Star Striker Against Relegation Fodder
One classic approach is to target star players facing struggling teams. Such contests often throw up the perfect storm, with superstar players against defenses shipping goals left, right, and center. One only needs to take a look at the league table and perhaps even the betting odds to help them in determining such clashes.
For example, current league leaders Liverpool will be facing off against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a few weeks. The Reds have been the star performers in the Premier League this season and they currently sit six points clear at the top of the table and have a game in hand on their nearest rivals. If you're someone who's partial to real money gambling at Bovada and similar sites, you'll already know that the Anfield side has been made a -400 favorite to win the title this year, a stark contrast to the aforementioned Wolves. Checking out what’s going on in the real money gambling world is a great way to understand the current landscape!
Vitor Pereira's Black Country outfit currently finds itself embroiled in a relegation dogfight, sitting just two points above the drop zone. As such then, triple captaining someone such as Liverpool hitman Mohamed Salah could be the perfect way to bag yourself a mountain of FPL points. The Egyptian winger has been in blistering form so far this season, netting 21 times and providing a further 13 assists in just 23 games.
Seven of those goal involvements have come in five games against the teams at the bottom of the table, including a goal in the reverse fixture against Wolves at Molineux. Expect him to bag a few more in the upcoming clash at Anfield.
The Hail Mary
Sometimes, FPL decisions are born from desperation. Just take a look at Bournemouth supporter Greg, who recently went viral for his bold decision to triple captain his team's winger Dango Ouattara in the recent clash against Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium. The Burkina Faso-born 23-year-old isn't a staple in many fantasy teams and is available for just £5.1m, making him one of the cheapest players in the game.
However, the Cherries superfan was impressed by Ouattara's display against Chelsea. In a bid to claw his way back into contention in his mini-league against his friends, he took the bold decision to triple captain the former Lorient star, and boy was he rewarded. The Burkinabè went on to net a stunning hat-trick - the first of his career - in a 5-0 victory for the South Coast club, helping Greg to a mighty haul of 63 points.
The fantasy manager was the only player in the world to make such a decision, and if his points haul wasn't enough, Ouattara even heard of the news. The Bournemouth man invited Greg to the Vitality Stadium for a personal meet and greet, even offering him a signed shirt and a social media post of the two together. Has any Hail Mary ever gone any better? We very much doubt it.
Double Gameweek Delight
One of the most popular windows for Triple Captain use is during a Double Gameweek. These are situations in the season where teams play twice within a single Gameweek, giving your chosen player two chances to rack up FPL points. This scenario is especially attractive if a premium asset, such as the aforementioned Salah or Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, has favorable fixtures lined up back-to-back.
Take Salah as an example once again. At the start of April, his Liverpool side will be within touching distance of the title, and they have back-to-back matches against very winnable opposition. Firstly, they will host Everton at Anfield to contest the Merseyside Derby, before heading down to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. The Reds will be huge favorites to win both and their talismanic Egyptian winger will be highly motivated to deliver, with victory in both games potentially leaving his side on the brink of the title.
Salah thrives against teams he can press high and exploit with his pace and clinical finishing. Even if he blanks in one game, the increased minutes and potential opportunities in the second fixture make him an optimal Triple Captain candidate.
Final Tips for Using the Triple Captain
Using your Triple Captain chip can feel intimidating when you’re trying to maximize its potential. Here are a few last-minute pointers to keep in mind:
- Check the fixture calendar for attractive matchups or Double Gameweeks—timing is everything.
- Consider team form as well as player form. A red-hot striker on a struggling team might not offer the same prospects as a slightly out-of-form midfielder in a cohesive side.
- Don’t base your choice purely on ownership percentages. Following the crowd can be safe, but it’s often the bold moves that bring the best rewards.
Pick your player wisely, use your instincts alongside the stats, and you might find yourself reaping the rewards of an unforgettable Triple Captain haul.