With the flurry of international football currently taking place, let’s recap on Blank Gameweek 28 and the big stories from an FPL perspective. Gambling on an Arsenal asset in regards to the captaincy will have paid off handsomely as the Gunners dispatched Crystal Palace 4-1, with both our captain picks in among the attacking returns. Whilst Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) scored the opening goal and gain 7 fantasy points, a brace from Bukayo Saka (£8.6m) to go with an assist earned the England star a mammoth 18-point haul. Earlier in the weekend, Spurs had been held 3-3 away at Southampton, although Harry Kane (£11.8m) did at least score, accruing 6F PL points. However, differential pick Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) drew a blank.
From 0 to 100, we now focus on Double Gameweek 29 and a big round of fixtures which sees 16 Premier League games played in total. This of course means the possibility of multiple large point-hauls across the gameweek and a season-defining five days of football for many FPL managers. With that, we run the rule over three premium captain picks, alongside a differential option ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Marcus Rashford (£7.3m) vs NEW (a), BRE (H)
Whilst he has missed international duty with England because of injury, Marcus Rashford (£7.3m) has since resumed training with Man Utd and could at least be in contention to start Man Utd’s first Double Gameweek 29 fixture away at Newcastle. Even if he wasn’t to start, Rashford’s captaincy credentials remain extremely high when taking into account his Premier League goalscoring record and the two fixtures for the Red Devils.
As it stands, Rashford boasts 156 fantasy points across the season so far, the third highest score within midfielders. His record at Old Trafford in particular, is excellent having scored seven times over the course of Man Utd’s last seven Premier League home games and Erik ten Hag’s side host Brentford in their second match of Double Gameweek 29.
Bukayo Saka (£8.6m) vs LEE (H)
Although Arsenal have just one fixture in Double Gameweek 29, that shouldn’t stop FPL managers from considering Bukayo Saka as a hugely viable fantasy option. Especially considering his recent form for both club and country. On the back of his two goals and one assist for Arsenal, Saka has gone on to find the net for England across the international break, scoring against Ukraine with a wonderful strike.
Arsenal’s recent matches at Emirates Stadium have seen Saka shine from an FPL point of view, racking up three goals, two assists and 32 fantasy points in the Gunners’ last three home league fixtures. Saka is now the highest-scoring midfielder within the FPL player-base and with penalties also under his domain, another big haul could be on the horizon against Leeds.
Kaoru Mitoma (£5.5m) vs BRE (H), BOU (a)
Although his price-tag is incredibly cheap, Kaoru Mitoma (£5.5m) and his consistently rising FPL ownership makes him a premium asset who is worthy of the armband. The form of the Japanese international cannot be ignored and with two Brighton fixtures in Double Gameweek 29, a home clash with Brentford, before a midweek trip to Bournemouth, Mitoma could well cash in from a fantasy perspective.
Across the last two gameweeks, Mitoma has accumulated 25 FPL points and has also managed three double figure hauls in his last seven Premier League appearances for Brighton. He’s also netted in both the fourth round of the FA Cup and the Seagulls’ recent quarter-final triumph over Grimsby Town. The numbers are good and justify his rising ownership.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
James Maddison (£8.2m) vs CRY (a), AVL (H)
With Leicester now firmly dragged into the relegation battle, they’ll be desperate for star creative midfielder James Maddison (£8.2m) to play a key role in dragging them away from trouble. The 26-year-old’s confidence will be high following an impressive full England debut against Ukraine during the international break and he’ll now want to back that up for his club, ensuring his selection in the future June internationals.
Maddison’s last Leicester appearance saw him record an assist in his side’s 1-1 draw away at Brentford. On paper, the Foxes have two winnable fixtures in Double Gameweek 29, a trip to out of form Crystal Palace, before hosting Aston Villa just three days later. Those FPL managers who need to a take a big risk across this double gameweek, should look upon Maddison as a potential differential skipper.
