Whilst the main big-hitter within the world of FPL failed to make an impact in Gameweek 35, Erling Haaland (£12.4m) blanking against boyhood club Leeds, other premium assets proved their worth once again. Mo Salah (£13.1m) and Harry Kane (£11.4m) both scored the only goal in what turned out to be 1-0 home wins for their respective clubs, Salah’s Liverpool overcoming Brentford and Kane’s Spurs beating Crystal Palace.
Both Newcastle and Brighton benefit from two fixtures in this next round of Premier League fixtures, making it a Double Gameweek 36. This curveball offers us further alternatives in terms of captain picks and with that in mind, we’ve singled out three premium captaincy options for FPL managers, including a differential selection ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Kieran Trippier (£6.1) vs LEE (a), BRI (H)
A highly owned defensive asset, having two fixtures under his domain in Double Gameweek 36 could be just the trick for those looking to maximise the upside of owning Kieran Trippier (£6.1m). Comfortably the most lucrative defender from a fantasy perspective, the flying full-back boasts 178 FPL points so far this season, a whopping 31 points higher than his nearest competitor in defence, Arsenal’s Ben White.
It’s a testament to Trippier’s form earlier on in the season that he’s currently suffering from somewhat of a points lull, having failed to gain more than 2 points in a single fixture since Gameweek 29. But with Newcastle travelling to Leeds, before facing Brighton in Double Gameweek 36, this could well prove the time where Trippier turns his form around. Offering the points of points through multiple avenues be it clean sheets or attacking returns, the Magpies skipper warrants captaincy consideration.
Mo Salah (£13.1) vs LEI (a)
When assessing potential captain picks, FPL managers will normally focus on two key points, form and fixtures. Going into Double Gameweek 36, Mo Salah has both those factors in his favour. The Egyptian has scored seven goals in as many Premier League appearances, racking up 56 fantasy points in this process.
Next up for Liverpool is a trip to struggling Leicester, whose defensive woes couldn’t be more evident. Following their 5-3 loss away to Fulham, the Foxes have shipped 64 goals so far this season, including 12 goals across their last five league matches, an average of over two per game. With that in mind, it would be a surprise if Salah didn’t find himself on the scoresheet come Double Gameweek 26, underlining the appeal of handing him the armband.
Harry Kane (£11.4) vs AVL (a)
Spurs forward Harry Kane made it 26 Premier League goals for the season in Gameweek 35 and when you also factor in his eight assists, those FPL owners with Kane among their ranks over the course of this campaign will be delighted with such an output. As it stands, Kane’s 233 fantasy points has been bettered only by Erling Haaland and the England star is one of just four players in all positions to have broken the 200-point barrier after 35 gameweeks.
Spurs are away from home in Double Gameweek 36, with Aston Villa their opponents. Kane has accumulated 33 fantasy points across his last four appearances and will be desperate to carry on his scoring form. He is very much a ‘fixture-proof’ asset and with an ownership pushing 30%, the best way to benefit from owning the 29-year-old would be to name him as your FPL skipper.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) vs ARS (a), NEW (a)
Earlier in the article, we mentioned the barometer of form and fixtures when it comes to selecting an FPL skipper. Whilst the fixtures in Double Gameweek 36 certainly aren’t in the favour of Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m), the World Cup winner is enjoying a great spell of offensive potency. Goals in both Double Gameweek 34 and Gameweek 35 has seen Mac Allister acquire 20 points over that period. Another double gameweek here for Brighton should play into Mac Allister’s favour, as should his penalty prowess.
The Argentinian international scored a late pressure penalty to force victory for the Seagulls against Man Utd and backed that up with a consolation goal in Brighton’s 1-5 thrashing at the hands of Everton last time out. A low owned asset heading into a double gameweek is usually hard to find, but Mac Allister may just have bucked the trend. If he can maintain his new-found edge in front of goal, selecting him as a differential captain in Double Gameweek 36 could reap serious rewards.