Captaincy options for Gameweek 20: Erling Haaland seeking hat-trick repeat against Ipswich

IT’S once again time for Dream Team managers to elect a captain for the Gameweek ahead.

The gist of last week’s captaincy article was that gaffers who bet against Mohamed Salah (£8.1m) were likely to be rewarded and so it proved to be.

Liverpool’s main man mustered just five points after being rested against Accrington Stanley and constricted by Nottingham Forest.

All the alternatives we recommended – Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m), Alexander Isak (£6m) and Eberechi Eze (£4.9m) – registered at least twice as many points as Salah in Gameweek 19.

But that was then and this is now.

Should gaffers go against the Egyptian superstar again or trust he’ll bounce back in Gameweek 20 versus Brentford and Lille?

The Bees boast a formidable home record but they have conceded plenty of goals at the Gtech this season.

Liverpool’s spot in the Champions League round of 16 is essentially guaranteed but it would be a surprise if Arne Slot eased up in Europe; he’ll want to finish the league phase on top.

All things considered, Salah is a considerably stronger captain for Gameweek 20 than he was in Gameweek 19 and that will be enough for many Dream Team bosses.

There are still gaffers who refuse to strip Erling Haaland (£8m) of the armband and these loyalists have every reason to feel confident of substantial returns in the coming days.

Manchester City are still making too many errors but they have scored more than their fair share of goals lately – 16 in their last four games to be precise.

Pep Guardiola’s travel to Portman Road this Sunday and their big No9, fresh off a new long-term contract, will be hopeful of getting on the scoresheet having bagged a hat-trick against Ipswich in the reverse fixture back in August.

Wednesday’s trip to the French capital to face PSG can hardly be considered a favourable match-up but the Ligue 1 giants have fared even worse than City in the Champions League this season.

Alternatively, Phil Foden’s (£6.2m) backers might be tempted to double his points this coming Gameweek.

The England international has banked 60 points from his last six outings via four goals and two assists.

Bold managers might seek a captain among Tottenham’s ranks.

Spurs are languishing 14th in the table after their defeat in the North London derby but the Dream Team Stats Centre paints a brighter picture with several of Ange Postecoglou’s favourites among the top performers.

With a double header against Everton and Hoffenheim (16th in the Bundesliga) in the diary, Dominic Solanke (£4.6m), Son-Heung-min (£4.8m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.3m) are all viable options for skipper, if a tad leftfield.

Amad Diallo’s (£4.1m) hat-trick against Southampton has put him in the mix too.

Manchester United’s saviour will surely start against both Brighton and Rangers.

It’s important to note that popular captains Cole Palmer (£6.1m) and Alexander Isak (£6m) have just one fixture to fulfil in Gameweek 20.

Both are capable of massive double-digit hauls but it’s more logical to select a captain among the top stars set to pull double duty.

Make sure to confirm your captain (and vice captain) for Gameweek 20 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.