This article is part of our The Armband series.
Harry Kane has 24 league goals this season, but that doesn't mean he isn't infuriating in fantasy Premier League. Yet again, in one of his easier matchups of the season (v. Huddersfield), he failed to find the back of the net. While an assist was nice, fantasy bosses that gave him the triple captain wouldn't agree. And so, with an away match this weekend, it's almost a guarantee he'll score a brace at Bournemouth.
Elsewhere, it was sort of a mess in Gameweek 29 in terms of captains. Mohamed Salah scored yet again, but he still only had eight fantasy points. It was one of those weeks in which captaining a defender may have been just as useful as any forward. That is unless you stepped out of the box and went with Son Heung-Min, Ki Sung-yueng or Bernardo Silva.
Gameweek 30 should be a bit more challenging without any matchups that truly stand out. Liverpool are at Man United, while Spurs go to Bournemouth and Man City to Stoke. The two top clubs with favorable home matches are the ones that are hardest to trust, with Chelsea against Crystal Palace and Arsenal versus Watford. And unwillingly, that's where I'll start this week.
Arsenal are in torrid form and just lost at Brighton last weekend. It also doesn't help that they travel to Milan for a midweek Europa League match. The only reason to consider the Gunners is that Watford haven't scored in their last three away matches and none of those were against good competition. There is one player who deserves consideration and that's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who quietly hasn't been bad for Arsenal. While he didn't score against Man City or Tottenham, he managed two goals and four shots on target against Brighton and Everton. If one player were to score this weekend, I'd put my money on Aubameyang.
The only player from Chelsea worth a look is Eden Hazard, as long as he's still motivated to play after last week's debacle at City. Prior to that match, Hazard had three goals and two assists in four starts and this matchup should produce a couple goals, at a minimum. Palace have been much worse away from home and have allowed multiple goals in three of their last four away matches in all competitions.
Despite last week's disappointment, Kane still has 13 shots on goal in his last five league starts. That's good enough for this match because Bournemouth aren't a defensive powerhouse. In fact, the Cherries are giving up almost as many goals at home as on the road and haven't had a home clean sheet since November. Kane didn't score in the first meeting between these sides, but I'll back him in this one because the opportunities will be there. But outside of Kane, I'd still favour Aubameyang and Hazard over the likes of Christian Eriksen and Son.
I'm a bit wary of Man City, but there's no reason to follow my lead given their dominance. And of course, the first time these teams met, the Sky Blues scored seven times. One of these days Gabriel Jesus will make the starting XI in a Premier League instead of Sergio Aguero, and that will upset plenty considering the form Aguero is in. He has 10 goals and three assists in his last nine starts in all competitions. He has tons of upside in this attack, but there's also the worry of a Jesus return. Kevin De Bruyne is the safe pick even though the overall numbers don't show it. Against weaker opponents, he often gets multiple shots on goal and creates numerous chances. David Silva and Leroy Sane are worth a look, but I'm not willing to back them over Aguero or KDB.
A lot of eyeballs will be on the Man United-Liverpool match for different reasons, though one of them probably isn't for fantasy captain purposes. Salah has been close to a guarantee to find the score sheet in every match this season, but this is one that may be best to avoid. The first result ended in a scoreless draw and it wouldn't be surprising if United manager Jose Mourinho took that same route. But with seven goals and two assists in his last six starts, you can't argue against the Egyptian.
Romelu Lukaku has scored in his last two and is probably the safest Red Devil to consider. But again, there's a reason United have allowed just six goals at home this season, as Mourinho loves to play defensively, especially in bigger matches.
This is as good a week as any to go with a differential captain, as long as you can find the right matchup to attack. Huddersfield have allowed eight goals in their last three at home, so if you're into Swans, Jordan Ayew and Ki are suddenly on the radar. Ki has been one of my recent favorites in daily fantasy, as he has two goals and two assists in his last four starts.
If Leicester and West Brom continue to play no defense, there should be multiple goals in that match. Leicester have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five on the road and West Brom have lost their last six in all competitions. I'd put Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy slightly above Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez, even away from home. That said, Rondon has 13 shots in his last four starts. Mahrez has the most opportunities of the bunch since his return with six shots on goal and 24 crosses in his last two starts.
Everton may be the only other side I'd consider, though Brighton are suddenly on a winning streak and haven't allowed many goals in recent away matches. Cenk Tosun would be a bold captain pick after finally scoring last weekend at Burnley.
