Gameweek 5 contained some hits, but also some misses when it came to FPL captains. Erling Haaland (£14.1m) found the net, but had to settle for just 6 points against West Ham, whilst fellow premium asset Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) helped himself to two assists for Liverpool in a 1-3 win over Wolves, bringing home 10 fantasy points in the process. However, there was less luck for the likes of Martin Odegaard (£8.5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m), neither midfielder recording an attacking return. Whilst Spurs were successful in dramatic fashion against Sheffield Utd, James Maddison (£7.9m) was not. The midfielder only managed to pick up 1 FPL point, his lowest score of the season so far.
We now take a look over some of the most exciting captaincy options for Gameweek 6.
Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) – LIVERPOOL vs West Ham
Quietly ticking along, doing what he does best despite his ownership perhaps not being as high as it has been in previous seasons. Mohamed Salah has now accumulated 33 fantasy points after the first five gameweeks of the campaign. Only one midfielder has managed a better overall score and only three players in all positions have a higher tally of points than the Egyptian, who is coming off the back of his first double-figure score of the campaign.
Salah has racked up nine Premier League goals against Gameweek 6 opponents West Ham since joining Liverpool and the Hammers are still without a clean sheet after five gameweeks. The expectation is that Salah will be afforded plenty of chances to maintain his run of having scored in each Premier League fixture at Anfield this season as it stands. This makes him a hugely attractive asset for those FPL managers looking for a Gameweek 6 skipper.
Bukayo Saka (£8.7m) – ARSENAL vs Spurs
When talking about potential captains, it would be foolish not to mention Bukayo Saka. The consistency of the England international has been brilliant, with him having gained at least one attacking return across all bar one of the five gameweeks played. Saka is also looking to maintain a run of four consecutive games in all competitions with at least one goal and/or assist and motivation will be at an all-time high in the North London Derby come Gameweek 6.
After setting up Arsenal’s winner away at Everton last weekend, Saka backed that up with a goal and assist in the Gunners’ triumphant opening group match in the UEFA Champions League. He now has two goals and three assists in his last four appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side. Spurs won’t be afraid to take the fight to Arsenal offensively come Gameweek 6 and this may lead to goalscoring opportunities for Saka, underlining his appeal as a via choice to captain.
Erling Haaland (£14.1m) – MAN CITY vs Nottingham Forest
Top Premier League goalscorer, top FPL points-scorer. It’s the bare minimum that you’d expect from Erling Haaland nowadays, although his recent lack of composure in front of goal is likely to have frustrated a few. Although he did score once in Gameweek 5 against West Ham, the Norwegian also missed plenty of opportunities to find the net more than once and end up recording a significantly higher FPL score than 6 points. That lack of cutting edge continued in the Champions League midweek, Haaland missing a hatful of chances vs Red Star Belgrade.
Haaland has fond memories of Nottingham Forest, Man City’s opponents in Gameweek 6. The towering striker put Steve Cooper’s men to the sword, bagging a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory for the eventual Premier League champions. It’s hard not to see Haaland fashioning plenty more chances to score in Gameweek 6 and it goes without saying that the number of FPL managers who are expected to captain him will be incredibly high. There are plenty of attractive options on the table this weekend, but Haaland remains the safe call.
Julian Alvarez (£6.9m) – MAN CITY vs Nottingham Forest
As it stands, the top two scoring forwards in the 2023-24 campaign from an FPL standpoint both play for Man City. Haaland is obviously one of those players, but Julian Alvarez isn’t far behind him following a wonderful start to the new season. Pep Guardiola has afforded him starts in all five of Man City’s completed Premier League fixtures, Alvarez accruing two goals, five assists and a hugely credible 37 fantasy points. As it stands, no player in the Premier League has picked up more assists after five gameweeks.
Alvarez comes into Gameweek 6 in wonderful form, with two Champions League goals in midweek testament to that. Injuries make it hard for Pep Guardiola to give the Argentinian a rest and this should work to the benefit of his FPL ownership, particularly those who opt to hand the forward the armband against Nottingham Forest.
