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            <p>Fantasy Football Hub's resident captaincy expert <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTanFPL">Chris Tan</a> takes a close look at the Gameweek 26 fixtures to give Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers an edge over their mini-league rivals.</p>
<p>This in-depth look at the matches ahead, complete with a handy shortlist of players to target, is available exclusively to Hub members.</p>
<p>Chris's verdict on the best <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/the-best-fpl-captain">Gameweek 26 captaincy options</a> and punts will be available later this week.</p>
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<h2>Chris Tan's fixtures analysis: Gameweek 26</h2>
<p>Last week, we identified Wolves' vulnerability on the flanks and witnessed Liverpool's wide forwards capitalise on it.</p>
<p>We also spotlighted <strong>Dango Ouattara's</strong> promising matchup against Southampton and pointed out that <strong>Kevin Schade</strong> looked set to thrive against West Ham.</p>
<p>This week, the focus shifts as many managers search for that final assistant manager option and debate whether to play ahead with Blank Gameweek 29 transfers to latch onto in-form players.</p>
<p>What should you do and why? Read on as we break down the key stats and offer our expert recommendations.</p>
<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 26: Fixtures</strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_70821" style="width: 612px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70821" class="size-full wp-image-70821" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-fixtures.png" alt="" width="602" height="918" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70821" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - fixtures</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 26: Reverse fixtures </strong></h2>
<p>The majority of these fixtures took place in Gameweek 13, with a handful from Gameweek 11. Last time around both <strong>Cole Palmer </strong>and <strong>Justin Kluivert </strong>had a great week.</p>
<div id="attachment_70823" style="width: 612px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70823" class="size-full wp-image-70823" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-reverse-fixtures-Gameweek-13.png" alt="" width="602" height="886" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70823" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - reverse fixtures (Gameweek 13)</p>
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<div id="attachment_70824" style="width: 612px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70824" class="size-full wp-image-70824" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-reverse-fixtures-team-of-the-week.png" alt="" width="602" height="703" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70824" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - reverse fixtures (team of the week)</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 26: Clean sheet and goalscoring odds</strong></h2>
<p>Arsenal and Bournemouth are projected to be the “bankers” this week.</p>
<p>These two sides have the early lead for goalscoring odds - keep an eye out <a href="https://x.com/robtFPL">here</a> to see up to date projections later in the week.</p>
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<h2><strong>Team attacking stats - sorted by expected goals (xG)</strong></h2>
<p>Manchester City have got their mojo back.</p>
<div id="attachment_70826" style="width: 1359px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70826" class="size-full wp-image-70826" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-team-attacking-stats-sorted-by-xG.png" alt="" width="1349" height="1157" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70826" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - team attacking stats (sorted by xG)</p>
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<h2><strong>Team defensive stats - sorted by expected goals conceded (xGC)</strong></h2>
<p>You don’t usually see Nottingham Forest near the top of this table. The top six are the teams I would target.</p>
<div id="attachment_70827" style="width: 2296px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70827" class="size-full wp-image-70827" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-team-defensive-stats-sorted-by-xGC.png" alt="" width="2286" height="1156" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70827" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - team defensive stats (sorted by xGC)</p>
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<h2><strong>Individual player stats - sorted by expected points (xPts)</strong></h2>
<p>It appears the forwards should be back on the menu now.</p>
<div id="attachment_70822" style="width: 2304px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70822" class="size-full wp-image-70822" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FPL-Gameweek-26-Fixture-Analysis-individual-player-stats-sorted-by-xPts.png" alt="" width="2294" height="1157" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70822" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 26 Fixture Analysis - individual player stats (sorted by xPts)</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 26 fixtures analysed</strong></h2>
<h3>Leicester v Brentford</h3>
<p><strong>Last match</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leicester changed their approach against Arsenal and played ultra defensive.</li>
<li>It’s unclear whether they will adopt the same approach against Brentford, however I feel they may see it as an opportunity for three points. Brentford were rarely troubled by West Ham and will cause Leicester problems.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Head-to-head</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Brentford won the reverse fixture 4-1 thanks to a mega haul from Schade.</li>
<li><strong>Bryan Mbeumo</strong> blanked, as he has the previous two matches since I brought him in…</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Additional Factors to consider:</strong></h4>
<p><strong>Attacking stats: </strong>Brentford’s xG stats are right up there, and it’s just the goal conversion letting them down whereas Leicester’s are the worst in the league. Brentford’s away xG stats are poor and they’ve only scored 14 away goals in 12 this season.</p>
<p><strong>Defensive stats</strong>: Leicester’s xGC stats are poor, they’re not keeping clean sheets and are conceding well over two goals per game. Their home defensive record is slightly more respectable, having conceded 23 in 13, whereas away it’s 32 in 12.</p>
<p><strong>Predicted outcome</strong>: The odds suggest Brentford edge this 1-2, but it’s relatively close. The stats suggest that Brentford should score.</p>
<p><strong>Weaknesses</strong>: Leicester concede a high amount of big chances and they’ve allowed the most shots in the league from their left. They’re also the second-worst at defending set-pieces and the worst vs headed attempts.</p>
<p><strong>Who has a good match-up</strong>: Based on the above, Mbeumo has an amazing match-up and hopefully this will be the end of his drought.</p>
<p><strong>Penalties</strong>: Leicester have only conceded one penalty this season.</p>
<p><strong>Assistant Manager</strong>: Brentford have lost seven of their 12 away games this season, with only 14 goals scored. Table bonus will be available for Leicester, but is it worth going for? Their current win odds are ~28%, which is almost at the 30% threshold we’re targeting for table bonus teams.</p>
<div id="attachment_70836" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70836" class="size-full wp-image-70836" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FFStuffImage-2025-02-17T153505.738.jpg" alt="Bryan Mbeumo Stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-70836" class="wp-caption-text">Bryan Mbeumo's Stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Everton v Manchester United</h3>
<p><strong>Last match</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Everton continue their new manager bounce and have leapfrogged United in the league.</li>
<li>Manchester United's new boss is about to set a record for the worst start to a regime.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Head-to-head</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 in the reverse fixture.</li>
<li>Both sides had different managers at the time, and on current form, you’d expect a role reversal.</li>
</ul>
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