GW26 Scout’s Selection: Form Monsters, xGI Kings & the 3-Club Rule
FPL Admin
FPL Elite Analyst
Introduction
Gameweek 26 is the perfect time to lean into what the numbers are screaming: form, points per game, and xGI (expected goal involvement). Using only the data provided—and respecting the max 3 players per club rule—here’s the Optimal 11 on paper.
GW26 Optimal 11 (Data-Driven)
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper
- •David Raya Martín (Arsenal) – 5.9
- •106 points, 4.2 PPG, 5.0 form
- •Massive backing: 35.1% selected, with strong momentum (198,708 transfers in)
- •The safest blend of output + popularity, while we use Arsenal slots carefully elsewhere.
Defenders (3)
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Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães (Arsenal) – 7.1
- •The premium defender pick: 135 points and an elite 7.1 PPG
- •Real attacking bite for a centre-back: xGI 2.56 (xG 1.72, xA 0.84)
- •Bonus magnet: 18 bonus
- •
Marc Cucurella Saseta (Chelsea) – 6.1
- •The standout defender for attacking involvement: xGI 4.35 (xG 1.64, xA 2.71)
- •Strong underlying influence: ICT 98.7
- •
Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) – 4.6
- •Excellent value profile: 112 points, 4.9 PPG, 5.0 form
- •Balanced threat: xGI 2.79 (xG 0.91, xA 1.88)
- •A budget-friendly way to keep the XI explosive.
Midfielders (4)
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Bruno Borges Fernandes (Man Utd) – 9.8
- •The midfield cornerstone: 141 points, 6.4 PPG, 8.8 form
- •Best-in-class output indicators: xGI 14.60 (xG 8.16, xA 6.44)
- •Bonus dominance: 25 bonus
- •
Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) – 8.6
- •High-ceiling partner to Bruno: 103 points, 5.2 PPG, 7.2 form
- •Strong dual threat: xGI 10.67 (xG 6.98, xA 3.69)
- •Keeps the United attack central to the build.
- •
Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 10.5
- •Goal-heavy profile: xG 5.98 and xGI 6.42
- •Strong current output: 7.8 form and rising interest (214,955 transfers in)
- •Completes a powerful Chelsea triple-up without overloading the squad.
- •
Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) – 5.6
- •The GW26 form pick: 9.0 form (best among mids listed)
- •Big involvement for the price: xGI 4.41 (xG 3.39, xA 1.02)
- •A low-owned accelerator: 2.2% selected.
Forwards (3)
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Erling Haaland (Man City) – 14.9
- •Still the gold standard: 182 points, 7.3 PPG
- •Ridiculous underlying numbers: xGI 21.87 (xG 20.23)
- •Even with 4.8 form, the baseline is unmatched.
- •
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus (Chelsea) – 7.6
- •The hottest forward in the dataset: 9.5 form
- •Strong production: 122 points, 4.9 PPG, xGI 9.25
- •Bonus-friendly: 23 bonus
- •
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) – 7.7
- •Reliable forward output: 115 points, 4.6 PPG
- •Strong involvement: xGI 7.67 (xG 5.73, xA 1.94)
- •Adds a second West Ham attacker to complement Summerville.
Club Quota Check (Max 3 per team)
- •Chelsea (3): João Pedro, Palmer, Cucurella ✅
- •Man Utd (2): Bruno, Mbeumo ✅
- •Arsenal (2): Raya, Gabriel ✅
- •West Ham (2): Bowen, Summerville ✅
- •Sunderland (1): Mukiele ✅
- •Man City (1): Haaland ✅
Why this XI works (based on the data)
- •Captaincy is simple: Haaland leads the entire forward pool on points (182), PPG (7.3) and xGI (21.87).
- •Midfield drives the ceiling: Bruno (xGI 14.60) + Mbeumo (xGI 10.67) is a numbers-first double-up.
- •Chelsea triple-up is justified: João Pedro (9.5 form) + Palmer (7.8 form) + Cucurella (xGI 4.35) covers goals and assists from multiple angles.
- •Value enablers are real: Summerville at 5.6 with 9.0 form and Mukiele at 4.6 with 112 points keep the squad efficient.
Conclusion
This GW26 Scout’s Selection is built to win on paper: elite xGI, high form, and proven points per game, while staying disciplined with the 3-per-team constraint. If you want a team that’s both explosive and logically constructed from the data, this is the blueprint.