Attacking Football
·8 November 2024
Attacking Football
·8 November 2024
Following another midweek of European action, we’re having a look at the GW11 Best Captain picks ahead of this week’s round of Premier League fixtures. Last weekend we were treated to huge drama with 25 goals scored throughout the 10 matches with last year’s top 2 Man City and Arsenal both falling to defeat to Bournemouth and Newcastle.
Our surprise pick for GW10 was Leicester City’s frontman Jamie Vardy and despite having to wait until injury-time, he set up substitute Jordan Ayew to equalise and get his first assist of the 2024/25 season to the delight of many FPL owners.
Having drawn both encounters 1-1 in the Championship last season, it was no surprise Leicester and Ipswich Town played out a cagey 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon. It looked for large parts of the match that Kieran McKenna’s side were going to collect all 3 points and their first Premier League victory of the season until midfielder Kalvin Phillips was shown a red card in the 77th minute.
The dismissal led to a surge in Leicester’s dominance and an eventual equaliser much to the home crowd’s disappointment. A frustrating end to the afternoon for Ipswich as the wait for their first victory goes on.
This week presents another opportunity to gain some ground within your FPL mini-leagues and we’re confident this week’s surprise pick will be popular among supporters. Let’s get into the action!
Each week Mo Salah’s stock continues to grow as he was again the main man as Liverpool came from behind to defeat Brighton at Anfield last weekend.
The Liverpool wideman scored the crucial winning goal as the Reds prevailed 2-1 to continue their impressive form under new manager Arne Slot. The Reds sit at the top of the Premier League and with title rivals Man City and Arsenal both falling to defeats, it was crucial the Merseyside club picked up all 3 points.
This weekend, Liverpool welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Saturday evening and Salah has lined up against the Villans 10 times in the Premier League with only 1 defeat, an impressive record.
As contract talks continue, the Egyptian’s form seems to be as good as ever and the 32 year-old is crucial to Liverpool’s chances both domestically and in Europe this season.
In midweek, the Liverpool winger was key as Slot’s side put returning manager Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side to the sword. The 4-0 victory was an example of why the Reds are tipped to go deep in this year’s Champions League.
Recently, it seems to get harder and harder to look past Liverpool’s main man as a GW11 Best Captain option.
Three goals in 3 Premier League appearances against Brighton for this season’s current top scorer is a good record ahead of this weekend’s clash at the Amex. The Seagulls have had an encouraging start to the season under impressive manager Fabian Hürzeler and will smell blood as a wounded City come to town.
Pep Guardiola’s side suffered their first defeat of the season away to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, a surprise but fully deserved result for Andoni Iraola’s Cherries as they moved up to 9th in the table.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Erling Haaland of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Haaland was unable to find the back of the net despite having 3 golden opportunities including being denied by the woodwork in injury time.
In midweek, City came up against soon-to-be Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim and Sporting Lisbon only to be overturned by the Portuguese Champions 4-1 with Haaland missing a penalty in the 69th minute.
The last few weeks have been far from convincing from the Premier League champions and the fixture list could’ve been a lot kinder as they continue to stutter. Now is the perfect time for Haaland and co. to step up and show why they are aiming for 5 titles in a row. In spite of his form he is one of GW11 Best Captain’s choice.
Arsenal came unstuck last weekend going down 1-0 to Newcastle at St James Park, it was the exact same scoreline as they fell to Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek. Recent results will frustrate manager Mikel Arteta and this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face fellow Londoners Chelsea feels like a must-win game if the Gunners are to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the league.
Having already fallen 7 points behind leaders Liverpool, they will be keen to get back to winning ways and close the gap at the top. This weekend presents a perfect opportunity to do just that. The return from injury of club captain Martin Ødegaard is a timely boost and his influence has been hugely missed over recent weeks.
Wideman Bukayo Saka’s performance in the San Siro on Wednesday night was a positive in a largely frustrating night for Arteta’s men. The England international has continued his good early season form and looks dangerous.
Although not getting on the scoresheet, Saka had a number of attempts on goal last weekend which shows how dangerous he can be which could make him a good choice as GW11 Best Captain. He has been a bright spark in a far-from-convincing start to the season for last season’s runners-up.
Chelsea welcome a wounded Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the teams level on points this season, an intriguing contest awaits.
In his career, Palmer has only lined up against this week’s opposition Arsenal once, scoring against the Gunners in a 2-2 draw 12 months ago. That’s a decent record when you consider the contrasting fortunes of both clubs over the last couple of years.
The Blues have impressed so far under Enzo Maresca after a few below-par seasons at the Bridge. They have a new style of play and have a squad that is good enough to challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Palmer is known to turn on the style more often than not at Stamford Bridge and against fellow Londoners Arsenal we think this weekend will be no different.
He is listed as doubtful for the clash after picking up a knock last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United but should be passed fit to take his place in the starting 11 on Sunday afternoon.
Following Tottenham’s impressive 4-1 comeback victory over Aston Villa in London on Sunday afternoon, their influential captain Son Heung-min was withdrawn after 56 minutes after providing the assist for Brennan Johnson’s goal that begun the comeback.
That substitution was likely down to the return of the Japanese international from injury but he will no doubt be a massive part in Ange Postecoglu’s side’s bid to secure a European spot this season.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Son as he has been in and out of the side due to injury issues but we feel now is the time where he is going to hit form.
On Sunday afternoon, they welcome Ipswich Town to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and they will be expecting to collect another 3 points as Ipswich continue their fight to claim a first victory this season.
With talks over the 32-year-old’s contract ongoing, Son will be keen to add to the 3 goals he has scored this season and we feel Sunday’s clash is a great opportunity to do just that.
Out of the 45 FPL points he has amassed this season, 40 of those have come at home, a stat that bodes well for this weekend’s fixture.
GW 11’s fixture will be the first time the wideman has lined up competitively against Ipswich. His price is undoubtedly steep but the return Tottenham’s talisman will provide this weekend will be worth it. Giving him the captain’s armband for your FPL team this weekend looks for GW11 Best Captain.
Who do you think is the GW11 Best Captain? There are plenty of options, but if we were choosing we’d likely go with the surprise pick Son Heung-Min as the GW11 Best Captain. Ipswich are there for the taking.