FPL 2022-23 | Blank Gameweek 28 | Captain Picks
Our Double Gameweek 27 captain picks all yielded significant success apart from Mo Salah (£12.8m), who missed a penalty in Liverpool’s shock 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth. Ivan Toney (£7.8m) bagged 13 points, recording a goal and assist in his second fixture of the gameweek, Brentford’s 0-2 triumph over Southampton. Harry Kane (£11.7m) put Nott’m Forest to the sword in North London, also gaining 13 FPL points after netting twice in a 3-1 win, whilst differential pick Solly March (£5.1m) scored Brighton’s only goal in their 1-0 win against bitter rivals Crystal Palace, taking his Double Gameweek 27 tally up to 11 fantasy points.
Blank Gameweek 28 sees a number of teams not feature due to a clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, a selection of captaincy options from the clubs who are in Premier League action stand out non-the-less and we highlight three premium options for the armband, alongside a differential pick ahead of Friday’s 18:30 deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) vs CRY (H)
Of the sides all set to take part in Blank Gameweek 28, table toppers Arsenal must be considering the most enticing from an FPL perspective, with a number of high-value assets. Whilst Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) is extremely cheap price-wise, his ownership is unsurprisingly high with his value having shot up across the season due to his excellent form going forward. The Brazilian has accrued 17 attacking returns so far in the 2022-23 Premier League (12 goals and five assists) and picked up 150 fantasy points.
Martinelli comes in Blank Gameweek 28 having found the net five times across Arsenal’s last five Premier League fixtures and since Gameweek 24, boasts 42 FPL points to his name. The Gunners, with a golden opportunity to move a further three points clear of Man City, face an out-of-form Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium this coming Monday and Martinelli represents an ideal option to consider for the captaincy.
Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) vs CRY (H)
Although Martinelli may be the form player currently in terms of most recent attacking returns for Arsenal, the highest-performing midfielder from an FPL point of view across the season so far for Mikel Arteta’s side has been Bukayo Saka (£8.5m). The England international has racked up 154 fantasy points so far, with only Marcus Rashford having gained more among midfielders. It is also the fourth-highest score of any player in all positions.
Saka has already reached double-figures in both Premier League goals and assists in 2021-22, picking up ten of each and he’ll be hoping to play a starring role against Crystal Palace. He is also Arsenal’s primary penalty taker, which could prove vital when choosing between players such as Saka, Martinelli or even fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard. However, Saka’s ownership currently exceeds 40%, so those FPL managers to want to gain rank from a Saka haul will likely need to name him their skipper to do so.
Harry Kane (£11.8m) vs SOU (a)
Erling Haaland remains the only player in the Premier League to have acquired more fantasy points than Harry Kane, who took his top flight goal tally for the season to 20 with a brace against Nott’m Forest last weekend. It’s now 176 FPL points for the season for Kane, who is still in with a chance of breaking his personal FPL record score of 242 points, which he managed back in the 2020-21 season.
Spurs travel to Southampton in Blank Gameweek 28, a crucial fixture for both sides with Southampton fighting for their Premier League lives and Spurs fighting for top four. With Haaland not featuring in the Premier League this weekend, the likelihood is that any FPL manager looking to captain a forward this coming gameweek will opt for Kane.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) vs ARS (a)
Selecting a differential captain for Blank Gameweek 28 is no easy feat when taking into account the number of teams out of action, but a frustrating yet potential fruitful FPL asset stands out. Although opting for a Crystal Palace attacker is a significant gamble, considering their terrible recent record in front of goal, Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) could be the player who breaks the mold for the Eagles come Monday night at Emirates Stadium.
Listed as a midfielder within FPL circles, Zaha could well be deployed as a striker against Arsenal, or alternately as a wide forward. Either way, he will no doubt prove Palace’s primary offensive threat, as the Ivorian so often is against the top teams in the league in particular. Against an Arsenal side expected to boast plenty of possession, the visitors will likely look to play on the counter-attack, which should benefit Zaha. He is also expected to take any penalties that may fall Palace’s way.
