Top FPL Gameweek 2 Captain Picks Based on Analysis and Metrics

FPL GW1 turned out to be a high-scoring one thanks to Bruno and Salah having mega hauls. Our GW1 captaincy metric had Salah at the top and captaining him would have got you 34 points. We are back once again to analyze various numbers right from attacking, odds, projection, and team data. So let’s take a look at who’s the best FPL Gameweek 2 captain picks according to our metric. Link to all our FPL Gameweek 2 blogs.

FPL GW 2 Captaincy poll ~ Wisdom Of the Crowd

[Total_Soft_Poll id=”9″]

After the success of Salah and Bruno in GW1 the captaincy decision this week was fairly between them. The votes from our FPL GW2 Captaincy poll also paints the same story. Salah leads with 60% of the votes and Bruno has received nearly half of the votes which salah has got. The other 10 candidates combine for merge 10% of the votes showing how much interest Salah and Bruno hold in terms of captaincy this week.

Underlying Numbers of the Captaincy Candidates

Underlying Numbers of the Captaincy Candidates ~ FPL Gameweek 2 captaincy
We have taken underlying stats from GW1 here 

Bruno Fernandes had a great week and he tops the underlying numbers with 3 shots inside the box, 3 chances created, two big chances, and an xG of 0.68. Mahrez and Salah are respectively second and third. Mahrez especially in second with an xG of 0.47 which shows the quality of chances he received. Mane finished a distant fifth in the underlying numbers here.

Underlying Numbers of the Candidates Teams

Underlying Numbers of the Candidates Teams ~ FPL Gameweek 2 captaincy
We have taken underlying stats from GW1 here 

Now moving on to the underlying numbers of teams from GW1, The city duo of Mahrez and Grealish top this as they had good numbers from their game against Spurs even though they did not win their opening game. United finish fifth in the list having scored five goals from an xG of just 1.47 which shows how bad Leeds were defensively.

Fixture Difficulty of the candidate team in FPL GW 1

(C)andidateDrafthound Clean Sheet OddsDrafthound Odds of Conceding >2.5 GoalsSafety RankExplosion RankAverage Factor of Safety Rank and Explosion RankFixture Difficulty Rank
Burnley (vs Salah)9%49%3333
Burnley (vs Mane)9%49%3333
Norwich (vs Mahrez)6%59%1111
Norwich (vs Grealish)6%59%1111
Southampton (vs Bruno)17%37%5555

In the Third Phase of the Article, we look at the Fixture Difficulty of our 5 Candidates. 

Since we do not have the data for newly promoted sides, and even if we did, they would be very unreliable because of the sheer difference in the quality of Championship and that of the Premier League, we have modified our approach for the start of the season. 

We will use Drafthound’s Clean Sheet odds and the Odds of Conceding more than 2.5 goals. You can check out the same as well for free on Drafthound along with fixture analysis, predicted analysis, and more.

Norwich who conceded three against Liverpool in GW1 are ranked with the poorest odds in GW2 meaning you’ll be better off captaining one of the City guys based on odds alone. Although Bruno is fifth don’t be put off by it, Saints still have a CS odds% of just 17% which shows how poor they were especially in the second half against Everton.

Projections Rank

Projections Rank

In the Fourth Phase of the article, I have used the Anytime Returns and Projected Points Tools available at Fantasy Football Hub. With the help of the Anytime Returns Tool, I have derived the Safety Rank, which helps in determining the Safest Captaincy Option of the week, while I have used the Projected Points Tool to determine the Explosion Rank, which helps in determining the Most Explosive Option of the week. 

I have then averaged the Two Ranks to churn out the Average Rank Factor, which I have used to determine the Safest yet Explosive option. 

Salah rightly seems to have the best projections putting him in the first place. Curiously Mane is second ahead of Bruno and the city duo based on projections.

Conclusion – Final Rank from our FPL Gameweek 2 Captaincy metric analysis

In the Fifth and Final Phase of the article, I have aggregated the Ranks derived above to pull out the Cumulative Rank Factor (CRF). The Candidate having the lowest Cumulative Rank Factor is the most ideal Captaincy Option according to this metric. 

FPL Gameweek 2 Captaincy metric analysis

Mahrez surprisingly tops the metric ahead of FPL GW2 Captaincy favorites Salah and Bruno. In the community poll to Mahrez is a distant third with just 3% of the votes. But playing against a Norwich side at home is an exciting prospective and could haul big come FPL GW2.

Although the metric points to Mahrez, if you don’t own him or want a safer option then go ahead with one of Salah or Bruno.

Salah vs Bruno FPL Gameweek 2 captaincy:

Salah vs Bruno FPL Gameweek 2 captaincy

It all boils down to this and it could go right or go wrong as well. But counting on the underlying numbers above which had salah as the second-best option and the home advantage, I feel Salah slightly has the edge when compared to Bruno for the FPL Gameweek 2 captaincy.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 2:

FPL Gameweek 2 Team reveals, Strategies, Captaincy, and Tips
FPL Gameweek 2 Matchups – A Splattering of GW1 Impressions
FPL GW2 Watchlist – Stand Out Players Who Impressed in GW1
Gameweek 1: Fantasy Premier League Detailed Review
FPL Gameweek 2 Analysis- Players to Buy | Hold | Sell Ahead of FPL GW2
FPL GW2 Transfer Trends Analysis | Popular Transfer Combinations
FPL GW1 Scout Notes: Southampton, Barnes, Norwich Under the Lens
FPL Gameweek 2: Three Fixtures to target for FPL Points

Also check out our Rules and Basics Guide, FPL Chip Strategy, FPL Chips, FPL Team reveals, FPL History, team reveals, FPL Tools here.

Thanks for reading the FPL Gameweek 2 captain picks. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for regular blogs. Also, follow our 22000+community on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter to stay updated on regular Posts and FPL updates. Link to all our FPL Gameweek 2 blogs.

Visit Drafthound.com for more free stats, data, and more!

What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 2?

We’ll be covering Gameweek one eye test analysis and review, fixture analysis, players to watch out for in FPL Gameweek 2, differential picks, captaincy metrics, transfer trend analysis, expected line up, press conference summaries, Buy, hold, sell analysis for FPL gameweek two, our expert panel team reveals and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs and subscribe to our free newsletter through the link below. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep our notification ON.

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The brainchild behind ALLABOUTFPL, An ardent Manchester United fan who's been watching PL and playing FPL for a long long time. Knows a thing or two about marketing and works towards making ALLABOUTFPL the best fantasy football site in the world.
The brainchild behind ALLABOUTFPL, An ardent Manchester United fan who's been watching PL and playing FPL for a long long time. Knows a thing or two about marketing and works towards making ALLABOUTFPL the best fantasy football site in the world.
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