Fantasy Premier League
At 101, we are aiming to bring you extensive, detailed analysis of Fantasy Premier League over the course of the 2021/22 campaign, including best captain choice, injury news, players to pick and who to sell.
So, make sure to check back to our site on a regular basis for all the best tips and updates.
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Best captain picks for GW1
A key part of playing Fantasy Premier League is choosing your captain for every game week.
The player you select from your starting eleven as your captain will see his points total doubled from that round of fixtures. And if he is not involved in any way, your vice-captain for the week will instead have his normal points total doubled.
Said boost in points can often make or break your gameweek and see you move up or down the FPL ranks a fair bit.
So, picking the best captain each week is a decision you should give considerable thought to. And at 101, we are here to help, picking out the best three captain choices from each week.
Here are our picks for gameweek 2.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United (12.1)
Different season, same Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United kicked off their 2021/22 campaign in style last week with a 5-1 drubbing of bitter rivals Leeds United.
And once again, it would be Bruno Fernandes starring for The Red Devils.
The Portuguese looked as sharp as ever, linking well with Paul Pogba to net his first-ever hat-trick for Man United – and none of them were even penalties!
Manchester United now face Southampton in gameweek 2, and another Fernandes haul is wildly expected.
The Saints looked a very disorganised side in their opening weekend defeat to Everton, especially without the services of key man Jannick Vestergaard, who has now joined Leicester City.
It is also worth noting that Southampton had the highest expected goals-against (2.39) of all 20 PL sides last weekend.
A small sample size yes, but it does suggest that Man United should be able to dominate them this weekend, which of course bodes well for Fernandes.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (12.5m)
Like Fernandes, Mohamed Salah was a must-have for the opening weekend of the season and he once again looks set to be a key figure this gameweek as well.
The Egyptian was integral to Liverpool’s opening weekend win over Norwich, notching one goal and two assists.
If you can start your season like @MoSalah, always start your season like @MoSalah.
Breaking records in Red. … ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yd2foUls9k
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 14, 2021
He also created the joint-most big chances of any PL player in GW1 and was joint-second for the most shots in an opponent’s box – highlighting his threat when it comes to both scoring goals and creating them.
Liverpool are also at home to Burnley this week. The Clarets have a dismal record against the top-six sides and have beaten Liverpool just once since 2016.
Sean Dyche’s side also didn’t cover themselves in glory in their first outing of the season.
Despite only playing Brighton, they conceded 12 shots in their own box – only newly-promoted Norwich and Brentford conceded more (both 13).
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 31: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Manchester City and Barnsley at Manchester City Football Academy on July 31, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Riyad Mahrez, Manchester City (9.0m)
Like GW1, whilst Salah or Fernandes are likely your best options, there is another potentially decent shout for captain in GW2.
That man is Riyad Mahrez, who should be starting for Manchester City at home to Norwich.
City did lose their opening outing of the seaosn vs Tottenham, but they were slightly unlucky not to find the net once.
They had an xG of 2.11 vs Spurs, which was the 3rd highest in the PL last week. They would also create 13 chances, which was the joint-3rd highest in the league in GW1.
So, when facing a Norwich side who, as mentioned above, conceded the joint-most shots in their box last week, it is hard to see Man City not netting at least a couple of goals at the Etihad.
All stats are taken from understat, FFHub and FFscout.
The latest on Ilkay Gundogan ahead of Man City’s meeting with Norwich
Liverpool boost: Andy Robertson pictured running ahead of Burnley
