The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 29 of the 2025/26 season.

Gameweek 29 in the Premier League is right around the corner, and for FPL managers, choosing the right captain can make or break your rank climb. With some juicy fixtures on the horizon, like Manchester City taking on a leaky Nottingham Forest and Liverpool eyeing up struggling Wolves, there is no shortage of players banging on the door for that armband spot.

It is all about spotting the lads who face weak defences, are in hot form, or stepping up big because their star teammate is nursing knocks. FPL captaincy is not just guesswork but also about digging into recent hauls, opponent weaknesses, and a player’s role in their team’s attack. This week, Erling Haaland’s ongoing fitness woes open doors for others to shine.

Players who nailed big points in Gameweek 28 deserve a second look now against softer match-ups. Whether you are chasing the top spot mini-leagues or solidifying your overall rank, these picks could haul double points and get you buzzing.

But hold up, every captain choice carries risk. So balance the appeal with how nailed-on the players are for starts and minutes. We have zeroed in on five standout options who tick most boxes: form players with favourable draws. Let us break them down one by one, starting with a Manchester City star who is loving life up top.

Antoine Semenyo: Manchester City’s new go-to attacker

Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo looks primed to captain your FPL team in Gameweek 29 as they host Nottingham Forest, a side that has shipped goals like they are handing out free samples this season. The Tricky Trees have leaked 1.46 goals per match on average, with their xGA sitting at 1.43, showcasing a defence that crumbles under pressure from top attacks.

They have struggled to keep clean sheets, especially away from home, making them a dream match-up for a Manchester City side that is ruthless when clicking. Meanwhile, Semenyo has stepped up huge with Erling Haaland sidelined by a minor issue, grabbing 45 FPL points in his seven outings for City, including a decisive goal in the win over Leeds United last time out.

As a midfielder priced at £8.2m, he has bagged four goals in six gameweeks, topping charts among peers. Additionally, Pep Guardiola is trusting him in the final third where City create chances galore. With Forest’s backline wobbly, expect Semenyo to feast on crosses and cut-backs.

Hugo Ekitike: Liverpool’s hotshot striker

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike screams captaincy material against Wolves in Gameweek 29, given the hosts’ nightmare season where they have failed to keep clean sheets and boast the league’s worst keeper save rate at 57.1%. Wolves concede around 2.1 goals per game, turning every Liverpool raid into a scoring chance.

Ekitike has been on fire this 2025/26 campaign, notching goals and assists regularly, including the mammoth Gameweek 28 haul in a 5-2 thrashing of West Ham United, where he grabbed one goal and two assists.

The Frenchman has hit double figures in goals already, with recent outings showing shots on target aplenty, signalling he is hitting peak form post that big return. Facing bottom-feeders Wolves, Ekitike could bully the bottom side’s backline for another multi-point explosion.

Harry Wilson: Fulham maestro

Fulham’s Harry Wilson bounced back with a monster GW28 haul, making him a sneaky captain pick away at West Ham United, where his recent inconsistency looks firmly in the rearview. Wilson has tallied 9 goals and 8 assists in 27 games this season, and he has been a points machine when dialled in. That recent explosion shows the Welsh wizard rediscovering his shooting boots after a patchy spell.

The game against West Ham represents appeal here as Wilson thrives in open games, and his exploits this term means he is always threatening. Post the Gameweek 28 surge, expect him to link with Fulham’s attack, grabbing goals or assists against a West Ham side that is vulnerable mid-table. At his price, he is a low-owned treasure for explosive returns.

Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United’s FPL king

Bruno Fernandes demands the armband for Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle United, whose defence has hemorrhaged goals this season. A large portion comes from from set-pieces and transitions where they leave gaps everywhere. Newcastle’s rest defence is a shambles on counters, making it perfect for the Manchester United captain’s quick passes and long-range rockets.

The Portuguese international has been United’s talisman under Michael Carrick, producing goals for fun, including a 13-point GW28 masterclass (goal + assist) vs Crystal Palace. Across 2025/26, he is at 20 goal involvements (7G, 13A), consistently hauling 5-10+ points in big games. Newcastle United’s woes make this a captaincy lock for the man who pulls strings in Manchester United’s final third.

Cole Palmer: Chelsea’s Ice Man

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer blanked in GW28 against Arsenal, but he is still a tempting captain vs Aston Villa, who have hit skids with recent concessions despite some gritty wins. The West Midlands club’s form has been dodgy, as they have conceded in four of their last five Premier League games, while their xGA creeping up as they chase UEFA Champions League spots.

Villa’s defence bends under sustained pressure, making it ideal for Palmer’s cool finishes. The England international owns penalties and free-kicks, making him Chelsea’s go-to creator even after a quiet night. With Villa struggling consistency, Palmer’s underlying threat positions him for a haul, especially in a predicted draw where chances abound. Do not sleep on him.

Key FPL Captaincy Options at a Glance

Honourable Mentions

Keep an eye on Gabriel Magalhaes and Virgil van Dijk for clean sheet potential, Declan Rice’s midfield control, Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo’s pacey hauls, Matheus Cunha’s trickery, Morgan Rogers’s creativity, Igor Thiago’s finishing, Viktor Gyokeres’s goals, and Erling Haaland if he beats his injury doubts. Good luck, FPL bosses, pick your captains wisely.