Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, brace yourselves! Gameweek 25 is here, and it’s a minefield of transfer decisions that could make or break your season. With fixtures, form, and injuries swirling like a storm, the pressure is on to decide who stays, who goes, and who joins your squad. But here’s where it gets tricky—what seems like a smart move on paper might not pan out in practice. Let’s dive into the key players on everyone’s radar: Bowen, Thiago, and Saka. Should you buy, keep, or sell? Let’s break it down.
JARROD BOWEN
Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) is on fire right now, and it’s hard to ignore his recent form. The West Ham forward has racked up 36 points in the last six Gameweeks—second only to the league’s top scorers. His three goals, one assist, four defensive contribution (DefCon) points, and seven bonus points paint a picture of a player in peak condition. His latest goal, though slightly lucky, brought his attacking returns to 11—an impressive feat for a team mid-table. But here’s the kicker: is his wide playing position and relatively low shot count a red flag?
Bowen’s upcoming fixtures are mouth-watering: Burnley, followed by home clashes against Manchester United and Bournemouth (who have the league’s worst away defense). He’s a 90-minute mainstay, takes penalties post-Lucas Paqueta’s exit, and is a set-piece threat. Plus, with only 8.9% ownership, he’s a differential worth considering. However, his 13 shots in six Gameweeks lag behind eight other forwards, and his wide role—especially with Taty Castellanos (£5.5m) up top—limits his goal-scoring chances. Still, his assists and DefCon potential keep him in the conversation. Is Bowen a must-buy, or is his appeal overhyped?
VERDICT: BUY
MARCOS SENESI
Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi (£4.8m) survived the January transfer window, and now he’s a Fantasy gem waiting to be snapped up. Andoni Iraola’s side tops the Fixture Ticker for the next six Gameweeks, and Senesi’s DefCon stats are off the charts. He’s earned DefCon points in 19 of 23 starts, boasting an 82.6% success rate—the highest in the game. Plus, he’s creatively gifted for a center-back, ranking 12th in chances created (19). But here’s the catch: Bournemouth’s defensive record is shaky, with just two clean sheets in 15 matches.
That said, they’ve conceded fewer big chances at home than any other team, including Arsenal. Upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Brentford make Senesi a tempting budget pick. However, his seven yellow cards are a ticking time bomb—two more, and he’s suspended. Is Senesi a bargain buy, or is his disciplinary record too risky?
VERDICT: BUY
IGOR THIAGO
Igor Thiago (£7.1m) has been a Fantasy darling this season, trailing only Erling Haaland (£15.0m) in goals (16) and averaging 5.4 points per match. His 52 shots in the box and 28 big chances are second to none. But here’s the twist: his recent form has hit a wall. After a 29-point haul in two matches, Thiago has gone three games without a goal or assist, including a Gameweek 24 where he didn’t even register a shot. With Brentford’s tough fixtures ahead, is it time to jump ship?
Not so fast. From Gameweek 27, Brentford’s schedule turns favorable, making Thiago a prime target then. For current owners, holding onto him makes sense—transfers are precious at this stage. Is Thiago a keeper now, or should you wait for his fixtures to improve?
VERDICT: KEEP, BUY IN GAMEWEEK 27
BUKAYO SAKA
Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) has been a shadow of himself lately, scoring just six points in four Gameweeks. His injury in the warm-up at Elland Road sidelined him, and reports suggest he’ll miss a few matches, including Arsenal’s Double Gameweek 26. Even if he returns sooner, Mikel Arteta’s cautious approach—benching him against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth—raises questions. Is Saka’s premium price tag still justified?
With Arsenal’s fixtures doubling up, switching to Declan Rice (£7.5m) or Noni Madueke (£6.8m) makes sense. Alternatively, pairing him with another Arsenal defender and replacing him with a midfielder from another club could be a smart move. Is Saka a sell, or is there still value in holding onto him?
VERDICT: SELL
MICKY VAN DE VEN
Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) has missed Tottenham’s last two matches due to injury but is expected to return for their trip to Manchester United. However, Spurs’ inconsistency—just two clean sheets in nine league games—makes him a risky pick. They rank 16th in goals conceded and 11th in expected goals conceded (xGC). With an injury crisis and tough fixtures ahead, is van de Ven worth keeping, or are there better options at his price point?
Players like Senesi offer more appeal in the short term, though van de Ven could be a consideration in Gameweek 31 when Spurs top the ticker. Is now the time to offload him, or should you hold out for better days?
VERDICT: SELL
But here’s the controversial part: Are we underestimating Bowen’s all-around contributions? Is Senesi’s disciplinary record a deal-breaker? And is Thiago’s dip in form temporary or a sign of things to come? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, we want to hear from you!
