Welcome to another FPL captaincy analysis for the upcoming gameweek 26, where we will try and show you the best tips and picks for the week. Before we examine some of your options it’s time to review how our picks from last week fared.

1. Harry Kane – 2 points

2. Ross Barkley – 3 points

3. Jamie Vardy – 2 points

Differential – Alexis Sanchez – 3 points

Gamble – Sergio Aguero – 6 points

So in all honesty our picks didn’t have the best time last week but hopefully this week’s choices will fare much better.

1. Diego Costa (NEW)

The Chelsea forward is the classic number one pick, a good run of form coupled with a decent fixture. Since Hiddink has come in, Costa has looked much better and is back amongst the goals. The Spanish international has now scored 9 times this season and with the majority of these goals coming recently, Costa must be an FPL option. Chelsea host a Newcastle said who typically ship a fair few goals which means it’s likely Chelsea will grab quite a few goals and given the recent form of Diego Costa, many managers will be backing him to get on the scoresheet on Saturday night.

2. Romelu Lukaku (WBA)

The Everton striker enjoyed a timely return to form at the Britannia last week and will be hoping to add to his 16 Premier League goals on Saturday when Everton face a West Brom side without a league win in 5. If nothing else Everton’s season will remembered for their attacking exploits, the Toffees’ 47 goals has only been bettered by Manchester City & Leicester. Many managers think Lukaku will find the back of the net on Saturday so are giving him the armband. A very strong captaincy pick.

3. Riyad Mahrez (ARS)

The Algerian playmaker has been a revelation this season and has been in millions of FPL teams on a consistent basis. Barring a dip in form over the festive period which was likely down to fatigue, Mahrez has been a reliable source of points. Although we are mainly concerned about his FPL performance I think it’s worth talking a little about Riyad Mahrez’s overall game. To look at him you probably wouldn’t see a Premier League star, he appears to lack the physicality to dominate a league such as ours, but his flair & technical ability means he is able to pull the strings for a Leicester side who are now favourites for the league title. Undoubtedly the goals scored by Jamie Vardy will make most of the headlines but for me Mahrez is more crucial to the mercurial Leicester side we are now seeing (who’d have expected those words to be uttered this time last year?!). To summarise, Mahrez is likely to perform against any opposition so should always be considered for your armband.

Differential – Wayne Rooney (SUN)

The Man United captain has enjoyed a return to form lately and this has coincided with an improvement in Manchester United’s fortunes. After going through the first half of the season with a goal tally you could represent on one hand with fingers to spare, most FPL managers disregarded the former Everton man as a viable FPL option. However in 2016 Rooney has got himself on the scoresheet much more frequently which has led to many mangers considering Rooney as an option once again. The fact his side travel to the North East to face struggling Sunderland may be all the convincing that you need to captain the United front-man. His ownership is quite low which will mean his points will help your rank no end.

Gamble – Dimitri Payet (NOR)

Payet hasn’t returned a decent points total for a number of games now which has convinced many managers to transfer the Frenchman out however I feel there is a strong case for keeping the Hammers midfielder. He is still making chances and running the show offensively which should give managers the reassurance they need to prevent them acting in haste. The Hammers travel to Norwich this week and I think it’s fair to say they don’t know how to defend, they shipped 5 at home to Liverpool & 2 against both Spurs and Aston Villa. This means that it’s more than likely West Ham will score goals this week, and usually Payet is involved in West Ham’s goals. All of these points make Payet an interesting captaincy pick however his recent slump in form may put you off.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

Written by Bonus FPL

@BonusFPL

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