We don’t have to rack our brains to remind ourselves of Gameweek 4 following the international break when considering how entertaining it was. From a captain picks perspective, we enjoyed plenty of success, not least because Erling Haaland (£14.1m) finally exploded with a monster haul. The Norwegian netted FPL 20 points thanks to a hat-trick and an assist against Fulham. Elsewhere, James Maddison (£7.8m) gained 7 fantasy points after a second goal in as many Premier League fixtures, this time vs Burnley.
Easy decision really.
— Andy Martin (@fpl_tactician) September 5, 2023
- Home v terrible side.
- Sheff U should sit back so it will be Maddison mainly trying to probe and get shots away.
- On set pieces.
- Good xMins. Other Captain options have midweek European games and are away from home in GW5. pic.twitter.com/BAZRYWh8wF
It was also a successful round for our differential pick, James Ward-Prowse (£6.1m) also recording 7 points with an assist away at Luton, meaning he is still yet to go a game without an attacking return since his move to the Hammers. After two weeks off though, we’re back in business for Gameweek 5 and have been assessing those players who appear to be captain material. Three premium captain picks have been highlighted, as well as a differential selection ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Erling Haaland (£14.1m) vs WHU (a)
It would be foolish not to start with the man who racked up 20 fantasy points in Gameweek 4, putting everyone on notice once again as to his FPL pedigree and insatiable appetite for goals. It’s now six goals, an assist and 39 points in just four games for Erling Haaland across this season’s Premier League so far and he backed that up during the international break by finding the net for Norway.
West Ham is just not a tough enough of a fixture to go againsts the Norwegian meat shield this week. Haaland has 3 goals in his 2 games against West Ham.
— FPL Bluenose (Olly) (@FPL_Bluenose) September 13, 2023
Having the Son and Maddison double up will be great for my rank captain or not.
Good luck to anyone braver than me.#FPL pic.twitter.com/w6oxxsnmN4
Haaland will have fond memories of the London Stadium, having scored twice away at West Ham on his Premier League debut last season. FPL managers wouldn’t mind him repeating the dose here, with the Norwegian expected to be widely captained once again. An ownership that now stands at 92% makes Haaland a fairly worthless asset to own if you are not going to give him the armband. In fact, you are only likely to drop in rank should he score due to the sheer number of FPL managers who will captain the Norwegian.
Mo Salah (£12.5m) vs WOL (a)
They say “never back the early kick-off”. Well Mo Salah (£12.5m) will no doubt have something to say about that ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves on Saturday lunchtime. Not a gameweek has gone by yet this campaign where Salah has failed to record an attacking return in the Premier League, which bodes well for those considering naming the Egyptian their FPL skipper in Gameweek 5.
Salah
— FPL Mayor (@FPLMayor) September 13, 2023
Salah plays Wolves away in GW5.
Wolves are 19th for xGC, 18th for big changes conceded and 16th for shots conceded this season.
Salah himself is ranked 2nd for xGI this season so it could be the perfect fixture for him. pic.twitter.com/oCJPqy3GP9
As it stands, Salah boasts two goals and two assists to his name and Gameweek 4 saw him pick up 8 fantasy points, breaking a run of three consecutive 5-point-scores. Meanwhile, opponents Wolves have kept just one clean sheet after four gameweeks, conceding eight goals. Expect Salah to be afforded opportunities to get on the scoresheet and potentially accrue a big haul of FPL points.
Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8m) vs NEW (a)
Newcastle away would normally be a fixture where you wouldn’t risk captaining a player, especially last season. However, it hasn’t been an easy campaign for Newcastle in 2023-24, losing their last three Premier League games and the Magpies are yet to keep a clean sheet. Factor in the small matter of their first Champions League group stage fixture away to AC Milan in midweek and the opportunity is there for Brentford to catch them cold.
Doesn't matter if it's in FPL or in AFCON , Bryan Mbeumo is inevitable pic.twitter.com/ZDKZHvSKy8
— FPL Banger Podcast (@FPL_Banger) September 13, 2023
With that in mind, the in-form Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8m) is a strong captaincy candidate when taking into account his recent penchant for goals. Mbeumo’s only away fixture so far saw him bag a brace and 16 FPL points against Fulham. No midfielder has picked up more fantasy points this season than Mbeumo’s 33 and only Haaland boasts more in all positions. Being on penalties for Brentford is a massive advantage with two of Mbeumo’s four goals having come from the spot.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.6m) vs BUR (H)
Whilst his ownership is now starting to rise, Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.6m) is still very much a differential as it stands and whilst handing him the armband represents a big risk, it could wind up being hugely profitable when taking into account his recent form and consistency from an offensive perspective. The Nottingham Forest forward is yet to draw a blank this season, accumulating at least one attacking return in each of the past four gameweeks.
Awoniyi is the best captain in #GW5
— Zakaria (@zackaria01) September 14, 2023
Has not blanked since GW35
◉ He played Arsenal twice, Chelsea twice, Man United, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Sheffield
◉ Burnely conceded 11 goals in 3 games#FPL pic.twitter.com/fUbyR2dbUp
Owners of Awoniyi have to wait until Monday night for his Gameweek 5 fixture to come round, with Steve Cooper’s side set to host Burnley. The Clarets have shipped at least three goals in each of their three league games so far and are coming off the back of a 2-5 thrashing at the hands of Spurs in Gameweek 4. Such a fragile backline could be further exposed by Awoniyi.
