With Man. City facing a difficult fixture run over the next six Gameweeks, several different Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy options come into consideration and in this blog their numbers and fixtures are compared.

Erling Haaland

As the above image from our Fix Comparison Matrix shows, in terms of underlying numbers, Haaland is head and shoulders above the rest for most metrics. The Norwegian international is top for goals per game (1.0), shots (4.0), shots on target (SoT) (2.3) and 'big chances' (1.8). However, as the Gameweek 8 fixture against Arsenal showed, he is not fixture-proof and as the below image from our Fixture Planner shows, the Champions' schedule for the next six is quite daunting.

Mohamed Salah

Salah registered his biggest score of the season against Brighton in Gameweek 8 to remind FPL managers of his pedigree. The Egyptian international has upped his creativity numbers to add another string to his bow, he is top for the comparison for FPL assists (0.5) and BC created (1.1), while only Saka (2.7) has attempted more assists. Unlike the rest of the Liverpool attack, his minutes are assured and he has spot-kick duties as well.

Heung-Min Son

Son's underlying numbers are a bit underwhelming compared to the other options in the Comparison Matrix, as he spent a lot of time playing out wide early on, and only shifted to a striker role a few Gameweeks ago. Nevertheless, he is second for goals scored per game (0.8), third for shots (2.9) and BC involvements (1.3). He is much cheaper than Haaland and Salah and does not upset the balance of the team in other positions.

Bukayo Saka

Saka's injury which caused him to miss the Gameweek 8 fixture against Man. City is thought to be minor, and the Englishman is expected back for Arsenal after the international break. He is top of the comparison for FPL points per game (7.6) and attempted assists (2.7). However, he is bottom for shots (2.6), SoT (1.3) and BC involvements (1.2).

Is going without Haaland an option?

As the above image from our Rotation Planner shows, Haaland is the standout captaincy option in only one of the next eight Gameweeks, with Salah and Saka viable alternatives for the next four Gameweeks. Going with the aforementioned duo provides three matchups against promoted sides in the next four Gameweeks while Son has the standout fixture in Gameweek 13. It is quite possible to own all three of Salah, Saka and Son along with a balanced squad as long as FPL managers are prepared to make the Haaland sacrifice.

It can be argued that the Gameweek 9 and Gameweek 11 fixtures are still good captaincy options for Haaland but Salah has shown he can go big on his day as well. Of the four aforementioned premiums, Salah looks the most essential to own during this period as he can be captained in all of the next four Gameweeks. Taking this analysis into consideration, managers who got rid of Saka should consider making plans to bring him back in shortly.