Dream Team managers are hoping for big points from their European players this week as clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Manchester City play their final Champions League group fixtures. West Ham, Brighton, and Liverpool will also wrap up their Europa League matches, while Aston Villa completes their Europa Conference League group stage campaign. However, once this week's European fixtures are over, the landscape of Dream Team will change dramatically.

European competitions on hiatus

The knockout stages of the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League are set to begin in mid-February. During this two-month break, Dream Team managers should consider players from clubs without European commitments this season. Currently, the rankings show that most top-performing players have been active in European competitions, but with these tournaments on pause, managers have the opportunity to explore players from the other 12 Premier League clubs.

Prioritizing domestic form

Managers should now focus on domestic form above all else. Teams like Everton and Bournemouth should be considered as they have been performing well in recent league games. Everton has earned more points than any other team in their last six league matches, while Bournemouth has generated the most expected goals (xG) in the top flight over the past five games. Players like Dominic Solanke and Hwang Hee-chan have been standout performers for these clubs.

Value-for-money gems

There are several value-for-money gems to be found in the Dream Team. Players like Hwang Hee-chan have scored more goals than some higher-priced options, making them excellent choices for managers. The domestic cups may cause some schedule variance, but historically, this hasn't had as much impact on Dream Team as the European competitions.

Managers will need to plan ahead for the return of the European competitions in February, but for the next few Gameweeks, focusing on domestic form is crucial.