The Hard Tackle looks at the best candidates to hand the captain’s armband heading into Gameweek 36 of the 2023/24 FPL season.
The 2023/24 Premier League season is reaching its conclusion, with only three more rounds of fixtures remaining. A double gameweek in FPL is upon us next weekend, but before then, managers need to get their squads in shape.
While managers will likely make their transfers keeping DGW 37 in mind, they also need to worry about who they should place the captain’s armband on this weekend. In addition, the deadline arrives a day early this week, with Luton Town and Everton clashing at Kenilworth Road on Friday night.
So, with that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists four candidates that are the best options for the Fantasy Premier League managers to pick as their captains in GW 36. We have a who’s who of selection this week, with candidates from the top two clubs being among the players you should consider.
Erling Haaland (£14.1m)
Our list begins with a player who has not been at his best for much of the 2023/24 season. However, such are his levels that he is still sitting pretty atop the Premier League Golden Boot charts. We are talking about Erling Haaland.
Last weekend’s goal against Nottingham Forest took Haaland’s tally this season to 21 goals, one ahead of Cole Palmer, who drew a blank against Aston Villa later that day. However, Haaland’s form in the last few months does not inspire confidence to hand him the captain’s armband.
The Norwegian international has missed a few games in recent months. But even when he has started games, Haaland has not guaranteed returns in FPL, failing to find the back of the net in three of his seven most recent outings. However, with Manchester City facing a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers, Haaland is a safe option to be your FPL captain.
Bukayo Saka (£9.0m)
Our list continues with another player who has blown hot and cold in the last few months. We are talking about Bukayo Saka, who has not been at his best amid Arsenal’s inconsistent run in recent weeks.
The English international scored goals for fun in the first few months of 2024, amassing points left, right, and centre. However, amid Arsenal’s inconsistent run in April, Saka was one of the guilty parties, struggling to stamp his authority in the final third.
He was also sub-par as Arsenal bowed out of the UEFA Champions League. However, Saka has shown some positive signs in his two most recent Premier League outings, scoring once and providing two assists to rack up 18 points in FPL. With Bournemouth up next for Arsenal, the English international should be among the goals again, even if the Cherries take the game to their illustrious opponents.
Alexander Isak (£8.3m)
Our list continues with a striker who has come into his own in the last few weeks. He has been top-class in home games, in particular. And while Newcastle United’s away form might not fill one with confidence, Alexander Isak will face a vulnerable Burnley defence this weekend.
The Swede has racked up the goals this season and is only two strikes behind Erling Haaland in the race to win the Premier League Golden Boot. That has brought the former Real Sociedad striker to the radar of high-profile clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Isak has amassed 27 points in his last three outings in FPL, although his best results have come in home games. However, as iterated earlier, Newcastle United will face Burnley this weekend, making it an attractive outing for Isak and the Magpies as they look to keep their European hopes alive.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m)
Our list ends with a player whose team has failed to embark on long winning runs throughout the 2023/24 season. However, he has been a shining light amid the sub-par showings of his teammates and the club as a whole. We are talking about Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese international has proven worthy of the Manchester United captain’s armband this season, leading almost every metric relevant to him. Fernandes has ten goals and eight assists thus far this term, with the contributions racking up in recent weeks.
The 29-year-old has amassed 65 points in his last seven FPL outings, only drawing a blank in two games. With Manchester United facing a vulnerable Crystal Palace backline, the team’s talisman should fancy his chances of continuing his fine run of form.
