From a Fantasy Premier League standpoint, Gameweek 3 frustrated many. Not least because Erling Haaland (£14.0m), the most captained player of the gameweek ended up with a score of just 4 fantasy points against newly promoted Sheffield Utd. Haaland hit the post from the penalty spot in the first half, denting his points tally considerably, meaning that when he did eventually score in the second period, it wasn’t enough to ensure a sizable return. Both Solly March (£6.6m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8m) failed to accrue any attacking returns altogether. It was a successful Gameweek 3 though, for the FPL managers who captained Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m), the Man Utd midfielder recording a goal, an assist and 12 FPL points vs Nottingham Forest.
We now focus on the most enticing captaincy options for Gameweek 4.
Erling Haaland (£14.0m) – MAN CITY vs Fulham
Last season, Erling Haaland found himself in an identical situation to the one he is in here in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring a brace in Gameweek 1 (his Man City debut), followed by no goal in Gameweek 2 before scoring just the once in Gameweek 3. However, Gameweek 4 saw lift off for the Norwegian, as he netted a hat-trick against Crystal Palace. His huge ownership, many of whom will captain him once again are no doubt hoping for the same outcome this time round.
As it stands, Man City’s Gameweek 4 opponents Fulham have the highest xGA (expected goals against) of all Premier League clubs this season at 9.29. Haaland meanwhile, has a personal xG (expected goals) of 3.39. On this basis, you’d expect the 23-year-old to fashion plenty of goalscoring opportunities and if he can rediscover his ruthless edge in front of goal against a side on the back of conceding five goals over the course of the last two gameweeks, then Haaland’s FPL score could be massive for those fantasy bosses who name the Man City forward as their skipper.
Alexander Isak (£7.7m) – Brighton vs NEWCASTLE
Although Newcastle are coming off the back of consecutive Premier League defeats, a Gameweek 4 fixture away to Brighton may just suit them and their style of play under Eddie Howe. One such player who may profit is striker Alexander Isak, whose electric pace should see him prove a huge threat to a Seagulls backline who shipped three goals at home to West Ham last time out.
Isak will be desperate to get back on the goalscoring trail, having not found the net since those two goals against Aston Villa in Gameweek 1. With Callum Wilson breathing down his neck when it comes to competing for a starting spot leading the line for Newcastle, Isak doesn’t have to worry about motivation should he be selected in Gameweek 4. Brighton are yet to keep a clean sheet after three rounds of fixtures and Isak is certainly worth consideration when it comes to the FPL captaincy.
Raheem Sterling (£7.2m) – CHELSEA vs Nottingham Forest
The top performer of Gameweek 3, no player gained a higher fantasy score than Raheem Sterling’s 19 points in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at home to Luton. Mauricio Pochettino clearly sees Sterling as a crucial part of his plans and that faith was justified big-time against the Hatters, the attacking midfielder scoring Chelsea’s opening two goals before setting up a third later on for striker Nicolas Jackson.
Such an excellent showing and a mammoth FPL points-haul has led to many fantasy managers making moves to accommodate Sterling in their respective squads, with the 28-year-old subject to the most transfers in this week leading up to Gameweek 4. The Blues are at home once again, Nottingham Forest the visitors this time and anyone looking to place the armband on a midfielder will surely see Sterling as a hugely attractive selection.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.0m) – Luton vs WEST HAM
Whenever Jarrod Bowen has taken to the pitch in an away fixture for West Ham this campaign, he has ended up finding the net. He was the scorer of the Hammers’ only goal in their 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth in Gameweek 1, acquiring 9 fantasy points in the process. More recently, Bowen was not only on the scoresheet in Gameweek 3, but also picked up an assist as David Moyes’ men swept past Brighton by three goals to one on the South Coast, the flying winger accumulating 12 points in that one.
The next club on Bowen’s hit-list is newly promoted Luton, who are without a point to their name after two Premier League fixtures. Kenilworth Road is a very narrow pitch and compact stadium, but this shouldn’t affect a player with the trickery and class of Bowen. His previous FPL scores this season prove his viability as a potential Gameweek 4 skipper and after Sterling last week, this time it may be Bowen who provides his ownership with some Friday night delight.
