FPL top captain picks for Gameweek 29
The toughest thing to do in FPL is picking the right captain week in, week out. Form and the presence of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah has blessed FPL managers over the last few years. However, then the FPL gods throw the world a curve-ball in the form of a Blank GW 29. Premium picks Erling Haaland (£14.4m), Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) don’t have a fixture.
As if that wasn’t enough the in-form Arsenal stars are also out of contention which means captaincy options have reduced immensely. With only eight teams playing and only one “Big Six” side kicking a ball this weekend, it further reduces options for guaranteed points. But fret not because that doesn’t mean there aren’t players to give the armband too, it just means it’s a riskier weekend for a few.
Son Heung-Min (£9.9m)
Mr Obvious for GW 29, there are few better choices than basically handing the captain’s armband to Son Heung-Min and hoping for the best. But the only difference is that the South Korean’s best, off late, has been downright impressive. Ever since returning from the Asian Cup, the forward has played four games and contributed to four goals in that period. That does include a three goal haul against Aston Villa last weekend but it only goes to show the form that Son is in.
To add to that, the South Korean has been playing as a center-forward as Richarlison is injured and he is also on penalties unlike a few other players on this list. Crucially, the North Londoners are also in great form with three wins on the trot, netting 10 goals in the process which only helps an FPL manager’s cause.
Ollie Watkins (£9.0m)
Obvious pick number two and who can blame anyone for picking Ollie Watkins as their captain? The Aston Villa forward has been impeccable this term with a sensational 31 goal contributions. As if that isn’t enough only Erling Haaland has scored more and no forward has created as many big chances as Watkins (9) has so far which only underlines just how good a season he is having.
However, the only knock on Watkins now is the fact that he has to pass a fitness test ahead of Villa’s clash against West Ham. The English international walked off injured in the club’s Europa Conference league win over Ajax and Unai Emery has urged caution although he is positive that Watkins should be able to play. But for an FPL manager, it should make no difference whatsoever because that’s why there’s a vice-captain.
Jarrod Bowen (£6.8m)
From the six other teams left, Jarrod Bowen arrives and compared to the other options available that aren’t Watkins or Son, Bowen might be a decent captain choice. He is West Ham’s star of the season so far, has scored at a consistent rate for the Hammers and if that’s not enough, the Hammers are in good form right now. They’ve taken seven points from their last three games, scoring nine goals and Bowen has four goal contributions in that run.
It takes the English forward up to 14 league goals for the season and only Mohamed Salah has scored more than Jarrod Bowen. Mohamed Kudus (£6.8m) is another West Ham option as well as he has netted two fewer goals than Bowen in an impressive debut season. But Bowen has often played as a center-forward this season and more often than not plays the full-90, which tips the hat in his favour.
Ivan Toney (£8.2m)
With Brentford one of the sides playing in Blank GW 29, Ivan Toney was bound to be a captain option even if the English forward is a risky bet. He has struggled for consistency since his return from the ban but has still managed to return in four of the eight matches he has played. That run has seen him net four goals and one assist although the forward hasn’t scored in his last four games.
That, coincidentally, also happens to Brentford’s worst run of form all season as they are winless in their last five and have lost four games in that run. To make matters worse, they’re in the bottom eight teams offensively even if they rank amongst the top six for chances created in their last six games. So why pick Toney?
Because the Bees play Burnley and as the whole world knows, the Clarets are in torrid form, have one of the worst defensive records in the league and have conceded 17 goals in their last six games. That’s why Toney is an option. A risky one but an option nevertheless.
James Maddison (£8.0m)
A lovely differential pick option, James Maddison has quietly been in impressive form recently with the midfielder racking up the numbers since late January. He has three assists and a goal in that period with the Englishman playing a key role as Tottenham slowly racked up the points. Expect that to continue and if that’s not enough, then Maddison has been eerily consistent away from home.
The former Leicester attacker has 10 goal involvements in eight away matches so far and since Spurs travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, it does make things slightly interesting. Of course, since options are low, captaining Maddison may be entertaining but it’ll also be very risky. Who knows though, it might just work out.
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