DREAM TEAM managers have until 6:30pm on Friday to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 27.
The FA Cup takes centre stage over the weekend before midweek brings the first legs of the European round of 16 ties.
17 goals and countingCredit: Getty
Antoine Semenyo (£4.9m)
Recommending the second-most popular player in the game probably isn’t necessary on our part but we feel the Ghana star is worth a mention if only to make it clear that he is now eligible to play in the Champions League.
Along with Marc Guehi (£4.4m), Semenyo has been added to Manchester City’s squad for the knockout stages and will surely be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the mighty Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos boast the greatest reputation of all on Europe’s grandest stage but seems like a good time to play them with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe injured — as evidenced by recent defeats to Osasuna and Getafe.
Semenyo has amassed 242 points at an average of 7.3 per game this season via 17 goals and eight assists.
And now he has European fixtures in his diary.
Pep Guardiola’s side are due to face Newcastle in the cup this weekend, a match-up which may also demand substantial minutes from the 26-year-old.
Alexis Mac Allister (£4.3m)
Form on his sideCredit: AFP
Liverpool assets aren’t shining so bright after their defeat to Wolves in the week but their upcoming fixtures still appeal.
This Friday, the Reds will have the opportunity to get their revenge on Rob Edwards’ side when they revisit Molineux in the FA Cup.
Then on Tuesday, they travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Looking further ahead, Gameweek 28 brings the luxury of two home games, the first against beleaguered Spurs and the second against the Turkish giants (second leg).
Dominik Szoboszlai (£5.5m), Hugo Ekitike (£4.5m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5m) are probably the top priorities but gaffers in need of difference-makers should consider Mac Allister.
The Argentina midfielder has harvested 35 points from the last three Gameweeks and currently features in just 2.8% of teams.
He is Liverpool’s most in-form player ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Anthony Gordon (£4.6m)
European specialistCredit: Getty
Newcastle’s double of Man City and Barcelona looks scary on paper but their No10’s blistering European form is impossible to ignore.
Gordon has earned over 100 points in the Champions League from just ten outings and only the aforementioned Mbappe has scored more goals in the competition at this stage.
In fact, one of the England international’s goals actually came against Barca all the back in Gameweek 4.
Gordon’s domestic performances have left a lot to be desired this campaign but his prolific penalty record counts in his favour.
Enzo Le Fee (£3.6m)
WildcardCredit: Getty
We like to finish with an alternative option when possible.
Sunderland only have one fixture to fulfil in Gameweek 27 but it’s the most favourable of the bunch.
The Black Cats are due to face Port Vale on Saturday, the team currently bottom of League One (albeit with some games in hand).
Regis Le Bris’ side are sitting pretty in mid-table of the Premier League, at no risk of relegation, and so why not have a proper go at the FA Cup with a place in the quarter-finals within their grasp?
Le Fee, a classy operator, played the full 90 minutes against Oxford United in the fourth round and so there’s every chance he starts this weekend.
The ex-Roma midfielder is Sunderland’s best outfielder at present with 145 points to his name.
He has the potential to capitalise on a lopsided match-up and bank a satisfying double-digit haul.
Le Fee’s current ownership of 0.5% makes him a huge differential.
Although it’s fair to say he would be a one-week punt in search of short-term gains — we acknowledge that many gaffers are adverse to such tactics.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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