Welcome back from the long break of FPL. It’s time to get back into the routine of playing this frustrating game. I challenge you to remember back to Gameweek 26.

It was an average week for me as I gathered 45 points, just 4 above the average. I did see a tiny green arrow of about 3,000 to see my overall rank rise to 158,824.

My transfer from Bellerin to Ivanovic didn’t end up hurting or helping me in the end, both earning a measly 2 point blank. I do feel like it is a positive transfer given Chelsea’s great run of fixtures to come. It was worrisome to see Ivanovic playing centerback when Zouma was injured, but John Terry will be back soon so there’s not too much to worry about. If Chelsea keep up their current form, I can see Ivanovic keeping a lot of clean sheets and getting some attacking returns.

My Transfers (Gameweek 27)

FREE TRANSFERS 1 OUT David de Gea (MUN) IN Fraser Forster (SOU) IN THE BANK £2.5

Overall I’m happy with the current state of my team. Although it wasn’t a great week for me, I’m confident in the way my team is setting up for the blank and double gameweeks. At the moment I have 7 players confirmed to be playing in GW30. With 4 free transfers between now and the GW30 deadline, this gives me the opportunity to field a full 11 players which is very good. Many of the casual managers will be struggling to field a full team, so my rank should get a boost just from having a complete side.

I didn’t watch the early Sunderland v. Man United game, so I woke up to a disappointing David de Gea 0-pointer. Charlie Daniels helped my defense by grabbing an assist and a bonus point, even with Bournemouth losing the game. He’s a real bonus point magnet. Ivanovic was also on for a clean sheet but lost it in the last minute when Andros Townsend scored a wonder goal. Aaron Cresswell had a very disappointing game against Norwich. I expected West Ham to keep a clean sheet, and overall the Hammers’ defense has been a let down when I expected them to get me serious points.

Dmitri Payet was the hero of my team this week scoring a 13-pointer. I kept faith in the Frenchman knowing that he had good fixtures, and this payed off in my favor. I debated captaining him this week as a differential (which I should have done), so I did miss out on some extra points there. Mesut Ozil also was a savior with his goal and 3 bonus points. I was a bit lucky as it looked like Ozil was on to blank, but a last minute free kick and a headed goal from Danny Welbeck helped me gain 6 additional points. Riyad Mahrez was the sacrificial lamb when Danny Simpson was sent off, failing to play 60 minutes and ended up on 1 point. It was another disappointing blank for Alexis Sanchez, who has failed to score FPL points since coming back into my team. He’s on the short leash for me.

Jamie Vardy is the player in my team I’m most excited about owning. Leicester’s fixtures are golden and the man is in form. It’s possible that he’ll be the most valuable striker to own in the last third of the season. Sergio Aguero had a disappointing blank, but I’m confident that he’ll score goals in the end of the season. Man City are struggling with injuries but any form that Man City finds will result in him earning points. That leaves a one Mr. Odion Ighalo, who has really epitomized a struggling Watford side. I’ll be looking to upgrade him when the time is right.

Transfer Strategy for Gameweek 30

The players that are blanking in GW30 who I need to replace will likely be: De Gea (MUN), Cresswell (WHU), Sanchez (ARS), Ighalo (WAT). Here’s how I’ll deal with my blanking players to field a full 11:

GW27 8 GW30 players DE GEA out, FORSTER in I don’t like United’s chances of keeping a clean sheet this week against Arsenal, so de Gea will make way for a red hot Fraser Forster who is a guarantee to play in GW30. This is an easy decision for me. GW28 8 GW30 players NO TRANSFERS I’m planning on saving my free transfer for this week because Arsenal play Swansea. I can’t see getting rid of Alexis when he’s up against the Swans’ defense. I’m hoping that he will get among the points for this game. GW29 10 GW30 players SANCHEZ & IGHALO out, SHELVEY & KANE in This week I’ll need to free up some funds to upgrade Ighalo to a more expensive striker. I like Kane because he’s on penalties and he’s playing striker for a red hot Spurs side. Right now, Sanchez will come out of my team and Shelvey will come in as a solid 5th mid for a Newcastle side playing in Gameweek 30. But if Alexis hits some form over the next few weeks, it could be Ozil coming out instead. GW30 11 GW30 players CRESSWELL out, ALDERWEIRELD in I haven’t been impressed by West Ham’s chances of keeping clean sheets against lower sides. Their fixtures don’t get any easier, especially after GW30. I think it will be essential to have three Spurs players going into the end of the season. Right now Toby is the only nailed on defender for Spurs with a decent chance for attacking returns. His price is expensive, but I can afford anyone with the amount of money I’ll have in my bank.

Locked In (Gameweek 27)

There’s no real decisions for me to make this week regarding my lineup. I’ve got Ashley Williams trying to defend against one of the top attacking sides in Spurs. I’ve got Danny Simpson who’s still suspended. And I’ve got Aguero who is blanking and has 0% chance of playing. My lineup basically picked itself this week. Here’s my team for Gameweek 27:

I’m hopeful that I’ll get a green arrows this week, especially because some players won’t be fielding a full 11 players. I’m optimistic that Leicester will stomp over Norwich. Looking at Vahrez to have a big game. I’ll also be looking for Alexis Sanchez to get back to form. United would normally be a tough fixture, but the way their season is going, I think Arsenal will dominate the game. I’m also hoping Fraser Forster will hold his 7th clean sheet in a row now that he’s finally in my team!

At the moment I’m going with (C) Vardy. I think Leicester are about to cruise their way to the title. Payet had a great game and looked pure class on the weekend. He’s really making a case for the armband in my team and he may be a good differential captain. Vardy will definitely be the majority choice, and I’m looking to make up ground on the leader of my mini league! I could change my captain choice at the last minute, so don’t hold me to it. That’s it.

Good luck in Gameweek 27!