With GW20 proving to be a frustrating experience for many managers, selecting the perfect captain for GW21 becomes one of the most pivotal decisions of this mid-season stretch.
With double points on the line, your armband choice can deliver a match-winning haul or a rank-destroying blank—especially in a fixture slate packed with enticing matchups but no doubles or blanks to skew the field.
Gameweek 21’s midweek slate features attractive home fixtures such as Manchester City vs Brighton and Newcastle
vs Leeds, meaning captaincy decisions ultimately come down to form, fixtures, and ownership leverage.
Here are our top GW21 captain picks…
Ollie Watkins (£8.5m)
Ollie Watkins has remained relatively productive in recent matches, chipping in with both goals and assists while continuing to drive Aston Villa’s attacking output.
His ownership remains rather low as Watkins is a differential for gameweek 21, placing him firmly on the radar as both a reliable starter and a viable differential captaincy option for managers looking to step outside the template.
Igor Thiago (£7.0m)
The GW20 hat-trick hero announced his return to form in emphatic fashion, as he ended a six-game goal drought with a stunning hat trick in Brentford’s 4–2 win away at Everton, taking his league tally to 14 goals for the season—now trailing only elite scorers such as Erling Haaland.
Across his last 10 league appearances, Thiago has been directly involved in seven goals (six goals and one assist), highlighting his ability to deliver consistent returns even outside explosive performances.
He ranks among the top percentiles for goals per 90 minutes and overall goal involvement, suggesting his output is supported by strong underlying numbers rather than pure variance.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m)
Jarrod Bowen is another option worth considering ahead of West Ham’s upcoming clash against Nottingham Forest.
Despite the Hammers’ inconsistent form, Bowen continues to post attacking returns, maintaining a steady shot volume and near-guaranteed minutes.
As West Ham’s primary attacking outlet, he remains heavily involved in chance creation and set pieces. If Bowen finds the net early, he has the potential to turn a bold captaincy decision into a gameweek-defining haul.
Erling Haaland (£15.1m)
Erling Haaland heads into GW21 having blanked in three consecutive matches, in games against Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Chelsea.
However, the Manchester City forward has never failed to record an attacking return in six previous meetings with Brighton.
Even during minor dips in form, Haaland’s baseline production remains comfortably above most FPL assets.
His explosive ceiling—hat tricks and double-digit hauls—continues to make him the standout forward in the game.
Bruno Guimarães (£7.1m)
Bruno Guimarães presents an intriguing differential option, particularly with Newcastle hosting Leeds at St James’ Park.
The Brazilian midfielder has shown strong attacking involvement in recent weeks, scoring in back-to-back matches, including a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace and a 3–1 victory away at Burnley.
His recent form, combined with favorable fixtures, has seen him emerge as one of the most transferred-in midfielders.
With consistent starts, set-piece involvement, and increasing attacking returns, Guimarães stands out as a credible outside-the-box captaincy pick for GW21.
