Choosing the Right Captain for Gameweek 10: Haaland vs. Salah
As Gameweek 10 approaches with the Saturday 11 am deadline looming, Dream Team managers find themselves at a crossroads: who to select as captain? While many gaffers have consistently placed the armband on Erling Haaland due to his impressive average of 12 points per game this season, there’s a compelling case for considering Mohamed Salah as a potential alternative for this week’s fixtures.
Assessing Haaland’s Situation
Haaland, priced at £8.9 million, has been a formidable force on the pitch. However, Manchester City faces a challenging schedule, including a trip to Bournemouth and then to Sporting CP. The team is currently grappling with an injury crisis, with manager Pep Guardiola admitting to having only 13 players available following their midweek defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. This could significantly impact Haaland’s performance, as a depleted squad may limit his goal-scoring opportunities.
Despite City’s historical dominance over Bournemouth, the Cherries recently stunned Arsenal at home, showcasing their ability to pull off surprises. In addition, Sporting CP is on a winning streak, having triumphed in all nine of their league games this season and remaining undefeated in the Champions League. These factors could make it difficult for Haaland to find the net as frequently as usual, raising questions about his reliability as captain this week.
The Case for Salah
In contrast, Mohamed Salah, valued at £7.4 million, offers two back-to-back home fixtures, starting with a match against Brighton. Liverpool’s home ground, Anfield, has been a fortress for the team, and Salah has consistently proven to be their most dangerous player. He has already amassed an impressive 133 points this season through eight goals and seven assists.
Brighton currently sits sixth in the league but has shown vulnerabilities in defense, particularly following an injury to key player Lewis Dunk. This could create opportunities for Salah to exploit, especially given Liverpool’s recent success against them, having secured a 3-2 win in their last encounter during the Carabao Cup.
Moreover, following the match against Brighton, Liverpool will face Bayer Leverkusen, who, despite being the defending Bundesliga champions, have struggled this season, failing to win half of their league games. This presents a favorable opportunity for Salah to add to his tally in front of a home crowd.
Exploring Other Options
While the Haaland vs. Salah debate is front and center, other players are also making headlines. Bukayo Saka, priced at £6.8 million, is among the most transferred-in players ahead of Gameweek 10. He has returned to fitness, but Arsenal faces two challenging away fixtures against Newcastle and Inter, making him a less appealing captaincy choice despite his popularity.
Additionally, Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United’s 20-year-old winger priced at £3.9 million, could be an intriguing option as a left-field captain. He recently scored 20 points in Gameweek 9 and has registered the most shots on target among midfielders this season. With matches against Chelsea and PAOK ahead, if he starts both games, he could replicate or even exceed his previous performance.
Making Your Decision
As Dream Team managers prepare for Gameweek 10, the choice of captain can significantly impact their scores. While many may instinctively gravitate towards Haaland due to his historical performance, the current circumstances suggest that Salah could be the smarter bet this week. With favorable fixtures, a strong home record, and a high potential for goal contributions, Salah presents an enticing option.
Ultimately, the decision should also consider personal risk tolerance and overall strategy. Whether sticking with the tried-and-true Haaland or taking a chance on Salah—or even exploring other emerging talents like Garnacho—managers must weigh their options carefully as the deadline approaches.