The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 24 of the 2025/26 season.
Gameweek 24 kicks off soon, and your FPL team is yearning for the captaincy pick. The pressure is real: one smart armband call, and you are leaping thousands of spots in the rankings; pick wrong, and you are left with your head in your hands. With blockbuster clashes and eye-catching fixtures on the cards, the decision is not easy.
This is not your standard captaincy chit-chat. We are zeroing in on five absolute nails who mix monster form, plum fixtures, and that proven knack for FPL fireworks. Erling Haaland is sniffing for goals like a bloodhound, Hugo Ekitike is bursting onto the scene, Cole Palmer is eager to get back to his best, Bruno Fernandes is pulling every string, and Ollie Watkins is finally cooking.
These are not guesses; they are backed by shaky opponent backlines and hauls that keep owners grinning. Captaincy late in January hits different, as double Gameweeks loom, chips burn fast, and every point hauls you closer to glory. Nail Gamweek 24, and you are the oracle; bust it, and regrets linger. We have sifted the stats, form ticks, and match-up magic to hand you the edge, so you dodge the herd and back a winner.
Coming up: deep dives on each star, unpacking their season tear-ups, foe frailties, and those recent point explosions that yell “armband me.” By the end, your choice will feel rock-solid. Who is it gonna be? Let’s find out.
Erling Haaland’s rampage
Manchester City’s Norwegian hitman Erling Haaland tops the captaincy poll every time his name pops up, and Gameweek 24 is no different with Tottenham up next. Spurs have shipped 31 goals after 23 matches this term, only six fewer than last season at this stage, despite seven clean sheets that mask their shaky backline. That is a green light for Haaland, who thrives against leaky setups like this.
Haaland’s 2025/26 exploits are legendary already, as he has 20 goals and 4 assists in 23 games for 166 FPL points, averaging over 7 points per outing and on pace for a record-breaking 320+ total. Sure, he has blanked lately, but rewind to his double against West Ham United for 32 captained points, or his consistent bonus hauls, and you see why he is unbreakable. Against Spurs’ porous defense, expect him to feast again and reward the faithful.
Hugo Ekitike’s hot streak
Liverpool’s summer signing Hugo Ekitike is firing on all cylinders, making him a sneaky captaincy shout versus Newcastle United at Anfield. The Magpies have leaked 29 goals this season, ranking poorly in recoveries and clearances, which plays right into the Frenchman’s strengths up top. With their back four prone to lapses, the young Frenchman could tear them apart.
Ekitike, nabbed from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, has eight league goals in 14 starts. Priced at £8.8m, he has smashed past low expectations with steady returns and is poised for 150+ points if he keeps starting. Newcastle United’s flaws make this his moment to shine big for FPL owners.
Cole Palmer’s magic touch
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer dazzles as a mid-price gem, and West Ham United at home screams captain potential. The Hammers have struggled defensively this season, hemorrhaging possession in risky zones and facing high-threat offenses, leaving gaps the English playmaker exploits ruthlessly.
Palmer’s historic hauls are the stuff of FPL dreams. This season, he has kept the party going with goals, assists, and bonus magnets, albeit at a slower rate. West Ham’s woes mean another haul is on the cards, doubling your investment.
Bruno Fernandes’s clutch factor
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes pulls strings in the final third, and Fulham at Old Trafford is ripe for his wizardry. The Cottagers sit mid-table with inconsistent defending; their non-pen xGA screams bottom-half frailty at home, despite some solid patches, making them vulnerable to Bruno’s magic. His vision and shots from distance dismantle such sides.
In 2025/26, Bruno Fernandes boasts hauls like 18 points from a brace-plus-assist rampage, topping midfielder ranks and echoing his 20-point hat-trick opener years back. Against Fulham historically, he has netted twice with an assist in nine Premier League ties, and he will be eager to make amends after missing the penalty in the reverse fixture. Manchester United lean on him heavily, so expect penalties, key passes, and bonus to flow in Gameweek 24.
Ollie Watkins’s form surge
Aston Villa sharpshooter Ollie Watkins is red-hot, facing Brentford who ooze defensive fragility this term. The Englishman’s recent run, including wins, goals, and assists in bursts, has him peaking just as Brentford’s backline crumbles under pressure. This match-up boosts his haul chances sky-high.
His match ratings and stats scream involvement: full 90s in big wins, strikes in tight games, and consistent returns post-November. Blank spells are ancient history; now it is goals in 4-0 romps and away triumphs, with Brentford’s leaks amplifying everything. Captain him for a potential double-digit explosion.
Key FPL Captaincy Options
| Player | Club | Opponent | Main Appeal | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Tottenham (A) | Goal machine vs leaky Spurs backline | Low |
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | Newcastle United (H) | Four goals in two vs shaky defense | Medium |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | West Ham United (H) | Haul history vs poor recent form | Low |
| Bruno Fernandes | Man United | Fulham (H) | Final-third king vs inconsistent D | Medium |
| Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa | Brentford (H) | Hot form vs vulnerable backline | Low |
Honourable Mentions
Honourable mentions go to Florian Wirtz, Enzo Fernandez, Harry Wilson, Bryan Mbeumo, Morgan Rogers, Matheus Cunha, Bukayo Saka, and Brian Brobbey; each with tempting fixtures but slightly higher risks this week.
