DREAM TEAM managers need to select their captain (and vice captain) for Gameweek 2 before tonight’s 6:30pm deadline.
Let’s run through some options.
Salah got his goal in the end
Mohamed Salah (£7.5m) was the most popular captain in Gameweek 1 and he delivered an 11-point haul to satisfy his backers.
However, Liverpool’s No11 left it late against Bournemouth and didn’t look his sharpest.
The Reds are due to face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Monday night in what is likely to be a hostile atmosphere given the ongoing Alexander Isak situation.
Salah is a player of high quality who often steps up when the pressure is on but it’s understandable if gaffers feel hesitant to strap the armband to him on this occasion.
The same could be said for Erling Haaland (£7.5m).
Up and running
Manchester City’s prolific striker opened his 2025/26 account with a brace against Wolves as Pep Guardiola’s side produced an ominous performance.
But again, his Gameweek 2 fixture isn’t the most favourable with Tottenham set to visit the Etihad this Saturday lunchtime.
Thomas Frank tends to favour a more defensive 3-5-2 formation against tough opposition and it may be that Haaland finds himself up against Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso.
Many Dream Team bosses will consider Salah and Haaland fixture-proof and that’s probably a fair assessment – both are very fine captaincy choices – but those who prefer to cater their strategy to the fixtures will be happy to take them on this week.
Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) is a tempting alternative as he’s got a home game against a newly-promoted side in Leeds.
Saka rarely leaves the Emirates without having boosted his points tally
Granted, Arsenal looked flat in attack at Old Trafford last weekend while Daniel Farke’s troops knocked off Everton to mark their return to the top flight in fine style.
But Leeds won’t be buoyed by a floodlit Elland Road this Saturday and the Gunners will be heavy favourites.
Viktor Gyokeres might be the main goal threat these days but his debut was less than convincing; Saka is the proven performer.
Elsewhere, Cole Palmer (£6m) drew a blank in Gameweek 1 but will fancy his chance against West Ham this evening.
Graham Potter’s men lost 3-0 to Sunderland in their opening fixture.
Chelsea’s playmaker-in-chief has three goal involvements in three starts against the Hammers.
Gaffers are waiting for a cold snap
Let’s not forget that Gameweek 2 includes nine Carabao Cup fixtures, with 11 Premier League sides set to pull double duty.
The issue is that it’s not all that easy to predict which players will get a second run out as rotation is rife in the early rounds of the cups — will Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes or Matheus Cunha feature at Grimsby?
Antoine Semenyo (£4.5m) is an interesting alternative option.
Bournemouth’s talisman banked 16 points at Anfield last Friday in an emphatic statement of intent.
The Cherries have the luxury of two home games in Gameweek 2: Wolves (league) and Brentford (cup).
The fact Andoni Iraola’s side have been drawn against the Bees means we might get some extra minutes out of Semenyo in midweek.
If he can do against Liverpool…
Salah and Haaland remain the default options but there are plenty of viable alternatives to mull over.
Whatever you decide, make sure you confirm your captain before 6:30pm!
