Looking for the edge in Gameweek 28? This week’s selection is a clinical blend of high-volume shooters and the league’s most creative sparks, all primed for a massive haul. From “pressing monsters” to tactical “high-line specialists,” here is the Scout’s Top 8.
1. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool vs. West Ham
Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed primary creative outlet for a Liverpool side that continues to dominate the underlying attacking metrics, averaging a formidable 1.63 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes this season. As the Reds prepare to host West Ham at Anfield, the statistical profile of the opposition suggests a high ceiling for the Egyptian international. The Hammers are currently conceding an average of two goals per match and have managed just two clean sheets all term, leaving them vulnerable to a player of Salah’s caliber. Furthermore, Liverpool possess a dominant psychological edge at home, holding a historical record of thirty-seven wins against West Ham. Given that the team has generated a total of 42.42 xG throughout the season, Salah’s involvement in high-value scoring positions is statistically almost guaranteed.
2. Ollie Watkins – Wolves vs. Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has firmly established himself as one of the most reliable “volume” strikers in the Premier League, currently ranking third in the division for total shots on goal with thirty-nine. His importance to the Aston Villa attack is highlighted by his 110 touches in the opposition box, a figure that leads the squad by a significant margin and ensures he is the focal point of every attacking move. Watkins is elite at finding space behind defensive lines, consistently ranking among the top three players for off-the-ball runs into the penalty area. With eight goals already this season, his persistent movement and “box gravity” serve as the tactical cornerstone for a Villa side locked in a tight race for a top-four finish.
3. Igor Thiago – Burnley vs. Brentford
Igor Thiago enters Gameweek 28 as one of the league’s most clinical and efficient strikers, boasting seventeen goals and dominant underlying numbers that place him in the 91st percentile for his position. He provides a safe route to points through his formidable record from the penalty spot, having successfully converted six out of seven attempts so far this season. For this specific trip to Turf Moor, Thiago carries a distinct “fear factor,” having already scored a match-winning brace against Burnley earlier in the campaign. His massive 14.73 xG proves that he is a high-probability shooter who thrives on the sheer volume of high-quality chances Brentford creates, making him a major threat to a struggling Burnley defense.
4. Anthony Gordon – Newcastle vs. Everton
Anthony Gordon faces his former club in a rich vein of form, having recorded fourteen goals in all competitions so far this term. He is exceptionally active in the final third, consistently registering between forty-six and forty-seven touches per match as he drives the Newcastle attack forward. Gordon carries significant momentum into this weekend’s clash at St. James’ Park following a standout performance in European competition over the past week. Against an Everton side that has maintained only a modest win rate, Gordon’s pace on the transition will be the primary tool Newcastle use to exploit defensive gaps and create high-value scoring opportunities.
5. Antoine Semenyo – Leeds United vs. Manchester City
Since his blockbuster £62.5 million move from Bournemouth in January, Antoine Semenyo has made an immediate and profound impact at the Etihad Stadium. He has recorded five goals and two assists in his first nine appearances under Pep Guardiola, contributing to a prolific season total of thirteen goals and four assists. Semenyo maintains a clinical 0.50 goals-per-match average and possesses a “special rhythm” and tactical versatility that allows him to operate across all three forward positions. For the trip to Elland Road, his presence is expected to draw defensive attention away from Erling Haaland, providing Manchester City with a second formidable goal-scoring threat to unlock a high-pressing Leeds defense.
6. Rayan – Bournemouth vs. Sunderland
The Brazilian wonderkid Rayan arrived at Bournemouth in January with a massive reputation, supported by twenty goals scored in fifty-seven appearances during 2025. He has quickly demonstrated maturity and consistency in the Premier League, netting two goals and providing an assist in just four appearances for the Cherries. Described by club officials as one of the most dynamic young attackers in the modern game, the seventeen-year-old has already begun to show why he was so highly sought after. His ability to provide both width and creative ingenuity offers a tactical alternative that a Sunderland backline will find difficult to scout and contain in their upcoming visit.
7. Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace
Bryan Mbeumo is enjoying a career-best season, currently sitting on nine league goals and proving to be Manchester United’s most clinical finisher. He has evolved from a pure winger into a “creative engine,” creating twenty-eight chances and delivering thirteen through-balls for his teammates since his high-profile move to Old Trafford. Under Michael Carrick’s tactical system, Mbeumo has become a “transition king,” utilizing his explosive pace to exploit opponents on the break. His role as a striker gives him high-value positioning, ensuring he frequently drifts into central areas and remains in the frame for “big chances” against a Crystal Palace side that can be vulnerable to direct runners.
8. Callum Hudson-Odoi – Brighton vs. Nottingham Forest
Callum Hudson-Odoi enters the weekend as a specialist 1v1 threat, statistically built to isolate fullbacks and create opportunities through individual brilliance. His involvement in the box is remarkably high for a wide player, as evidenced by his fifty touches in the opposition penalty area so far this season. With twenty shots and ten on target, he remains a clinical option for Nottingham Forest when cutting inside from the left flank to test the keeper. Additionally, Hudson-Odoi has a decent historical record against Brighton, having recorded two goals and two assists in eight previous matches against the Seagulls, suggesting he has the tactical blueprint to find success once again.
These eight players represent the most statistically backed and tactically relevant options for the upcoming round of fixtures. Whether it is through high-volume shooting, elite creative passing, or the clinical nature of a specialist finisher, each pick has a clear path to a significant points haul. As the season progresses into its final third, these are the assets most likely to define the success of your Gameweek.
