Following the international break, Double Gameweek 21 gave owners of Spurs assets plenty of joy. Midfielder Heung-Min Son (£11.0m) managed a goal, an assist and 12 FPL points, whilst defender Matt Doherty (£4.9m) went even better, gaining the same attacking returns but two every points as Antonio Conte’s side thrashed Newcastle 5-1. Dejan Kulusevski (£6.3m) and Harry Kane (£12.5m) each managed assists with eight different Spurs players picking up an attacking return against the Magpies.
However, those owning Liverpool assets may have been disappointed unless one of those were Diogo Jota (£8.3m) who racked up 14 points with a goal and assist in the Reds’ 2-0 win over Watford. FPL managers will have been happy with the Liverpool clean sheet, but Mo Salah (£13.3m) will have no doubt disappointed many, particularly after being subbed off midway through the second half with Liverpool awarded a penalty later in the piece. Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) meanwhile, justified his selection as our differential pick in Double Gameweek 31 with a goal and 11 fantasy points against Burnley.
With plenty at stake when it comes to both the top and bottom of the Premier League in Gameweek 32, we round up the most enticing captaincy options, as well as a differential selection ahead of Friday’s 18:30 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Heung-Min Son (£11.0m) vs AVL (a)
It would be remiss not to include Son when taking into account the form that he is currently in, accumulating 27 points across the last two gameweeks including three goals and one assist. The South Korean international is a critical part of Antonio Conte’s attacking arsenal at Spurs, who head into Gameweek 32 inside the top four and no doubt desperate to stay there.
Aston Villa away represents the opposition for Son who will be hoping to capitalise on the poor recent form of Steven Gerrard’s side, who have lost each of their last three Premier League fixtures. Having already gained one double-figure FPL score against Aston Villa this season, it would be no surprise if Son was to do so again in this one, so consider him as a viable captaincy option.
Kai Havertz (£7.9m) vs SOU (a)
Whilst Thomas Tuchel’s penchant for rotation makes Kai Havertz (£7.9m) a risky player to hand the armband, he is in excellent form and has the potential to handsomely reward those who do take the gamble. Since the start of Double Gameweek 28, Havertz has racked up 35 FPL points across four Premier League games with four goals and an assist to his name. Solid numbers for a player who after a slow start to Premier League life is starting to really find his feet.
Chelsea travel to Southampton in Gameweek 32 and Havertz will be coming up against a side who have lost four of their last five in all competitions, conceding 13 goals in the process. A strong reaction is expected from the Blues following their defeats against both Brentford last weekend and Real Madrid in midweek and Havertz may be at the heart of that reaction, making him an attractive pick.
Mo Salah (£13.3m) vs MCI (a)
A showdown against title rivals Man City in Gameweek 32 would on paper lead FPL managers to veer away from captaining Liverpool midfielder Mo Salah. Alas, this could instead prove an ideal fixture in which to choose him as skipper, especially when factoring in his recent goalscoring record against Pep Guardiola’s side. Salah has found the net in each of his last three appearances against Man City, including most recently in Gameweek 7 of this season when a goal and an assist saw Salah accrue 13 points in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Liverpool have to win in order to leapfrog Man City into top spot and Salah is expected to feature prominently, with his pace always a huge threat against a side who isn’t afraid to push bodies forward, leaving themselves open on the counter-attack. The fixture may lead to not as many FPL managers placing the armband on Salah, arguably increasing the attraction to him as captain.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Richarlison (£7.5m) vs MUN (H)
A brace from Richarlison (£7.5m) from the penalty spot may not have been enough to stop Everton from losing 3-2 against Burnley in midweek, but FPL managers who owned the Brazilian during Double Gameweek 31 were celebrating as he picked up 17 fantasy points when added to his assist last Sunday against West Ham. Although with Everton just a point above the bottom three, the pressure on them is high ahead of Gameweek 32.
Man Utd are the visitors to Goodison Park and plenty rests on the shoulders of Richarlison, who was by far Everton’s biggest attacking threat against Burnley from open play, even if both of his goals were penalties. With the Toffees having no chance but to deploy an ultra-attacking style of play in a bid to gain three points against a fragile United, this may work in Richarlison’s favour and that of his limited FPL ownership. Anyone looking to make up ground in their respective mini-leagues should consider selecting him as their FPL skipper.