Who is the best FPL captain for Double Gameweek 28?

A Double Gameweek 28 (DGW28) for AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town brings Dominic Solanke (£7.2m) and Carlton Morris (£5.2m) into contention for the captaincy in Fantasy Premier League.

In a Gameweek where Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (£14.5m), the most-owned player in Fantasy, visits his title-rivals Liverpool at Anfield, Bournemouth’s Solanke has two very favourable home matches against Sheffield United and Luton.

The Cherries' forward is dealing with a knee issue, though, and hasn't trained this week. Head coach Andoni Iraola revealed that a late decision will be made on his involvement versus the Blades on Saturday. 

Club News Injury news: Latest on Solanke, Senesi and Adams External Link

Injury news: Latest on Solanke, Senesi and Adams

Morris, meanwhile, visits Crystal Palace prior to his midweek encounter with the Cherries.

The Hatters’ forward is the most in-form pick among the two DGW28 sides. Since returning to Luton's starting XI in Gameweek 22, Morris has produced four goals and two assists in six outings  - matching the attacking output of Haaland.

Solanke, by contrast, produced two goals and two assists from Gameweek 22 onwards and trails Morris by 39 points to 30.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka (£9.2m) and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are the top-scoring players in that period, with 66 and 62 points respectively.

They each scored seven goals, with Watkins having the edge for assists by four to two. However, Saka's classification as a midfielder, which earns him extra points for goals and clean sheets, gives him the edge.

Players' form, GW22-27

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Assessing the underlying numbers over the last six Gameweeks, Haaland is the leading contender for goal threat.

The Man City forward’s 12 big chances and 28 shots in the box are more than any of his rivals, with the latter total eclipsing the combined 24 of Morris and Solanke.

There is very little to separate Morris and Solanke for a host of statistics here, with the pair near-identical for shots in the box, big chances, key passes and big chances created.

Ultimately, the main difference is the Luton striker's finishing, with a 26.7 per cent conversion rate far superior to Solanke's 15.4 per cent.

Watkins and Saka are also very similar for shots in the box, goal conversion and big chances created in the last four Gameweeks. However, the Villa star has a clear advantage for big chances, with 11 to the six of Saka. Arsenal's winger is far more creative, though, recording 12 key passes to Watkins' six.

Players' attacking threat, GW22-27

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What about the home and away form?

Haaland is the runaway leader for big chances in the analysis, with his total of 25 in away matches comfortably ahead of Watkins' 14 in home encounters. The Villa man does, nonetheless, have the slight lead here for shots in the box, bettering Haaland by 41 to 38.

Solanke's goal threat in home fixtures is on a par with Saka for both shots in the box and big chances, although the Arsenal star once again is head and shoulders above his rivals for key passes, with a total of 37.

Morris' numbers on the road certainly dent his appeal. His 16 shots in the box are 13 fewer than the 29 of Solanke, with the Luton forward averaging a shot every 44.7 minutes on his travels, the slowest in the analysis. Morris has produced only four big chances and made five key passes in away matches this season.

Home/away stats compared in 23/24

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Assessing the opponents’ defences

Analysing each player’s opponents can help identify any weaknesses to target.

The team statistics over their last four matches immediately lift Solanke's armband appeal.

Both Sheff Utd and Luton place in the bottom two in the analysis for conceding both goals and shots in the box. Indeed, the pair allowed a combined 110 shots in the box compared with the combined 72 of Morris' opponents, Palace and Bournemouth. 

In terms of big chances conceded by their DGW28 opponents in their last four matches, though, there's almost nothing in it, with Solanke marginally better off by 25 to Morris' 24. 

Saka fares the best of the three single-Gameweek contenders here.

Arsenal's visitors Brentford conceded 11 goals, more than the combined nine of Watkins' opponents Tottenham Hotspur and Haaland's hosts Liverpool. The Bees' 45 shots in the box against is also considerably more than either Haaland or Watkins' upcoming opponents.

Opponents' defending, GW24-27

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The home/away data again points towards Solanke, with neither of his visitors having managed a single clean sheet on their travels this season.

Luton's defensive frailties are particularly encouraging; they have conceded 171 shots and 52 big chances, more than any other side in the analysis. By contrast, Morris' opponents have allowed 53 such opportunities between them. 

Elsewhere, Liverpool's record at Anfield shows why Haaland is an unnecessary risk, with Saka and Watkins' prospects looking a lot more encouraging.

Opponents’ home/away defending in 23/24

So, who is the best captain?

The defensive data indicates there could barely be a better opportunity to hand the armband to Solanke, with Sheff Utd and Luton likely to grant him numerous scoring opportunities. But there's no doubt there is an added element of risk attached to captaining him due to the forward's ongoing knee problem.

Morris' numbers in away matches help sway the decision in Solanke's favour, with the Cherries' forward boasting more all-round potential, too.

For those managers who are wary of captaining Solanke or Morris, Saka and Watkins are the best alternatives.

The Arsenal star's ability to produce goals and assists, added to Brentford's poor recent defensive form, suggest there would be little surprise if he delivered another bumper haul at Emirates Stadium this weekend.

View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Double Gameweek 28 in Fantasy Premier League