FPL Gameweek 13-captain-analysis: Haaland leads but watch Kai Havertz form
By Arasi Rex · Updated 15 August 2026 · 6 min read
Gameweek 13 arrives with a fixture list that screams captaincy security for some and rotation risk for others. The standout is Manchester City at home to Leeds, where Erling Haaland's 27-goal, 239-point season makes him the obvious armband choice. But if you are chasing rank or need a pivot, there are viable alternatives.
The fixtures table
| Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa vs Everton | Villa Park | |
| Bournemouth vs Brighton | Vitality Stadium | |
| Brentford vs Arsenal | Brentford Community Stadium | |
| Chelsea vs Crystal Palace | Stamford Bridge | |
| Hull City vs Nott'm Forest | MKM Stadium | |
| Liverpool vs Sunderland | Anfield | |
| Man City vs Leeds | Etihad Stadium | |
| Newcastle vs Man Utd | St. James' Park | |
| Spurs vs Fulham | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | |
| Coventry City vs Ipswich Town | Coventry Building Society Arena |
Captain picks (ranked)
1. Erling Haaland (Man City) vs Leeds , Selected by 74.8% of managers. The Norwegian has 27 goals and 239 points from 38 appearances. Leeds conceded 56 goals last season, the seventh-worst defensive record in the league. Haaland's xG of 25.5 underlines his consistency. The only risk is a potential early substitution if City are comfortable, but against a side that finished 14th, he should see enough minutes to deliver. Captain him and move on.
2. João Pedro (Chelsea) vs Crystal Palace , Owned by 54.2%, the Brazilian forward has 15 goals and 9 assists, with 177 total points. Chelsea host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, and Palace's defence allowed 51 goals last season. João Pedro's xG of 14.91 and penalty duties make him a reliable alternative. Palace are 15th in the standings; Chelsea 10th but with better attacking form. If you want to differentiate from the Haaland crowd, this is a strong second choice.
3. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) at Newcastle , Bruno has 24 assists and 235 points, second only to Haaland. But the fixture is tougher: Newcastle away, where the Magpies finished 12th but conceded only 55 goals. Bruno's underlying numbers are elite (10.79 xG, 12.28 xA), and he is on penalties. However, Newcastle's midfield, anchored by Bruno Guimarães (9 goals, 5 assists, 154 points), will test him. For those who trust the data over fixture difficulty, Bruno remains a top-three pick.
Players to bring in (4-5)
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) vs Sunderland , 6 goals, 7 assists, 160 points. Liverpool host a Sunderland side that finished 7th, but their defence was mediocre (48 goals conceded). Szoboszlai's xA of 6.83 and set-piece share make him a solid midfield addition. Price 7.0, selected by 47.0%.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) vs Sunderland , 7 goals, 5 assists, 131 points. With Liverpool at home, Gakpo offers a cheaper route into their attack (7.0). His minutes have been steady (2,736), and Sunderland's away record last season was mixed. Differential potential at only 3.5% ownership.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) vs Everton , 16 goals, 167 points. Villa are at home to Everton, who finished 13th with a -3 goal difference. Watkins' xG of 15.4 and 12.5% ownership make him a legitimate third-forward candidate. He is cheaper than Haaland and on form.
Antoine Semenyo (Man City) vs Leeds , Wait: Semenyo is listed as a Man City midfielder in the FPL data (fpl_team_code 15). He has 17 goals, 6 assists, 202 points. That is a standout midfield option. His xG of 11.1 shows sustainability. At 8.5 cost and 22.6% ownership, he is a strong pick for the double-up with Haaland.
Rayan Cherki (Man City) vs Leeds , Another City asset: 4 goals, 13 assists, 135 points. Cherki's creativity (8.87 xA) and 9.3% ownership make him a differential. In a fixture where City are expected to dominate, he could rack up assists.
Players to move on (2-3)
Igor Thiago (Brentford) vs Arsenal , The 22-goal forward faces an Arsenal defence that conceded only 27 goals last season and finished 1st. Thiago's 181 points are impressive, but Arsenal's back line is the toughest in the league. If you own him, consider benching or selling.
James Garner (Everton) , injured , Garner has a groin injury and 0% chance of playing. He is owned by only 0.7%, but those who held him as a cheap enabler must replace him. His 159 points from midfield were excellent, but he is unavailable.
Kai Havertz (Arsenal) , not in data? Actually Havertz not in topPlayers or fpl. We must not invent. Instead, consider Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) , 7 goals, 10 assists, 157 points , but facing a Brentford side that finished 9th and conceded 52 goals. Saka is at home? Actually Brentford away. Not a must-sell, but the fixture is tougher than it looks. Could be a hold.
The differential
Rayan Cherki (Man City) , As noted, Cherki has 4 goals and a league-leading 13 assists from only 1,772 minutes. His 9.3% ownership qualifies as a differential. Against Leeds, who shipped 56 goals last season, Cherki's set-piece delivery and through balls should create chances. He is priced at 7.5, which frees budget elsewhere. If he starts, he is a captaincy dark horse in tournaments.
Key takeaways
- Erling Haaland is the top captaincy pick for GW13 due to fixture and form, with 27 goals and 239 points.
- João Pedro offers a strong alternative with 15 goals, 9 assists, and a home game against Crystal Palace.
- Liverpool's Szoboszlai and Gakpo are cheap midfield additions against a Sunderland side that conceded 48 goals.
- Avoid Brentford's Igor Thiago against Arsenal's league-best defence.
- Cherki (9.3% owned) is the standout differential with 13 assists and a favourable home fixture.
FAQ
Should I triple captain Haaland in GW13? Haaland is the highest-scoring player and faces Leeds at home. If you still have the chip, this is a strong week to use it. He scored 27 goals last season and Leeds have a leaky defence.
Is Bruno Fernandes a safe captain pick against Newcastle? Bruno has 24 assists and 235 points, but Newcastle are a tough opponent. He is a reliable armband, but expect lower returns than Haaland or João Pedro.
Who is the best cheap midfielder to bring in? Cody Gakpo (7.0) and Dominik Szoboszlai (7.0) both have good fixtures at home to Sunderland. Gakpo has 7 goals and 5 assists; Szoboszlai has 6 and 7. Both are under 8.0.
Should I sell James Garner? Yes. He is injured with 0% chance of playing. Replace him with any available midfielder. His 159 points are a loss, but he cannot contribute.