Pep Guardiola’s rotation could ultimately determine the fate of managers’ captaincy decisions in Double Gameweek 37 on Fantasy Premier League.
Handing the wristband to Erling Haaland (£12.4m) when Manchester City play twice would normally be a very easy choice.
However, the league leaders’ pursuit of a treble means Guardiola may choose to protect the pitch time of his key players.
Haaland’s massive 83 percent ownership should be encouraged by the fact that he is just one of three players, along with Riyad Mahrez (£7.4 million) and Julian Alvarez (£6.1m) to start each of Man City’s last four games.
The Norwegian is certain to start against Chelsea as Guardiola looks to win the league title on Sunday.
However, should the league be completed at the weekend, the Spaniard could make a number of changes to his squad against Brighton and Hove Albion, which is just four days before their trip to Brentford for Gameweek 38.
The managers’ decision to captain was further hampered by the news that Marcus Rashford (£7.2m) is now a doubt for Manchester United’s Double Gameweek 37 first leg against AFC Bournemouth due to illness.
Although this may convince many to think twice Bruno Fernandez (£9.5m) as an alternative route to the Red Devils’ attack against the Cherries and Chelsea, it also raises the merits of looking at an in-form Gameweek player who still has a lot to play for, such as Mohamed Salah (£13.1 million) or Callum Wilson (£7.2 million).
FPL points in last four games
| Player | Z | A | points |
| Salah | 3 | 3 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 5 | 1 | 38 |
| Gundogan | 4 | 1 | 37 |
| Marez | 0 | 5 | 27 |
| Halland | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Rashford | 1 | 2 | 22 |
| Mc Allister | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| Fernandez | 1 | 1 | 21 |
While Haaland scored three goals in his last four games to collect 25 points, he was overshadowed by Ilkay Gundogan (£7.4m) and Mahrez.
Both midfielders were involved in five goals; Gundogan scored four and assisted on one to pile up 37 points, while Mahrez had 27 points thanks to five assists.
Rashford and Fernandez brought 22 and 21 points respectively, with that of Brighton Alexis McAllister (5.6 million pounds), which corresponds to the amount of the first.
Salah and Wilson’s credentials as game-week options are highlighted by their totals of 40 and 38 points respectively.
Both also play at home, with Salah hosting Aston Villa and Wilson entertaining Leicester City.
Offensive statistics from the last four games
| Player | Shots | Footage in a box | Hit the target | Big chances | Chances created |
| Rashford | 18 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 15 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Halland | 14 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Salah | 14 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Fernandez | 14 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 17 |
| Duty | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Gundogan | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Alvarez | 7 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Marez | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
Haaland’s 12 tackles in the box were more than any of his Double Gameweek rivals, with Rashford and Kaoru Mitoma (£5.7m) its closest rivals among this contingent at 10 and 9 respectively.
Rashford’s 18 strikes lead the analysis, while Fernandes offers a complete threat; the Portuguese combined 14 shots with 17 key passes.
Mahrez’s creative contribution is also in evidence, with his 12 key passes more than double the total of any team-mate.
Alvarez’s seven shots and five shots on goal, meanwhile, rank second only to Haaland for Man City in the same period.
Wilson and False impressed again here, placing first and second with 15 and 12 shots in the box respectively.
Top three picks
Despite the threat of rotation against Brighton, it’s hard to look past Haaland.
If Man City are to triumph this weekend, there is every chance the Norwegian will be involved.
Indeed, his total of 14 shots, 12 penalty kicks and seven big chances are at least twice the combined total of any team-mate in Man City’s last four games.
Mahrez looks the best alternative from Guardiola’s side, while doubts surrounding Rashford add more weight to Fernandez’s appeal as the best option outside of Man City.
Leave a Reply