Hive FPL Head to Head League GW27 Previews

[hivefpl]

Welcome back to another game week in the Hive FPL head to head.

Jarod Bowen's hat trick on Monday night ensured a fascinating finish to GW26 with a few teams who felt they must be home and hosed suddenly finding themselves losing courtesy of the West Ham man's 20 point haul. With West Ham having failed to score from open play in the 450 minutes of Premier League game time prior to Bowen's first goal going in, it just shows how unpredictable the fantasy league can be.

As we enter March and officially move into the final 3rd of the league let's have a quick look at the 2 head to head divisions in Hive FPL.

In Division 1, after a bumpy start to 2024 Shamzy FC have consolidated their place at the top of the pile and it will take something special from the teams immediately below (not to mention a complete loss of form from Shamzy FC) for them to lose it from here.

To be mathematically certain of the title, Shamzy FC need to win 10 more matches but realistically, 80 points looks like it should be enough so 7 wins in the their final 12 matches will probably see them crowned champions.

At the bottom, a recent uptick in form from several of the sides who were in the relegation zone at the turn of the year means that it's still all to play for.

In my mid-season review, I'd suggested that 50 points would be enough to stay up but that now looks like the minimum requirement rather than a guarantee of safety and it wouldn't surprise me if total score (the equivalent of goal difference in the EPL proper) played a part in determining who goes down.

As was the case at the top of the table, while there's no certainty over who is going down, things are looking bleak for the bottom 2 in particular who are likely to need to win 9 or 10 of their remaining 12 matches if they are to stay in Division 1.

In Division 2, Skander TN need 7 more wins to make it a mathematical certainty that they'll be playing in Division 1 next season but otherwise things haven't changed much since the last update meaning that it's still a mad scramble for the other 4 spots.

I've included the top 12 here but realistically any of the top 20 are still in with a shot of promotion.

The closeness of the relegation and promotion battles certainly vindicates the decision to have a 5 down, 5 up system as it is going to be very tight for those final places right up until the last weeks of the season.

As for GW27, the good news for managers is that all 10 sides are back in action so that should mean selection becomes a bit easier!

It is however worth noting that fixture congestion is becoming a factor for a number of sides at both ends of the league. The FA Cup fifth round played during midweek has included Bournemouth, Newcastle, Man City, Luton, Chelsea, Forest, Man United, Wolves, Brighton and Liverpool. While for 3 of those sides (City, Brighton and Liverpool) they have to play again in Europe next week.

It certainly suggests that FPL managers would do well to wait until about 24 hours before the start of game week 27 before making too many decisions on who they are banking on for points this weekend.

GW26 Results

Prizes for winners of last week's head to head matches will be sent soon.

Division 1

Team	Hive Account	Score	Score	Team	Hive Account
Creekside FC	@pappyelblanco	81	66	Legion Fc	@b0s
WhyteFC	@Ipalibo	59	38	Hungry Lions	@GvKanten
FC McKane	@McKane	59	49	Lazz	@Martinlazizi
Nonz FC	@nonsowrites	61	52	Espada Numero Uno	@elmose
Hiveheadz	@borran	61	44	I Feel Qatari	@deniskj
Likodra FC	@teofilex11	58	50	Izanagi FC	@belemo
@BlockchainFPL	@blockchainFPL	46	40	Content Creators	@Pvmihalache
Augment Fc	@vickoly	59	65	Suffragette City	@talesfrmthecrypt
The Amirians	@amirtheawesome1	50	55	Shamzy FC	@shamzy
YAGMAN FC	@yagman01	54	40	thoth442FC	@thoth442

