Premier League Gameweek Fantasy Football Picks – Round 28

02/26/2026 1385

Gameweek 28 in the Fantasy Premier League is offering quite a few challenges for the defensive and goalkeeping positions of many FPL managers, as most of the stronger defenses in the league look like they'll be heavily tested against red fixtures.

This can either mean that GW28 is a great time to lean on players who are logging dependable minutes and gathering points through repeatable actions, or it may just mean that it's time for a Wildcard. Of course, fantasy football is rarely easy to predict, so, it may be that some "red fixtures" end up looking rather green by the end of the weekend, but we've tried to make a FPL squad for GW28 that balances premium firepower with value pieces who can keep ticking along even when the match isn’t perfect.

The 15-man Squad (3–4–3)

Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martínez (GK, AVL)

Martínez is the kind of keeper you can trust through a fixture run because he contributes in multiple ways. He’s excellent at claiming crosses, strong in one-v-ones, and reliable for save points when Villa concede shots from medium range. He also tends to collect bonus in tight wins thanks to clean handling and game control late on. In recent weeks, his output has stayed steady even when Villa haven’t been spotless, which is exactly what you want from a starter-priced goalkeeper. With upcoming games that are more manageable than brutal, Martínez gives you a realistic clean-sheet pathway without needing a perfect defensive performance in front of him.

Bart Verbruggen (GK, BRI)

Verbruggen offers a very useful mix of an affordable entry cost and genuine weekly usability. Brighton’s style often keeps possession, which helps reduce sustained pressure, but they still allow enough efforts that Verbruggen can rack up saves when needed. His distribution is a plus for bonus in narrow results, and he’s generally composed when games get scrappy. From a squad-building perspective, he’s a strong partner to a slightly pricier keeper, as you can rotate based on opponent strength without spending transfers on the position. If Brighton’s next couple of fixtures are not top-tier attacks, Verbruggen becomes a high-upside “value start” rather than just bench cover.

Defenders

Marcos Senesi (DEF, BOU)

Senesi is a defender you like because he can score without needing chaos. He’s a strong first-contact centre-back, so he piles up clearances and blocks in tight matches—exactly the kind of actions that boost defensive baseline points and bonus potential. On set pieces, he’s also a real threat, getting on the end of deliveries or creating second-ball situations that can lead to returns. Recent weeks have shown him staying involved and collecting steady points even when Bournemouth aren’t perfect. With a kinder stretch of fixtures, Senesi is the type of defender who can deliver a string of useful totals and the occasional big spike.

Michael Keane (DEF, EVE)

Keane is built for Fantasy value with 90-minute security, aerial dominance, and repeatable defensive contributions. Everton often defend deep in spells, which actually helps him, as clearances and blocks stack quickly, and those actions can push him into bonus when the scoreline is tight. He’s also a live target at corners, so there’s always the possibility of a surprise double-digit haul. If the next matchups aren’t against elite attacks, Keane becomes more than a bench option, as he’s a genuine starter who frees budget for your midfield and forwards. He’s the type you can rotate in confidently without needing a transfer plan built around him.

James Hill (DEF, BOU)

Hill is a classic “cheap but useful” defender because his points profile isn’t dependent on goals. When he plays regularly, he benefits from defensive work, such as blocks, clearances, and recoveries that add up in tight games. That makes him especially attractive in fixtures where Bournemouth aren’t expected to dominate but also aren’t expected to get torn apart. His low price is a massive structural advantage—he lets you carry premium attackers while still offering a realistic two-to-six point range when started. If his minutes remain stable, Hill is the kind of pick that quietly improves a squad’s flexibility, letting you bench him without regret or start him when the matchup turns friendly.

Virgil van Dijk (DEF, LIV)

Van Dijk is a premium defender you buy for reliability. Liverpool’s clean-sheet potential has been spotty this season, but Virgil’s own game fits Fantasy scoring well with aerial wins, clearances late in games, and bonus-friendly composure when seeing out wins. Add his threat at attacking set pieces and you get multiple routes to points even in matches where Liverpool don’t rack up a huge scoreline. His price can look steep, but he offers a steadier projection than many attacking full-backs who rotate or rely on assists. If Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures are favourable, Van Dijk is a strong “anchor defender” who can deliver consistent returns with occasional headline spikes.

Diogo Dalot (DEF, MUN)

Dalot has a balanced Fantasy profile with minutes, involvement, and a genuine chance of an attacking return without being a “needs an assist” pick. He contributes through overlaps and cut-backs when United build wide, and he also picks up baseline defensive actions that can help with bonus in close wins. Recent performances have often included useful attacking touches even when United’s output is mixed, which is good for reliability. When fixtures are manageable, Dalot’s clean-sheet odds improve and his attacking involvement becomes more valuable. He’s also priced in a way that doesn’t crush your budget, making him a sensible “start in green games” defender rather than a luxury.

Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes (MID, MUN)

Bruno is a high-involvement midfielder who can return even when the team performance isn’t perfect. He creates chances, shoots from dangerous central areas, and stays heavily involved in set-piece situations, which means multiple pathways to points. He also tends to play big minutes, which matters during busy periods. Recent weeks typically show him accumulating points through chances created and key touches in the final third rather than relying on a single big moment. If United’s next fixtures are not top-level defences, Bruno becomes a strong weekly starter and a credible vice-captain option. He’s not cheap, but his role is exactly what Fantasy managers pay for.

