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Fantasy Premier League is up and running again with an exciting Gameweek 1 laying down the foundations for what should be a thrilling 2024-25 campaign. Plenty of big-name stars recorded significant returns, whilst we also saw blanks for high-owned assets.
The two main premium players were both on the scoresheet, Erling Haaland (£15.0m) and Mo Salah (£12.5), although it was owners of Salah who were celebrating the most. Whilst Haaland found the net once, gaining 7 FPL points in Man City’s 0-2 win over Chelsea, Salah not only scored but also set one up as Liverpool defeated Ipswich, finishing on 14 points. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) also warrants a mention, he himself bagged a goal and assist against Wolves, ending on 12 FPL points.
Now the key for FPL bosses is to be back up Gameweek 1, with another big score in Gameweek 2. Or for those who under-performed this past weekend, this second round of Premier League fixtures serves as an ideal opportunity to bounce back. When taking this into account, we’ve marked up three of the key premium captain picks on the table for Gameweek 2 of the 2024-25 FPL season, along with a potential differential ahead of Saturday’s 11:00am deadline.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Erling Haaland (£15.0m) vs IPS (H)
Anyone who owns Erling Haaland at such a monster price, the highest in FPL history will surely be handing him the armband in Gameweek 2 at home to Ipswich. It’s likely that many fantasy managers who started the season with the Norwegian, did so with half an eye on this fixture and it would be no surprise if plenty of triple captain chips were to be triggered.
Haaland didn’t see much of the ball vs Chelsea, but did what he does best and found the net when afforded a sniff at goal. It would’ve been a brace as well if not for a good save in the second half from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Man City star will be expected to record at least one attacking return in Gameweek 2, but the question is whether he can improve on that and ultimately churn out a monster haul.
Mo Salah (£12.5m) vs BRE (H)
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the years, it’s always to captain Salah in Gameweek 1. Yet another double-figure points return in the opening round of a season has seen the Egyptian hit the ground running, eliminating any doubts about his attacking output under new Liverpool boss Arne Slot with a goal and assist.
Already, Salah tops the charts when it comes to highest scoring midfielders and if he was to stay there right up until the end of the season, nobody would be surprised. Brentford travel to Anfield in Gameweek 2 and back in 2023-24, Salah was extremely profitable from an FPL perspective when it came to home fixtures early on in the campaign.
Kai Havertz (£8.0m) vs AVL (a)
Aston Villa away represents a tough fixture for Arsenal in Gameweek 2 when considering that Unai Emery’s side beat West Ham 1-2 at the London Stadium last weekend. However, for those FPL managers who prefer to prioritise form over fixtures will surely be eying up Kai Havertz as a potential captaincy candidate, now that he has seemingly established himself as a key attacking piece for the Gunners.
Havertz is listed as a forward this season but already proved worth the investment after his goal, assist and 12-point-score in Gameweek 1 against Wolves. He enters Gameweek 2 as the joint-highest scoring forward in FPL alongside former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck. But despite difficult opposition, a side as good as Arsenal will surely carve out chances for Havertz to continue his strong start to the season and with that in mind, he deserves to be highlighted as a potential FPL skipper.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) vs WHU (H)
After finishing last season incredibly well for Crystal Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta must be confident of scoring his first league goal of the new campaign for Oliver Glasner’s side in Gameweek 2, with the Eagles at home to West Ham. Mateta has been a striker reborn under Glasner, who has helped the Frenchman add a clinical edge to his game in front of goal.
Mateta’s form at the end of 2023-24 saw him finish on 16 Premier League goals and seven assists. With West Ham perhaps still finding their way under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, now may be seen as a good time to face them and those FPL bosses looking for a captain who offers differential appeal could profit by opting for the Palace striker.
