Captaincy options for GW12 – Bukayo Saka strong candidate despite injury concern
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GAMEWEEK 12 consists of just ten Premier League fixtures so that’s all Dream Team managers need to evaluate when deciding which player to captain.
Erling Haaland (£7.6m) toyed with gaffers in Gameweek 11 as he was substituted amid Manchester City’s 6-1 victory over Bournemouth having twisted his ankle.
The prolific poacher registered just one point against the Cherries but he made up for that disappointment with a 15-point haul against Young Boys in midweek.
Manchester City’s No9 will always be the default captain when fit but a trip to Stamford Bridge this Sunday represents represents a trickier fixture – although Pep Guardiola’s side will start as favourites in West London.
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For those who feel Gameweek 12 is a good time to take Haaland on, consider these alternatives for the armband…
Bukayo Saka (£6.3m)
Arsenal host Burnley on Saturday and so all eyes will once again be on the Gunners’ gifted No7.
Saka sent a message to his midfield rivals with a 21-point haul this Gameweek, mostly thanks to his fantastic display against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
The England winger has registered six goals and eight assists already this season and he’s now level with Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) on 22 bonus points at the top of that particular metric.
The Clarets have lost nine of their 11 league games since promotion and only Sheffield United have conceded more goals.
Everything seems aligned for another Saka masterclass this weekend but one potential drawback is his latest availability concern.
The 22-year-old limped off in midweek for the what felt like the hundredth time this year but Mikel Arteta has made it clear Saka will always play if available, even if he can only operate at half capacity.
Dream Team bosses should keep their eyes and ears peeled for further updates but at this stage it seems likely Dream Team’s top midfielder will be unleashed upon the league’s second-worst defence and that dynamic alone makes him a worthy captain.
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Kieran Trippier (£5.5m)
Another potential to mismatch to target is Bournemouth v Newcastle.
The Cherries have conceded just as many goals as Burnley while Eddie Howe’s side are second only to City in terms of goals scored.
That would suggest it may be best to back an attacking asset among the visitors’ starting line-up but Trippier is just as likely to register attacking returns as he is to bag a clean sheet.
The reliable right-back has created nine big chances and provided seven assists in all competitions – he ranks in the top five for both metrics among all players.
He’s also one of the most prolific bonus point collectors – only Saka, Eze and James Maddison (£4.4m) have more to their name at this stage.
Ollie Watkins (£4.7m)
Aston Villa were dealt a reality check by Nottingham Forest last weekend but they have the luxury of a home fixture against Fulham this weekend.
Unai Emery’s troops have been rampant at Villa Park, scoring 20 goals in five league fixtures compared six goals in as many games on the road.
The Villains’ No11 is evidently his side’s primary threat in the final third – he’s notched six goals and eight assists so far in 2023/24.
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Fulham are not the worst side in the league by any means but they’re massively dependant on Joao Palhinha (£3.4m), who is once again leading the way in terms of tackles among all Premier League players.
Only the three sides currently in the relegation zone have generated fewer xG than the Cottagers and their rank only marginally improves to 15th in terms of xGA (expected goals allowed – essentially measuring defensive quality).
All signs point to one-way traffic in the hosts’ favour and that should result in healthy returns for Watkins.
Some Dream Team gaffers may feel the captain’s armband is a bridge too far but Villa really are a formidable beast on home soil.
Kaoru Mitoma (£4m)
Perhaps too bold of a shout here as Brighton’s results have tailed off of late.
However, the Seagulls have the most favourable Premier League fixture possible on Sunday in the form of Sheffield United at home.
The Blades are bottom of the table having conceded 30 goals in 11 league fixtures.
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Granted, Paul Heckingbottom’s men did beat Wolves last time out but if Brighton play at even 75% capacity there should be substantial points on offer for Mitoma.
The skilful winger has banked 48 points across the last six Gameweeks and he may add to that tally if selected against Ajax this evening.
Make sure you lock in your captaincy selection before the 11:30am deadline this Saturday.
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