The 2020-21 Premier League season is underway and with that, so are our popular TSZ Captain Picks. Gameweek 1 was a huge success for our selections, with our three premium options all finding the net, scoring a whopping six goals between them. A hat-trick for Liverpool's Mo Salah (£12.0m), two goals for Leicester's Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and a solitary strike from Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) ensured that we didn't start the season with egg on our faces and angry messages in bulk from our readers! The less about our differential pick however, the better! So let's see if we can build on our good start as we assess all the viable options for Gameweek 2 ahead of Saturday’s 11.00am deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) vs WHU (H)
He was first in focus last week and he is first in focus once again here as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) gets the nod from us. The Gabonese international only managed one goal and 7 FPL points against Fulham, but it was still a solid start to the season non the less. Aubameyang has since followed that up by committing his future to Arsenal, signing a contract extension this week.
The Gunners skipper will surely be hoping to mark the signing with at least one goal in Gameweek 2 as struggling West Ham visit the Emirates Stadium. The Hammers were beaten 0-2 at home to Newcastle and all does not feel right within the camp at the moment in East London. Aubameyang, alongside all of his FPL owners will hoping to take full advantage and it would no surprise if he was the most captained player for the second gameweek running.
Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) vs CRY (H)
It was quite the introduction to the Premier League last season for Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m). Signed from Sporting Lisbon in January, the Man Utd midfielder went on to net eight goals with a further eight assists, racking up an incredible 117 FPL points in the process. So naturally, expectations are understandably high for what will be his first full season in the Premier League.
With so many enticing premium FPL midfield options this season, Fernandes could perhaps go under the radar in Gameweek 2, meaning that if you bring him in now then it could be hugely beneficial to your rank. Of course his biggest asset is being in charge of all set pieces including those all important penalties! Man Utd host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 2, an enticing fixture for an enticing player.
Mo Salah (£12.0m) vs CHE (a)
How could we not select Mo Salah (£12.0m) once again after his Gameweek 1 exploits. A hat-trick which may have included two penalties, but what was also so impressive was the Egyptian's sharpness in and around the box for Liverpool. He looks in the mood this season and currently stands as the highest scoring FPL player of the season so far after those 20 points last week.
Liverpool travel to Chelsea in Gameweek 2, a side that Salah has fond memories of playing against. Chelsea, whilst strong going forward currently look incapable of keeping a clean sheet with their goalkeeping woes. Salah should be just the player to pounce on such insecurity and add to his goal tally for the campaign here. FPL managers who own the midfielder, have to look at him as attractive captain pick even away from home at a Champions League side.
DIFFERENTIAL PICK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.1m) vs WBA (H)
One Premier League side that took everyone by surprise in Gameweek 1 was Everton. Carlo Ancelotti's side boast an impressive array of new signings and many of them made a big impact as the Toffees secured a well earned 0-1 win away at Spurs to start the season. However, it was a forward already at the club who scored the winner. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.1m) started as a lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 and the Englishman rewarded his manager's faith with a fantastic performance and a bullet header to secure the three points.
The signing of James Rodriguez in particular looks like providing Everton with the creativity they were lacking so badly last season. Despite that, Calvert-Lewin still managed 13 Premier League goals and with much better service for him on hand this season, he looks likely to improve on that tally in 2020-21. This weekend he goes up against newly promoted West Brom at Goodison Park. The Baggies went down 0-3 at home to Leicester in Gameweek 1 and the Toffee's will surely be eyeing up this fixture as a comfortably home win. Should that be case then you'd expect Calvert-Lewin to once again find the net, which makes him a shrewd Gameweek 2 differential pick.