FPL 2023-24 | Gameweek 15 | Captain Picks
Although Gameweek 14 provided us with bucketloads of entertainment, we didn’t get the big returns that we perhaps would have liked from our captain picks. Despite Liverpool scoring four goals against Fulham, Mo Salah (£13.1m) could only manage an assist and 5 FPL points, while Erling Haaland (£14.0m) recorded 7 points despite two assists after being booked in Man City 3-3 draw with Spurs. Bukayo Saka (£8.9m) did find the net though, accruing 8 fantasy points as Arsenal defeated Wolves 2-1.
Interesting that Salah was considered to have been kept quiet today vs Fulham, with 5 chances created, 2 big chances created, 2 big chances of his own, and one assist.
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) December 3, 2023
We now enter a hectic stage of the FPL season with the first midweek round of Premier League fixtures upon us. Therefore, it’s already time to highlight three more premium captaincy selections for Gameweek 15 capable of big scores, alongside an under-the-radar differential pick ahead of Tuesday’s 18:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Heung-Min Son (£9.6m) vs WHU (H)
After suffering somewhat of a lean period over the past few gameweeks, Heung-Min Son bounced back in style this past weekend, despite conceding an own goal. Son opened the scoring against Man City before unfortunately putting into his own net a few minutes later. But he bounced back strongly in the second half with an assist in a thrilling contest that ended 3-3 at full time. Banking 10 FPL points in total, it was Son’s fifth double figure haul of the season so far.
Fairplay to Ange, squad down to its bare bones and he won't change his principles. Once his key players are back and he gets a couple more transfer windows to add depth, he will be be successful.
— FP(EL) Professor (@FPLProfessor_) December 3, 2023
Romero back on Thursday should see a comfortable win over West Ham.
Son captain?
Spurs host West Ham in Gameweek 15 and with Son now back among the attacking returns, his captaincy credentials are strong with only Mo Salah having accrued more fantasy points among midfielders. The Hammers are without a clean sheet in their last seven league fixtures and boast just one league shutout all season. With that in mind, it would be no surprise if Son was on the scoresheet once again, leading to a big points haul.
Martin Odegaard (£8.3m) vs LUT (a)
Like Son, Martin Odegaard was another player who had struggled for form in recent weeks and hadn’t picked up an attacking return since Gameweek 7. However, that changed in Gameweek 14 as Odegaard scored Arsenal’s second goal in their victory over Wolves, accumulating 10 fantasy points in the process. This makes it back-to-back goals for Odegaard after the Norwegian also found the net in the Gunners’ Champions League win against Lens.
Odegaard is mastering the deeper positioning for the cutbacks.
— Rey Gấu (@rey_qur) December 3, 2023
With his technical ability, he’s excellent at despatching these opportunities.
Scored multiple times in this manner.
Top 3 #arsenal asset to own in #FPL #GW14 pic.twitter.com/UK5MiIzxWz
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Luton in Gameweek 15, an enticing fixture on paper and one which could well see midfielder Odegaard continue his recent mini-run of goals. Over their past four fixtures in all competitions, Arsenal average three goals per game and they’ll be confident of further success in front of goal against a Luton side who are still without a clean sheet after 14 rounds of Premier League fixtures. This enhances of appeal of Odegaard as a skipper.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.0m) vs SHU (a)
Understandably, the vast majority of FPL managers will immediately focus on Mo Salah when it comes to selecting a Gameweek 15 captain who plays for Liverpool. But Trent Alexander-Arnold may well be the sleeper pick when taking into account his recent returns. Over the past three gameweeks, the Reds defender has racked up 28 fantasy points and Gameweek 14 saw him accumulate only his second double-figure points haul of the campaign. An assist and a superb free-kick saw him emerge with 13 points as Liverpool got the better of Fulham 4-3 in dramatic fashion.
Any surprises here?
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 4, 2023
Trent Alexander-Arnold is an #FPL price riser after a 13-point haul in Gameweek 14 pic.twitter.com/owNvK73oOz
Three attacking returns across the last two gameweeks underlines the offensive threat posed Alexander-Arnold both in open play and from set pieces. Liverpool’s Gameweek 15 opponents Sheffield Utd are coming off the back of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of rock-bottom Burnley, which saw them sack boss Paul Heckingbottom. It’s hard not to see Liverpool being afforded plenty of joy at Bramall Lane going forward and placing the armband on Alexander-Arnold could reap huge rewards.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Mohammed Kudus (£6.6m) vs TOT (a)
Following a brace of assists against Burnley in Gameweek 13, Mohammed Kudus backed that up this past Sunday with his third league goal of the season in West Ham’s 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace. It’s now five attacking returns in four gameweeks for the Hammers’ new summer signing and 31 fantasy points recorded over that period. Despite this though, the FPL-listed midfielder’s ownership remains slim.
West Ham are more than happy with their new signing Kudus as he completed 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 5 games.#WHUFC feel he will keep improving and he's gonna be key part of their project. pic.twitter.com/OpwIfXJfiu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 4, 2023
Whilst Spurs away is a tough fixture on paper, Ange Postecoglou’s side have shown that they can be vulnerable defensively and have shipped 11 goals over the course of their last four Premier League fixtures. When taking this into account, captaining a differential option like Kudus has to be in the minds of those FPL bosses looking for a point of difference to rise up their mini-leagues.
