Brighton defensive options burst onto captaincy scene

For the first time this season, Brighton defensive assets are playing a role in the captaincy debate.

The Seagulls have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 34, both of which look very appealing.

They host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon before Cardiff City come to the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.

We have discussed the key options in another video on YouTube, which you can watch embedded below.

Shane Duffy (£4.7m) looks to be the most popular of Brighton’s options at the back, given the goal threat he carries and the possibility of clean sheets in each Double Gameweek 34 match.

Mat Ryan (£4.4m) and Lewis Dunk (£4.4m) are the other two nailed-on to start members of the Seagulls’ defence.

Meetings with Bournemouth and Cardiff, both of whom are generally poor away from home, may also bring some of Brighton’s attacking options into the frame.

Glenn Murray (£6.3m) has started 10 of the last 11 Premier League outings so may end up as the most popular midfield or forward option for the captaincy among Brighton players.

However, with just one goal in his last seven, some may turn to Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m), who has a goal and two assists in that time.

However, it is a possibility that turning to the Seagulls for the armband is a risk too far for some managers, Double Gameweek or not.

Harry Kane (£12.5m) is likely to be the favourite for those targeting the single Gameweek matches.

The Tottenham forward has three goals in his last six and has promised more than that ahead of Huddersfield’s visit to north London.

The Terriers began life after relegation with a 4-1 home defeat to Leicester in Blank Gameweek 33 so are still not inspiring huge confidence in their defence.

For that reason, Christian Eriksen (£9.2m), Dele Alli (£8.8m) and Son Heung-min (£8.5m) may all receive some consideration too.

The only thing that might put managers off a Spurs option outside the largely undroppable Kane, is the fact that Mauricio Pochettino may have to factor in some rotation to Double Gameweek 34 with big Champions League matches against Manchester City either side of it.

That competition is why very few of Pep Guardiola’s charges will be strongly considered this week, as they prepare for a trip to Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at Anfield, which should reduce any interest in the likes of Mohamed Salah (£13.2m), Sadio Mané (£10.1m) or Eden Hazard (£11.1m).

Fresh from a 16-point haul against Huddersfield in Blank Gameweek 33, Jamie Vardy (£9.2m) may once again receive some attention as a differential captain as Leicester host Newcastle.