FPL GW8 Best Captain: Palmer, Salah, Haaland & More
Following another international break, we’re having a look at the best captaincy picks ahead of this week’s round of fixtures as the season begins to take shape. Here is the FPL GW8 Best Captain choices!
Our surprise pick for GW7 was West Ham playmaker Jarod Bowen, and he was in flying form. Within the first 60 seconds of their clash with Ipswich, he had supplied centre-forward Michail Antonio with an assist for his first goal of the season, a dream start.
The Hammers captain had to wait until the 49th minute to get on the scoresheet himself as a typical slaloming run down the right wing and a clinical finish to match resulted in a 3-1 lead for Julien Lopetegui’s men.
They ended up with a convincing 4-1 victory over recently promoted Ipswich and a well-needed 3 points following a sluggish start to the season. Bowen picked up 2 bonus points and an impressive tally of 12 after a dominant display against The Tractor Boys.
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!
FPL GW8 Best Captain Options: The Usual Suspects
- Erling Haaland (15.4m)
- Expected Points: 8.2
Erling Haaland’s record against this weekend’s opponents is ridiculous, thanks in large part to the 4 goals he scored against Wolves last season.
The Norwegian has lined up against them 4 times, hitting the net on 8 occasions. The only time Haaland failed to score in this fixture was a 2-1 defeat at Molineux; that is something to keep in mind when choosing who to give the captain’s armband to ahead of this gameweek.
Premier League’s top scorer Haaland failed to score last time out in their 3-2 victory over Fulham at the Etihad, meaning he has been kept scoreless in his last two Premier League appearances.
It’s hard to see that run continuing, and with Wolves below-par start to the season coupled with conceding five to Brentford last time out, you would fear for Gary O’Neill’s side coming up against a goal-hungry City.
- Bukayo Saka (10.1m)
- Expected Points: 5.6
Having picked up a knock on international duty that ruled him out of England’s match with Finland. Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit for Arsenal’s trip to face Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Gunners fans would’ve feared the worst when they saw their influential winger hobble off against Greece last weekend. The injury has since been confirmed as minor, and Arsenal’s leading FPL points scorer this season will be hopeful of continuing his scoring run against The Cherries this weekend.
Saka has scored in his last two appearances against this weekend’s opponents and has started this season in scintillating form, undoubtedly Arsenal’s most influential player.
Having taken notice of how dangerous Saka has been recently, it is very hard to see how he won’t be pivotal again as the Gunners hope to continue their surge towards the league’s summit.
- Mo Salah (12.7m)
- Expected Points: 8.3
Against his former club Chelsea, Mo Salah has had less success than he would’ve hoped. Since moving to Liverpool, he has made 13 Premier League appearances against the Blues, winning only 4 times.
But with 4 goals to his name so far this season, the Egyptian forward will hope to add to that tally when the Reds host Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
It was a quiet day for Salah last time out, as he was taken off after 72 minutes at Selhurst Park. He got little change out of Palace wing-back Tyrick Mitchell but will hope to make amends when he goes toe-to-toe with Spaniard Marc Cucurella this weekend.
With a trip to the Emirates coming up, the Egyptian will hope to hit form at a crucial time in the Reds bid to keep pace at the top of the league.
With a tough run of fixtures coming up, it’s hard to say with confidence that the Reds wideman is a good choice to trust with the captain’s armband.
- Cole Palmer (10.8m)
- Expected Points: 6.6
An assist in his last outing against Nottingham Forest means Cole Palmer sits as the joint top FPL points scorer this season.
Having only played at Anfield once so far during his short Chelsea career, it’s tough to predict how Palmer will perform when the two heavyweights clash on Sunday afternoon.
He has started the season in brilliant form and will hope to continue that on as Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit in 4th place with 14 points from their opening seven matches.
Palmer will be full of confidence having started both internationals for England during the break, but we feel holding off on giving the young midfielder the captain’s armband is the best option ahead of this weekend.
FPL GW8 Best Captain Options: The Surprise Pick
- Anthony Gordon (7.3m)
- Expected Points: 5.7
Despite not boasting the best record against this week’s opponents Brighton, Anthony Gordon will have a point to prove after missing a penalty last time out against boyhood club Everton.
He has lined up against the Seagulls 3 times and has been unable to find the back of the net yet, but we feel this weekend is the perfect opportunity for the England international.
Having been an unused sub in England’s final international away to Finland, the 23-year-old will be fresh and ready to cause havoc against a Brighton defence that are leaking goals at will at the moment.
Since moving to Newcastle, Gordon has not hit the back of the net in 3 appearances against the Seagulls but we feel this weekend is the perfect opportunity for him to change that.
Having made 27 goal contributions last year (16 goals, 11 assists), the Liverpool native has started this season slowly (2 goals, 0 assists), but Saturday afternoon is when his season will kick into life.
If you want a differential captain, trust Gordon with your team’s captaincy ahead of GW8.
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