Fantasy Premier League managers are facing crucial decisions as double-game weeks and empty-game weeks loom on the horizon for various clubs. Liverpool’s match against Luton has been rescheduled due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final. Meanwhile, Manchester City faces tough fixtures against Chelsea and Brentford in Gameweek 25 respectively, stemming from their Club World Cup involvement at the end of the previous year.
Considering these factors, along with the return of European football, selecting substitutions and predicting player rotation becomes paramount. To aid in decision-making, let’s explore the FPL top captain picks for Gameweek 24.
Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Despite Liverpool’s disappointing performance against Arsenal, there’s little doubt that they remain one of the top teams in the league. Looking ahead, their upcoming fixtures appear favourable, with matches against Burnley at home, Brentford away, and Luton at home, the latter two set to be part of a doubleheader in Gameweek 25.
Given Mohamed Salah‘s absence due to injury, it’s wise to have an attacker from Liverpool in your squad, considering their propensity for scoring goals. With three out of four available forwards typically starting, Luis Diaz emerges as a compelling option, especially considering his recent improvement in form. Diaz, classified as a midfielder in FPL, has registered two assists and a goal in his last three outings. Moreover, he comes at a more budget-friendly price compared to another alternative, Diogo Jota, making him an appealing choice for FPL managers.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa boasts one of the strongest home records in the Premier League, making them an attractive option to consider when fixtures are favourable. Currently, their upcoming matches appear promising, with a home game against Manchester United followed by fixtures against Fulham away, Nottingham Forest at home, and Luton away.
Given the team’s recent form and fixture list, Ollie Watkins stands out as an excellent choice for Fantasy Premier League managers. Despite a slight dip in form with just one goal in five games, Watkins has bounced back impressively, tallying two goals and five assists in the last four matches. This run has seen him average 8.5 points per game. Additionally, there’s a bonus for potential investors: Watkins is now priced 0.1m cheaper than he was just two weeks ago, despite being owned by 53% of teams. For those not yet among that majority, now might be the opportune moment to make the switch and capitalize on his recent performances.
Also Read: Predicted Lineups | Team News | Injury Updates | FPL Gameweek 23
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
While many Fantasy Premier League managers already have Kevin de Bruyne in their squads and a significant portion have opted for Erling Haaland, Phil Foden remains somewhat overlooked, with only a quarter of managers currently owning him. However, his season total of 104 points places him seventh among midfielders, with three of those ranked above him currently sidelined due to injury or international duty.
Sometimes, simplicity prevails when selecting players who consistently deliver points through scoring or creating opportunities. Manchester City‘s upcoming fixtures include Everton this weekend followed by a double gameweek against Chelsea and Brentford, with all three matches being played at home. While there’s a possibility Foden may be rotated for one of these fixtures, he has featured for the full 90 minutes in five of City’s last six league matches, earning impressive points returns along the way, including five, six, eight, and 12 points in recent outings.
Even if you already have Foden’s midfield teammate De Bruyne, who comes at a higher price of 10.8m, Foden at 7.9m represents a valuable addition to your squad. The City Forward has already scored a hat-trick in the previous gameweek and is high on confidence.
Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
For Fantasy Premier League managers seeking a budget-friendly forward option, Matheus Cunha emerges as a promising choice. Under Gary O’Neil’s management at Wolves, Cunha has been in red-hot form, netting four goals and providing three assists in his last five matches.
Although his standout performance was against Chelsea with a hat-trick, upcoming opponents such as Brentford, Tottenham, and Sheffield United have all shown defensive vulnerabilities this season, ranking among the bottom six teams for goals conceded across the last six league games.
This presents an opportune moment for Wolves to exploit these defensive frailties, especially considering they’ve been among the most prolific goal-scorers across the same set of fixtures. With just 6% of teams currently owning him, Cunha represents a potential differential pick for FPL managers looking to gain an edge.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
Mitoma, the winger for Brighton & Hove Albion, is now back in contention for selection after Japan’s elimination from the Asian Cup.
His return to domestic action aligns with a favorable schedule for Brighton, which could benefit key attackers like Mitoma.
Based on Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), Brighton’s upcoming matches from Gameweek 25 onwards are all rated at just two, indicating relatively easy fixtures.
Looking at the underlying statistics, Mitoma has the potential to make an immediate impact, especially in the upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur. Before departing for international duty, he ranked among Brighton’s top two players for shots taken, shots in the box, and key passes, highlighting his importance to the team’s attacking threat.
Also Read: FPL Team Of The Week- Gameweek 23