Attention all Fantasy Premier League managers! Are you ready to make some tough captaincy decisions for Gameweek 16? It's time to explore the best options beyond the obvious choice of Erling Haaland. The race for the armband is on, and we've got some exciting contenders!
Let's dive into the alternatives presented by The Scout. Bukayo Saka, priced at £10.2m, and Igor Thiago, a bargain at £7.0m, are leading the charge. But here's where it gets controversial... should we consider benching Haaland, the £15.0m superstar?
Saka, fresh from a well-deserved rest in midweek, is expected to start for Arsenal against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. And this is the part most people miss: Wolves have an abysmal defensive record, having conceded 33 goals so far, the worst in the league. This could be Saka's chance to shine!
Meanwhile, Thiago has been on fire at home for Brentford. He's scored two goals and racked up 13 points in each of his last two home appearances. Brentford will be hosting Leeds United, who have conceded 18 goals on the road, the third-worst total in the league. Thiago's stock is rising!
Now, let's talk about Haaland. He's up against a tough opponent in Crystal Palace, who have only conceded seven goals at home this season. But here's the kicker: Haaland is going through a rough patch, blanking in three of his last four matches. His recent form is a far cry from his usual prolific self.
Who's in the best form right now? Well, Phil Foden, Haaland's teammate at Manchester City, has been on fire. He's the top-scoring player in Fantasy over the last four Gameweeks, with an impressive 46 points. That's more than double Haaland's total of 20 points during the same period.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United has also been on a roll, accumulating 35 of his 85 points this season in the last four Gameweeks. He's got a kind home fixture against AFC Bournemouth, who have conceded 19 goals away from home, second only to Burnley.
When it comes to attacking threat, Haaland has produced four blanks in the last six Gameweeks. That's a stark contrast to his usual dominance. The table below shows his big chances, or situations where a player is expected to score. Surprisingly, he's tied with Thiago on eight big chances over the last six Gameweeks.
Haaland has also created two big chances, which means he's been involved in a total of 10 big chances, more than any other player in Fantasy. However, when it comes to converting those chances, Thiago has been almost twice as clinical, with a 38.5% conversion rate compared to Haaland's 20%.
Saka and Fernandes also have impressive potential for both goals and assists. Foden's recent revival is evident, but there's an argument that in-form players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Bruno Guimaraes might be overachieving based on their underlying numbers.
Now, let's look at the defensive data of the Gameweek 16 opponents. Both Leeds and Wolves have conceded an average of three big chances per match in their last four matches. Bournemouth, surprisingly, has the best defensive record in the league over Gameweeks 12-15, conceding only four big chances. Fernandes's recent form at Old Trafford is also a concern, with all his attacking returns in the last eight matches coming from away fixtures.
So, who should be your captain for Gameweek 16? Haaland's dip in form and tougher fixture might make you consider benching him. But remember, he's owned by a huge 73% of managers, so your decision could impact your overall ranking. It might be worth making him your vice-captain if you decide to go with someone else.
The numbers suggest that Thiago is more likely to score than Saka. However, Saka's ability to contribute both goals and assists, along with his extra points for goals and clean sheets due to his midfielder classification, gives him a slight edge.
Additionally, Wolves' recent struggles with conceding shots from set-pieces could play into Arsenal's hands. A visit to Arsenal is the last thing they need, especially with the threat of Saka's deliveries and Declan Rice's presence.
Who will you choose as your captain? Will you go with the crowd and stick with Haaland, or will you take a risk and opt for one of the standout alternatives? The decision is yours, and it could make all the difference in your Fantasy Premier League journey! Don't forget to share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!
