The midweek conclusion of the FA Cup fifth round allows managers in Fantasy Premier League the chance to firm up their transfer plans for the busy period ahead.
Investment in Brentford trio David Raya (£4.8m), Ben Mee (£5.0m) and Ivan Toney (£7.6m) looks a particularly strong tactic to profit from the schedule.
They are the only side to play six matches in the next four Gameweeks, offering a Double Gameweek 27 and Double Gameweek 29.
Leicester City’s James Maddison (£8.1m) and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£7.3m) also have the schedules to prosper.
Both have a DGW29 and also play in Blank GW28, where eight sides are without a fixture.
Arsenal’s kind schedule also strengthens their appeal at both ends of the pitch.
The Gunners may not have a Double Gameweek but each of their next four matches score just two in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR).
This includes their home encounter with Crystal Palace in Blank GW28.
The Scout’s Wildcard squad for Gameweek 26, listed below, includes:
- Five DGW27 players
- 10 Blank GW28 players
- 11 DGW29 players
Goalkeepers
David Raya (BRE) £4.8m
The Brentford No 1 can extend his lead at the top of the goalkeeper standings with six matches in four Gameweeks.
Danny Ward (LEI) £4.0m
Leicester's goalkeeper could appeal to managers playing their Bench Boost in DGW29.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier (NEW) £6.0m
Newcastle United’s right-back has averaged 6.3 points per match on his way to the top of the defender standings.
Luke Shaw (MUN) £5.3m
One goal, four assists, eight clean sheets and 13 bonus points underline his many routes to returns.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (ARS) £5.1m
The Arsenal left-back has a goal, an assist, two clean sheets and 25 points in his last three outings.
Ben Mee (BRE) £5.0m
His total of three goals this season ranks joint-top among defenders in Fantasy.
Pervis Estupinan (BHA) £4.7m
The Brighton & Hove Albion left-back has a DGW27 and DGW29.
Midfielders
Bukayo Saka (ARS) £8.5m
Saka has matched his total of 20 goal involvements from the previous campaign, scoring 10 and assisting a further 10.
James Maddison (LEI) £8.1m
Eight of Leicester’s next 11 matches score a mere two in the FDR.
Marcus Rashford (MUN) £7.2m
Manchester United's England star is the top-scoring player in Fantasy since the season resumed on 89 points, scoring 10 goals and supplying two assists.
Martin Odegaard (ARS) £7.0m
His six double-figure hauls is a team-leading total for Arsenal this season.
Kaoru Mitoma (BHA) £5.3m
The Japanese averages 6.1 points per start in his debut Fantasy campaign.
Forwards
Erling Haaland (MCI) £12.2m
Manchester City’s Norwegian has stormed to the top of the Fantasy standings, with 27 goals and five assists in just 24 appearances.
Ivan Toney (BRE) £7.6m
The Brentford forward is a strong armband option in DGW27 against Everton and Southampton.
Ollie Watkins (AVL) £7.3m
The Villa striker has scored in five successive matches for the first time in his Fantasy career.
Also in this series
Part 1: Best FPL team for Gameweek 26
Remember, the Gameweek 26 deadline is at 11:00 GMT on Saturday 4 March