Fantasy Premier League: Top Picks to Watch for Gameweek 26

The demanding schedule of the Premier League shows no signs of letting up, which means it’s crucial to manage your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams promptly.

Here are the top players to consider for FPL Gameweek 26 based on predictions from Fantasy Football Hub’s AI technology.

If you find yourself uncertain about your next FPL move, check out the AI-recommended transfers here!

Defender: Gabriel vs West Ham (H) – 5.6 points 

Arsenal are expected to build on their nine clean sheets this week as they take on a faltering West Ham, who’ve managed only one point in their last four Premier League matches, scoring just twice in that stretch. The Gunners have secured two clean sheets in this time frame.

Gabriel, playing as a centre-back, stands out as a lucrative option from Arsenal’s defence, having netted three goals and provided two assists this season, amassing a total of 100 fantasy points. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ola Aina have outscored him amongst defenders.

In the previous encounter against West Ham, Gabriel showcased his capabilities by scoring from a corner and assisting for a penalty, before leaving the match at half-time due to injury. Arsenal emerged victorious from that clash with a 5-2 scoreline.

Midfielder: Mohamed Salah vs Manchester City (A) – 7.1 points

Mohamed Salah tops the overall AI rankings ahead of Gameweek 26, facing a challenging fixture against Manchester City. Although Liverpool sits atop the Premier League table, they will face a tough test against the reigning champions, who have recorded three wins in their past four matches.

Manchester City’s defence has shown flaws, conceding six goals recently, including five against Arsenal in Gameweek 24. However, Liverpool remains fluid in attack, having netted ten times in their last four league matches.

Salah himself has been pivotal, contributing to more than half of Liverpool’s recent goal returns with four successive league matches resulting in five goals and one assist. He has also recorded significant points in previous away games against Everton and Bournemouth.

Forward: Alexander Isak vs Nottingham Forest (H) – 6.8 points

Newcastle United’s match against Nottingham Forest appears challenging to predict. The Magpies previously defeated Forest 3-1 at City Ground but have faced unexpected losses to Bournemouth and Fulham at home lately. Notably, Forest has also dropped their last two away matches.

If Newcastle hopes to secure three points, it is likely that Alexander Isak will play a crucial role. He has found the net twice in the last four Gameweeks, bringing his seasonal total to 17 goals, with only Chris Wood and Erling Haaland ahead of him in goal tally among forwards.

In that earlier encounter, Isak played a pivotal role with a goal and an assist, earning an impressive 11-point fantasy return. Although Nottingham Forest boasts ten clean sheets this season, they have struggled lately, conceding nine goals in their last four outings.

Hidden Gem: Dango Ouattara vs Wolves (H) – 5.8 points

Bournemouth’s attackers are hot picks for Gameweek 26 as they prepare to face Wolves at home. While Justin Kluivert has attracted attention, the budget-friendly Dango Ouattara is preferred in AI projections for this fixture.

Ouattara has excelled in a central striking role recently, scoring four goals and providing one assist. He currently leads the pack for big chances created, with seven in this period, indicating his potential for further fantasy points.

While Kluivert holds a strong edge with penalties, consider opting for Ouattara at just £5.1 million and with an ownership of 3.2%. Bournemouth has scored 12 goals over the last four Gameweeks, making it a solid strategy to double up on their attacking players.