Antoine Semenyo (MID, MCI)

Semenyo is a mid-priced midfielder who offers real upside because he plays direct and attacks the box. He shoots early, drives into scoring zones, and often becomes the end-point of transitions, all of which are traits that translate into repeatable chances. When Bournemouth face opponents that leave space, Semenyo’s value rises sharply because his best work comes when he can run at defenders and arrive in the area. Recent form has shown that his output isn’t just “one lucky week”; he’s been involved often enough that returns are believable. If the fixture list stays kind, Semenyo is the sort of player who can deliver a run of consistent points with the occasional double-digit haul.

Harry Wilson (MID, FUL)

Wilson is attractive because he offers both creativity and goal threat at a reasonable cost. He’s capable from set pieces, can whip deliveries into dangerous areas, and is also confident shooting from the edge, meaning he has more than one route to returns. In matchups where Fulham can win territory, Wilson’s crossing and chance creation becomes a steady points engine. If opponents concede set plays or allow shots from Zone 14, he’s especially appealing. Recent weeks often show him contributing through involvement rather than disappearing, which is what you want in a mid-priced midfielder. He fits a squad as an M3/M4 with genuine “big week” potential.

Ryan Gravenberch (MID, LIV)

Gravenberch is a value way into a high-volume attack. When Liverpool dominate possession, he gets repeat touches in advanced pockets, combining around the box and arriving for second-phase chances. That’s where Fantasy points show up: assists from short combinations, goals from late runs, and bonus through involvement in controlled wins. His appeal also includes price—he often costs less than Liverpool’s headline names but still benefits from the same match flow when fixtures are favourable. Recent form has tended to be steady in terms of involvement and minutes, which matters. If Liverpool have a promising run, Gravenberch is a smart midfield pick for managers balancing budget and upside.

Casemiro (MID, MUN)

Casemiro is a slightly unusual Fantasy midfielder, but he can be effective in the right fixture run. He racks up recoveries, interceptions, and duel wins—actions that help his baseline and can translate into bonus when United win narrowly. He also has a habit of popping up for second balls near the box and set-piece scraps, which creates occasional attacking returns. His value comes from role clarity and minutes: when he’s starting consistently, he’s a dependable “floor midfielder” who won’t ruin your week, and he’s priced below the premium creators. In GW28, he’s best used when United are expected to control midfield, giving him both defensive accumulation and chances to join attacks.

Forwards

Erling Haaland (FWD, MCI)

Haaland seems to be getting back into goal-scoring and assisting form and he remains the simplest route to elite Fantasy points because his chances are high probability and repeatable. He lives in the six-yard corridor, attacks squared passes and rebounds, and benefits from the league’s best supply of cut-backs and low crosses. Even on quieter days, his movement creates attempts that most forwards don’t get. He’s expensive, but the captaincy value is unmatched, since, when you own him, you can take calculated risks elsewhere. If City’s next fixtures are favourable, you keep it simple: start him, captain him, and let the rest of the squad chase differentials.

Hugo Ekitike (FWD, LIV)

Ekitike is becomign an excellent option both alongside Haaland and as his replacement, as the Frenchman's form is getting better and better. He runs across centre-backs, attacks the near-post lane for low deliveries, and stays alert for loose balls, which are exactly the patterns that generate sustainable xG. He also links play well enough that he can pick up assists when his team’s wide players break behind. His price typically sits below the premium forwards, which helps you maintain a strong midfield while still carrying three playable attackers. In upcoming fixtures that aren’t brutal, Ekitike becomes a smart starter with real upside rather than a bench ornament.

Igor Thiago (FWD, BRE)

Igor Thiago is still an excellent FPL score-machine even this late in the season and remains the type of forward who thrives on straightforward service: crosses, cut-backs, and second balls in the box. That’s useful for Fantasy Premier League managers because it creates repeatable shot locations close to goal. He’s physical, hard to mark, and often the focal point for penalty-area actions, so, when Brentford have favourable fixtures, he can string returns together without needing spectacular finishing from range. His price often makes him a practical partner to Haaland: you keep the premium captain, then spread value across mid-tier starters. If his recent form includes regular box touches and shots, he’s exactly the kind of forward you can start confidently against mid-table opponents.

Suggested Starters for GW28 (3–4–3)

Martínez

Van Dijk – Dalot – Senesi

Bruno Fernandes (VC) – Semenyo – Gravenberch – Wilson

Haaland (C) – Ekitike – Igor Thiago

Bench: Verbruggen, Hill, Keane, Casemiro (rotate based on opponent difficulty and any late team news).

Captaincy

Haaland remains the clear armband choice for ceiling and reliability. If you want a safety net, Bruno Fernandes is the next-best blend of minutes, responsibility, and steady involvement.

Closing note

 

The edge in GW28 often comes from avoiding “dead spots” in your squad. This group prioritises regular starters and repeatable chance patterns, so you can spend transfers chasing upside rather than fixing avoidable problems.