Double Gameweek 25 (DGW25) is proving a very popular time for managers in Fantasy Premier League to play their Triple Captain chip. 

More than 776,000 currently have the chip active, the most in any round of matches this season and the second-most in any FPL Gameweek EVER.

The record number of Triple Captain chips played was in Double Gameweek 26 of 2021/22, when more than a million managers backed Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) for his 28-point haul at home against Norwich City and Leeds United, which became an 84-point haul with the chip.

Brentford, Liverpool, Luton Town and Manchester City all now play twice in DGW25, with Man City the only side to have two home matches.

As a result, it is very likely that the vast majority of the managers deploying the Triple Captain chip will use it on Erling Haaland (£14.4m).

The Norwegian entertains Chelsea and Brentford on the back of two goals, an assist and 18 points in his two starts since returning from injury. Haaland has soared to over 72 per cent ownership after being transferred in by over 560,000 managers ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 GMT deadline.

Who are the most in-form DGW25 players?

Haaland’s team-mates Phil Foden (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) both have the form to be valid alternatives.

Foden is Man City’s top-scoring player in the last four Gameweeks with 31 points. This includes a hat-trick against Brentford, which gave him his career-high haul of 20 points. He also produced a goal and an assist in Man City’s 3-1 win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

De Bruyne has made an immediate impact after his recent return from injury, earning 28 points in the last four Gameweeks thanks to a goal and four assists. He has followed that up with a goal and two assists against Copenhagen in midweek.

Liverpool’s pair of matches against Brentford and Luton also lift the appeal of their key assets, and Salah is back in contention. But after a month out injured, backing the Egyptian could be an unnecessary risk.

Diogo Jota (£8.3m) has been the Reds’ standout attacker in Salah’s four-Gameweek absence. The Portuguese is the second top-scoring player in Fantasy in that period, with his 36 points just one behind Bukayo Saka (£9.0m).

Brentford and Luton also boast in-form attackers for their two matches.

The Bees’ Ivan Toney (£8.2m) has scored three goals and supplied an assist to collect a team-leading 26 points since returning from suspension in the last four matches.

Luton forwards Elijah Adebayo (£4.9m) and Carlton Morris (£5.0m) have both been involved in five goals in the same time frame. Adebayo’s tally of 30 points is only one fewer than Foden, while Morris has mirrored the 28 points of De Bruyne.

Players’ form, GW21-24

Foden leads the way for goal threat among the in-form DGW25 players, producing 18 shots in the last four Gameweeks.

However, only eight of those efforts have come from inside the box, with the Man City star trailing the 10 of Adebayo, Jota and Luis Diaz (£7.5m).

Haaland and De Bruyne’s numbers highlight their impact despite limited minutes. Haaland’s eight shots in the box are joint-top for Man City over their last four Gameweeks, despite him only starting the last two matches.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, ranks top for big chances created, bettering Foden by four to zero.

Toney’s numbers also impress, with his six big chances being a league-high tally.

What about the home and away form?

When assessing each player’s numbers over the season, Haaland has the clear edge for goal threat.

Ahead of his two home fixtures, he averages a shot in the box every 24 minutes at the Etihad Stadium and has converted 25.8 per cent of his shots. When selected, he has been involved in a big chance every 69.8 minutes in home matches.

De Bruyne’s involvement in big chances at home has been far superior than Foden’s. Indeed, the Belgian’s average of 37.7 minutes is six times quicker than his team-mate at the Etihad.

As the other three DGW25 sides play both home and away, their averages are over all matches this season.

Jota’s 33.1 minutes per shot in the box and 26.5 per cent goal conversion shows why he is now the most-owned Liverpool player for their two fixtures.

But in terms of minutes per big chance involvement, Luton duo Morris and Adebayo’s statistics are better than the Portuguese.

Similarly, Toney’s numbers show why he shouldn’t be ignored – his average of 51.4 minutes per big chance involvement is second only to De Bruyne in the analysis.

Assessing the opponents’ defences

Analysing each player’s opponents can help identify any weaknesses to target.

The defensive data further enhances the appeal of Haaland. His opponents, Chelsea and Brentford, both rank among the worst three sides in the assessment for conceding shots in the box.

In terms of big chances conceded, the Brentford and Luton statistics indicate Jota can also enjoy a successful DGW25.

Owners of Hatters stars Adebayo or Morris should also be encouraged by the numbers. Their opponents, Man Utd and Liverpool, are the worst for conceding shots in the box and big chances respectively among the six sides who are facing a team with a DGW25.

Opponents’ defending, GW21-24

So, who is the best captain?

It has to be Haaland, and this looks the perfect opportunity to Triple-Captain the Norwegian.

His two home matches are a major factor in his favour and the player statistics show he is far and away Man City’s chief goal threat.

When the defensive data of Man City’s opponents is added to the equation, both Foden and De Bruyne also look poised for big hauls, although the latter’s limited pitch time makes him a somewhat risky alternative for the captaincy and Triple Captain chip.

Jota certainly offers the best Liverpool option in the event that Salah has his minutes managed.

But as the Reds face Chelsea in the EFL Cup final four days after their home meeting with Luton, the potential threat of rotation somewhat dilutes the armband appeal of their players in a Gameweek when Haaland has two home fixtures to profit from.

View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 25 in Fantasy Premier League