Here’s how I’m seeing the captaincy situation for GW30, 2025-26:
1. **Erling Haaland (vs. Burnley, H): Expected Points: 9.5**
Look, it’s Burnley at home. Under Vincent Kompany, they’ve shown flashes, but they’re still a leaky defense, especially on the road. Haaland has been... well, Haaland. After that brace against Brighton in GW29, taking him to 24 goals for the season, he’s back to looking sharp. He’s got four goals in his last three league games. The only reason his expected points aren't double digits is the chance of an early substitution if City get up big. But even 60-70 minutes against this Burnley side is ample time for a brace. He bagged 15 points against them earlier in the season. You play him, you captain him, you don't overthink it.
2. **Mohamed Salah (vs. Sheffield United, H): Expected Points: 8.8**
Sheffield United are, to put it mildly, a mess. Relegation looks all but certain for Chris Wilder’s side. They’ve conceded 70 goals this season, the worst in the league by a mile, and have let in 11 goals in their last three away games. Salah, meanwhile, has been quietly effective since his return from injury, notching two assists against Brighton last week and a goal against Wolves in GW28. He loves playing at Anfield, and this is the kind of fixture where he historically runs riot. The only slight hesitation is that he hasn't hit a truly explosive haul since GW25, but this is the perfect spot for it. He’s on penalties, he’s the main man. Easy pick.
3. **Cole Palmer (vs. Manchester United, H): Expected Points: 7.2**
Here's where it gets interesting. Palmer has been a revelation, a genuine FPL cheat code. He's got 14 goals and 9 assists this season, and a mind-boggling 8 goals in his last 7 league appearances. That includes a hat-trick against Newcastle in GW28. The fixture against Manchester United isn't easy, they’ve tightened up a bit defensively under Ten Hag, but they’re also prone to individual errors. United shipped four goals to Brentford in GW29 and looked shaky. Palmer is on penalties, he's involved in everything good Chelsea do, and he thrives under pressure. My slightly controversial opinion? He outscores Saka this week.
4. **Bukayo Saka (vs. Luton, H): Expected Points: 7.0**
Luton are scrapping for their lives, but their away form is dire. They’ve conceded 10 goals in their last three away games and their defense just can’t cope with top-tier attacks. Saka has been Arsenal’s talisman, with 16 goals and 10 assists this season. He's been consistently picking up returns, even if the massive hauls have been less frequent recently. He did blank against City in GW29, but that was a tough fixture. Back at home, against a porous defense, you expect him to deliver. The reason he’s slightly below Palmer for me is that Arsenal often share the goals around a bit more, and Palmer is arguably *more* central to Chelsea's attack than Saka is to Arsenal's.
5. **Ollie Watkins (vs. Wolves, H): Expected Points: 6.5**
Watkins against Wolves. A Midlands derby, usually a fiery affair. Watkins has been brilliant this season, 18 goals and 10 assists, a genuine contender for Player of the Year. He scored and assisted against West Ham last week, taking his tally to 5 attacking returns in his last 4 games. Wolves are decent defensively at times, but they've been missing key players recently, and their away form isn't fantastic. He's a reliable source of points and always a threat at Villa Park. Not quite in the Salah/Haaland tier for this week, but a solid option if you're looking for someone a little less chalky.
6. **Heung-min Son (vs. West Ham, A): Expected Points: 6.0**
Son blanked against Luton in GW29, which was a bit of a surprise, but he had two goals and an assist in the two games before that. West Ham are a tough nut to crack at home, but they’ve also been inconsistent. They shipped three goals to Villa last week. Son is still the main man for Spurs, particularly with Maddison still finding his rhythm. He's got 15 goals and 8 assists this season. It's an away derby, which can be cagey, but Son has a knack for scoring in big games. If you want a slightly bolder differential from the top five, Son could be your man.
7. **Kai Havertz (vs. Luton, H): Expected Points: 5.8**
Here's your proper differential. Havertz has been playing as a striker for Arsenal and has really hit a rich vein of form. Four goals and three assists in his last six league games. He's playing with confidence, getting into great positions, and against a Luton side that concedes chances, he could be in for a big haul. His effective ownership will be low because most managers will be on Saka. If you want to make a big move in your mini-league, taking a punt on Havertz is a legitimate shout this week. He had an assist against them earlier in the season.
8. **Alexander Isak (vs. Everton, H): Expected Points: 5.5**
Isak has been on fire lately. Four goals in his last three league games, including a brace against West Ham in GW29. He's looking incredibly sharp, leading the line for Newcastle, and they're at home. Everton are defensively solid under Dyche, but they're also not an impenetrable wall. They've conceded six goals in their last three away games. The only reason he's not higher is the slight injury risk and the fact that Newcastle can be a bit hit or miss, but if you're chasing and need a genuine differential, Isak could absolutely pop off for 10+ points.
It’s Haaland. If you own him, you captain him. No debate. If you don't, Salah is the clear alternative. But if you're feeling spicy, Palmer against a shaky United defense at home is where I'd go for a bit of a risk.
My bold prediction for GW30? Cole Palmer outscores Bukayo Saka and gets a double-digit haul against Manchester United, cementing his place as an FPL legend.
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