Captaincy & Booster options for Gameweek 28: 12th Man could cover absentees

DREAM TEAM managers should be aware that Gameweek 28 features just four Premier League fixtures.

Six top-flight sides are set to participate in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, however, during which players will score points as normal.

That leaves six teams without a single fixture this coming Gameweek: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton and Sheffield United.

With this in mind, let’s mull over potential Booster strategies and captaincy options.

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It’s probably wise to keep Park the Bus and Max Captain holstered as both Boosters are best deployed in a double Gameweek – like Gameweek 29 for example.

The same is true of 12th Man although this Booster could serve another function for gaffers caught short by this weekend’s blanks.

Several of Mikel Arteta’s favourites are among the most-popular players in the game and so it’s likely that many bosses will not be able to field a full XI in Gameweek 28, even after their transfers.

The likes of Pervis Estupinan (£2.7m), Lewis Dunk (£3.1m), Jordan Pickford (£2.7m), Dominic Solanke (£3.8m) and Eberechi Eze (£4m) will also be twiddling their thumbs this weekend.

Most gaffers should be able to stomach one or two inactive players but those missing half their line-up may feel they need to activate their 12th Man Booster to bolster their ranks.

Erling Haaland (£7.9m), Mohamed Salah (£6.5m), Darwin Nunez (£4.8m) and Son Heung-min (£4.6m) are all exceptional candidates.

And it’s the very same names leading the captaincy conversation.

It’s been months since a classic toss-up between Haaland and Salah but that’s exactly how many gaffers will see it this week.

Manchester City host Newcastle while Liverpool travel to Manchester United for their respective FA Cup quarter-finals.

Neither seem like especially favourable match-ups initially but the Magpies have conceded 16 goals in their last seven outings amid their slump to tenth in the Premier League table.

Current form suggests Eddie Howe’s side are not adequately prepared to withstand an Etihad onslaught.

Similarly, Erik ten Hag will be privately fearful of a shellacking on Sunday given the nature of his injury-hit defence.

The Red Devils beat Everton last weekend but they gave up plenty of chances and with Liverpool having scored 25 goals in their last eight outings, it could get messy for the hosts at Old Trafford.

Of course, there’s always a chance key players will be rested in the FA Cup but with a place in the semi-finals at stake and an international break to follow, it would be a surprise if Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp fielded a weakened line-up.

Salah had his wicked way with Sparta Prague on Thursday night to finish Gameweek 27 having added 22 points to his tally but Haaland boasts the best points-per-game average (9.5) among all assets this season.

Both are fantastic options but perhaps home advantage edges it to the Norwegian poacher?

Elsewhere, Son is probably the most-appealing alternative.

Tottenham’s captain played superbly against Aston Villa for his 16 points last weekend in what was a statement victory at a difficult stadium to visit.

The South Korean superstar averages a goal or assist every 90.8 minutes in the league this term and he’ll fancy his chances of improving his figures away to Fulham on Saturday.

Those uncertain about FA Cup line-ups should note that Spurs’ trip to Craven Cottage is a Premier League fixture.

The deadline for Gameweek 28 is 11:15am on Saturday – good luck!

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk