Fantasy Premier League

FPL Wednesday review: Fernandes foiled by Palace

By The Scout 4 Mar 2021

Gary Cahill and Vicente Guaita starred as the Eagles frustrated Gameweek 26's top captain pick

A goalless draw against Manchester United helped Crystal Palace earn back-to-back clean sheets in their Double Gameweek 26 in Fantasy Premier League.

Roy Hodgson’s defence proved a major source of value over their two matches, also drawing 0-0 with Fulham last weekend.

Four of Palace’s defensive players produced double-figures in Double Gameweek 26, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) and centre-back Gary Cahill (£4.5m) the top performers on 16 points apiece.

Maguire leads by example

Man Utd’s defence also recorded two shutouts in their Double Gameweek.

Harry Maguire (£5.5m) was their leading scorer on 13 points, while full-backs Luke Shaw (£5.1m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.6m) each registered 12 points.

But Bruno Fernandes’ (£11.6m) 59.9 per cent ownership were left disappointed after he blanked in both his fixtures.

The Portugal international was the most-captained player for Gameweek 26, handed the armband by 1.4m managers after scoring in each of his previous four appearances.

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That loss of form, combined with a visit to Manchester City this weekend and a Blank Gameweek 29 for Man Utd, has sparked a rush to sell Fernandes in Fantasy.

He is the sixth most-sold midfielder ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 GMT deadline, with more than 42,000 transfers out.

Elsewhere, a handful of differentials enjoyed a successful Wednesday evening in Fantasy.

Matej Vydra (£4.8m) netted his first goal of the season in Burnley’s 1-1 home draw with Leicester City.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) scored Leicester's equaliser to finish as their top-scoring Double Gameweek player on 11 points.

The Nigerian has started four of Leicester’s last six matches, netting both his goals this term in that period.

Similar to Vydra, he can be found in under 1.0 per cent of squads.

Solid Blades

Meanwhile, Sheffield United earned only their second win and second clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

David McGoldrick (£5.2m) scored the decisive goal, but it was the Blades’ backline who proved their main source of points in Fantasy over their Double Gameweek.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.6m) and wing-back George Baldock (£4.9m) were the standout picks, delivering 13 and 12 points respectively.