FPL Top Transfer Recommendations: Gameweek 28

The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider to bring into your team heading into FPL Gameweek 28 of the 2025/26 season.

Gameweek 28 looms large for FPL bosses everywhere, that nail-biting moment when you stare at your squad and ponder those all-important transfers. It is the point in the season where smart moves can rocket you up the rankings or leave you scrambling if you get it wrong. Picture this: the Premier League calendar serves up a feast of fixtures ripe for exploitation; defences on the ropes, attackers on fire, and under-the-radar gems ready to explode.

We have scoured the stats, form guides, and match-ups to spotlight five transfer targets who scream value right now. These are not just names on a list; they are players whose recent heroics, team reliance, and opponent weaknesses align perfectly for big hauls. From rock-solid defenders cashing in on clean sheets to midfield maestros and strikers sniffing goals, each one fits like a glove into your Gameweek 28 plans.

Why obsess over transfers now? With blanks and doubles lurking on the horizon, building the right backbone pays off big. Liverpool’s fortress at Anfield, Manchester City’s road trip to wobbly Leeds United, Aston Villa’s raid on Wolves’ leaky lines; these clashes tip the scales. Our picks blend reliability with upside, dodging rotation risks and injury doubts.

Stick around as we dive deep into why Virgil van Dijk, Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers, Bryan Mbeumo, and Igor Thiago top the shopping list. Managers who nailed similar punts last season climbed leagues; ignore them at your peril. Simple as that. Let us break it down player by player, no fluff, just the facts that make your transfer button itch.

Virgil van Dijk: Defensive colossus

Virgil van Dijk stands tall as the no-brainer defender to captain up for Gameweek 28. Liverpool host West Ham United, a side that has sputtered offensively all season, misfiring in front of goal, cycling through strikers without rhythm, and scraping just enough to stay afloat. Their attack feels blunt, averaging under a goal per game lately, which plays right into the Reds’ hands.

Liverpool’s backline has transformed from shaky starts to a brick wall, thanks to van Dijk’s commanding presence. The Dutchman is mopping up crosses, winning every duel, and anchoring a unit that’s kept three straight clean sheets leading into this clash. West Ham’s set-piece threats? The skipper devours them like snacks, turning potential dangers into bonus-point fodder. Expect him to boss the game, snag those defensive returns, and maybe even nod in a corner for extra spice.

Over his FPL career, van Dijk has been a points machine. This season, despite Liverpool’s early wobbles, he has hit 122 points already, with recent blanks turning into double-digit spikes. Priced at captaincy levels but delivering every week, he is your set-it-and-forget-it guy against a West Ham attack that is all promise, and little punch.

Nico O’Reilly: Versatile City dynamo

Nico O’Reilly bursts onto the radar as Manchester City’s wildcard defender for Gameweek 28, fresh off a monster GW27 showing. City travel to Leeds United, who have been a rollercoaster, showing flashes of grit drowned by sloppy defending, home draws bleeding into losses, and an inability to lock down elite attacks. The Peacocks leak goals like sieves, especially wide open on the flanks.

O’Reilly’s season reads like a highlight reel: soaring up the FPL ranks with clean sheets galore, a goal or two, and assists popping from his overlapping runs. That GW27 haul was not luck. Against Leeds United’s porous setup, City will dominate possession, gifting him clean sheet security plus attacking kicks.

What sets him apart? Versatility. O’Reilly flips between left-back steel and winger flair, racking up bonus magnets while chipping in offensively. H ehas ten clean sheets already this term at dirt-cheap ownership. Leeds United’s home frailties mean he will feast on crosses and counters, potentially doubling his output from recent games. If your defence craves differential edge, he is the punt that could haul you into the top 10k.

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa’s output hub

Morgan Rogers owns Aston Villa’s midfield pulse, making him a Gameweek 28 lock-in. Villa face Wolves, a side whose defense crumbles under pressure, is soft at set pieces, chasing shadows, and shipping goals from every angle. Rogers thrives in these setups, turning half-chances into magic.

Aston Villa’s campaign hinges on him, as he is threading passes, whipping in crosses, and arriving late in the box like clockwork. Recent outings? There have been steady returns, with shots raining in and assists flowing as teammates lean on his vision. Wolves’ backline invites chaos, amplifying his threat for goals, bonuses, and those sweet attacking returns. GW28’s soft matchup screams captaincy vibes post his consistent streak; grab him before others pile in and prices soar.

Bryan Mbeumo: Manchester United’s FPL ace

Bryan Mbeumo lights up Manchester United’s attack after his blockbuster summer switch, primed for GW28 fireworks. Manchester United tackle Crystal Palace, whose defence has unraveled due to gaping holes, set-piece nightmares, and a confidence dip letting goals pour in week after week.

Mbeumo has adapted seamlessly, showcasing predatory finishes, tireless pressing, and a knack for bonuses in the high-line system. From Brentford days, he was a goal machine; now at Old Trafford, he has elevated, hitting the net regularly from Manchester United’s fluid attack. As for Crystal Palace’s woes, there are wide-open spaces for his pace to exploit.

Recent FPL tallies tell the tale, as he has achieved eye-catching figures routinely, spiking with goals and cleans when Manchester United click. With his ownership not necessarily high, his ceiling is sky-high against Eagles who cannot cope. Mbeumo is not just surviving the leap; he is owning it, turning tough fixtures into personal playgrounds.

Igor Thiago: Brentford’s Deadly No. 9

Igor Thiago spearheads Brentford’s charge as the striker steal of Gameweek 28. They visit Burnley, whose rearguard is a disaster zone thanks to inconsistent clearances, positional errors, and a habit of gifting tap-ins to sharp forwards. The Clarets chase games but fold under sustained heat.

Thiago has been on a tear this season, inviting interest from high-profile clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. He is the quickest Brentford forward to double digits this season, with braces dotting his ledger against similar soft touches. Burnley’s mess hands him license to roam, feasting on scraps for hauls that echo long-term.

FPL Transfer Recommendations at a Glance

Honourable Mentions

Honourable mentions worth eyeing: Diogo Dalot, Matty Cash, Lewis Hall for defensive solidity; Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for midfield flair; Antoine Semenyo, Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike, Randal Kolo Muani up top. Fixtures will decide, but our fab five lead the charge.