In a thrilling start to Double Gameweek 25 (DGW25) for Fantasy Premier League managers, over 214,000 players made the notable switch from Alexander Isak (£9.5m) to Ollie Watkins (£8.9m), earning themselves an impressive seven-point advantage. Watkins delivered with a goal and maximum bonus points in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, while Isak drew a blank in Newcastle United’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Watkins’ current form is heightened by his upcoming fixture against Liverpool at Villa Park, where he has historically performed well, earning points in three of his four previous matches against the Reds, including a standout 19-point performance in a 7-2 victory during the 2020/21 season.
GW25’s most popular transfers saw Justin Kluivert (£6.0m) top the list, as he returned from a personal milestone— the birth of his first child— to contribute with an assist in Bournemouth’s match against Southampton, pleasing over one million of his new owners. Meanwhile, Miller Kerkez (£5.0m) enjoyed significant attention but fell short with just two points due to a Southampton goal negating his clean sheet.
Chris Wood (£7.1m) continued his excellent season, netting a goal even in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham, marking a career milestone with 20 attacking returns this season—a first in 11 campaigns. Wood is now amongst the top four most-owned players in the game.
Contrasting the excitement of new additions, the article highlights the struggles faced by some players, notably Anthony Gordon (£7.6m) and Isak, who have both struggled in recent matches, leading to their mass sale. With over 1.34 million players letting go of these performers, decisions seem justified as Gordon and Isak prepare to face tough fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
As Bournemouth gears up for favorable matchups, including a vital encounter with Brentford in Blank Gameweek 29, there are glimmers of hope for division managers still looking for valuable points in the weeks to come. The ongoing season has also seen significant improvements from Manchester United’s Amad (£5.5m), who has been sidelined with an ankle injury but has shown considerable promise prior.
Overall, while the gameweek has brought excitement and setbacks, it showcases the unpredictable nature of Fantasy Premier League, reminding managers to stay proactive in their strategies and adapt as the season progresses.