Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 26
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 26
We were on the verge of beginning this article by lamenting DGW’s and once again asking why we all chase them like golden rainbows… and then Saka (C – 30 points) and Salah (C – 22 points) put paid to that. Sort of. Well ok, at least they both showed up in their 2nd games having been conspicuous by their absence in their 1st ones. As Captains, said 1st game did at least add 6 points to both their totals, if nothing else. Which funnily enough eclipsed Nunez’s total for the week of 4.
Why pick on Nunez you may ask? Well, because he was our 3rd pick last week. Or more to the point that of OddDane…. so let’s pick on him instead! 
We jest of course, we pick on nobody here. After all the writers are simply playing devil’s advocate. For the record they all picked Salah on their own teams.
On which note, let’s go see what lies they can all peddle this week… before they all captain Haaland!
Smash – Haaland v Newcastle (H)
(Photo by Manchester City FC/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Captain Haaland
It’s boring but sometimes you just have to be boring in FPL. Haaland has broken the record for most goals in a season by a Man City player, previously held by Sergio Aguero (26). We have had a month off in this time for the World Cup and it’s still only February. When Haaland plays at home you captain Haaland. There might be an argument when he plays away but at home he is formidable. 4, 17, 6, 6, 1, 5, 13, 6, 23, 17, 17, 5… these are not the lottery numbers these are Haaland’s returns when he plays at home this season. 120 of his 193 FPL points, or a whopping 18 of his 27 goals in the Premier League have come when he plays at home. The Norwegian powerhouse has only blanked once at home all season and that was against Brentford, even when he only played 45 mins against Aston Villa he still returned. The fixture could be easier but this means the big Norwegian is more likely to play closer to 90 mins against Newcastle.
Haaland unsurprisingly has the highest xG this season with 18.56, the next best is quite a way behind with Kane on 13.08. If you look at xGI the gap is even bigger. He is also 8th for big chances created so even if he doesn’t score he’s also likely go pop up with an assist. Haaland has also missed more big chances than anyone this season so the 193 FPL points could have been even more. It’s very difficult to go against Haaland for captaincy at the moment, double gameweeks will give us a chance to do it, but I don’t feel this is the week to ignore the obvious for the captaincy. If you read this and still decide to buck the Haaland trend I wish you good luck, you are going to need it!
Gear – Rashford v Liverpool (a)
(Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
So, Smash has presented you with Haaland, a man who has absolutely creamed it this season. He has some impressive stats, 27 premier leagues goals so far, wow. Whilst that is a compelling reason to entrust him with your armband, I would urge you to hold that thought. You see, there is a man in better form, and as we all know, this game is based on current form. To break it down, in his last 5 PL games Haaland has scored 2 goals and grabbed 2 assists. This has help him accumulate 24 points (4.8 points per game). Now Marcus Rashford over the same period has bagged 6 goals and an assist, netting 50 points (that’s 10 points per game for those who are really bad at maths).
Form is with Marcus and as I am going to argue, so is the fixture. 12 months ago Newcastle at home was the easy pick, especially when compared to a trip to Anfield, however things have changed. Newcastle have conceded 15 goals in the league all season and they now have Bruno back. Liverpool on the other hand, have conceded 28. To give them their due, they have collected 4 clean sheets in their last 4 league games, after adding another against Wolves. I would however argue that they were lucky not to concede against the 10 men of Newcastle and the Everton game wasn’t exactly plain sailing.
I will leave you with a final thought, I probably don’t need to mention the Real Madrid game, but I want to plant that seed. Rashford, playing for a good team, versus that defence…
Init – Saka v Bournemouth (H)
(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
At the time of writing last week I didn’t own Saka but I was dead sure I would be buying him. And then I didn’t! I decided to stick with Martinelli, and I was obviously glad I did in the end, but it was a close call! For the record an armband on Martinelli would have yielded 52 points! By that logic I probably should be coming on here telling you to take risks and stick it on my man this week, but I’m not. Although I suppose if you like a differential you could certainly do worse as he looks to have gotten over his post World Cup blues all of a sudden.