Division 2

Team	Hive Account	Score	Score	Team	Hive Account
Stevenson FC	@stevenson7	61	62	Folox fc	@thelonegreywolf
Lens world fc	@Lensworld	26	44	The inferno Squad	@jimah1k
Tengo Rangers FC	@tengolotodo	39	57	Mount Everest	@khaleesii
Twycejoy	@twicejoy	41	53	SOLAT	@reservedsingle
Uwabbs Fc	@uwabbs001	48	44	Samostically	@samostically
AVERAGE	N/A	46	60	Stevelight (Herbae)	@Herbae
Stom FC	@stomade	67	40	Rosh FC	@officialrosh1
Hivetastic	@acidyo	61	51	Apples and Pears	@stuartcturnbull
Skander TN	@skanderh	52	37	Satoshi99	@kraken99
rubilu	@rubilu	63	43	EVIAN CF	@nasfyneboy92
George Of D Jungle	@George-dee	69	61	HighWay2Anfield	@kenechukwu97
Emeka4	@Emeka4	53	41	MUFC	@tiyumtaba
abu78	@abu78	51	50	Michupa Brasil F.C.	@michupa
BLAngechys Matildas	@blanchy	52	55	Simcard fpl	@akomoajong
racibo	@racibo	45	47	Happy Fc	@Happy411
HappyBoys FC	@Happyboy1	66	63	Tequeños United	@aaalviarez
legaliza	@legalizabrazil	49	56	Unbothered	@Dapomolaaaa
Testing FC	@sperosamuel15	51	32	Formidable Milano	@Damolexy
Yahuzah	@yahuzah	86	46	Roboski	@Gentleshaid
Smiley Team	@carita-feliz	40	54	The Beast	@iamchuks
adedayoolumide	@adedayoolumide	69	40	RHYDA1	@rhyda1
Praiz Empire	@praizking	57	48	valchiz fc	@valchiz
Beyond Horizon	@beyondhorizonmm	65	37	Diistroyers	@diikaan

GW27 Fixtures

Division 1

@b0s v @yagman01

Legion FC slipped further into the relegation zone with a third straight defeat in GW26 while Yagman FC who have been struggling themselves of late did manage a win to push themselves up to 9th. With just 9 points separating the 2 teams, this is a chance for Legion FC to try and drag another side towards the relegation battle while for Yagman FC it's a great opportunity for them to record one of the four victories which would likely ensure their status in Division 1.

The main differentials in this one come at the back with no 2 defenders the same across the squads. Legion FC have doubled up on Everton players which until West Ham put 4 past Brentford on Monday night looked like a good bet. Both sides also have Newcastle centre backs who at the moment look more likely to lose you points rather than gain them.

Further forward and Yagman FC will need to make some changes with the announcement that Mitoma is out for the rest of the season. With Adebayo also a major doubt for the weekend then does it mean that Yagman will be tempted to take another points hit as they did in GW26?

@thoth442 v @amirtheawesome1

Both sides rolled the dice in GW26 and both came up with snake eyes. Thoth442 FC took an 8 point hit on bringing in additional players only to finish marginally above an average score while The Amirians didn't fair much better despite using their free hit chip.

The differentials then are based on The Amirians GW25 squad and there are some interesting match-ups. Arsenal's trip to bottom placed Sheffield United looks like a points opportunity for Raya while the Amirians are banking on Liverpool to perform away at Notts Forest.

Further forward and every manager who owns De Bruyne must spend the hours before kick-off holding their breath. He provided 4 assists in the midweek cup win against Luton but he's only started 3 games in the league since his return from injury. Similarly for The Amirians, the involvement of another high price asset in Mo Salah could be crucial to defining their game week.

@shamzy v @vickoly

Not one of Shamzy FC's vintage performances in GW26 but they got the job done and maintained their 9 point lead at the top with 12 to play. In fact, their opponents today outscored them last week and were unlucky to end up with a defeat that leaves them 8th.

As you can see from their slightly stunted differentials list, Shamzy FC do have a few injury concerns. Joao Pedro, Hee Chan and Chris Basham are almost certain to miss this weekend's fixtures while both teams will be monitoring the fitness of Spurs full-backs with Udogie and Pedro Porro rated as 50% chances of playing.

Augment are heavily invested in the West Ham result at Everton and the Manchester Derby. Picking starters for City at the moment is a tricky business but you'd assume that Ake, Walker and KDB are in Pep's best XI and that therefore they'll be on the pitch for such a key fixture. In that regard though, Shamzy are one of the few teams across both H2H divisions that will get an advantage from starting Haaland this weekend.

@talesfrmthecrypt v @blockchainfpl

A really big game as far as the relegation battle is concerned and one in which a win for either team could be significant in terms of avoiding the drop. Suffragette City are on a winning streak of 4 in a row, only Shamzy FC are in better form, while BlockchainFPL have also been winning regularly enough to move themselves clear of the bottom 5.

As often seems to be the case, it's defense where the real differentials lie. The Villa v Luton match could be key with both sides represented by opposing full-backs. Otherwise Dalot and United face a very tough test against City while the likes of Reguilon, Trippier and Burn will be hoping to bounce back from shipping 4 goals last week. Both Brentford and Newcastle have significant home fixtures in GW27.

Further forward it's Solanke v Toney and Gross v Richarlison. Bournemouth travel to Burnley who have the worst home record in the league this season although there are injury concerns over the Cherries star striker. Richarlison's Spurs side host Crystal Palace who will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start under a new manager.

