Captaincy options for Gameweek 27: Gaffers encouraged to think outside the box with Liverpool to host Manchester City

ERLING HAALAND (£7.7m) is justifiably the default captain for most Dream Team managers.

However, with just one fixture for the Norwegian poacher in Gameweek 27, and that being a difficult match-up away to Liverpool, gaffers are encouraged to think outside the box ahead of Saturday’s 11:30 deadline.

In fact, such is the unpredictable nature of Sunday’s mouthwatering clash between two of the Premier League’s title contenders, it’s probably best to stay clear of the fixture altogether when allocating the armband this time around.

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Granted, Jurgen Klopp’s side have an additional fixture in the form of Sparta Prague at home in the Europa League but with a 5-1 aggregate lead, the German tactician will be able to rest his most important players (the main captaincy candidates) if he so wishes.

With that in mind, let’s peruse the other options.

Dominic Solanke (£3.9m)

Bournemouth’s No9 is the third-most popular recruit this week and it’s not inconceivable he’ll jump up to number one before tomorrow’s deadline.

And those who have brought him in ahead of Gameweek 27 should certainly consider him a viable captain.

Solanke has scored 16 goals already this season and his upcoming double header is about as favourable as it gets.

The Cherries host Sheffield United this weekend before welcoming Luton to the south coast on Wednesday night.

Given their top scorer averages 6.2 points-per-game in 2023/24, he’s well placed for a healthy double-digit haul – he may even achieve that against the beleaguered Blades alone.

Bukayo Saka (£5.9m)

Arsenal’s main man is clearly the best option among the highly-owned assets, assuming he’s available of course.

The England winger was substituted at half-time on Monday night having shown signs of illness and gaffers will be hoping for a positive update from Mikel Arteta this afternoon.

At the time of writing it seems unlikely Saka will sit out as he generally plays if available, no matter his condition.

Arsenal host Brentford on Saturday which is certainly a favourable match-up for attacking players this season – only the three promoted clubs have conceded more league goals than the Bees.

Arteta’s side will then welcome Porto to the Emirates for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 and with a 1-0 deficit to overturn, Saka will surely be needed from the get-go.

If the 22-year-old does start both fixtures then he should fill his boots – he’s scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions!

Jarrod Bowen (£4.7m)

Another popular Dream Team player with an appealing double header here.

On Sunday, West Ham are at home to a Burnley side with just 13 points to their name since promotion.

Only Sheffield United have conceded more goals than the Clarets in the top flight and so Bowen will fancy his chances of adding to his season tally of 17 goals.

Then on Thursday night, the Hammers will get another crack at Freiburg having lost 1-0 to the Bundesliga outfit in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie, this time on home soil.

More broadly, David Moyes’ side are one of just four teams with three fixtures across the next two Gameweeks so Bowen has the potential to climb the rankings.

The England international is already the fifth-best performer among all assets in terms of total points.

Ollie Watkins (£4.6m)

Aston Villa’s No11 has banked 81 points across the last six Gameweeks and is therefore a strong captaincy candidate on form alone.

Like Solanke, Saka and Bowen, Watkins also has the benefit of two home fixtures in Gameweek 29 although his opponents are hardly favourable.

Tottenham will frequent Villa Park on Sunday in what has the potential to be an enthralling contest before Ajax arrive on English shores for Europa Conference League commitments.

While other players certainly have more friendly fixtures, few are able to match Watkins’ pedigree given he’s scored 18 goals and registered 15 assists so far in 2023/24.

He has developed into an incredibly productive forward under Unai Emery’s tutelage and Villa’s home record in the last year offsets the fact that neither Spurs nor the Dutch giants are expected to roll over without resistance.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk