Best Captain for Gameweek 36

The new round of Fantasy Premier League is approaching so we take a look at the candidates and pick out the best captain for Gameweek 36. To do this we use some of the fantastic tools in the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area.

As we approach the latter stages of the competition picking the right captain will be absolutely crucial for rank and mini-league position. As tempting as it is to go against the crowd, giving the armband to the player with the most factors backing them tends to be the best option. So, lets take a look at who we should consider this week.

Gameweek 36 Fixtures

The Options – Alexander Isak

Newcastle have been brilliant recently – The Magpies have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six matches. In that same period they also racked up a huge 15 goals. During that time they also rank joint third best for total goals scored, fourth best for shots in the box and joint second best for total big chances.

Burnley are the upcoming opposition. The newly promoted side have improved recently but have still won just one of their last six matches. When looking at their underlying defensive data in the last six Gameweeks they also sit fourth worst for total shots in the box conceded, second worst for total shots on target conceded and joint third worst for big chances conceded.

Leading the Newcastle attack is Alexander Isak (£8.3m). Isak has been exceptional as of late and we can see that in his seven goals and one assist in the last six matches. During the same six games the penalty taker also ranks second best for non-penalty expected goal involvement, fourth best for total attempts on goal, third best for total shots in the box and the best for big chances total.

Erling Haaland

Manchester City are another side in excellent form. In fact, in their last six league matches they have won five and drawn one, remaining unbeaten and a scoring a huge 19 goals. When it comes to the stats they also rank top for total goals scored, second best for total attempts on goal, second best for total shots in the box and second best for total shots on target.

Manchester City have an interesting opponent ahead. Wolves are up next, a side who have won just one and failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six games. Defensively they also sit joint third worst for shots on target conceded, which may come as a surprise.

Penalty taker Erling Haaland (£14.1m) will of course lead the Manchester City frontline. Comparing his recent data would be unfair as he returned from injury in Gameweek 32 and didn’t feature in Gameweek 34. However, since returning he has scored in all three of his last three league matches. Although the Norwegian has missed seven matches due to injury this season he still ranks top for goals scored, top for total shots in the box and the best for total big chances.

Cole Palmer

Chelsea have been very inconsistent this season when it comes to actual results – winning just two of their last six matches (at the time of writing). That same period however also saw them net 16 goals. Also, when you compare them to other teams in that same period they rank second best for total goals scored, fourth best for total attempts on goal and joint second best for total big chances.

West Ham could be an interesting challenge this week considering it’s a London Derby. The Hammers have won one, lost three and drawn one of their last six, whilst also shipping 15 goals. Statistically things haven’t been good for West Ham defensively. In fact, they rank third worst for total goals conceded, third worst for shots in the box conceded, joint third worst for total shots on target conceded and joint worst for total big chances conceded.

Cole Palmer (£6.2m) has become integral to the Chelsea attack, contributing toward around 50% of their goals since joining this season. Recently Palmer has amassed a mammoth nine goals and one assist in the last six league matches. The data reinforces his excellent run as he sits first for non-penalty expected goal involvement, first for goals, top for total attempts on goal and joint second best for total big chances.

Who is the best captain for Gameweek 36?

Alexander Isak has been one of the best assets in the game recently. However, both his and his sides away form is a concern, and that alone could be enough to look elsewhere.

Cole Palmer is another brilliant option for captaincy. Similar to Isak he has been brilliant in terms of both form and underlying data. But, his sides inconsistency, combined with the London Derby and mixed with his sides lack of much to play for, another option has the edge.

The best captain for Gameweek 36 is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian plays for a side aiming to win every game, and win well. Manchester City are also scoring more goals than any other side, they face a Wolves team conceding a lot of shots on target and Erling Haaland has scored in every game since returning from injury.