FPL 2022-23 | Blank & Double Gameweek 25 | Captain Picks
It was a case of feast or famine for FPL managers in terms of captain picks in Gameweek 24. Those who plumped for Erling Haaland (£12.2m) were left bitterly disappointed as the Norwegian blanked in Man City’s 1-1 draw against Nott’m Forest. Those who opted for Marcus Rashford (£7.3m) though, were celebrating following his brace the following day against Leicester, giving him a score of 15 FPL points. Our run of differential successes also continued as a goal from Cody Gakpo (£7.8m) helped Liverpool to a crucial 0-2 victory away at Newcastle.
Gameweek 25 feels like navigating a maze in terms of FPL. Whilst Man Utd and Newcastle have the weekend off due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final, the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool Everton and Wolves all benefit from a double helping of fixtures. We’ve understandably taken this into account as we pick out three premium options for the captaincy, alongside a differential pick ahead of Friday’s 18:30 deadline
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Bukayo Saka (£8.4m) vs LEI (a), EVE (H)
There is a plethora of options for those looking to place the armband on an Arsenal midfielder. The most attractive of those though, has to be Bukayo Saka (£8.4m), who has recorded an attacking return in five of Arsenal’s last six Premier League fixtures, accumulating 38 fantasy points in the process. Most recently Saka scored the third of Arsenal’s four goals in a dramatic 2-4 victory over Aston Villa.
The Gunners’ two Gameweek 25 fixtures sees them travel to Leicester, before hosting Everton at the Emirates, having recently lost to Sean Dyche’s side in the reverse fixture. Saka’s last double gameweek saw him rack up 15 points, bagging an assist against Brentford before scoring against Man City. Based on those performances, Saka will likely command plenty of attention in regards to the captaincy.
Mo Salah (£12.7m) vs CRY (a), WOL (H)
Following a poor run of form, Mo Salah (£12.7m) has shown signs of his old self over Liverpool’s past few games. After scoring and picking up 11 fantasy points in Gameweek 23, the Egyptian added a further assist and six points in Gameweek 24, accruing 6 points. Salah commands a high price-tag, but with that comes a high reward should he fire in these two fixtures.
Although Liverpool were beaten in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg, Salah impressed going forward, setting up Darwin Nunez for the opening goal, before scoring himself following a mistake from Thibaut Courtois. With four attacking returns in his last three matches, Salah makes a heavy case to be named your Gameweek 25 skipper with the Reds facing Crystal Palace and Wolves.
Darwin Nunez (£8.7m) vs CRY (a), WOL (H)
Mo Salah isn’t the only Liverpool asset to have come into form of late. Forward Darwin Nunez (£8.7m) has now acquired an attacking return in each of the Reds’ last three games in all competitions. The last two gameweeks have seen Nunez accrue consecutive five-point scores and he comes into Gameweek 25 off the back of an excellent goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Nunez can’t be faulted for getting in goalscoring positions, but things just hadn’t quite been falling his way. Goals in consecutive fixtures suggests a shift in luck for the striker and now may be the perfect time to entrust him as your captain, with two matches and two opportunities to gain significant points in Gameweek 25.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
James Tarkowski (£4.3m) vs AVL (H), ARS (a)
To say this is a radical differential captain pick would be an understatement. But after selecting Jack Grealish and Cody Gakpo across the last two gameweeks, we’re quietly confident that James Tarkowski (£4.3m) can do us proud. The Everton centre-back has unsurprisingly become a crucial figure of an Everton side resurgent under Sean Dyche and has been racking up the FPL points to the extent that he did when playing for Dyche at Burnley.
Since the new manager arrived at the Toffees, Tarkowski has accumulated 24 fantasy points across three matches as part of an Everton defence who have kept two clean sheets. He has also found the himself, once again proving his attacking threat from set pieces. Not only that, five of Tarkowski’s fantasy points have been bonus points, which also enhances his Gameweek 25 reputation with Everton at home to Aston Villa and away at Arsenal.
