24 Dec, 2024

Game Week 18: FPL Bois’ Best Captains

Make sure you check out the FPL Player Rankings Section for other Great Captaincy Options!

The festive cheer was clearly visible in the previous game week, as two of our three picks shared 38 points between them! We’re here to share three picks this week who can further sweeten this feeling and give us the warmth of more green arrows:

Salah – LEI (H)

The Egyptian King is really turning out to be a cheat code for FPL this season, as once again he managed to get a double-digit score, and this time with a HUGE performance, delivering 4 attacking returns! Now he takes on a Leicester defence, who are ranked 18th for xGC (19th for xGC away), and have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games, failing to keep a clean sheet since GW7 (their only CS of the season).

Salah is having an outrageous season and now ranks 1st for goals scored, 2nd for xG, 2nd for nPxG, 1st for assists, 9th for xA, 4th for Big Chances Created, and 1st for Penalty Area Touches, making him an absolute essential to own! He’s leading Liverpool to a strong title charge, as they sit 4 points clear at the top with a game in hand! They’re also ranked 2nd for xG and 1st for Big Chances Created.

Salah has a decent record against Leicester, with 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 games. With the kind of form he’s in at the moment, these numbers could see a big jump! To reiterate what we said before his haul last week – consistency, spot kicks, creativity, and being the focal point of an exquisite attack make him the ever-reliable option to consider for captaincy this game week. Check out the Opta Match Stats Section to view his haul if you missed it!

Palmer – FUL (H)

Another name that has become a mainstay on this list is Cole Palmer, and he features again for his fixture against Fulham, who have failed to keep a clean sheet (or get a win) in any of their games against the other 5 of ‘The Top 6’. While his performances have been on and off this season from an FPL POV, he’s still the 2nd best midfielder for form and total points.

Cole Palmer makes the Chelsea attack tick, and his performances have been a significant factor in leading Chelsea to rank 1st for xG and 2nd for Big Chances Created. On an individual level, Palmer now ranks 3rd for goals scored, 3rd for xG, 5th for nPxG, 3rd for assists, 3rd for xA, and 2nd for Big Chances Created!

The last time these two teams faced off at Stamford Bridge, it ended in a 1-0 win for the Blues, with Palmer scoring the winner from the spot. Players playing through the middle have troubled the Fulham defense this season, and Palmer will be looking to do the same with his creativity and finishing, making him a strong contender for this week’s captaincy.

Haaland – EVE (H)

Is it the sugar rush from all the treats, or just a really good fixture!? Erling Haaland returns to the list for his fixture against an Everton defence who have conceded more goals than their xGC in away games (13 goals from 10.3 xGC). He has performed well against other teams in the bottom 6 of the table, with 32 points in 4 games and 5 goals.

Haaland’s numbers still look incredible despite the slump in City’s form, as he still ranks 1st for xG, 1st for nPxG, 2nd for goals scored, and 3rd for Penalty Area Touches. Now, with the fixtures swinging in City’s favor, this gameweek could spark the City comeback that Pep has been longing for. City are ranked 5th for xG and 2nd for xG at home, and have an aggregate score line of 9-4 in 4 games against the bottom 6.

Haaland has had fun against Everton, with 4 goals in 3 games, including a brace in this fixture last season. Haaland, leading the line, will be looking to regain his golden touch in front of goal to maximize City’s run of easier fixtures, and being the focal point of an attack that has done exceedingly well, as well as being on penalties, definitely helps in lifting his ceiling, making him a great (and surprisingly differential) choice for captaincy this game week.

Thank you for reading our article! Who are you picking to unbox a set of big green arrows for you in the Boxing Day game week?

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By: FPL Bois

Last Updated: 24/12