Should FPL managers use the Triple Captain chip on Isak?
Over six million FPL managers still have a Triple Captain chip to use and time is running out. Star Newcastle forward Alexander Isak (£9.5m) makes sense for Double Gameweek 32 but it’s certainly worth exploring other options.
Isak’s fitness
Although a world-class talent, one weakness with Isak is that every second or third match seems to end with a ‘not quite 100%’ fitness worry. A groin issue kept him out of Gameweek 27’s trip to Anfield and his three subsequent league matches have only once exceeded 75 minutes.
Some doubt lingered before Monday night’s trip to Leicester, with multiple self-claimed ITKs saying different things. Yet he started the 3-0 win and Eddie Howe’s post-match words were surprisingly clear.
“I think he’s 100% fit, I wouldn’t have taken any risks with him tonight if he wasn’t. It was an opportunity to rest him with the game in a good position for us. But no, I don’t think we’ll have to manage him from this point onwards, fingers crossed he’ll be fine.” – Eddie Howe
Isak’s credentials
So he seems ready for Double Gameweek 32, where Newcastle host Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
FPL’s top-scoring forward has 19 goals and four assists in his last 21 league appearances, alongside some big-game moments in the Carabao Cup. He ranks fourth overall for big chances (28) and, of those that’ve played at least 750 minutes, only Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) beats his minutes per goal rate (108.7).
As well as that, Isak is the second-most creative forward, setting up 37 chances and 10 big ones.
However, his frustrating blank at Leicester is fresh in the mind. It let down 1.27 million captaincies, being the fifth time that he’s been given over a million armbands. The others were a mixed bag, bringing in five, 16, two and 13 points.
Trusting Newcastle
Confidence is high at Newcastle, recently ending football’s most notable trophy drought and following it up with two wins in their chase for Champions League qualification.
Both these encounters are at St James’ Park and they enjoy facing Man United, winning four of their last five overall meetings.
Yet Palace are in superb form, winning 11 of their last 14 in all competitions, helped by eight clean sheets. Their resolute defence has conceded the third-fewest Premier League goals. So it’ll be a difficult night for Eddie Howe’s side.
What might help them is that both opponents have other competitions to tire them out. Using Legomane’s excellent graphics, we see that Man United have Europa League quarter-finals surrounding their clash, while Palace’s upcoming FA Cup semi-final has set up a condensed double-double.
Other times to Triple Captain
Isak is by far the leading candidate to be Gameweek 32’s FPL Triple Captain. A penalty-taker who is trusted for minutes, he’s clinical, at home on both occasions and has a strong motivation to keep winning.
Nevertheless, a chunk of FPL managers are using their Bench Boost at this time and you can’t use more than one. So what about Double Gameweek 33 and the potential – as yet unconfirmed – Double Gameweek 36?
Fantasy Football Scout’s Rate My Team tool gives points projections.
It currently backs Bukayo Saka (£10.4m) to have a better double than Isak, when Arsenal face Ipswich and Palace. Although not in the graphic, Man City’s Omar Marmoush (£7.6m) should also be considered for his two matches.
Double Gameweek 36 could occur for up to four of eight teams. It depends on who the FA Cup finalists will be but the problem is that we won’t know until after the Gameweek 34 deadline.
Adding RMT’s two numbers together, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) is liked, if he’s back from injury by then. Fellow forwards Marmoush, Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) and Chris Wood (£7.0m) too.
But the uncertainty of this period whittles the FPL Triple Captain decision down to either Isak in Gameweek 32, or one of Saka or Marmoush in Gameweek 33.
