FPL GW12 Best Captain: Palmer, Salah, Haaland & More
Following another International break, (Thankfully the last until March) we’re having a look at the best captaincy picks for GW12 ahead of this week’s round of fixtures. Here are the best captaincy choices ahead of gameweek 12 in FPL..
Our surprise pick for GW11 was Tottenham wideman Son Heung-min, his side went down to a shock defeat to Premier League new-boys Ipswich Town.
The Spurs captain struggled to impact the game and was put on the back foot from the start with the likes of Ben Johnson, Reece Hutchinson & Sammie Szmodics in top form for the Tractor Boys resulting in the Japanese International picking up a frustrating 2 points.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the home side who would’ve earmarked the game as a huge opportunity to gain 3 points and continue their decent start to the season.
This week presents another opportunity to make some ground within your FPL mini-leagues, and we’re confident this week’s surprise pick will be popular among supporters. Let’s get into the action for GW12!
FPL GW12 Best Captain Options: The Usual Suspects
- Bukayo Saka (10.1m)
- Expected Points: 6.47
Following a knock that kept him out of International duty, Bukayo Saka will be well-rested ahead of this weekend’s fixture at home to Nottingham Forest.
Coming into this weekend’s match, Arsenal and Forest both sit on 19 points as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have begun the season in excellent form.
The Gunners will know that 3 points are a must this weekend as they’ve failed to pick up a win in their last 4 Premier League matches as they begin to lose ground in the title race.
Although their confidence will be boosted by their superior head-to-head record against this weekend’s opponent, Arsenal have won 6 out of the last 7 games against Forest, an encouraging stat ahead of Saturday afternoon in GW12.
In their last match before the break, they travelled across London to Stamford Bridge and a date with rivals Chelsea. After taking the lead through a Gabriel Martinelli goal in the 60th minute, Mikel Arteta’s side began to sit back and protect their lead which resulted in a Chelsea equaliser and a share of the spoils.
Saka however struggled to get into the game and Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella was able to limit the impact the English winger had on the game.
He has however scored in his last 2 appearances against Forest and this weekend presents a perfect opportunity to add to the 3 goals he has bagged so far this season.
We advise trusting the Arsenal wideman with your captain’s armband ahead of GW12.
- Mo Salah (12.9m)
- Expected points: 7.47
We’re running out of ways to describe Mo Salah. The numbers Liverpool’s star man continues to produce are nothing short of unbelievable as the Reds continue their impressive form to sit at the top of the Premier League as we head into GW12.
Having scored in his last 4 Premier League appearances, the Egyptian is in the form of his life. Not only is he closing in on Erling Haaland at the top of the goalscoring charts he is also 2nd in most assists (6) provided in the league.
Having been rested instead of travelling to Egypt during the international break, Salah will be fresh and raring to go as Liverpool head to St Marys to face Southampton.
With 11 goal contributions (7 goals, 4 assists) in as many games against the Saints, Salah will be confident of adding to that stat this weekend.
With talk continuing to surround if Liverpool’s top scorer will be at Anfield next season, Liverpool fans are desperate for the goal machine to extend his contract with the club.
The Egyptian seems like a prime candidate to take the captain’s armband in GW12 as it continues to get tougher to avoid the 32-year-old each week.
- Cole Palmer (10.9m)
- Expected Points: 6.85
The Blues head to the King Power stadium for the early kick-off on Saturday following contrasting results for both teams before the international break.
Leicester were on the end of a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford while Chelsea shared the spoils with London rivals and title chasers Arsenal.
Coming into the match, Chelsea are aiming to continue their good form as they aim for a European place while Leicester are desperate to pick up points that will keep them in the division come May.
Chelsea’s talisman Palmer has yet to line-up against Leicester in the Premier League for Chelsea, but that should change in GW12.
Despite not being involved in any goal contributions since GW9, the Englishman will be keen to add to his 7 goals scored so far in this campaign.
Having been one of several players to pull out of Lee Carsley’s final England squad, the talisman should be well-rested and ready to go ahead of the clash on Saturday.
For this reason alone, Palmer’s captaincy ahead of this round of fixtures has to be considered.
- Erling Haaland (15.2m)
- Expected points: 6.49
The big centre forward has been involved in four goal contributions (3 goals, 1 assist) against this weekend’s opponents Tottenham in four appearances in the Premier League.
Despite opening the scoring in GW10 against Brighton, Haaland was on the losing side as the Seagulls came back and claimed a 2-1 victory to resign Pep Guardiola to his 4th defeat in a row as Manchester City boss.
The last few weeks of club action may not have gone the Norwegian’s way but he was back among the goals and in great form for his country during the International break, scoring 4 in 2 matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
That may be the lift the 24-year-old needed and Spurs may be on the end of an in-form and goal hungry Haaland in GW12.
It may be recency bias but for that reason the City no.9 cannot be overlooked for this weekend’s captaincy.
FPL GW12 Best Captain Options: The Surprise Pick
Alexsander Isak (8.5m)
Expected Points: 5.64
This weekend, Alexander Isak comes up against West Ham on Monday night at St James Park. The Hammers defence will be having nightmares about the 25-year-old after he bagged a brace in this fixture last season.
The Newcastle frontman has hit the net 5 times in just 3 outings against this weekend’s opponents and that stat alone will give him great confidence heading into a crucial time for the Toon Army with a number of winnable games coming up as their bid for European football heats up.
During the International break, Isak was on the scoresheet as Sweden swept aside both Slovakia and Azerbaijan to confirm their progression from League C of the Nations League.
Recently the Newcastle man has struck up a lethal partnership with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres with the pair crucial to the Swedes recent top form.
If he can continue that form with his club, coupled with his record against West Ham, you could be in for a profitable Monday night on FPL if he performs how we expect in GW12.
Having scored in his last 5 appearances for Newcastle, it’s a no-brainer to trust him with your captaincy ahead of this weekend.
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