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The Fantasy Premier League big guns have really thrown a spanner in the works haven’t they? Harry Kane lured in managers by the hundreds of thousands with his recent form only to pick up a serious injury in FA Cup action that rules him out for about five weeks.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended, Alexis Sanchez is hardly on the best terms with Arsene Wenger and now even Romelu Lukaku seems to have annoyed Ronald Koeman by rejecting an Everton contract and questioning the club’s ambition.
What it does is serve up plenty of dilemmas for us FPL managers with the chief one being whom to captain.
That’s why this week’s column addresses that burning question and picks five less popular players who could come to your rescue this weekend.
WHO TO PICK AS CAPTAIN
Romelu Lukaku [10.1m] was the pick for captain in Gameweek 28 and the Everton striker did not disappoint, registering a goal and assist in a 3-1 win against West Brom. The Belgian would be an ideal option this week as well but given Koeman’s criticism of his comments regarding the club, it’s not a happy camp right now.
Odds are that Lukaku will still start out of necessity more than anything else but it will be interesting to see the reception he gets at Goodison Park. A few of his team-mates are bound to be a bit upset with his remarks as well.
So instead, this week, you could gamble and captain Pedro [7.1m] who is in great form, notching up 28 points in the last three gameweeks.
He didn’t play in the FA Cup tie with Manchester United but that may have been to give Willian some playing time. It also means that while Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are the front runners in the Chelsea side, Pedro will be the freshest of the lot this weekend.
GOAL! West Ham 0 Chelsea 1, unbelievable link up play between Hazard & Pedro. #WHUCHE #CFC #COYB #KTBFFH pic.twitter.com/7kmCB4jRqF
— Taylor Ryan (@Taylor7698) March 6, 2017
FIVE DIFFERENTIALS
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN – MANCHESTER UNITED [8.8m]
The United attacker has been one of the most exciting players at Old Trafford of late, always looking like a serious threat.
Given Jose Mourinho’s lack of options with injuries to Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial and suspensions for Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan is almost certain to start as they travel to Middlesbrough who have just sacked Aitor Karanka.
It’s also worth starting to gather some United talent ahead of the two double gameweeks they will play later on.
#ArmenianNationalTeam captain @HenrikhMkh scores an opener for @ManUtd against @rostovfc in @EuropaLeague #MickiMagic #Mkhitaryan pic.twitter.com/PLamtIokRO
— Official Armenian FF (@OfficialArmFF) March 9, 2017
RIYAD MAHREZ – LEICESTER CITY [8.9m]
Remember him? Mahrez was the highest FPL point scorer last season, which is why his price is still up there despite disappointing this time around.
But given Leicester’s recent resurgence, the Algerian could be on the rise again. He scored and bagged 10 points against Hull City last time out and has a few tasty fixtures over the next few weeks.
"It is a magical goal from Riyad Mahrez!" ✨ 👌
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 7, 2017
Watch the Algerian's unbelievable goal against Hull again... pic.twitter.com/MbOPKuVvny
SON HEUNG-MIN – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR [6.8m]
In Harry Kane’s absence it’s quite possible that Son will take up the lone striker’s role like he did the last time the English international was side-lined.
Don’t forget, he’s listed as a midfielder as well which would see him fetch more points for goals and at only 6.8m, he’s worth the gamble.
32flags: Heung-Min Son goal: Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur NBC Premier League Socce… https://t.co/urDmkpS6qH pic.twitter.com/xAvEHwxVRd
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) January 21, 2017
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