With only two gameweeks to go, this is as good a time as any to choose the spicy option for your captaincy selection.
While most will consider Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes or even Bukayo Saka, we have picked out our favourite punts to take on the template picks as a last throw of the dice.
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal’s big-money summer signing has never quite got going this season, yet still has 14 goals to his name. His form has picked up since gameweek 24, during which time he has found the back of the net nine times. His goals had mainly come against sides in the bottom half, until recently. He has rectified this and scored against Everton, Fulham and Bournemouth since gameweek 30.
His improvement in front of goal has come at the perfect time to face the weakest defence in the division. His last outing against Burnley saw him record 1.04 xGI in 45 minutes, which he converted into a goal and two bonus points.
It is no surprise that he found so much joy last time out against the Clarets, as no one has conceded more big chances, shots or xG this season. They have been particularly weak in central areas, having conceded more key passes through the middle than anyone in the league.
Burnley’s inability to stop these dangerous passes plays right into the big Swede’s hands, as he loves to operate off the shoulder of the centre-back.
Their defensive form has not improved as the season has gone on, either. In the last six, Burnley are bottom for xG conceded (xGC).
Whilst Saka will be the popular Arsenal pick, captaining Gyokeres could be a shrewd choice. He appears to have a larger penalty share than Saka and has an incredible record across his career. He has scored 40 out of the 44 he has taken, with his last miss coming in the 23/24 season.
Goal difference is all-important to Arsenal now, and putting Burnley to the sword in gameweek 37 would tighten their grip on the title. All these factors make Gyokeres an appealing differential captain.
Jeremy Doku
On the other side of the title race, Jeremy Doku has been standing out for City in the run-in. The tricky Belgian is arguably City’s most in-form player alongside Erling Haaland. In his last two, he has scored three wonderful goals, keeping the Blues within touching distance of the Gunners.
Perhaps due to these goals, his confidence looks to be at an all-time high. While he was often hugging the touchline and providing an outlet for City, his shot numbers have never been anything to write home about. However, in the last two, he has taken on seven shots.
His creativity has not fallen off as a result, either. In the last six, Doku has created the sixth-most chances and big chances in the league
Bournemouth are pushing for European places themselves, but this does not mean that they are impenetrable. In fact, their right flank could be a real source of weakness for them. Adam Smith has been recalled in place of the suspended Jiminez, and he could struggle against Doku’s pace and dribbling ability.
It is often the kiss of death to suggest anyone in a Pep side is nailed, but City do not have anyone who can offer what Doku is currently. His spot on the left wing appears very secure.
If you needed any more confirmation bias to hand Doku the captaincy, he played a huge role in City’s rout of Bournemouth in the 23/34 season. He came away with a goal and four (!) assists in a single gameweek against the Cherries.
Ollie Watkins
Speaking of players who might relish their gameweek 37 fixture, Ollie Watkins should have fond memories of playing Liverpool thanks to Villa’s famous win in the 20/21 season.
The Englishman bagged a hat-trick on the way to a 7-2 win over the Reds that year and could be eyeing this fixture as a chance to add to his 12 goals this season.
Liverpool have not been particularly strong at the back of late. In the last six games, they are in the bottom six for xGC. Their last clean sheet came in gameweek 32, and they now travel to a Villa side still in need of one more result to secure a return to the Champions League.
With just four points separating fifth-placed Villa from Bournemouth, one more win will do it. Now that they have secured their spot in the final of the Europa League, all their focus can turn to their gameweek 37 fixture.
Ollie Watkins has been in great form since the start of April. In all competitions, he has nine attacking returns in nine games. In the Premier League, he has supported this output with good underlying numbers in front of goal. He has taken 16 shots over the course of the last six, with 12 coming inside the box. Six of these were classed as big chances, and he converted four of those.
From a selfish perspective, Watkins will be doing all he can to earn a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup. This sets him up as a solid option to hand the armband to in gameweek 37.
