One of our three selected premium captain picks successfully managed an attacking return in Gameweek 20. However, Mo Salah (£13.3m) was not that player after a rare blank against Burnley. The same fixture saw Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) keep a clean sheet in a 0-2 victory for Liverpool, accruing 8 FPL points in the process. Jarrod Bowen (£7.9m) was the one to pick up said attacking return, gaining an assist and 6 fantasy points, his fourth attacking return in five gameweeks. Differential pick Brennan Johnson (£5.8m) endured a night to forget on the South Coast, losing 4-2 to Brighton with just 2 points to show for his efforts.
Let’s go Bowen … pic.twitter.com/5wkGILywnN
— FPL Reactions (Louis) (@FPLReaction) December 23, 2023
We now lead into 2024 with Gameweek 20, the final one before numerous players disappear for either the Africa Cup of Nations or Asian Cup, which will see significant FPL upheaval as a result. Hopefully, we can help you end the year on a high from a fantasy perspective with three more premium captaincy selections picked up, along with a differential option ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.3m) vs NEW (H)
One of two premium captain picks we’ve plumped for who operate as defenders, but offer significant attacking potential as well. Alexander-Arnold is arguably the form player right now in the Premier League, combining defensive stability with offensive potency. If the right-back is not returning substantial FPL points through clean sheets, he is doing so through the accumulation of attacking returns and since Gameweek 12, Alexander-Arnold is yet to score lower than 4 points on any given gameweek.
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold now an #FPL must-have? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vx3lBHT7Hh
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 27, 2023
Liverpool host out-of-form Newcastle in Gameweek 20 with Alexander-Arnold’s rapidly rising ownership hoping he can add to his 51 fantasy points added across the past six gameweeks. When taking into account the role Alexander-Arnold plays in this Liverpool side from an attacking point of view, captaining him doesn’t feel like much of a risk despite him being a defender.
Pedro Porro (£5.6m) vs BOU (a)
The other defender recommended as a potential Gameweek 20 skipper comes in the form of Pedro Porro from Spurs. Like Alexander-Arnold, Porro operates at right-back but his attacking freedom has seen him do damage at the other end of the pitch and rack up FPL points in the process. Despite Spurs conceding four goals in their Gameweek 19 defeat away at Brighton, Porro still managed to gain 5 fantasy points after setting up a Spurs consolation which helped him finish joint-second in the bonus points column.
So close to a Porro goal last night.
— FPL Swot (@FPLSWOT) December 29, 2023
He’s a great asset, even when Spurs concede four…#FPL #FPLCommunity pic.twitter.com/eeZffGtjgQ
Porro being a ‘bonus points magnet’ adds to his appeal and since Gameweek 12, the 24-year-old has successfully acquired 35 fantasy points with only two scores below 5 points. A whopping five assists across that period is testament as to what Porro offers offensively and an ownership of over 25% means that captaining the Spurs star against Bournemouth in Gameweek 20 is the best way to profit from him being in your squad.
Dominic Solanke (£7.0m) vs TOT (a)
Having been hit by a wave of transfers in over the past few gameweeks, Dominic Solanke’s ownership is now at a level where he can be considered a premium asset. This is no surprise when considering his electric form in front of goal lately. Solanke backed up his hat-trick against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day with a goal from the penalty spot in Gameweek 19 as Bournemouth comfortably overcame Fulham. The red-hot striker now boasts five goals and 30 fantasy points over the past three gameweeks.
Solanke owners watching this Spurs game pic.twitter.com/9vEwnfqGFF
— FPL Marcin (@FPLMarcin) December 28, 2023
The Cherries travel to Spurs in Gameweek 20 and having seen their defensive vulnerabilities on full display against Brighton, Solanke owners will be surely confident of further returns here. Bournemouth are playing excellent attacking football and placing the armband on a forward with 12 league goals and 96 FPL points over the course of the season so far warrants serious consideration.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Chris Wood (£4.9m) vs MUN (a)
Speaking of forwards in brilliant recent form, that brings us to Chris Wood. The Nottingham Forest forward is our differential captain pick for Gameweek 20 on the back of an explosive opening two games under the command of Nuno Espirito Santo. The new Forest manager has clearly earmarked Wood as a striker capable of performing the same role Raul Jimenez did so successfully whilst he was at Wolves. The New Zealand international hasn’t let his new boss down, backing up his goal and assist against Bournemouth with a magnificent hat-trick away at former club Newcastle last time out.
Chris Wood's game by numbers. Newcastle:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 26, 2023
100% shot accuracy
100% conversion rate
3 shots
3 goals
Hat-trick hero. pic.twitter.com/8krJ7lVMiN
Having racked up 28 fantasy points in just two gameweeks under Nuno, the bargain-priced Wood offers massive differential value in Gameweek 20, which sees Forest take on Man Utd. The Red Devils have conceded at least once in five of their last six Premier League fixtures and Wood will be confident of bullying a fragile United backline. He may be the ideal option for those FPL managers wanting to captain a differential player in a bid to finish 2023 on a huge fantasy high.