@pvmihalache v @teofilex11

Content Creators missed a great chance to beat fellow relegation candidates in GW26 and as a result find themselves 9 points from safety. Meanwhile Likodra eased their immediate concerns of being dragged into the battle to beat the drop by breaking a 3 match losing streak and moving back to 11th.

There's a nice variety of differentials in this head to head. Likodra, as has been their tactic for a while, have gone heavy on the full-backs and will be hoping that the likes of Robertson and Zinchenko can return to their respective starting XIs. Meanwhile, the involvement of players such as Joe Gomez and Levi Colwill is not guaranteed either.

In midfield, Douglas Luiz and Bowen come into this week off the back of massive points in GW26. Both have tough away assignments against sides battling relegation this weekend. Otherwise Content Creators look very much tied to the fate of Liverpool and whether Darwin and Salah will be fit enough to start at Forest on Saturday.

@belemo v @borran

Like his beloved Arsenal, Inzanagi FC are falling apart just when it matters most. 3 defeats in a row leave them in the relegation zone. Hiveheadz got a very important win in GW26 against yet another side fighting relegation. In fact, that has been the theme for last few weeks and you'd imagine that a win in this one would pretty much secure their future in Division 1 baring a total collapse.

In terms of differentials both sides look a bit shaky at the back. Matty Cash is at least back in the Villa starting XI for now which is more than can be said for Estupinan at Brighton. For Inzanagi FC in particular, fitness concerns over Udogie and Baldock may end up selecting the back 3 for them. Meanwhile Hiveheadz will be hoping that Newcastle can rediscover some of that long lost defensive stability from last season.

Further forward and the 2 sides play their very own Manchester derby in midfield. I know which player i'd rather have! Both teams may go into the transfer market to replace the injured Hee Chan and that selection could be crucial to the outcome of the H2H. Similarly, the fitness of their forward differentials who both come into the weekend with niggles might well be a defining factor.

@deniskj v @nonsowrites

I Feel Qatari now find themselves 5 points adrift of safety and in desperate need of a win. Nonz FC have been quietly going about their business and have closed the gap on the top 3 to just a couple of points. They used their wildcard last week so will see this as an opportunity for further points. GW26 would have been even better for them had KDB not come off the bench against Bournemouth for the last 6 mins of the match (Pep hates fantasy players) and robbed Nonz FC of Douglas Luiz's score.

I Feel Qatari have doubled up on Arsenal defenders which could work out well as the Gunners travel to lowly Sheffield United on Monday night. In fact, other than Nathan Ake, the defenders on both sides all have away fixtures this weekend. Who is able to deliver a clean sheet bonus on the road may well determine this H2H.

In midfield, I Feel Qatari will be banking on Foden destroying his beloved United team on Sunday afternoon while Nonz FC are unlikely to be leaving Douglas Luiz on the bench again. Solanke and Darwin seem to be common differentials across a lot the fixtures in Division 1 this weekend so lets see who comes out on top.

@elmose v @mckane

Post-Christmas, it looked like Espada Numero Uno were accelerating away from the relegation zone but a couple defeats on the bounce have applied the breaks and they now find themselves just 4 points clear of the bottom 5. FC McKane are safe and can instead focus their attentions on finishing as high up the league as possible.

This fixture follows the common trend of having a stack of differentials at the back and very little elsewhere. Those defensive options could grow for both sides depending on the fitness and availability of the Spurs fullbacks in their respective squads. However, if we assume that Gabriel and Saliba as well as Walker and Ake will probably cancel each other out then the real fight is between Estupinan and Trippier on one side vs Branthwaite on the other.

Espada Numero Uno will also be looking to make best use of their transfer this weekend to replace the injured Hee Chan. Otherwise, the remaining 7 midfield and forwards options are identical.

@martinlazizi v @ipalibo

A big match now towards the top of the table with Whyte FC's victory in GW26 closing the gap between these 2 sides to just 2 points.

At the back, Botman and Dawson go head to head in the Newcastle v Wolves match on Saturday while for Lazz, Mykolenko and Akanji enjoy home advantage compared to Pau and Van Hecke.

Further forward and while the strikers on both teams are the same, there is plenty of difference amongst the midfield. You would assume that De Bruyne will start against United given the magnitude of the fixture and in turn that might impact Foden's role in the City XI. Otherwise, Whyte FC are banking on Salah returning to action and Garnacho trying to get something out of an away match at City. Pascal Gross has been on fire for the last 4 game weeks while Anthony Gordon is always a good bet at home.

