FPL Captaincy Conundrum: Gameweek 28

The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 28 of the 2025/26 season.

Gameweek 28 in the Premier League is right around the corner, and for FPL managers, it is time to nail that captaincy pick. With fixtures shaking out like Leeds United hosting Manchester City, Liverpool welcoming West Ham United, Aston Villa at Wolves, Manchester United facing Crystal Palace, and Brentford travelling to Burnley, some mouthwatering matchups stand out.

The captaincy debate heats up every week, but GW28 feels special because of these juicy home games for big clubs against leaky defences. You have got goal machines up against sides that cannot keep a clean sheet to save their lives. It is the kind of slate where one smart armband choice can rocket you up the rankings or leave you cursing if it flops.

Think about it; FPL rewards players who feast on weak backlines, deliver bonuses, and maybe even bag assists. We are eyeing five lads who tick those boxes, from proven scorers shaking off dips to rising stars in perfect spots. No need for wild gambles here; these are solid shouts based on form, fixtures, and opponent woes.

We will break down each one, digging into why their match-up screams points. Whether you are chasing mini-leagues or just want to avoid a blank, these guys could double your points and change your weekend.

Erling Haaland: City’s FPL beast vs Leeds chaos

Erling Haaland remains the go-to captaincy name in most matchdays, and GW28 is no different with Manchester City heading to Leeds United. The Norwegian striker has terrorised defences all season, boasting an insane average of over 10 FPL points per game early on, thanks to his knack for bullying keepers and racking up bonus.

Even with a quiet spell lately, his sheer presence demands respect, as over a million managers backed him then. Leeds United’s backline has been a nightmare this term, leaking goals left and right with shaky stats in interceptions and clearances that leave them exposed.

The Whites have struggled to handle big forwards, giving Haaland the perfect stage to rediscover his ruthlessness at Elland Road. Manchester City’s attack flows through him, and against a side that has conceded plenty, expect headers, tap-ins, and those extra points for effort, making him the safest armband bet.

Hugo Ekitike: Liverpool hotshot eyes West Ham weak spot

Hugo Ekitike has lit up the scoresheet for Liverpool this term, notching 10 goals and 2 assists in just 1,599 minutes for a stellar average rating. The young forward’s movement and finishing have made him an FPL darling, even if he has gone quiet in five of his last six league outings. That dry spell? Forget it, as GW28 brings West Ham United to Anfield, with their defence begging to be picked apart.

West Ham’s back four has been all over the place, shipping 45 goals already, the worst in the league, with huge gaps between midfield and defence turning transitions into goals galore. They have got no clean sheets in 20 games, making them prime for Ekitike to exploit with his pace and positioning. Liverpool at home will dominate possession, feeding him chances, making this tie perfect for a big haul despite the recent blanks.

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa’s midfield menace at Wolves’ door

Morgan Rogers is turning heads in Aston Villa’s midfield, especially with his recent surge of 14 points over three games that has Aston Villa dreaming big. His creativity and box arrivals make him a points machine, even if early season saw him lose possession a ton while the team found its feet.

Gameweek 28 pits Aston Villa against Wolves, whose defence is in freefall, sitting bottom of the league with the worst save percentage and way more goals conceded than expected. Wolves cannot stop leaks, facing constant pressure without the tackles or recoveries to hold firm.

Rogers thrives in transition, crowding spaces and creating chaos, which spells trouble for a side that has again gone without a win for a long spell. Despite any wobbles, this fixture screams Rogers bonuses, assists, maybe even a goal, making him an armband candidate.

Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United’s engine vs Crystal Palace holes

Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings for Manchester United in the final third, his vision and shots making him indispensable no matter the lineup. Sure, he blanked against West Ham and Everton lately, but his season-long haul shines thanks to consistent double-digit returns. Facing Crystal Palace, who concede around 1.34 xGA per game, his magic could unlock floods of points.

The South London club’s backline wobbles with xG against matching their leaks, leaving gaps for midfield maestros like Bruno Fernandes to exploit. Manchester United rely on him for creativity, and at home, expect him to boss the game with assists or spot-kicks. Those recent ducks? Just noise, as his history vs Crystal Palace suggests a bounce-back is coming.

Igor Thiago: Brentford’s Brazilian bully vs Burnley’s sieve

Igor Thiago’s season for Brentford has been up and down, mirroring Hugo Ekitike with blanks in five of his last six games. But the £7.1m striker’s 17 goals overall keep him in the chat. The Brazilian’s power and finishing shine when chances come, and GW28 at Burnley offers a feast against a porous backline that has allowed massive expected threat all year.

Burnley’s defence ranks near the bottom, struggling to shut down progressive play and conceding chances galore. Thiago does not need perfect form here; just Brentford’s attack probing a weak setup means tap-ins and headers aplenty. It is a classic differential captaincy punt with a huge upside if he clicks.

Key FPL Captaincy Options at a Glance

Honourable Mentions

Do not sleep on these for your squad: Declan Rice bossing Arsenal’s midfield, Kevin Schade’s pace for Brentford, Bryan Mbeumo’s consistency, Matheus Cunha’s threat, Rayan Vitor flying under radar, Antoine Semenyo’s Manchester City bite, Viktor Gyokeres if form continues, and Danny Welbeck’s veteran nous for Brighton & Hove Albion.