For the vast majority of FPL managers, Double Gameweek 36 was either feast or famine, depending on which Newcastle forward you captained. Those who opted for Callum Wilson (£7.2m) dined on lobster and champagne following consecutive 12-point hauls, leading to an overall score of 24 points. For those who entrusted the armband to Alexander Isak (£7.0m), not even a 4am kebab and a cheap can of pop could numb the pain of his modest 7-point-score in comparison. The Magpies racked up six goals across their two Double Gameweek 36 fixtures, two of them assisted by Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) leading to a healthy 11 FPL points for the right-back. Other premium captain picks recommended in our most recent articles came good, Mo Salah (£13.1m) accumulating 12 fantasy points following a hat-trick of assists, whilst a Harry Kane (£11.4m) penalty away at Aston Villa helped him pick up 7 points.
With two gameweeks to go, the stakes couldn’t be higher and Double Gameweek 37 offers another opportunity for FPL managers to take advantage of any fantasy assets boasting two fixtures. As always, we’ve picked out another three premium captain picks alongside a potential differential gamechanger ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Erling Haaland (£12.4) vs CHE (H), BRI (a)
Clearly the biggest risk in regards to captaining Erling Haaland (£12.4m) is whether the Norwegian starts both of Man City’s Double Gameweek 37 fixtures against Chelsea and Brighton respectively. However, when taking into account the astounding season that Haaland is enjoying, him featuring from the start in just one match may well be enough for another big points haul. With Pep Guardiola’s side able to seal the Premier League title with victory over Chelsea, Haaland will almost certainly be playing in that one.
It goes without saying that Haaland has already passed 50 goals in all competitions this season and his Premier League tally currently stands at 36, including eight assists. No other player is close to his total of 266 FPL points, with 11 double-figure hauls and counting. It would be no surprise to see him make it 12 in Double Gameweek 37.
Riyad Mahrez (£7.4) vs CHE (H), BRI (a)
Whilst midfielder Riyad Mahrez (£7.4m) has found starts hard to come by in the Champions League, he has proven a regular starter in the Premier League, which may bode well for his FPL prospects come Double Gameweek 37. Each of Man City’s last four league fixtures has seen the Algerian start and he has rewarded Pep Guardiola (and his FPL ownership) with attacking returns. Mahrez has accrued at least one assist in all four of those games, picking up five overall and 27 fantasy points to boot.
As a midfielder the extra point you gain for both a goal and a clean sheet could well add up in a double gameweek which further enhances Mahrez’s appeal. There is no nailed-on starter in Man City’s team for their next two Premier League games, but Mahrez must be seen as a serious contender with others such as Kevin De Bruyne more likely to be rested in the Brighton match.
Mo Salah (£13.1) vs AVL (H)
When you consider how strongly Mo Salah is finishing the season from an attacking perspective, the Egyptian commands a place in our premium picks list once again, despite playing just once in Double Gameweek 37, at home against an in-form Aston Villa. Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s current winning run of seven consecutive Premier League fixtures, providing both goals and assists as the Reds continue to chase a Champions League place.
Salah heads into Double Gameweek 37 having racked up seven goals and three assists in his last eight league appearances with all three of those assists coming in Liverpool’s last fixture, a resounding 0-3 victory over Leicester. Each of the last three gameweeks has seen Salah record a double-figure points return from an FPL perspective and no midfielder has a higher score than his 229 fantasy points over the course of the campaign.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Antony (£7.3m) vs BOU (a), CHE (H)
One club who benefits from two fixtures in Double Gameweek 37 is Man Utd and both are must-win games as the Red Devils face a photo-finish in the battle for top four. Therefore, assets from Erik ten Hag’s could prove the ideal differential pick, one such player being attacking midfielder Antony (£7.3m) who is capable of both goals and assists.
The Brazilian is a trusted lieutenant of his manager and assisted one of Man Utd’s goals in their most recent 2-0 victory at home to Wolves. Bournemouth away and Chelsea at home have to be considered friendly fixtures on paper with the former having secured survival and the latter winning just one of their last nine Premier League games. A monster return from a differential captain at this stage could make all the difference between a successful FPL season and an unsuccessful one, so give this pick careful consideration.
