19 Sep, 2024

Game Week 5: Best Choice for Captain

This week is one of the rare weeks on the calendar where this article is not just one big Haaland arrow, and no this is not a drill. The captaincy decision this week is a much more complex one, with multiple viable options and lots of potential for a huge differential swing.

Salah (Bournemouth-H): Due to a tricky fixture against an elite Arsenal side, Haaland has been pipped to the top spot by the Liverpool star. Bournemouth are far from an awful defence, but also far from a good one, conceding 5 in their last 4, including 2 to rock bottom Everton. Salah also has an excellent record against the cherries in the prem, with 9 goals and an assist in just 9 appearances, including a hat trick.

Haaland (Arsenal-H): Of course he had to be somewhere near the top. Haaland’s recent form speaks for itself, having scored an absurd 9 goals in 4 games this season. However, he now faces arguably the best defence in the league in Arsenal, who have only conceded 1 goal through 4 games to begin the year, and were last seasons top defence in the league. Think unstoppable force meets immovable object. Either way, we still wouldn’t bet against a man with 9 in his last 4, especially at home.

Watkins (Wolves-H): The villa talisman got his season back on track with a nice brace against Everton. Following some poor finishing earlier in the season, Watkins seemed to have located his shooting boots, albeit against an Everton side who are leaking goals at the moment. Making his prospect of a match up against a Wolves side who have conceded 11 in their last 4, even more tantalizing. However, almost as important as his return to goals, has been his return to full minutes. Last week marked the first time this season he was not subbed off around the 60 minute mark, which bodes well for concerned managers moving forward.

Cole Palmer (West Ham-A): By his own standards its been a relatively average start for Palmer, who lit the premier league alight last year and almost single handedly carried Chelsea to European football. With only 1 goal in his opening 4 games, Palmer looks to get back on track against a West Ham side who currently sit 14^th in the league. He does however have 4 assists, and Chelsea seem to have had a much better start to the season than previous years, so there is reason for optimism.

Calvert-Lewin (LEI-A): Its been an interesting season so far for the Everton front man, and indeed Everton in general. Having started the season horribly with a 3-0 and 4-0 loss, their most recent pair of fixtures have provided a more balanced affair. While still leaking goals, including a shock 3 to Bournemouth in game week 3, they were at least able to find the back of the net 4 times, with Calvert-Lewin being involved in 3 of them. There is no reason he can’t continue this spell against a Leicester side who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Honourable Mentions: Son (Brentford-H), Eze (Man U-H), Isak (FUL-A)

Check out our Hot Picks list for other top player and captaincy options.

Last Updated: 19/09