The Hard Tackle recommends the must-have picks for the Blank Gameweek 26 of the 2023/24 FPL season.
The business end of the 2023/24 season is approaching, meaning FPL will bring us the highly-anticipated Blank and Double Gameweeks in the coming months. This weekend greets us with the first Blank Gameweek (BGW) of the campaign, a week after the first Double Gameweek (DGW).
This has presented unique challenges for FPL managers, considering Liverpool and Luton Town had players who were hot picks in DGW 25, but neither club will feature in BGW 26. In addition, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, who have several popular picks in the FPL this season, have blanks due to the Blues’ participation in the EFL Cup final this weekend.
Meanwhile, Luton Town will have another Double Gameweek in the next round of fixtures. Nevertheless, here we are with our recommendations for BGW 26, with many popular picks featured in the latest presentation.
Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City have eye-catching fixtures this weekend. But we also have picks from Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. So, without further ado, here are The Hard Tackle’s recommendations for FPL BGW 26 “Must-Haves”.
Lewis Dunk (£5.0m)
Our list begins with an unusual pick, considering Brighton & Hove Albion’s defensive shortcomings this season. But the Seagulls have an eye-catching fixture this weekend, making their players appealing prospects in FPL. So, we kick things off with Lewis Dunk.
The Brighton captain has endured a rollercoaster ride this season, picking up five yellow cards and one red card thus far. But he has picked up form in the last few weeks, with a 12-point and nine-point haul sandwiching a zero-point return.
The experienced defender is a bonus magnet, which we saw last weekend as he received three BPs, even though other Brighton players had a more productive game. So, with Everton up next for Brighton, the potential to keep a clean sheet is high. So, investing in Dunk might be worth it.
Nelson Semedo (£4.5m)
Our next pick might also surprise some, but this player has silently enjoyed a solid 2023/24 season thus far. We are talking about Nelson Semedo, who has made the right wing-back berth at Wolverhampton Wanderers his own.
The Portuguese full-back has provided only one assist thus far this term. But with Sheffield United visiting the Molineux this weekend, the Black Country outfit will have a high clean-sheet potential.
In addition, the Blades’ defensive vulnerabilities might help Semedo pick up his second assist in the Premier League this season. He is a risk-free option to contemplate, considering he will set you back by only £4.5m.
Bukayo Saka (£9.1m)
We now get into the money makers in FPL, starting with Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal attacker has been excellent in the last few weeks, shrugging off a run of poor form to rediscover his productivity in the final third.
The English international is the most in-form player in FPL heading into BGW 26, coming with a 12.2 “Form Tally”. He has racked up seven goals in his last six outings and six strikes in the most recent four games.
Two successive braces have helped him make it three double-digit hauls in four rounds of fixtures. While Saka did not show up in the meek defeat to FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League, he will back himself to come good against a struggling Newcastle United, especially at home.
Pascal Gross (£6.5m)
Brighton & Hove Albion are the first club to feature two picks in the latest column. And as we delve deeper into the best midfield candidates, we recommend buying Pascal Gross from Brighton, even though Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma should also shine.
The German international is among the most in-form players in the Premier League and FPL, producing a haul in three successive outings. He has racked up 29 points in these games, racking two goals and as many assists. Expect him to be in contention for another double-digit return against Everton.
Pedro Neto (£5.7m)
It is a wonder how Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have two picks in the latest feature. But with the two clubs locking horns with relegation battlers, the thought process might make some sense. Our next “Must-Have” is Pedro Neto.
The Portuguese international is making up for lost time after returning to action from a hamstring injury. He has contributed to four goals in as many games, including a 13-point haul against Manchester United.
So, we back him to produce the goods and add to his tally this weekend when Sheffield United visit the Molineux. Expect another double-digit haul from Pedro Neto, whose performances will hold the key for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the absence of Matheus Cunha.
Erling Haaland (£14.4m)
Our list ends with three strikers, starting with the undeniable pick, despite his indifferent form since returning to action. We are talking about Manchester City’s talismanic attacker, Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian international ranks sixth among forwards on “Form” in FPL, even though he has contributed to four goals in his five outings since returning from his stress-related injury. While that is a decent tally, managers expect much better returns from a player like Haaland.
He has shown signs of his peak form, but that has come few and far between. Nevertheless, after scoring the match-winning goal earlier this week against Brentford, the Real Madrid target will fancy his chances of adding to his tally on Saturday against Bournemouth.
Ollie Watkins (£8.7m)
We will end our list with the two most in-form forwards in FPL. The first of this duo is Ollie Watkins, who has bounced back with a solid run in the last six games, including a double-digit haul against Fulham.
The English international produced a 13-point haul against Fulham after scoring a match-winning brace against Fulham. He has contributed to nine goals in his last six outings, finding the back of the net four times while providing five assists.
With Aston Villa hosting Nottingham Forest at Villa Park, expect another big haul from the 28-year-old in-form striker this weekend.
Rasmus Hojlund (£7.2m)
The list ends with a player who scripted history last weekend when Manchester United locked horns with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. He is also second in the list of most in-form forwards in FPL. We are talking about Rasmus Hojlund.
The Danish international could not buy a goal in the Premier League until the midway point of the 2023/24 top-flight campaign. But he has found the back of the net seven times in as many outings since Manchester United clinched a 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Last weekend, the 21-year-old became the youngest player to score in six successive Premier League games, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to find the back of the net in six consecutive outings in the competition. With the Red Devils hosting Fulham on Saturday, expect Hojlund to make it seven.