Gameweek 28
Gameweek 28: Eight Premier League players who shaped the weekend
Ten games and 36 goals produced eight standout players in Gameweek 28, according to FotMob. This wk.
Ten matches produced 36 goals across the weekend and FotMob highlighted eight players who stood out. The most entertaining contest arrived at Turf Moor, where Burnley and Brentford combined for a 4–3 classic. Hannibal registered two assists and produced notable defensive work with four recoveries, three tackles and nine duels won as Burnley pushed for a late equaliser that was ruled out by offside.
Brentford’s Igor Thiago continued his rich vein of form, adding another composed finish to take him to 18 goals for the season. His aerial presence was a feature as he bullied his centre back hosts in the air.
Manchester City’s 1–0 victory over Leeds United showcased Rayan Aït-Nouri’s defensive discipline. He won all eight ground duels and each of his three aerial battles, and his vicious cross created the winning goal for Antoine Semenyo.
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi kept his place on the list after another strong showing. His goal in the 2–1 beating of Tottenham Hotspur underlined his impact since being redeployed from the left wing into a playmaking defensive midfield role.
Everton’s 3–2 win over Newcastle United produced an industrious display from Beto. He was awarded a goal after Nick Pope’s handling error, but his two clearances, including one off the line, emphasised his work rate and commitment across the ninety minutes.
In Liverpool’s 5–2 victory over West Ham United, Hugo Ekitiké led an exercise in efficiency. Despite having the fewest touches of any Liverpool starter, he opened the scoring with a smart finish and his passes contributed directly to Liverpool’s third and fourth goals.
These performances reflect a weekend of high-end individual influence across several fixtures. FotMob’s selection runs through attacking returns, defensive interventions and moments of decisive quality that altered results across Gameweek 28.
FPL
FPL Gameweek 28: Essential transfers, budget enablers and attacking picks
Gameweek 28 FPL guide: top transfers, budget enablers and midfield options for the coming fixtures .
Gameweek 28 carries weight for managers chasing mini-league positions and avoiding forfeits. With the season entering its final third, every transfer can matter.
Goalkeepers present clear options. Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.7m) is the suggested move for those switching stoppers: “Despite disappointing last weekend, the Brentford man faces Burnley (A) this time around” and then has Bournemouth (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Leeds United (A) and Everton (H). Alisson (£5.4m) offers a set-and-forget route given Liverpool’s fixture swing, beginning with West Ham United (H) and followed by Wolves (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H) and Brighton & Hove Albion (A). Đorđe Petrović (£4.5m) is a budget alternative after Bournemouth have kept two clean sheets in their last four and face Sunderland (H), Brentford (A) and Burnley (H).
At the back, Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) stands out after 28 points across his last two and the combination of clean sheet potential, defensive contribution and goalscoring threat. Gabriel (£7.1m) remains an essential asset despite Arsenal’s recent defensive blunders; Chelsea (H), Brighton (A) and Everton (H) precede a blank in Gameweek 31. Budget enablers include Fulham’s Joachim Andersen and Bournemouth’s James Hill (£4.1m), with Andersen facing Tottenham (H), West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Burnley (H), while Hill has supplied six points or more in his last five matches.
Midfield decisions will hinge on fitness and form. Bruno Fernandes (£9.9m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.7m) are both primed for Crystal Palace (H) and are described as largely fixture-proof; choosing between them is highlighted as difficult. Depending on his fitness after missing last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest, Florian Wirtz (£8.4m) appears the best Liverpool midfield option. Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.8m) is a strong alternative but is noted for less consistent attacking returns if used at right back.
Up front, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) has produced just one double-digit haul since Gameweek 17 but remains capable of quick returns, with Leeds (A) next. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) has encouraging fixtures and should be involved against West Ham. Igor Thiago (£7.1m) is on penalties and is recommended for GW28 starting with Burnley at Turf Moor.
Gameweek 28
Gameweek 28: Predictions and the issues shaping a busy Premier League weekend
Gameweek 28 preview with score predictions, key absences and notes on form for each fixture. Sat-Sun
A packed Premier League programme begins on Friday with the Midlands derby between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, setting the tone for a flurry of fixtures through the weekend. Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal is the standout tie on Sunday, with several intriguing match-ups on Saturday.
Aston Villa’s recent slide is explained in large part by the absence of three integral midfielders: Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans. Unai Emery’s side have won just one of their last four matches and are struggling in the final third, forcing them to refocus on a Champions League qualification push rather than the title.
Wolves sit bottom and, while Rob Edwards has shown signs of improvement, their season appears over. They will nevertheless seek to spoil their Midlands rivals’ plans, and the expectation here is for a narrow Villa win.
Bournemouth will look for revenge against Sunderland after surrendering a two-goal lead in their November meeting at the Stadium of Light. The Cherries are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches and should be able to extend that run at home, especially against a Sunderland side that has won only twice since Christmas.
Burnley’s character remains unquestioned despite their perilous league position. The Clarets earned a late draw at Chelsea and will make Brentford work at Turf Moor, but Brentford’s consistency suggests a slender away victory.
Liverpool have improved results recently and head into a favourable run of fixtures. West Ham’s low block and counter-attacking threat will test the Reds, but a narrow home win is predicted.
Newcastle rotated comfortably in midweek and are expected to beat a struggling Everton side that has scored more than once only once in their last eight league games. Man City travel to Leeds with momentum and squad depth, and are favoured to win.
Nottingham Forest must find goals against an organized Brighton, while Tottenham and Fulham look set for a draw given Spurs’ recent heavy defeat on debut under Igor Tudor and Fulham’s inconsistency. Manchester United’s uplift under Michael Carrick leaves them likely to beat Crystal Palace, whose manager urged fans to “stay humble,” ahead of Old Trafford.
Final predictions (selected): Wolves 1–2 Aston Villa; Bournemouth 3–1 Sunderland; Burnley 0–1 Brentford; Liverpool 2–1 West Ham; Newcastle 2–0 Everton; Leeds 1–3 Man City; Brighton 1–1 Nottingham Forest; Fulham 1–1 Tottenham; Man Utd 2–0 Crystal Palace; Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea.
