Captaincy options for Gameweek 16: Erling Haaland’s expected absence creates open field

Erling Haaland (£7.9m) is unlikely to feature against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Manchester City’s No9 has been the most-popular captain every Gameweek this Dream Team campaign but his foot injury has blown the field wide open this week.

Let’s run through the best options for Gameweek 16.

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Dream TeamA reliable alternative to Haaland[/caption]

Mohamed Salah (£6.7m)

Let’s not beat around the bush, more Dream Team bosses will captain Liverpool’s main man this Gameweek than at any other stage of the season with Haaland sidelined.

On Sunday, the Reds host a injury-hit Manchester United side with a soft underbelly – Bruno Fernandes (£5.6m) is suspended.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have won every home game in 2023/24 (all competitions) and so it’s difficult to envisage anything other than an enjoyable day out for the league leaders with Salah best placed to take advantage.

The Egyptian superstar averages 7.6 points-per-game this season having scored 14 goals and provided eight assists.

And there’s a chance Salah may also get some minutes against West Ham in midweek, depending on how Klopp views the Carabao Cup this season.

Son Heung-min (£4.4m)

Dare you opt to double Son’s points tonight?Rex

Tottenham’s captain is among the most-popular recruits this week and with good reason.

Son took Newcastle for 17 points last time out and his impressive Premier League record makes him a particularly good option for the festive period – at least until he departs for the Asian Cup in January.

And it may be that the in-form forward is worthy of the captain’s armband ahead of Spurs’ trip to Nottingham Forest on Friday night.

Steve Cooper’s side haven’t won since November 5th, losing four of their five games since.

Only Haaland and Salah have scored more league goals than Son this season and Ange Postecoglou has made it clear he will continue to encourage his side to be ultra attacking no matter the situation.

Vitaliy Mykolenko (£3.2m)

If Salah and Son are a little too mainstream for your taste then consider Everton’s left-back a rogue wildcard.

The Ukraine international has banked 26 points across his last three outings with the Toffees having beaten Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea without conceding a goal this month.

Sean Dyche has genuinely crafted one of the most resolute defences in the top flight – only Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City have conceded fewer league goals at this stage.

Everton face 19th-placed Burnley this weekend and they will host Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

If Mykolenko starts both games then his backers will be hopeful of a double-digit haul given his current form.

Phil Foden (£5.2m)

AFPFoden has registered 13 goal involvements already this season[/caption]

Haaland’s absence doesn’t automatically mean Dream Team bosses should look shy away from the contest at the Etihad.

Roy Hodgson’s men gave Liverpool a good game last weekend but the reality is they’ve lost four of their last five games – hardly form that suggests they’re likely to upset Pep Guardiola’s side.

Foden is currently fourth in the Dream Team rankings having amassed 149 points via seven goals, six assists and 29 bonus points.

The England international has been particularly productive of late having notched 82 points across the last six Gameweeks!

Select your captain before Friday’s 7pm deadline!