IF ever there was a time to think outside the box in terms of Dream Team captaincy, this might be it.
Gameweek 19 features a full round of Premier League games in midweek but before that gaffers will have to negotiate the FA Cup third round.
Mismatches such as Liverpool v Accrington Stanley, Newcastle v Bromley and Tottenham v Tamworth may seem ripe with points but heavy rotation is to be expected from the Premier League’s big boys.
Mohamed Salah (£8.1m) has been a fantastically reliable captain this season but it’s not unthinkable he will endure a rare low-scoring Gameweek this time around.
The Egyptian superstar is unlikely to get many minutes (if any at all) against the side currently 19th in League Two – why would Arne Slot take such an unnecessary risk with his top goalscorer?
On Tuesday night, the Reds travel to the City Ground to face third-placed Nottingham Forest, a difficult match-up on current form.
Not only are Nuno Espirito Santo’s side superbly organised, they are the only team to beat Liverpool in the league this season.
Betting against Salah is fraught with risk but it’s entirely feasible he doesn’t play at the weekend and is constricted against Forest for minimal returns.
But if not Salah then who?
The same thinking applies to Cole Palmer (£6.1m), who might be rested against Morecambe before coming up against one of the top flight’s form teams in Bournemouth in midweek.
One way to circumnavigate this conundrum is to ignore the cup mismatches when selecting a captain.
Instinctively, Arsenal v Manchester United appears like a match-up to avoid but a meeting of two heavyweights is likely to ensure relatively strong line-ups.
Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) banked ten points at Anfield last weekend and will probably start at the Emirates having enjoyed a forced rest via suspension in Gameweek 17.
To sweeten the deal, the Portugal international has the luxury of a league game against lowly Southampton on Thursday night – Saints have mustered just six points since promotion.
The Red Devils’ skipper seems likely to start both fixtures in Gameweek 19 and while he doesn’t have a favourable cup game, Southampton’s visit to Old Trafford should provide suitable compensation.
Mikel Arteta will probably name strong teams against Man United and Spurs this coming Gameweek but it’s not all that easy to identify a player worthy of the armband – hurry back, Bukayo Saka (£6.6m)!
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak (£5.9m) will be a popular captain given his rampant form.
The Newcastle striker has amassed 109 points in his last nine outings.
It’s overly optimistic to expect the Swedish striker to start against Bromley on Sunday, especially with a minor hamstring niggle, but he could feast against Wolves in midweek.
Dream Team bosses keen on a genuine wildcard this Gameweek should consider Eberechi Eze (£4.9m).
Crystal Palace’s No10 is among the most in-form assets right now and, more broadly, he averages an impressive 7.3 points-per-game in 2024/25.
The Eagles are due to host Stockport on Sunday before welcoming a beleaguered Leicester to Selhurst Park in midweek.
Oliver Glasner isn’t shy of playing his top stars against lower league opposition so Eze should get his fair share of minutes.
One way of removing this headache altogether is to activate the Max Captain Booster, for those with that option remaining.
Whatever you decide, make sure you select your captain (and vice captain) before Friday’s 6:30pm deadline!
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