GW26 Captaincy Guide: Bruno’s ICT Monster vs Chelsea’s Form King — Plus the Differentials Worth the Armband
FPL Admin
FPL Elite Analyst
Introduction
Gameweek 26 captaincy is a classic FPL dilemma: pay up for proven premium output or lean into high-upside differentials with the right blend of form, underlying threat, and fixture difficulty. Using only the provided data (form, ICT Index, and fixture difficulty), here’s a definitive, tiered captaincy guide.
Quick Fixture Context (GW26)
We’re looking for captains with strong form + elite ICT and ideally a favourable fixture difficulty.
Key fixtures relevant to our candidates:
- •Chelsea vs Leeds (FDR 2 for Chelsea)
- •West Ham vs Man Utd (FDR 2 for Man Utd)
- •Nott'm Forest vs Wolves (FDR 2 for Nott'm Forest)
S-Tier Captains (Best blend of form + ICT + fixture)
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) — S-Tier
- •Form: 8.8
- •ICT Index: 224.7 (best of all candidates)
- •Fixture: at West Ham (FDR 2 for Man Utd)
- •Output profile: 141 points, 6.4 points per game, xGI 14.60
Why he’s S-Tier: Bruno leads the entire pool on ICT Index (224.7) while also carrying premium-level consistency (6.4 PPG) and elite underlying involvement (xGI 14.60). Add a favourable fixture rating (2) and he becomes the most complete captaincy pick in GW26.
João Pedro (Chelsea) — S-Tier
- •Form: 9.5 (best of all candidates)
- •ICT Index: 145.0
- •Fixture: vs Leeds (FDR 2 for Chelsea)
- •Output profile: 122 points, xGI 9.25, 23 bonus
Why he’s S-Tier: If you’re captaining on current form, João Pedro is the standout at 9.5. The fixture is also as good as it gets (FDR 2). While his ICT isn’t in Bruno territory, the form + fixture combination is exactly what you want when handing out the armband.
A-Tier Captains (Strong picks, slightly more conditional)
Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) — A-Tier
- •Form: 7.2
- •ICT Index: 168.0
- •Fixture: at West Ham (FDR 2 for Man Utd)
- •Output profile: 103 points, 5.2 PPG, xGI 10.67
Why he’s A-Tier: Same strong fixture context as Bruno (FDR 2), with a very healthy ICT (168.0) and xGI (10.67). He’s just a notch below the S-tier because Bruno dominates the premium metrics and João Pedro dominates form.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea) — A-Tier
- •Form: 7.8
- •ICT Index: 72.2
- •Fixture: vs Leeds (FDR 2 for Chelsea)
- •Output profile: 67 points, xGI 6.42
Why he’s A-Tier: The fixture is excellent (FDR 2) and the form is strong (7.8). The reason he’s not S-tier is the lower ICT Index (72.2) compared to the other top captaincy candidates—meaning the data suggests less all-round threat/volume.
Differential Captains (High-upside, lower ownership, or less “obvious” armband)
These are the picks that can win you rank if they hit—best used when you’re chasing or want to zig while others zag.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nott'm Forest) — Differential
- •Form: 4.8
- •ICT Index: 135.3
- •Fixture: vs Wolves (FDR 2 for Nott'm Forest)
- •Selected by: 3.8%
- •Output profile: xG 6.09, xGI 7.98
Why he’s a differential: The form isn’t screaming captain, but the fixture difficulty (2) plus a solid ICT (135.3) and very low ownership (3.8%) makes him a genuine upside play.
Elliot Anderson (Nott'm Forest) — Differential
- •Form: 5.2
- •ICT Index: 136.6
- •Fixture: vs Wolves (FDR 2 for Nott'm Forest)
- •Selected by: 5.8%
- •Output profile: 108 points, 4.3 PPG, xGI 4.27
Why he’s a differential: Another Forest attacker with the same attractive fixture (FDR 2) and a surprisingly strong ICT (136.6) for his price bracket. He’s not the “safe” captain, but he’s the kind of pick that can separate you from template armbands.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) — Differential
- •Form: 6.2
- •ICT Index: 148.9
- •Fixture: vs Man Utd (FDR 3 for West Ham)
- •Selected by: 9.1%
- •Output profile: 115 points, 21 bonus
Why he’s a differential: Bowen’s individual numbers are strong (ICT 148.9, form 6.2), but the fixture is less friendly (FDR 3) and he’s facing a Man Utd side that the data rates as the “easier” side of the matchup (FDR 2 for United). He’s a bold captaincy call—more viable if you’re intentionally fading the United captains.
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) — Differential
- •Form: 6.5
- •ICT Index: 153.1
- •Fixture: at Sunderland (FDR 3 for Liverpool)
- •Selected by: 14.0%
- •Output profile: xGI 9.01
Why he’s a differential: Good form (6.5) and strong ICT (153.1), but the fixture isn’t as clean as the FDR 2 options. Still, he’s a credible alternative captain if you want to avoid the Chelsea/United concentration.
Matheus Cunha (Man Utd) — Differential
- •Form: 6.2
- •ICT Index: 129.3
- •Fixture: at West Ham (FDR 2 for Man Utd)
- •Selected by: 8.9%
- •Output profile: xGI 7.42
Why he’s a differential: He benefits from the same strong fixture rating (2) as the other United options, but with lower headline metrics than Bruno/Mbeumo. If you’re chasing and want a United captain without following the crowd, he’s the left-field route.
Final Recommendations (Tiered)
S-Tier (Captain with confidence)
- •Bruno Fernandes — best overall: elite ICT (224.7) + form (8.8) + FDR 2
- •João Pedro — best form play: form (9.5) + FDR 2
A-Tier (Excellent, slightly more conditional)
- •Bryan Mbeumo — strong all-rounder with FDR 2
- •Cole Palmer — great fixture + form, but lower ICT
Differentials (High-upside rank gainers)
- •Morgan Gibbs-White — 3.8% owned, FDR 2, solid ICT
- •Elliot Anderson — FDR 2 + strong ICT for a punt
- •Jarrod Bowen — good numbers, but FDR 3 makes it a bolder armband
- •Florian Wirtz — strong ICT, FDR 3 keeps him just outside top tiers
- •Matheus Cunha — United fixture boost (FDR 2), lower baseline than the premium United picks
Conclusion
If you want the most data-backed captaincy route in GW26, Bruno Fernandes is the standout: best ICT, strong form, and a favourable fixture rating. If you prefer riding the hottest hand with a great home matchup, João Pedro is the clean alternative. For managers chasing upside, the Nott'm Forest home fixture (FDR 2) opens the door to genuine differential captains—especially Gibbs-White—while still keeping your decision grounded in the numbers.