FPL 2022-23 | Gameweek 4 | Captain Picks
Gameweek 3 was a success from a captain picks point of view at Team TSZ towers with three of our four selections getting on the scoresheet. Sure, there was disappointment that VAR prevented Gabriel Jesus (£8.2m) from adding to his Arsenal goal tally, with the highest owned FPL asset gaining just four points. Both Harry Kane (£11.4m) and Mo Salah (£13.0m) netted once, accruing six points and seven points respectively. However, the big story was the overwhelming success of our differential pick, Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m). A brace for the Ivorian, was enough to earn him 12 FPL points, not a bad haul for a fairly cheap midfield asset.
Most FPL managers will be licking their lips when examining the fixtures for Gameweek 4 with a number of potential captaincy candidates boasting attractive games on paper. We’ve done our homework and highlighted the most enticing of those players, including another differential option ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Gabriel Jesus (£8.2m) vs FUL (H)
Granted, he may not have found the net against Bournemouth last time out. But make no mistake, Gabriel Jesus was as dangerous as ever for Arsenal going forward and FPL managers can count themselves extremely unlucky that all he recorded was a single assist, with a tight VAR adjudged offside goal preventing a significantly higher score than the 4 points he did gain. The last time Jesus blanked for the Gunners in-front of goal, he bounced back to score twice in the following as part of his 19-point-haul in Gameweek 2.
Next up for Arsenal is a home match against Fulham as they aim to continue their 100% record in the Premier League this season. The newly promoted Cottagers have started well, but have conceded twice in two of their opening three league games, which may bode well for Jesus. It’s impossible to ignore those two goals and two assists in his last home fixture and even when he hasn’t scored, the Brazilian has never not looked threatening. Combine that with his giant ownership and it makes his captaincy credentials crystal clear.
Erling Haaland (£11.7m) vs CRY (H)
Norwegian forward Erling Haaland (£11.7m) was back on the scoresheet for Man City in Gameweek 3, his goal helping Pep Guardiola’s side salvage a 3-3 draw away at Newcastle. Haaland could have had a brace, but was denied by Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal and FPL owners had to settle for just the 6 points. However, they can be encouraged by the fact that Haaland has record at least one attacking return in each of his three Premier League fixtures played so far.
Crystal Palace represent dangerous opposition and proved their defensive capabilities against Liverpool. It’s also important though, to remember how vulnerable their backline looked vs Arsenal back in Gameweek 1 and here they face a Man City side smarting after failing to reclaim top spot and looking to get back to winning ways. Haaland will be desperate for his first goal in a Blue shirt at the Etihad Stadium and many of his owners are likely to entrust him with the armband.
Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m) vs CRY (H)
Another Man City player who has accumulated at least once attacking return across every gameweek of this season’s Premier League thus far, Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m) has been as brilliant as ever for Guardiola’s side. A third assist of the season against Newcastle saw him score 6 FPL points, taking his overall tally to 25 which is currently the second highest among midfielders. This includes a 14-point-haul in his most recent home fixture against Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace visit the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 3 and De Bruyne is likely to once again play a central role for his team. Since joining Man City, the Belgian superstar has racked up 45 double-figure point returns in FPL, with 33 of those coming in home fixtures. This makes him worthy of discussion when it comes to choosing a Gameweek 3 captain, despite the quality of opposition. Whilst many will only have eyes for Haaland when assessing potential captain options within the Man City team, De Bruyne also has to be considered by those who own him.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
James Maddison (£8.0m) vs CHE (a)
You have to go all the way back to April 23rd for the last time that James Maddison (£8.0m) failed to accrue an attacking return in a Premier League fixture. Since that blank against Aston Villa in the 2021-22 season, Leicester’s attacking midfielder has recorded either a goal and/or an assist in each of his last seven Premier League appearances. In 2022-23, Maddison already boasts two goals, an assist plus 19 FPL points to his name.
Although Chelsea at Stamford Bridge looks a difficult assignment for Maddison on paper in Gameweek 4, this is a Chelsea team coming off the back of a 3-0 beating away to Leeds and who have now conceded five goals over the course of their last two league matches. The Blues will also be without centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly in Gameweek 3 following his sending off at Elland Road. Maddison found the net in this very same fixture last season just a few months back and it would be no surprise to see him garner similar success this time round, making him the ideal differential skipper for those looking for a quick rise up their respective FPL mini-leagues.
