FPL Gameweek 4 – Captain Picks
Gameweek 3 saw a number of surprise results and surprise FPL blanks. Despite Liverpool winning at Anfield, Mo Salah (£12.1m) failed to find the net and could only manage an assist for his FPL owners. Man City fell to a shocking 2-5 defeat to Leicester at the Etihad Stadium, with neither Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) nor Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) making an impact for the home side. Heung-Min Son (£9.0m) was subbed off at HT through injury, as Spurs only managed a 1-1 draw with Newcastle with VAR the talk of the weekend. However, Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) was back in the goals from the trusty penalty spot, netting a stoppage time spot kick to go with an earlier assist, which secured Man Utd a 2-3 win at Brighton. After an entertaining, yet frustrating gameweek for many, it will be interesting to see who will bounce back this weekend and who will continue their red-hot form as we assess all the viable captain options for Gameweek 4 ahead of Saturday's 11.00am deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) vs SHU (H)
He may not have found the net since Gameweek 1, but Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) will be sensing goals in Gameweek 4, as the Gunners face a struggling Sheffield Utd side who have yet to find their feet this season. Aubameyang has accrued 14 FPL points from the first three gameweeks of the season with one goal and one assist so far.
Sheffield Utd are perhaps suffering without Dean Henderson between the sticks this season and have been dealt a severe blow by the news that central defender Jack O'Connell have been ruled out indefinitely with a long-term knee injury. After Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool in Gameweek 3, the North Londoners will be under pressure to bounce back with a strong performance against the Blades at the Emirates and Aubameyang will be confidence of getting back amongst the goals in Gameweek 4.
Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) vs WHU (H)
Anyone who didn't think that Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) would once again be an indispensable FPL asset this season were dealt a rude awakening in Gameweek 3, as the former England international put Man City to the sword on their own patch. A hat-trick from Vardy, which included two penalties saw Leicester destroy Pep Guardiola's side 2-5 away from home. Vardy now has five goals in his opening three Premier League matches with four of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
Leicester host West Ham in Gameweek 4 and whilst the Hammers had a great win of their own in Gameweek 3 beating Wolves 4-0, they were brought down to earth with a bump in midweek, losing 4-1 to Everton in the Carabao Cup. With Vardy in such imposing form, the forward once again appears to be a must own FPL asset and it would take a brave owner not to captain him this weekend.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m) vs BHA (H)
It has been an incredible start to the season for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m) and the Everton forward shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. His fifth league goal of the season against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 3 was backed up by his second hat-trick of the season in midweek against West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
Calvert-Lewin is thriving playing alongside international stars such as James Rodriguez and Richarlison and with the Toffees looking so strong under Carlo Ancelotti, the former Sheffield Utd youngster will fancy more goals against a Brighton side who have conceded five goals in their opening three league games. It's time to take Calvert-Lewin seriously as a premium captain pick.
DIFFERENTIAL PICK
Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) vs MCI (H)
Entrusted with a starting spot upfront for Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds side this season. Forward Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) has made a fantastic start to the campaign. Doubted by a number of Leeds fans, Bamford has delivered and provided FPL managers with a cheap points magnet in the process. A goal in all three league matches so far this season, along with two assists in Gameweek 2, has seen Bamford collect a total of 29 FPL points in just three gameweeks.
Leeds face Man City in Gameweek 4 and whilst it may look a tough fixture on paper for Bamford, the reality is that it isn't. City shipped five goals at home to Leicester in Gameweek 3 and looked incredibly vulnerable when the Foxes attacked them with pace. Bielsa's Leeds are notorious for their pace going forward and their playstyle should force them to create big chances against Man City's high defensive line, just like they did against Liverpool in their 4-3 defeat to the Reds in Gameweek 1. Bamford will almost certainly be afforded opportunities to score in Gameweek 4 and in the form that he is in, the Leeds striker could prove the perfect differential captain pick for any brave FPL managers looking to make gains in their respective mini leagues.
