FPL Gameweek 25-captain-analysis tips: Go Saka over Haaland
By Arasi Rex · Updated 15 August 2026 · 6 min read
The best fpl gameweek 25-captain-analysis tips are not about who scored last week. They are about which premium asset is most likely to score this week, and the answer is Bukayo Saka. Arsenal travel to Ipswich Town, and Saka has 7 goals, 10 assists and 157 FPL points in the supplied data, with an expected-goals figure of 7.57 to back his shot volumes.
The fixtures table
Gameweek 25 is a full slate scheduled for 10 February, with every match in the supplied fixture list kicking off at the same time. The table below is the starting point for the captaincy decision.
Captain picks (3 ranked)
1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka is the armband pick because he combines Arsenal's attacking production with a fixture that should let him attack freely. He has 7 goals and 10 assists, and his 157 FPL points are built on more than penalty-area cameos. The 7.57 expected-goals figure shows that his shot volume has been real, and Arsenal top the supplied standings with 85 points and 71 goals scored.
The ownership makes it even stronger. Saka sits at 10.6%, while Haaland sits at 74.8%. Captaining a player owned by three quarters of managers protects your rank, but it does not improve it. Saka is the rare premium who can actually move you up a mini-league.
2. Erling Haaland (Man City)
Haaland is the safe captain. Erling Haaland has 239 FPL points, 27 goals and 8 assists, with 6.8 points per game. No player in the supplied FPL data has more total points. Manchester City scored 77 goals in the supplied standings, and they travel to a Spurs side that conceded 57.
If you want the highest floor, the armband should stay on Haaland. The reason he is second here is the same reason Saka is first: 74.8% ownership. Everyone around you is captaining him, so a normal Haaland week does not change your rank. A differential captain with a similar return does.
3. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Bruno Fernandes is the third option, and he is a midfielder with genuine captain upside. Bruno Fernandes has 24 assists, the most in the supplied FPL data, and he has added 9 goals to reach 235 points. Manchester United host Brighton, a side whose form reads WLWLL and who conceded 46 goals in the supplied standings.
At 48.7% ownership he is not a differential, but he is a pivot if you want a midfielder with a high points-per-game average. His 6.7 points per game is the same territory as the top-scoring forwards in the data.
Players to bring in (4-5)
The transfer targets below are ranked by the balance of fixture, minutes and ownership.
| Player | Club | Points | Selected | Fixture | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Szoboszlai | Liverpool | 160 | 47.0% | Coventry away | 3,232 minutes, 6 goals, 7 assists |
| Mbeumo | Man Utd | 148 | 18.2% | Brighton home | 11 goals, expected goals 11.98 |
| Gibbs-White | Nott'm Forest | 188 | 11.6% | Fulham away | 15 goals, 4 assists |
| Gabriel | Arsenal | 209 | 26.2% | Ipswich away | 3 goals, 5 assists, 18 clean sheets |
| Ouattara | Brentford | 136 | 1.4% | Crystal Palace away | 7 goals, 8 assists |
Szoboszlai is the most reliable Liverpool midfield route in the data. He has played 3,232 minutes and still returns enough to sit on 160 points. Mbeumo offers a shot-heavy Man United attacker whose 11 goals are backed by 11.98 expected goals, which makes him more than a form pick.
Gibbs-White is Forest's main creator and scorer, with 15 goals and 4 assists. At 11.6% ownership he is a way to gain rank without leaving the template entirely. Gabriel is the defensive pick: 3 goals, 5 assists and 18 clean sheets is an absurd line for a defender, and Arsenal's trip to Ipswich gives him another clean-sheet chance. Ouattara is the budget pick. He has 7 goals and 8 assists at 1.4% ownership, which is the kind of coverage that scores highly in a single Gameweek.
Players to move on (2-3)
Availability is part of captaincy. If a player cannot take the pitch, he cannot take the armband.
James Garner has 159 points but is injured in the data, with a groin problem and a 0% chance of playing. William Saliba has 137 points but a back injury and a 0% chance of playing. Joachim Andersen has 123 points but is suspended until 30 Aug, which makes him a wasted squad spot in Gameweek 25.
These are not talent calls. They are squad-efficiency calls. The data gives all three a 0% chance of playing, so holding them while trying to captain the right player only creates an extra problem.
The differential
If you are chasing, the differential is Rayan Cherki. Rayan Cherki has 13 assists and 4 goals for Man City, with 135 FPL points and an expected-assists figure of 8.87. His 9.3% ownership means a strong week from him separates you from most managers.
Man City face Spurs away, and Spurs conceded 57 goals in the supplied standings. Cherki is the creative midfielder most likely to punish that defence, and he is cheap enough to fit alongside the main captain options. This round of fpl gameweek 25-captain-analysis tips ends with a simple split: Saka for rank gains, Haaland for safety, Bruno for a midfield floor, and Cherki for the swing.
FAQ
Should I captain Saka or Haaland in FPL Gameweek 25?
Saka is the recommended captain. He has 7 goals and 10 assists, and Arsenal face Ipswich. Haaland has 239 FPL points and is the safer pick, but his 74.8% ownership limits the rank gain.
Is Haaland still the best captain option?
Haaland is the best safe captain option. He leads the supplied FPL data with 239 points, 27 goals and 8 assists, and Man City travel to a Spurs side that conceded 57 goals. The trade-off is ownership, because most of your mini-league rivals already have him.
Who is a good differential captain for Gameweek 25?
Rayan Cherki is the standout differential. The Man City midfielder has 13 assists and 4 goals, with 9.3% ownership, and Man City face Spurs. His 8.87 expected assists show he is creating chances at a high rate.
Key takeaways
- Saka is the top captain pick: 7 goals, 10 assists and 157 FPL points for Arsenal's trip to Ipswich.
- Haaland is the safety pick: 239 FPL points, 27 goals and 8 assists, but 74.8% ownership limits the upside.
- Bruno Fernandes is the third captain route: 24 assists and 235 points ahead of Man Utd vs Brighton.
- Bring in Szoboszlai, Mbeumo, Gibbs-White, Gabriel or Ouattara depending on budget and squad structure.
- Move on injured or suspended assets: Garner, Saliba and Andersen all have a 0% chance of playing in the data.