.49), Luton (13.23) and Brentford (14.71) have registered a higher ‘Expected Goals Conceded’ (xGC) than their 12.37. Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 7.0 for Saka.

Phil Foden (MUN)

Foden has been in fine form for Man. City with four goals over the last six Gameweeks, only Saka (seven) has fared better amongst midfielders. He is top for shots (31) and shots on target (SoT) (12) while only Elanga, Havertz (five each), Diaz and Saka (six each) have been afforded more BC than his four. As the below image from our Opta Player Heatmaps feature shows, he has averaged 5.8 FPL points per game in home matches this season. Man. City have scored 31 goals in home matches this season with only Arsenal (34), Villa (35) and Liverpool (37) more prolific in home matches. Their visitors Man. Utd. have conceded 16 goals in away matches this season and have kept four clean sheets. However, the Red Devils are ranked 18th for shots conceded (238) and 11th for xGC (24.78) in away matches. Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 4.8 for Foden.

Anthony Gordon (WOL)

Gordon has scored seven goals at St. James Park this season with only D. Luiz (nine) and Salah (11) more prolific amongst midfielders in home matches. As the above image from our Match Stats feature shows, over Newcastle’s last five league matches he is top for xG (2.1) and shots on target (SoT) (five) while he is third for attempted assists (four). Newcastle have scored 15 goals over the last six Gameweeks (third) and are ranked eighth for BC (15). Their visitors Wolves have conceded nine goals (eighth) over the last six Gameweeks and have kept two clean sheets. The Midlands side are ranked 10th for shots conceded (83) and 11th for xGC (10.04). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 3.9 for Gordon.

Kieran Trippier (WOL)

Trippier has notched three assists over the last six Gameweeks with no defender managing more. Meanwhile, only Doughty (15) has attempted more assists than his 11 while only Gusto (five) has created more BC than his three. Newcastle have conceded 16 goals over the last six gameweeks (16th) but have kept six clean sheets in home matches this season, more than any other side. Their visitors Wolves have scored 10 goals over the last six Gameweeks (10th) and are also ranked 10th for xG (10.09). Meanwhile, only Fulham (10), Burnley (nine), West Ham (eight) and Palace (six) have crafted fewer BC than their 11. Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a 30% chance of a Newcastle clean sheet and a point score of 4.4 for Trippier.