As the final gameweek of the 2023/24 Premier League season approaches, fantasy football managers are eager to maximize their points by selecting the perfect captain.
This last gameweek holds significant narratives, from Jurgen Klopp bidding farewell to Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of his fourth consecutive title. To aid managers in this crucial decision, let’s examine the FPL top captain picks, who could serve as ideal captain choices for the concluding fixtures of the season.
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Erling Haaland, priced at £14.2 million and playing for Manchester City, stands out as a prime candidate for captaincy in the final gameweek.
With both the Premier League title and the Golden Boot within reach, Haaland enters the decisive fixture against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium with high expectations.
City couldn’t have asked for a more favourable matchup, facing a West Ham side that has conceded the fourth-most goals in the league and possesses the third-worst expected goals conceded (xGC) record.
City are overwhelming favourites to score 2.5+ goals, backed by their league-leading goal tally and second-best expected goals (xG) statistic. With the title race going down to the wire and the FA Cup final not until six days later, Haaland is poised to start and showcase his exceptional finishing abilities against a vulnerable West Ham defense.
Given the circumstances and the promising fixture, Haaland is a compelling choice for the captain’s armband in the final gameweek.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Son Heung-min, valued at £9.9 million and representing Spurs, presents a strong captaincy option for the final gameweek.
Enjoying a productive season with 17 goals and nine assists, Son has been a consistent performer for his team. Spurs face a favorable fixture against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United to conclude the season.
Chris Wilder’s side has conceded a league-high 101 goals, with an expected goal conceded (xGC) of 73.1, showcasing their defensive struggles.
In contrast, Spurs have scored 71 goals, ranking sixth in the league, and are expected to continue their attacking prowess against Sheffield United, with a 62% chance of scoring 2.5+ goals.
As a mainstay in the starting lineup, Son offers both goal and assist threat, and he serves as Spurs’ primary penalty taker. With rumours suggesting Richarlison’s absence for the remainder of the season, Son is likely to continue leading the line as the team’s number 9. Given these factors and the promising fixture, Son emerges as an appealing choice for the captaincy in the final gameweek.
Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Kai Havertz, priced at £7.5 million and playing for Arsenal, emerges as a compelling captaincy option for the final gameweek, especially considering his stellar form in the latter part of the season.
With a total of 12 goals and 10 assists, including eight goals and eight assists since Gameweek 25, Havertz has been in scintillating form, accumulating the most FPL points (111) during this period.
Arsenal still harbors hopes of clinching the league title, albeit relying on a win against Everton and a Manchester City loss. The Gunners boast an impressive attacking record, ranking second in the league with 89 goals scored and third in expected goals (xG) with 75.92.
With Everton already securing safety from relegation, Arsenal are expected to dominate proceedings in this must-win fixture. The Gunners also have a 60% chance of scoring 2.5+ goals in Gameweek 38, further highlighting their attacking potential.
Havertz, deployed as Arsenal’s forward, has been a mainstay in the starting lineup since Gameweek 23, offering both goal-scoring and assist threat. Given these factors and the importance of the fixture, Havertz represents a strong candidate for the captaincy in the final gameweek.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah, valued at £13.5 million and representing Liverpool, emerges as an exceptional captaincy option for the final gameweek. With 18 goals and 11 assists to his name, Salah has been a standout performer throughout the season.
Liverpool enjoys a favourable home fixture against Wolves at Anfield, a team that has conceded 63 goals and possesses an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 61.9, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Given Wolves’ tendency to concede chances, Liverpool is poised to capitalize on numerous opportunities.
The Reds boast an impressive attacking record, ranking third in the league with 81 goals scored and leading the league in expected goals (xG) with 83.53. With Jurgen Klopp’s farewell and potentially Salah’s last game for the club, emotions will run high, potentially leading to a high-scoring affair. Salah, Liverpool’s clear talisman, is certain to start and serves as the primary goal threat, as well as the team’s first-choice penalty taker. Given these circumstances, Salah emerges as one of the top captaincy options for the final gameweek.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Cole Palmer, priced at £6.2 million and representing Chelsea, emerges as an intriguing captaincy option for the final gameweek, especially considering his remarkable season thus far. Currently the highest-scoring player in the game with 230 points, Palmer has been a sensation, tallying an impressive 21 goals and 12 assists.
Chelsea’s final fixture against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge presents a favourable opportunity, as Bournemouth has conceded 65 goals and possesses an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 58.4, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has showcased their attacking prowess, scoring 73 goals and boasting an expected goals (xG) of 71.16, positioning them as a strong attacking side. Palmer, being a mainstay in the starting lineup and on penalties, remains the talisman for Chelsea.
His remarkable 48% goal involvement rate is second only to the league’s elite players, further highlighting his impact on the team. For fantasy managers seeking a differential captaincy option for the final gameweek, Palmer emerges as a compelling choice, offering both goal-scoring and assist threat against a vulnerable Bournemouth defense.
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