@pappyelblanco v @gvkanten

GW26 was a bit of a strange one for Creekside FC. They used their 'bench boost' chip (we have to assume in error) to add a grand total of zero points and it looked like they would lose their head to head until Jarod Bowen's hat trick rescued their week and left them holding onto the shirt tails of run away leaders Shamzy FC at the top of the league.

It's worth noting that the current top 2 play each other in the final round of fixtures for the 23/24 season so the question is, can Creekside get themselves into a position where that becomes a title decider? It'd be a pretty exciting climax to the season if they could....

The less said about Hungry Lions GW26 performance the better. Their form over February has ended their hopes of a late title push as they drop back down into the mid-table melee.

Both these sides have a few selection issues to overcome with Hee Chan and Pedro Porro definitely out and Solanke needing to pass a late fitness test to determine whether he will be involved. Hungry Lions also have Bell and Darwin Nunez carrying niggles.

As far as differentials go, there's not a huge amount to choose between the 2 defences but I'd fancy Hungry Lions midfield options of De Bruyne and Gordon (he loves a goal involvement at St James' Park) over Bowen and Palmer who both face tough away assignments.

Division 2

Team	Hive Account		Team	Hive Account
Testing FC	@sperosamuel15	v	Folox fc	@thelonegreywolf
Yahuzah	@yahuzah	v	legaliza	@legalizabrazil
Smiley Team	@carita-feliz	v	HappyBoys FC	@Happyboy1
adedayoolumide	@adedayoolumide	v	racibo	@racibo
Praiz Empire	@praizking	v	BLAngechys Matildas	@blanchy
Beyond Horizon	@beyondhorizonmm	v	abu78	@abu78
Diistroyers	@diikaan	v	Emeka4	@Emeka4
valchiz fc	@valchiz	v	George Of D Jungle	@George-dee
RHYDA1	@rhyda1	v	rubilu	@rubilu
The Beast	@iamchuks	v	Skander TN	@skanderh
Roboski	@Gentleshaid	v	Hivetastic	@acidyo
Formidable Milano	@Damolexy	v	Stom FC	@stomade
Unbothered	@Dapomolaaaa	v	Average #N/A
Tequeños United	@aaalviarez	v	Uwabbs Fc	@uwabbs001
Happy Fc	@Happy411	v	Twycejoy	@twicejoy
Simcard fpl	@akomoajong	v	Tengo Rangers FC	@tengolotodo
Michupa Brasil F.C.	@michupa	v	Lens world fc	@Lensworld
MUFC	@tiyumtaba	v	Stevenson FC	@stevenson7
HighWay2Anfield	@kenechukwu97	v	The inferno Squad	@jimah1k
EVIAN CF	@nasfyneboy92	v	Mount Everest	@khaleesii
Satoshi99	@kraken99	v	SOLAT	@reservedsingle
Apples and Pears	@stuartcturnbull	v	Samostically	@samostically
Rosh FC	@officialrosh1	v	Stevelight (Herbae)	@Herbae

.

Good luck in your head to head matches this week!

Comments

[blockchainfpl]

@talesfrmthecrypt - The big match nerves are building. Richarlison's out for 3 to 4 weeks which has rather scuppered my plans... I've gone a bit risky this week which probably won't pay off!

[talesfrmthecrypt]

I'm sweating on Solanke. Don't really want to transfer him out given the double game week in GW28 plus would be useful to have 2 free transfers in preparation for GW29

!BEER

[blockchainfpl]

If he plays, you've probably won. If he doesn't, it's a straight up Haaland v. Saka battle for victory 💪🏼

[talesfrmthecrypt]

That would make it doubly satisfying if Arsenal choke

I read that Solanke travelled with the squad at least. Bournemouth really need a win so hoping they stick him out there on one leg!

[beerlover]

^{View or trade BEER.}

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[racibo]

It was a very interesting loss. I had 11 players in my team and I had a good captain. I lost to a team with only 4 players! Congratulations Happy FC

[talesfrmthecrypt]

lol! That’s impressive.

I bet you couldn’t do that again if you tried!

!BEER

[beerlover]

^{View or trade BEER.}

Hey @racibo, here is a little bit of BEER from @talesfrmthecrypt for you. Enjoy it!

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[sperosamuel15]

Honestly, the Hive division 2 is the real deal😂😂😂

I want to get promoted but they keep giving me high BP😂

[talesfrmthecrypt]

It's a conspiracy 😅

I reckon 80 points would guarantee you promotion

!BEER

[sperosamuel15]

It's not easy na😂

[beerlover]

^{View or trade BEER.}

Hey @sperosamuel15, here is a little bit of BEER from @talesfrmthecrypt for you. Enjoy it!

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