Been a while.

We've had thrills and spills in knockout competitions over the last two weeks. Hull managed to take their cup tie against Arsenal to a replay, which kick-started 180 minutes of home play without a goal for the Gunners. It was a humbling round of games in Europe's top tier for the Premiership, with Man City emerging as the only English side to have won a game in the Champions League, which came as a relief for them after they practically threw their 5th round cup tie against Chelsea. English teams salvaged some pride in the Europa League as win-less first legs were all converted into home victories, coupled with progression to the last 16 for Tottenham, Liverpool and Man Utd.

For some teams, the break from league football will be longer still. This is a diet version of the usual FPL gameweek as Man City and Liverpool duke it out at Wembley and their scheduled GW27 opponents Everton and Newcastle cool their heels.

Gameweek 27 fixtures

West Ham vs Sunderland Leicester vs NorwichSouthampton vs Chelsea Stoke vs Aston Villa Watford vs Bournemouth West Brom vs Crystal Palace Man Utd vs Arsenal Tottenham vs Swansea

Player Picks

Forwards

Vardy (7.6) - Having scored 4 goals in his last 4 games, he has put his mid-season drought well and truly behind him. The league top scorer's form will be pivotal for Leicester to put the disappointment against Arsenal behind them as they embark on a tempting run of fixtures for the run-in.

Kane (10.1) - Barely a game has gone by since mid-Jan where Harry Kane has not scored. Tottenham got by without him midweek, but will be glad to have him back as he gears up (or masks up, rather) to face a Swansea side who have failed to keep a clean sheet in February.

Diego Costa (10.6) - Costa came up with the goods in GW26 as Chelsea put Newcastle to the sword, and he also netted in the cup as Chelsea tore apart City's third string. Southampton's incredible run of clean sheets has never been under greater threat.

Midfielders

Payet (8.2) - The Frenchman signaled his return to FPL form with an explosive 13-point haul against Norwich, and had a great game at Ewood Park last weekend. It would take a brave punter to bet on him blanking against Sunderland.

Mahrez (7.2) - Mahrez is still the FPL top scorer, has been averaging over 7 points per game over the last month, and faces Norwich and West Brom next. At home.

Shaqiri (6.4) - Stoke will be hoping that their rediscovered attacking thrust carries into consecutive home games against Villa and Newcastle. The Messi of the Alps notched his 4th league assist of the season at Dean Court, and should be in line for more of the same this coming week.

Defenders

Fuchs (4.8) - In keeping with the Foxes theme, the Austrian full back is relatively cheap and has a knack of finding a Leicester head from set plays. Get in.

Wimmer (4.6) - Kevin Wimmer remains a savvy budget pick as he will take Vertonghen's place at the heart of the league's stingiest defence for another month.

Azpilicueta (5.8) - The Spanish full back is the cheapest starter in a Chelsea defence that is yet to concede away from home in the league under Hiddink.

Keepers

Boruc (4.5) - There is clean sheet potential for the veteran goalkeeper with games against Watford, Newcastle and Swansea over the next month.

Butland (5.2) - The Englishman has been at the receiving end lately, but will be hoping that two upcoming games against dire opposition sees a return to familiar territory

The Blogger's Team

Read the story of Dele Alli, who escaped the streets and jumped straight into the limelight.