Captaincy options for Gameweek 16: Alexander Isak to edge out familiar favourites?
THE captaincy conversation has been far more interesting this season.
In 2023/24, Dream Team managers who kept the armband on Erling Haaland (£8.4m) every week without fail were justified in doing so but those who have employed the same strategy this campaign have probably fallen behind gaffers who prefer to target specific fixtures.
Ahead of Gameweek 15, we put our reputation on the line by hailing Bukayo Saka (£6.9m) a better captaincy option than Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) on account of him being more likely to play in the Carabao Cup.
And so it proved to be as Arsenal’s No7 came off the bench in midweek to register an assist while Liverpool’s main man was rested for his side’s trip to Southampton.
Saka notched 13 points to Salah’s six when all was said and done, a decent swing for Dream Team bosses who opted to double the former’s points.
We also recommended Alexander Isak (£5.4m) as a strong captaincy option outside of the familiar favourites with a view to targeting his home fixture against Leicester.
The Sweden international repaid our faith with a 17-point haul against the Foxes via a goal and an assist – he only added two points against Brentford in midweek but the damage was done.
Looking ahead to Gameweek 16, it’s essentially a mirror repeat with Saka, Salah and Isak the leading captaincy candidates in our mind.
The Gunners are due to face Crystal Palace and Ipswich while Arne Slot’s side will take on Tottenham and Leicester.
All 20 teams will fulfil a Premier League double header this coming Gameweek and so Saka and Salah should start both fixtures.
As for Newcastle, they travel to Portman Road on Saturday before hosting Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Given that Isak has scored six goals and provided three assists in his last eight league outings, he has to be considered an extremely tempting captain.
Elsewhere, Bruno Fernandes’ (£6.3m) backers will be hopeful of healthy returns with Manchester United set to take on Bournemouth and Wolves – the latter have the worst defensive record in the top flight this season.
But hang on, how could we forget Cole Palmer (£6.3m)?
Chelsea’s talisman has a rare double Gameweek in the form of Everton and Fulham.
The Blues are the Premier League’s form side at present and Palmer boasts the highest points-per-game average (10.9) among all players in 2024/25.
That’s a rather compelling case.
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Saka v Salah v Isak v Palmer is a head-scratcher this Gameweek and gaffers who still have their Max Captain Booster must be tempted to guarantee a points-laden Christmas.
Remember to select your captain (and vice captain) before Saturday’s 11am deadline.
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