Big Man Bakar returns with another set of FPL tips for Gameweek 27, offering expert advice on transfers, assistant manager picks, a best captain selection and much more.
The Premier League returns for a midweek round of fixtures in Gameweek 27, with 10 matches spread across three days, and Big Man Bakar is back on SportsCasting to answer the key FPL questions ahead of the action.
FPL Gameweek 27 Tips: Big Man Bakar Answers The Key Questions
Q) Who is the best captain this week – Salah or Palmer?
My captain will be Cole Palmer this week.
The bookmakers expect Chelsea to be the highest scorers this week, with over three goals projected, offering significant upside. It’s understandable, given that Southampton have let in 18 goals across their last six matches and have the worst xG conceded this season. They are also hit by injuries in their defence, which instills further confidence in my selection.
Going against Salah is always scary but according to the bookmakers, Palmer has a 75% chance of scoring or assisting this week as opposed to 66% for Salah.
That is a huge difference, and one which makes Palmer even more attractive, especially considering that Salah’s effective ownership is likely to be higher as a result of his superior form.
Q) Is this a good week to save a transfer?
Yes – most teams don’t have any pressing issues to tackle.
A lot of teams have used up plenty of their free transfers in the doubles over the past few weeks so this is a good week to start stacking up some transfers to increase flexibility in order to prepare for the blanks and doubles to come later.
Q) What to do with Joao Pedro/Welbeck?
Joao Pedro’s FPL appeal has surged following Welbeck’s injury.
If Joao Pedro does indeed start as expected, there are very few strikers who are better this week. With a decent fixture run, he could become a solid option if he locks down a place in Brighton’s XI.
With doubts over Welbeck’s minutes, I’d bench him this week. If he is part of your 11, I’d sell.
Q) Who is the best forward to buy this week? Best Welbeck/Ndiaye replacement?
Cunha is probably the best forward to buy if you’re in the market for one this week. He’s one of the few strikers that stand out at the moment.
Great fixtures, affordable price, likely penalty duties, nailed-on status, and a Gameweek 29 fixture—he checks all the boxes.
One of his underrated qualities is his bonus appeal; when he registers attacking returns, he often picks up bonus points, making him a potentially explosive pick.
Q) Should Rogers be sold this week? If yes, who is the best replacement?
With doubts over his minutes and an upcoming blank to follow, Rogers is a sell.
If you can afford to buy Bowen, I would. With a favourable fixture list to come including a home fixture against Leicester this week, Bowen must not be ignored. As West Ham’s talisman and likely penalty taker, he should thrive given his strong expected minutes and upcoming fixtures.
Leicester are currently ranked in the bottom three teams for xG conceded this season so chances are that any new owners are rewarded straightaway.
If Bowen is unaffordable, I’d go for a Bournemouth MID. Semenyo seems most robust of them all at the moment with news of Evanlison returning from injury.
Q) Is a Chelsea attacker apart from Palmer worth considering this week?
Maresca does have the flexibility of plenty of attacking options at his disposal which makes me wary of picking one at the moment. He has historically rotated in midweek as well.
Realistically, you need the player you pick till at least the second time you Wildcard and at the moment, I have concerns over long term minutes even though the short term fixtures are appealing.
Q) Should we Free Hit in Gameweek 29?
The answer to this question is team dependent.
If you have saved transfers in recent weeks and are not heavily loaded up on Newcastle, Palace, or Villa, you’ve given yourself an easier route through Blank Gameweek 29 without needing to burn a chip. I think that is an ideal scenario, as it allows you to save the Free Hit chip for the bigger blank in Gameweek 34.
If you don’t have enough free transfers stacked and have heavily loaded up on Newcastle, Palace and Villa, then Free Hitting in 29 might be the way for you.
Q) Who is the best Assistant Manager this week?
I’d probably go with a table bonus manager to target the upside.
I think the Wolves manager is where I’d feel most confident, given how well Wolves have been playing lately. Glasner would be my second choice, but Palace vs Villa is more of a tricky fixture to call in my opinion.
If you want to go for a safe pick, then Maresca is the obvious choice.
