'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the Premier League bids adieu to 2017 and enters into 2018, quite a few FPL managers are also looking for a turnaround. In the coming days, they'll have the fixtures to score big.
Liverpool visit Turf Moor to take on potential Europa League candidates Burnley while Manchester United make a trip to Goodison Park to play a resurgent Everton who have lost just 1 game since the appointment of the Big Sam. Arsenal take on Chelsea in the London Derby at the Emirates in a bid to improve their chances for a top 4 finish while the league leaders Manchester City host a Watford side who have managed just 1 win in their last 8.
With Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United having 2 fixtures each for GW22 and offering players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son, Arnautovic, Lanzini, there is little need to look elsewhere for the captaincy band.
We take a look at the captain candidates for the first double game-week of the season.
#1 Harry Kane
With back-to-back hat-tricks against Burnley and Southampton, Harry Kane (£12.6m) is our most preferred option for the captain's armband.
In the first of his two matches, he'll take on a struggling Swansea side who have the worst home record collecting just 8 points out of a possible 30. With a new manager at the helm, Swansea hope to revive their season and continue the momentum they picked up against Watford.
Two days later Tottenham face West Ham United at Wembley. The North Londoners have been relentless at home, scoring 12 goals in their last 3 games and Kane scoring 5 of those.
His record against West Ham also proves his case as a captain. He scored 2 goals against them in their earlier meeting this season at the London Stadium and has notched up 7 goals and 1 assist in 11 games overall.
Trusting Kane with the triple captain chip can also prove to be an option and the double gameweek offers FPL managers an opportunity to capitalise on his goal scoring form.
#2 Spurs midfield
Mauricio Pochettino opting for a back 4 in recent weeks has allowed Eriksen, Dele and Son to all play in tandem and give FPL managers options to enter the Spurs' midfield.
Son (£8.0m) has provided 4 goals and 4 assist in his last 6 starts for Tottenham. He is the cheapest of the Spurs attacking 4 and his ownership stands at a low 4.1% making him a good differential option. Son last completed his full 90 minutes way back in GW13 and is likely to be rotated more than Eriksen or Alli, which makes it difficult for managers to transfer him into their squads.
Eriksen (£9.2m) is the safest option in the Spurs midfield and seems to be free from the rotation risk. He has not been able to produce the numbers of last season where he notched up 20 assists for the season. Involved in only 4 of Tottenham's last 16 goals indicates his dip in form. But he has consistently delivered bonus points (15) which is more than that of Son and Alli combined.
#3 Marko Arnautovic
Since the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham's new boss, their fortunes seemed to have turned a bit. They seem to be working hard both on and off the field. The players have made more runs and covered more distance per match since his appointment. 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 games have helped them climb above the relegation zone.
This run has also helped unleash Marko Arnautovic's (£6.9m) true potential in front of goal. He has contributed 5 goals in his last 5 starts for the West Ham. Moyes seems to trust his abilities and he looks like an assured starter for the Hammers. Providing attacking returns in 3 of his last 5 his performances cannot be neglected. His ownership of 2.5% makes him a favourable differential option if you want to jump places in you mini-league.
Arnautovic has provided FPL managers with 3 double digit returns, all coming at home and with West Bromwich Albion set to visit the London Stadium for the first of West Ham's 2 fixtures, Arnautovic seems poised to deliver points.
West Bromwich Albion have failed to win any of their last 18 games and seem destined to be relegated.
#4 Mohamed Salah
Mohamad Salah (£10.1m) is in blistering form for Liverpool this season, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. With 17 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League his ownership of 59.7% is ever increasing and has made him the most owned player in FPL. He has become a player you cannot avoid.
Playing in each and every match for Liverpool his pace has troubled opponents and his finishing which was questioned earlier by many has improved drastically.
Salah's opponents Burnley are the league's surprise package this year and are toe to toe with teams vying for the Champions League spots. With the third-best defensive record at home, Burnley have conceded just 6 goals in 10 matches.
Salah with 9 goals and 3 assists in his 10 away matches will surely test a Burnley defence which is expected to recall Tarkowski and Ward back into the starting 11, with Tarkowski completing his ban and Ward coming back from injury.
Salah also scored in their earlier meeting at Anfield in which Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw, but with Salah's form at its peak and he being involved in a goal every 66 minutes, giving the captain's armband to Salah should not be a very tough choice.
