FPL

FPL GW7 Captain Picks: Who Gets the Armband?

15 October 2026FPL Demon

The armband is the biggest call you make every week. GW7 has one safe choice, a gamble the Demon thinks is worth taking, and two differentials that could win you your mini-league if you're brave enough. We ran every option through this week's projections, form and fixtures. Let's start with the one most of you already own.

1. Erling Haaland (Man City, £15.6m)

Ipswich (H). Owned by 75.4%. Projected 7.3 points.

Six goals in six starts. Nine bonus points already. He's the highest projected player in the game this week by 1.7 points, and the Demon expects more than a goal from him on his own (1.02 xG) against Ipswich at the Etihad.

He's on penalties too. And with three quarters of the game owning him, not captaining Haaland at home to Ipswich is a bet against the whole field.

Demon's Verdict: The safest armband of the season so far. Haaland, and sleep easy.

2. Rayan Cherki (Man City, £7.9m)

Ipswich (H). Owned by 32.8%. Projected 5.6 points.

44 points from only 392 minutes. Four goals, two assists and two hauls already, and his last few weeks have been his best. He takes City's free kicks and corners, so he's involved in everything.

The catch is minutes. The Demon only expects 73 from him on Saturday, against 86 for Haaland and 90 for Semenyo. If Maresca hooks him on the hour, the armband dies with him.

Demon's Verdict: The explosive City option. Great for a differential armband, but not if you can't stomach an early sub.

3. Antoine Semenyo (Man City, £8.3m)

Ipswich (H). Owned by 13.9%. Projected 5.5 points.

Every minute of every game: 540 out of 540, and the Demon has him down for the full 90 again. Two goals and three assists, and he's in red-hot form.

Most of his returns have come from creating: 1.47 expected assists against only 0.34 expected goals. He's second in line for City's penalties behind Haaland.

Demon's Verdict: The nailed City alternative at 13.9% ownership. If you want City's attack without Haaland's ownership, this is the one.

4. Pascal Groß (Brighton, £6.0m)

Crystal Palace (H). Owned by 40.3%. Projected 5.5 points.

The best FPL player of the lot so far: 53 points, three goals, five assists, three hauls and 8.8 points a game. He's first choice for Brighton's penalties, free kicks and corners, so nearly every chance runs through him.

And this is his window. After Palace at home, Brighton go to Liverpool and then Man City. If you were ever going to captain Groß, it's this week.

Demon's Verdict: Form says yes and the fixture says yes. The only player here who might genuinely outscore Haaland.

5. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, £9.6m)

Nottingham Forest (A). Owned by 16.7%. Projected 4.9 points.

Saka's underlying numbers are far better than his points. He's got 4.67 expected goal involvements but only three goals and no assists, and his recent form has gone cold. Players like that tend to come good.

He's on penalties and takes set pieces too. But Forest away is the toughest fixture on this list, which is why the Demon has him fifth.

Demon's Verdict: The 'due' pick. Owners should keep the faith, but there are better armbands this week.

Differential armbands

6. Sávio (Spurs, £6.5m)

Coventry (H). Owned by just 0.8%. Projected 4.5 points.

No goals or assists yet, but the chances are there: 1.49 expected goal involvements in 330 minutes. The Demon has him starting and playing 90 against Coventry at home.

Demon's Verdict: Only for the brave, or the desperate. If he finally clicks, you climb on 99% of the game.

7. Matheus Cunha (Man United, £7.9m)

Leeds (A). Owned by 6.5%. Projected 4.5 points.

36 points with a goal, three assists, seven bonus points and two hauls, and he's in top form right now. He's started every game, and the Demon expects 90 minutes again.

Demon's Verdict: The form differential. At 6.5% owned, a Cunha haul is a mini-league weapon.

Conclusion

Haaland is the captain. 7.3 projected points, at home to Ipswich, on penalties and owned by 75% of managers. Captaining anyone else is a gamble.

If you need to gamble, Groß is the one. He's been the best player in FPL so far, he has the easiest fixture of his next three, and 60% of the game don't own him. Semenyo is the safest way to go against Haaland within City.