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Our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) analysts give their best picks for Gameweek 2 of the English Premier League fantasy game. Expert advice on who to Captain in the English Premier League.
FPL is back, and whether you started well or you're already playing catch-up, we're here to help you win your mini-league and pick the right captain each week! Gameweek 1 saw some of the popular captain picks deliver, including Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.
If you're looking for this week's best captain, then you're in the right place. Brad will discuss three of the best options for the upcoming gameweek, as well as share a differential captain choice with Euan, Wale, and Jamie, who will also share their picks.
The Gameweek 2 deadline for the 2025-26 Fantasy Premier League season is Friday, August 22, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, when West Ham hosts Chelsea. Check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our EPL DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 29, 2025
How to Play Fantasy Premier League Guide
Whether it's your first, second, or 20th season playing Fantasy Premier League, don't miss our How to Play Fantasy Premier League Guide for the 2025-26 season. It covers squad building, transfers, and all the new strategies coming to this great game for the upcoming campaign.
Best Captains for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 2
Each gameweek, Brad, Euan, Jamie, and Wale will provide their best Captain picks for the upcoming gameweek in the 2025-26 Fantasy Premier League season.
Bukayo Saka
Fixture: Arsenal vs. Leeds
Although Arsenal took all 3 points at Old Trafford on Sunday, it wasn't a compelling performance from the Gunners. Their new signing, Viktor Gyökeres, failed to impress as he didn't take a single shot, and Bukayo Saka himself only managed one shot in the game.
However, a home game against Leeds in Gameweek 2 is just what the North London side needs to get their season going, and the Englishman will be at the heart of everything good coming from the Arsenal attack. Therefore, he is one of the top three captain options for this week.
Cool as you like from our Bukayo 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/F7HhXhrvF6
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 23, 2025
Erling Haaland
Fixture: Man City vs. Tottenham
Fresh off the back of two goals against Wolves in Gameweek 1, Erling Haaland will, no doubt, be a popular pick for the armband in Gameweek 2 against Spurs.
The Spurs' defence has improved hugely in the short time that Thomas Frank has been in charge. In a recent interview, Djed Spence mentioned that defensive solidity and clean sheets are a big focus this season.
All of this should steer people away from captaining the Norwegian in Gameweek 2. Still, Man City and Haaland were that impressive against Wolves that it shouldn't put anyone off giving the striker the armband. A 30-plus goal season could be on the cards, and Spurs will have to deliver a sensational defensive display to keep this City side from scoring.
No longer the most-expensive player in the game 😏
Erling Haaland on why he should make your FPL squad 🤖 pic.twitter.com/glG6Drx39w
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 14, 2025
Mo Salah
Fixture: Liverpool at Newcastle
A stoppage-time goal from Mo Salah papered over a somewhat disappointing performance from the Egyptian against Bournemouth on Friday evening. He wasn't as involved as he usually is, and Hugo Ekitike took the bulk of the team's xG and shots.
However, one ordinary display is not enough to write off the man who broke the FPL points record only a few months ago. Newcastle looked surprisingly solid in their goalless draw against Aston Villa at the weekend. For that reason, Salah is just behind Saka and Haaland this week for captaincy.
The King is in the building 👑 pic.twitter.com/dzpDqxo4Sx
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 21, 2025
Evanilson
Fixture: Bournemouth vs. Wolves
If you read our differentials article, you'll know that Evanilson is one to watch this week. His teammate, Antoine Semenyo, took the plaudits against Liverpool, but the Brazilian can be just as effective.
Despite losing many of their defenders and conceding four goals against Liverpool, Bournemouth's attack was still just as impressive as last season. With Justin Kluivert still missing, Evanilson is likely to be the designated penalty taker, so he could be an interesting differential captaincy option against a weak Wolves defence.
Wale's FPL Captain Picks
Main: Bukayo Saka vs. Leeds
This week, I'm entrusting the armband to Bukayo Saka. He is less than 20 percent owned by fantasy managers, making him an excellent captain pick against template picks such as Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer. I foresee Arsenal's "Starboy" scoring a brace against Leeds this weekend.
Differential: Anthony Elanga vs. Liverpool
My differential captain pick this week will be Anthony Elanga. It's a bold call, especially against Liverpool; however, watching the Gameweek 1 fixture against Aston Villa, Elanga was presented with a load of chances but lacked the composure to score his first goal for the Magpies.
With only 8% ownership, I foresee Anthony Elanga being an attacking threat that's poised to tear up Liverpool's defense in Gameweek 2.
Jamie's FPL Captain Picks
Main: Bukayo Saka vs. Leeds
I don't have great matchups for much of my midfield and attack. Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) is who I am most likely to captain this week. Five of his six EPL goals last season came at home, and Saka has scored in the previous two home openers for Arsenal.
I do believe Leeds United has the best chance of all newly promoted teams to stay up, and they'll give most teams a real challenge. But the Gunners have the best matchup among the top teams this weekend. Saka could find himself with the midfield trifecta (goal, assist, and clean sheet).
Differential: Ollie Watkins at Brentford
After blanking last weekend and having an away game this week, it feels like Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) won't be highly captained in Gameweek 2. However, the numbers suggest he could be in for a productive day.
Only Southampton (47) and Ipswich Town (44) conceded more home goals last season than Saturday's opponents, Brentford (35). Watkins has also scored five goals in his previous four games against the Bees. Brentford looked shaky at best against Nottingham Forest, and another display like that should see Watkins open his account for the season.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 21, 2025
Euan's FPL Captain Picks
Main: Erling Haaland vs. Spurs
The Robot, Erling Haaland, is my Captain for FPL's Gameweek 2. The 2023/24 Golden Boot winner has already kicked off the new season with two goals, and I wouldn't bet against him to add a third or fourth against Spurs.
Differential: Bruno Fernandes at Fulham
If I were getting different within my team, I'd think about giving Bruno Fernandes the armband at Fulham. The Portuguese talisman was still on plenty of set pieces and involved in several offensive moves versus Arsenal. With the added floor of DefCons (midfielders need 12 to hit the two-point threshold), the 30-year-old is a great outside shout for the armband.
It's our fourth season covering Fantasy Premier League, so reach out to @TheFPLManual, @BradMayorFPL, @Baseball_Jimbo, @F1FantasyEuan, or @df_solutions on X to let us know what you think about our coverage for the 2025-26 FPL season.
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