The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts give their thoughts on who to captain in Gameweek 5 ahead of the deadline at 11:00 BST on Saturday 21 September.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
This is the most torn on a captaincy I think I have ever been. Erling Haaland (£15.2m) is in outstanding form, with nine goals in four matches and more importantly, he was angry at the end of Gameweek 4 to only register two goals. When a player is in that form, you captain them. However, Arsenal are the elite defence and I am not sure I see another brace or hat-trick this weekend.
If fit, Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) is a good option in the Midlands derby at home to Wolves, and even after blanking last weekend, Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) looks a good pick against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Haaland is my captain currently, but I do fancy a differential captain on Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m). My decision will go down to the wire.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@Zophar_FPL)
It's never a bad week to captain Haaland, but with Manchester City playing Arsenal, I'm backing Liverpool and Salah to bounce back after a home defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Egyptian is the standout option this week.
Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)
Despite a weak performance last week, Salah is the standout captain option, with Haaland up against the league's best defence. As I don't own Salah, I might stick with Haaland or even risk Alexander Isak (£8.4m), if he's fit.
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
With Bournemouth currently sitting second in the league for opposition-half pressures, I'm not expecting the Cherries to come to Anfield and play a low-block in the same way Forest did in Gameweek 4.
Assuming that's the case, it should leave space for Liverpool's pacy wingers in behind the defence, so back Salah with the captaincy this week if he's in your squad.
Holly Shand (@HollyShand)
I bought Salah last week with the plan to give him the armband in Gameweek 5, but the form of Haaland now leaves me confused. Salah still has the slight edge as things stand!
Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)
I'm tempted to gamble with a Luis Diaz (£7.8m) captaincy this week, especially as he didn't start on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League. Alternatively, Haaland has nine goals in four matches. What's to stop him scoring multiple goals again?
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)
It's a three-horse race between Watkins, Salah and Haaland, and I like all three this week. I'll be making a late call.
Pras (@Pras_FPL)
Salah is the standout captain this week. Yes, Haaland in scintillating form, but Arsenal are also a very good defensive side. Will Haaland get an attacking return? Probably. But I'd still back the upside of a Salah captaincy against Bournemouth.
Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)
Salah remains the best captain. Despite his poor performance in Gameweek 4, I am not put off by this. If I wanted a differential, I would probably stay in the same fixture and go for Alexander-Arnold. He boasts good clean-sheet potential and the attacking threat is obviously there, despite no goals or assists so far.
Oscar (@FPLFocal)
Liverpool have got a point to prove after the defeat last weekend, although it seems crazy to go against Haaland in his current form. But to play devil's advocate, Arsenal's away record in 2024 is ridiculous - 11 matches, 10 wins, one draw, 31 scored, three conceded, nine clean sheets, zero minutes trailing. So Salah will be my captain.
Az Phillips (@FPLBlackBox_Az)
Bournemouth have started the season well, but their expansive football under Andoni Iraola should suit Liverpool at Anfield. I'm expecting them to recover from their loss to Forest and for Salah to once again be among the goals.
If you don't own Salah, then Watkins in the Midlands derby looks the next best bet.
