FPL Captain Call Gameweek 35: Who’s the best pick?

Another manager has been shown the door this week with Javi Gracia being relieved of his duties as Leeds manager as ‘Big Sam’ Allardyce has been given the reigns to keep Leeds in the Premier League. This has a big implication in that Manchester City face Leeds in this gameweek and could potentially be stifled by the big man himself.

Liverpool host Brentford at Anfield in another fixture with potential captaincy options. Liverpool have looked much better at home than away this campaign while Brentford have struggled as of late on the road (outside of a win against Chelsea).

It is the time of the season when you have to go for broke depending on your position in your respective mini-league or your overall rank. Maybe the daring differential should be considered more often for the run home if you are in a chasing position while the top pick will help those who have a lead in their mini-league and are looking to maintain it.

Whether you’re looking for a safe pick or a high-risk/high-reward option, we’ve analysed all the fixtures to help you make the best decision for your team.

Gameweek 35 according to the bookies here

Four gameweeks in a row of double-digit hauls (not including Manchester City’s blank gameweek) has seen Haaland cement his auto-captains status. We have spoken about his stats and Manchester City’s performances enough so let’s focus on the other parts to this puzzle.

Manchester City host Leeds which is the best possible fixture you can get based on Leeds’ recent form. They have conceded four goals to Bournemouth, five goals to Crystal Palace and six to Liverpool in the past month in poor fashion.

However, the man himself Big Sam Allardyce has taken the reigns of the club and is determined to keep the club in the premier league as they teeter on the relegation zone. Big Sam is known for his prowess in grinding out results in times such as these. Could we see a potential 0-0 or 1-1 draw that scores Leeds a valuable point? Potentially.

Haaland and Manchester City also travel to Spain to face Real Madrid three days after this fixture which gives some reason for a potential benching for Haaland.

We would suggest only not captain Haaland if you are desperately chasing a large gap or looking for a fun differential play.

Haaland has been given a 70% chance of scoring according to the bookies and we suggest you take those odds.

Salah’s FPL output in recent weeks has been similar to the form that saw him break FPL records in previous seasons. Salah and Liverpool look full of confidence in attack as they chase a Champions League qualification position on the table.

Liverpool host Brentford and as previously mentioned are much better at home than away this season, adding to this was a 1-0 win against Fulham in the week.

Salah scored from the spot to further restore his confidence and suggests he shall remain on penalty duties.

Brentford have only earned 19 of their 50 points in away fixtures and have only not conceded against relegation battling teams and Chelsea.

Salah has been assigned a 53% chance of scoring and we believe he should be in the points once again.

Rashford has hardly missed a beat since returning from injury. A goal and two assists in his last two fixtures (this article has been written before the Brighton fixture) has seen Rashford increase his season totals to 16 goals and 7 assists, an impressive haul at this point in the season.

Manchester United have benefitted from the return to fitness of Christian Eriksen and a dynamic front four which has scored goes freely over the past month.

West Ham host Manchester United who will be without central defender Kurt Zouma which will add to the defensive fragility of the Hammers.

West Ham have conceded nine goals in their last three fixtures and nine goals also across their last three home fixtures.

There should definitely be at least two goals for Manchester United in this fixture as they fight for their Champions League qualification spot in the top four.

Rashford has been given a 41% chance to score but is also likely to record an assist.

Brighton host an Everton side that was lucky to not concede even more goals than the two they conceded against Leicester in the week.

Everton were saved by Jordan Pickford’s penalty save and some unlucky finishing from Leicester’s forwards which could have easily turned the match into a drubbing.

Everton find themselves needing to get forward and find goals in their quest for three points in each fixture and this is something that Brighton and Mitoma could expose.

Mitoma has been unlucky not to return points in recent weeks. His underlying stats have been great but he has been let down by teammates poor finishing or has been denied by great goalkeeping.

Brighton are looking to secure a European qualification spot and will be very enthusiastic during their remaining matches.

Mitoma’s designated 35% chance of scoring could provide the perfect differential for Gameweek 35.

Nick, also known as StatsmanFPL, is a qualified data analyst with a love for FPL. He analyses the data so you don’t have to. Make sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.