Brighton FPL Gameweek 27: Welbeck will offer threat to Fulham
Sat in the middle of a chaotic month-long stretch of blanks and doubles, FPL Gameweek 27 is the only week in this busy period where every Premier League team plays once – for Brighton and the in-form Danny Welbeck, that is a trip to Fulham.
The Albion themselves now face a blank in Gameweek 29 on account of their FA Cup fifth round defeat at Wolves, coupled with Manchester City advancing to the last eight by hammering Luton Town.
City will therefore have their visit to the Amex rearranged for later in the season, just as they did in 2022-23 when Brighton snapped the champions’ 12 game winning streak by holding them to a 1-1 draw.
The Seagulls disappointed in midweek at Molineux, failing to muster many chances of note after starting the game with Ansu Fati as a false nine and no recognised striker.
Having a proper focal point to the attack is vital for Brighton. That means after been rested to the bench for the first half against Wolves, Welbeck is likely to come into the XI against Fulham with Joao Pedro definitely out and Evan Ferguson doubtful.
Welbeck is one of two interesting Brighton options for FPL managers to consider as we look to build on the success of last week’s recommendations Pascal Gross (£6.5 million) and Tariq Lamptey (£3.9 million), who picked up assist and clean sheet points respectively versus Everton.
Danny Welbeck (£5.7 million)
Since recovering from a two month absence caused by a hamstring problem, Welbeck is beginning to re-establish himself as an attacking threat, the leader of the Albion forward line and a good pick for FPL managers.
Dat Guy has three goal involvements from his last four outings. He has started all but one of Brighton’s last eight league matches, in which time only four players have bettered his eight big chances.
Lewis Dunk (£5.1 million)
Lamptey banked his clean sheet points against Everton on account of being substituted on the hour mark before the Toffees took the lead.
He was not the only Albion defender to deliver for FPL managers. Right at the end, captain Lewis Dunk headed home a Gross cross to salvage a point for the Seagulls.
It was Dunk’s second goal and third attacking return over the last four matches, making him the top-scoring defender in FPL since Gameweek 23. Looking across the whole season, Dunk’s 15 headed attempts rank third amongst all defenders.
Not only is Dunk delivering going forward currently, but Brighton have also been much improved defensively since the turn of the year.
Having been the last Premier League team to a record a clean sheet in 2023-24 at the 20th attempt, the Albion now have three in their past seven fixtures.
Captaincy
The default armband-wearer for most FPL managers remains Erling Haaland (£14.4 million). The Manchester City forward scored five times against Luton on Tuesday night, but has slightly disappointed in recent Premier League Gameweeks.
Managers tempted to look elsewhere will find it hard to ignore Bukayo Saka (£9.2 million). The forward has netted in five consecutive matches, bringing in a whopping seven goals and 59 PL points.
Free-scoring Arsenal are on a run of six wins in a row and face rock-bottom Sheffield United next, who in contrast cannot seem to stop conceding.
There is also Dominic Solanke (£7.1 million) to consider. Bournemouth travel to Burnley before playing twice in Double Gameweek 28. Solanke’s three most recent appearances have brought 11 attempts, four big chances and four shots on target.
