FPL Gameweek 16 – Captain Picks
Gameweek 15 was not very christmassy for Fantasy Football managers across the world as the most captained player of the gameweek, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), failed to register an attacking return and accrued only two FPL points in the Reds' surprise 1-1 draw at home to lowly West Brom. Our other premium selections flattered to deceive, with both Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) drawing blanks against Newcastle and Sheffield Utd respectively. Bruno Fernandes (£11.1m) however, continued his incredible run for Man Utd away from home, gaining 12 FPL points with a goal and an assist in United's 2-2 draw with Leicester. Fernandes averages exactly 10 points per Premier League away fixture so far this season.
Meanwhile, differential selection Joel Matip (£5.5m) despite being substituted through injury in the 59th minute thus losing his clean sheet, acquired seven points after assisting Liverpool's solitary goal. As ever at Christmas time, the matches come thick and fast and our attentions immediately turn to the final gameweek of 2020 as we assess all the viable Gameweek 16 captain options ahead of Monday's 13.30pm deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) vs NEW (a)
After a surprise blank in Gameweek 15, many will expect Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to bounce back emphatically in Gameweek 16. The Egyptian travels to Newcastle with the Reds smarting and looking to respond after a 1-1 draw against West Brom. Away from home, Salah has been outstanding this campaign, having not blanked since Liverpool first away fixture of the season away to Chelsea. Following that match, Salah has registered seven goals and two assists in six away games, accumulating a total of 59 points. With the reigning Premier League champions having won 0-7 in their most recent away league match, Salah will once again prove an enticing captain pick and possible the most captained player of Gameweek 16.
Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) vs CRY (a)
Leicester forward Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) will surely be licking his lips at prospect of facing a Crystal Palace who look on the floor mentally following another demoralising defeat in Gameweek 15. After a 0-7 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, the Eagles went down 3-0 to an Aston Villa side reduced to ten men. Defensively a shambles and with questions now being asked of manager Roy Hodgson, Foxes striker Vardy will be looking to capitalise in Gameweek 16. Three goals, five assists and 45 FPL points in his last six gameweeks, Vardy is currently in red hot form and against an opponent whom he scored three times against last season, he looks an ideal captain pick here providing he doesn't fall victim to any Christmas rotation.
Harry Kane (£11.0m) vs FUL (H)
Whilst Fulham have showed significant signs of improvement in recent gameweeks, an away trip to Spurs will prove one of their toughest challenges yet. One player who has enjoyed success against the Cottagers in the past has been mercurial forward Harry Kane (£11.0m). The England international will be hoping to cash in again vs Scott Parker's side, having scored five goals in his last three appearances against Fulham. At home this season, Kane has netted four goals along with four assists and against a team with a smaller squad who may be suffering the physical effects of a tough 0-0 draw vs Southampton only four days earlier, Kane could be set to cash in.
DIFFERENTIAL PICK
Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) vs WOL (H)
He's been making headlines off the pitch for all the right reasons, but on the pitch Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) has perhaps not proven as destructive as Man Utd may have hoped for in front of goal this season in the Premier League. However, Rashford has started to find his footing in recent gameweeks, with three goals in his last three league matches and 23 FPL points acquired. Classed as a midfielder in FPL this season, Rashford could prove a golden differential in Gameweek 16 with many FPL managers owning teammate Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd hosting a Wolves side who have lost their last two away league matches, conceding six goals.
