25 Sep, 2024

Game Week 6: Best Choice for Captain

Game Week 6:

Haaland (NEW-H):

No surprises seeing who is back at the top of Game Week 6’s captaincy options. If there was going to be a fixture where Haaland appeared mortal, it was going to be against Arsenal. However, the Norwegian punctuated his inevitability by opening the scoring in the 9th minute.

It turns out the unstoppable force bested the immovable object. Ten goals in five games is a monster stat line, and although this pace will be nearly impossible to maintain, he is currently showing no signs of slowing down, even against the league’s best defenses.

In fact, Haaland’s individual xG per 90 of 1.86 is higher than every other team’s total xG per 90, with Spurs sitting second at 1.83. He also faces a Newcastle defense that just shipped three goals to Fulham. Don’t overthink this pick.

Salah (Wolves-A):

Despite the superlatives we’ve thrown at Haaland, the battle for first and second is closer than you think. Wolves have conceded a Premier League-worst 14 goals this season and show no signs of improving on that front. Despite not scoring in his last two, Salah still posted an xGI of 0.78 and was able to bag an assist.

Liverpool’s stellar defense and Salah’s propensity for bonus points also provide an added boost for those looking to captain him in Game Week 6.

Saka (LEI-H):

FPL managers are really spoilt for choice in Game Week 6, and on the off chance you don’t own either Haaland or Salah, or even just want a nice differential option, Saka could be a great shout. Although failing to score in his last four games, Saka has managed to return an assist in all of them.

It is also fair to say Arsenal’s recent four games haven’t been the easiest, facing City, Spurs, Villa, and Brighton. He now faces a Leicester side still searching for their first clean sheet of the season. Like Salah, Saka’s status as a midfielder means he also benefits from playing for an elite defensive unit, so expect a clean sheet boost to be on the cards as well.

Eze (EVE-A):

To say Eze has been unlucky this season would be an understatement. Eze has taken the third-most shots this season of any player in the league, had a free kick controversially disallowed, had Mateta poach a penalty, and created multiple other big chances that weren’t converted.

The reactionary nature of FPL managers was best illustrated by his subsequent price drop. However, as we all know well, points should not be chased and patience must be employed to get ahead in this game. Check out our Fantasy Fundamentals page for more tips along these lines.

This week, Eze faces the worst defense in the league, and given his bad luck of late, he is surely due, no?

Watkins (IPS-A):

Following a tricky first three games where he registered zero goals, Watkins has since found his feet, scoring three in his last two.

The Villa man was electric last season, and he finally looks back to his prolific ways. Although Ipswich have only conceded two goals in their last three Premier League outings, the xGC would tell a different story. They were lucky to escape Southampton conceding only one goal as they registered an xGC of 2.49.

They also registered 1.66 xGC against Brighton during their 0-0 draw. Expect this luck to run out when they face a Villa side and striker who have been on a tear recently.

Honourable Mentions:  

Semenyo (SOU-H), Mbuemo (WHU-H), Solanke (MUN-A), Bowen (BRE-A).

By George Lean

Last Updated: 25/09