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’s 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—defenses on the ropes, attackers on fire, and under-the-radar gems ready to explode.

We’ve scoured the stats, form guides, and matchups to spotlight five transfer targets who scream value right now. These aren’t just names on a list; they’re 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, City’s road trip to wobbly Leeds, 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—form plus fixture equals fantasy gold. Let’s 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, a Hammers side that’s 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. He’s 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? Van Dijk 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’s a points machine—think 150-plus hauls in peak years, fueled by 15 clean sheets one term, handfuls of goals, and endless bonuses for his leadership. This season, despite Liverpool’s early wobbles, he’s hit 80 points already, with recent blanks turning into double-digit spikes. Priced at captaincy levels but delivering every week, he’s your set-it-and-forget-it guy against a West Ham attack that’s all promise, no 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’ve been a rollercoaster—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 wasn’t luck—he terrorized opponents, bagged points across the board, and hinted at a positional tweak to the wing. Against Leeds’ porous setup, City will dominate possession, gifting him clean sheet security plus attacking kicks.

What sets him apart? Versatility. O’Reilly flips between center-back steel and winger flair, racking up bonus magnets while chipping in offensively—eight clean sheets already this term at dirt-cheap ownership. Leeds’ home frailties mean he’ll feast on crosses and counters, potentially doubling his output from recent games. If your defense craves differential edge, he’s 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—soft at set pieces, chasing shadows, and shipping goals from every angle. Rogers thrives in these setups, turning half-chances into magic.

Villa’s campaign hinges on him: threading passes, whipping in crosses, and arriving late in the box like clockwork. Recent outings? Steady double-digit 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.

Dig into his history—last 10 games yielded multiple hauls over 10 points, blending Villa’s reliance with his relentless engine. At 23, he’s no flash in the pan; physicality meets smarts, locking minutes amid Unai Emery’s trust. GW28’s soft matchup screams captaincy vibes post his consistent streak—grab him before every Villa fan piles 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. United tackle Crystal Palace, whose defense has unraveled—gaping holes, set-piece nightmares, and a confidence dip letting goals pour in week after week.

Mbeumo’s adapted seamlessly: predatory finishes, tireless pressing, and a knack for bonuses in Amorim’s high-line system. From Brentford days, he was a 20-goal machine; now at Old Trafford, he’s elevated, hitting the net regularly amid United’s fluid front three. Palace’s woes? Wide-open spaces for his pace to exploit.

Recent FPL tallies tell the tale—double figures routinely, spiking with goals and cleans when United click. Ownership’s low, ceiling’s sky-high against Eagles who can’t cope. He’s not just surviving the leap; he’s owning it, turning tough fixtures into personal playgrounds. Differential gold for bold managers.

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—inconsistent clearances, positional errors, and a habit of gifting tap-ins to sharp forwards. The Clarets chase games but fold under sustained heat.

Thiago’s on a tear: clinical strikes, penalty coolness, and hold-up play unlocking Bees’ counters. He’s 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.

Form doesn’t lie—11 goals from open play, thriving on service while creating his own. GW28 sets up a breakout run, blending immediate bangs with fixture-proof hold appeal. Brazilian hunger meets perfect storm; he’s your vice-captain vs. a Burnley side begging to be picked apart.

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—get transferring!