Why Saka then? I said last week that he looks like Arsenal’s most threatening player and that seemed the case again vs Everton, and he underlined that with yet another goal (10 of those now) and yet another assist (yep, 10 of those too). That leaves him 2nd for midfielders with 146 points but it should also be worth noting that team-mates Ødegaard (142) & Martinelli (137) are now 3rd & 4th. Which probably tells you all you need to know about why Arsenal are top of the league and flying.
And fly they did against Everton. This was supposed to be a potential banana skin after their slip up at Goodison not so long back but they made it look easy are were absolutely purring come the end. I see little reason why this will not continue on Saturday at home to 2nd from bottom Bournemouth.
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get out clauses than an Ivan Toney confession but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own. And they promise that their picks will not be banned for 6 months if they get it wrong…
DMC — Haaland
The Gallant Pioneer — Saka (again)
Jamesimmo — Haaland
Ivan — Kane
Swirly — Haaland
Matt — Saka
Loud Atlas — Haaland
Smash — Haaland
Kop — Haaland
Rosco — Sak… Haaland
Ellefcee — Haaland
Floydeth — Haaland
Init — Haaland
Gear — Haaland
Stone Frog — Haaland
OddDane — Darw… No, Saka? Hmm, Haaland. Well, one of them.
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 26. This week’s article was weird by Gear, Smash and Init.
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SAKA SAKA SAKA!
Great article gentlemen but I’m sticking with my boy Bukayo.
Iv’e had Saka and Rashford far too many times as VC when i should have captained them, You’d expect him to get something home to Bournemouth, Just hope he doesn’t get rested that’s all
I’d be surprised if Arsenal aren’t full strength from the start in all remaining league games.
I ll also c Saka. No way Arteta rests his main players when they have a serious chance to win the title after a very long time.
I was going to get Kane and captain him but he is apparently under the weather again
Think, the armband will go to Martinelli, 4 goals in the last 3 games
Looking to more than likely WC next week and see how teams/ injurys go this week.
Nketiah > Wqtkinds the best move here with the below team?
Wrong image haha heres my team
Toney or Watkins yeah.
If you are going to WC Shaw and Bueno to Mee and R.Henry both play high minutes, don’t blank in 28, have 2 DWGs and Manu aside have good fixtures in the next 6.
So here’s how a sit for gw 25. Used my FT for Mahrez to Mitoma.
Just with the starting oder should I play TAA or Trippier over Gakpo (unsure of his minutes) or leave as is?
Pretty sure I don’t need a hit. But I like the idea of Kepa to Raya
Neither is likely to get a clean sheet but could chuck in an assist.
Hard one but you could leave it as you have it. Although it is Gakpo who is new and is in a very tricky game…
Sorry, it’s too difficut to call this.
Cheers GP, ya it’s with Jota and Darwin back its hard to know Gakpos minutes.
Trippier scored in the reverse fixture
Current WC team.
Have 1.9 mib. Anyone I should upgrade/change, or hold the cash for future?
Much appreciate your input.
Personally I would prefer Mitoma or McAllister to March. And I’d be a little concerned about matchtime for Estupinan. Maybe Dunk?
Otherwise the balance looks good. BB29?
Comment 18 bees
As you surely know by now, both March and Estupian good to go.
Would you change the starting line up? Worried about Madds flag.
Thanks guys
Can’t decide to hold of on wc for one more week to get a bit more info and this week do Darwin to toney. Or go for the popular option and WC this week I’ll attach both teams
Or this would be my WC team I’m currently on
Tony is a slightly concern ie a ban, easy switch to Watkins I guess.
Very similar to my choice. I will just make the move to Toney and get some more info for next week.
I’d be nervous of all the flags. March to Mitoma or Mac Allister?
He dosent have a dgw put I have an eye on Emerson (just noticed he’s also flagged) only in 2.8% of teams and will go under the radar. Has 6 good / ok games in a row