Both Salah and Haaland have blanks in gameweek 28 and with several players having three games over the next two gameweeks, their replacement options are compared in this blog.

Midfielders

As the above image from our Fix Algorithm shows, the best replacements for Salah are from either Arsenal or Leicester.

Arsenal midfielders

As the above image from our Fix Comparison Matrix shows, Martinelli has been the highest scoring Arsenal midfielder with an average of six points per game over the last six gameweeks but in terms of underlying numbers, Saka leads the way for goal threat with 3.4 shots and 1.0 shots on target (SoT) per game. Ødegaard is the most creative of the trio with 2.8 attempted assists. As the below image from our Fixture Analyser shows, Arsenal have a mixed bag of fixtures with attractive home fixtures against Palace, Leeds and Southampton along with away trips to Liverpool, West Ham and Man. City. They are still great options to bring in despite the lack of a double.

James Maddison

Maddison more than holds his own compared to the Arsenal midfielders, he matches their top shooter Saka for shots (3.4) and SoT (1.0) while also being tied with Ødegaard for attempted assists (2.8). As the below image from our Fixture Analyser shows, Leicester are ranked fifth for Fixture Difficulty over the next six gameweeks with their trip to Man. City their only game against a traditional 'top six' side. He is also owned by just 5.2% of FPL managers as per our FPL Statistics feature so can be an excellent differential to climb the ranks over the next few weeks.

Forwards

Watkins, Toney (22.8 each) and Kane (21.7) have excellent projections over the next four gameweeks with Solanke (18.5) and Havertz (15.9) a fair bit behind.

Ivan Toney & Harry Kane

Toney and Kane are already both highly owned amongst engaged FPL managers and the above image from our Fix Comparison Matrix shows why. The pair are first (3.4) and second (3.0) for shots while only Watkins (1.2) has been afforded more 'big chances'. They are both great pickups but are highly owned.

Ollie Watkins

Watkins tops the comparison for goals (0.8), FPL points (7.0), SoT (1.7) and 'big chances' (1.2) over the last six gameweeks. Villa are ranked top of our Fixture Analyser for the next six gameweeks with games against Forest, Bournemouth, Leicester and Fulham particularly attractive. He is owned by just 8.7% of FPL managers and looks to be the best replacement for Haaland in the short term.

Kai Havertz

Havertz has managed just 2.8 FPL points per game over the last six gameweeks and is bottom of the comparison for shots (1.7), behind Solanke (2.6). He is however top for attempted assists (1.7) which illustrates his current role in the Chelsea side. The Blues do have an attractive schedule, they are ranked third on our Fixture Analyser image as shown above and have three home games over the next two gameweeks. However, rotation is likely for gameweeks 30 and 31 given their Champions League commitments so while Havertz could benefit from Chelsea's improvement in form, he is still behind Watkins in the pecking order.