Erling Haaland’s (£15.3m) huge ownership of 73 per cent in 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League means that millions of managers are likely to captain him for Manchester City’s home encounter with Fulham.
Despite enduring his first blank of the campaign at Newcastle United last weekend, Haaland’s home form has been relentless – he’s averaging 13 points per match at the Etihad Stadium this season, scoring six goals across three appearances.
The Norwegian’s output in the corresponding match last season is also worth remembering – he earned 20 points, scoring three goals and supplying an assist.
Haaland’s underlying statistics only enhance his appeal – his 31 shots, 29 shots in the box and 21 shots on target are all league-leading totals.
While those numbers confirm the Norwegian is the best armband option for Gameweek 7, by looking at each player’s involvement in big chances – or situations where they are expected to score – managers can get a better idea of the top alternatives.
Who are the best captaincy alternatives to Haaland?
Cole Palmer’s (£10.7m) four goals and 25-point haul against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend makes him Haaland’s top rival for Chelsea's home meeting with Nottingham Forest. The England international has had seven big chances and also created a further seven, with his total of 14 big chance involvements the best in the league.
Mohamed Salah (£12.7m), meanwhile, has delivered double-figure returns in each of Liverpool’s first three away matches ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace. The Egyptian’s 11 big chance involvements equals Haaland’s tally and is more than his team-mate Luis Diaz (£8.0m), suggesting Salah is the Liverpool player most likely to succeed at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) and Kai Havertz (£8.2m) could also claim big returns at home to Southampton. Saka has only blanked once this season thanks to his all-round style of play, with his 12 big chance involvements bettered only by Palmer. Havertz does lead Saka by eight big chances to three, though, which is an indication that the German has the greater potential for goals.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£9.1m), meanwhile, is the league’s leading player for big chances, with his total of 11 narrowly edging Haaland into second spot. Watkins has produced two double-figure hauls over the last three Gameweeks and is at home to a Manchester United side who lost 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo (£7.4m) and AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) also have the form and fixtures to extend their fine starts to the season.
Mbeumo has averaged 10.7 points per home match and has a plum home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Semenyo’s 28 shots rank second only to the 31 of Haaland ahead of the Cherries' trip to Leicester City.
Attacking stats in GW1-6
| Player | Shots | Big chances | Big chances created | Big chance involvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 18 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Watkins | 14 | 11 | 1 | 12 |
| Saka | 18 | 3 | 9 | 12 |
| Haaland | 31 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Salah | 20 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| Havertz | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Mbeumo | 14 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Semenyo | 28 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
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