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Fantasy Premier League captain picks – Gameweek 2
Week one of the Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks got the season off to a flying start, with our four selections scoring five and assisting two between them. The goal-fest of an opening weekend certainly got most FPL managers off to a flyer, though Gameweek Two looks a trickier set of fixtures to pick apart. Hopefully, the following four picks will be just as prosperous.
Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks – Gameweek Two
Mohamed Salah (vs Burnley)
Liverpool kicked off their 2021/22 campaign just as Jurgen Klopp would’ve hoped for – and expected. The Reds beat newly-promoted Norwich City 3-0 thanks to goals from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, and the latter is an easy pick for the captain’s armband this weekend.
The Egyptian set up the other two goals at Carrow Road last Saturday and was an ever-present threat, the summer break certainly hasn’t put a halt to his great form. The 29-year-old has a wand of a left foot, links up play with his teammates and, put simply, is almost a certainty to score a decent amount of points per week. There is a reason he costs £12.5m.
This weekend Liverpool take on Burnley, who lost 2-1 to Brighton in their first game of the season despite taking the lead in the 2nd minute. The Clarets looked solid and organised in the first half, but as time went on they fell out of their formation and looked increasingly sloppy. No team can afford to be shaky defensively against one of the best players in the Premier League, and Salah will make Sean Dyche’s men pay.
Bruno Fernandes (vs Southampton)
The second, and just as obvious, selection this week is hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese maestro was nothing short of unstoppable against Leeds United in Gameweek One as the Red Devils won 5-1 and he has a great opportunity to continue that form as he lines up against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
Fernandes created three chances against The Peacocks and had four shots overall, showcasing how much of a presence he can be in regards to point-scoring. The former Sporting CP captain has a licence to roam in the heart of the United midfield, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer giving him no limits as to where he can drift to and influence the game from. If the Old Trafford outfit improve for their opening weekend success then they have every chance of winning the league this year, but Fernandes will have to keep this great form up.
Fernandes often thrives when he has time on the ball, allowing him to dictate the tempo of the game so that it opens up as he desires, and he will certainly have plenty of that up against the Saints. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side sold crucial players Danny Ings (Aston Villa) and Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester City) over the summer and could be in real trouble this season, which will be all the more obvious if Fernandes puts in another masterful performance.
Marcos Alonso (vs Arsenal)
Thomas Tuchel has saved Marcos Alonso’s Chelsea career. Under Frank Lampard, the Spanish fullback looked like his time at Stamford Bridge was coming to a natural end, but Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system has allowed Alonso to show that he is more than good enough to play in one of the best teams in the league.
The former Bolton Wanderers defender opened his account for the season with a goal against Crystal Palace last weekend, firing a free-kick into the top corner from 25-yards, and he could double his tally against Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners weakness defensively is the main reason for Alonso’s inclusion in this Fantasy Captain Picks article this week, especially after their 2-0 defeat to Premier League newcomers Brentford in the first game of the season. Put simply, Calum Chambers is simply not a modern-day fullback; he lacks the speed, attacking presence and natural ball-playing ability, he’s best in a back three. Chambers won’t be able to cope with the wide overloads from Chelsea, which could see Alonso given some great opportunities to score or assist.
Riyad Mahrez (vs Norwich)
A player being selected from whoever Norwich are playing could be a theme for Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks this season. And up against Manchester City, one of their numerous attackers deserve to be considered for the armband this weekend. City boss Pep Guardiola is an FPL manager’s nightmare due to his constant rotations; however, Riyad Mahrez looks very likely to start due to how his competition, Ferran Torres, will probably play through the middle – emphasis on the ‘probably’.
Mahrez scored nine and assisted six last season as the Cityzens cruised to domestic success, and the Algerian has the perfect opportunity to open his tally’s this weekend. The former Leicester City winger is capable with both feet, loves to shoot and is always willing to take on his man to whip in a cross. Under Guardiola, Mahrez has become more of a threat in the area and will often be seen arriving late at the back post to pounce on any loose balls, he is not one to sit back and watch opportunities pass him by.
This weekend Greek defender Dimitrios Giannoulis will be tasked with keeping tabs on Mahrez. The Canaries defender, understandably, struggled in Gameweek One against Salah and that performance will not give the Norwich faithful hope. Daniel Farke’s defence is, on paper, one of the worst in the league and Manchester City should have no trouble in tearing them apart on Saturday, and hopefully, Mahrez will be in and amongst the goals.
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