Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24 2017/18
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24. To be honest; I couldn’t wait for GW22 to end. The Christmas fixtures started so well, green arrows in GW19 and 20, but quickly followed by two reds in 21 and 22 resulting in ending up pretty much back where I started. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it (honest) but usually the pain of a bad game-week is over in a matter of days. GW22 was like an episode of Downton Abbey, tedious, something I don’t want to watch and overly drawn-out. The FA Cup was a welcome break, which is saying something as prior to last week, Newcastle had failed to reach the fourth round since 2012! If all of the above sounds a little ‘woe is me’ it’s not meant to, but sometimes we all need a break.
I went into GW23 feeling refreshed and optimistic, and what a cracker it was too. If this weekend’s games taught me one thing about the Premier League, it’s that the gulf in class between the top teams and those languishing at the foot of the table is vast, gargantuan in fact. On Saturday I made my pilgrimage to St. James’ Park, it was a dire affair, no need to bore you with the details. In stark contrast, the match between Liverpool and Man City was master-class in attacking football (defending? not so much). The final score doesn’t do justice to just how good Liverpool were, they raced into a 4-1 lead in slick style, it was joyous for FPL managers who had kept the faith in Salah and Firmino, if only Bobby hadn’t threw away his shirt and with it any hopes of getting any bonus points!
If you’re the indecisive type then this game-week is not for you. It feels like one of those weeks where people will be jumping between potential captains right up till the deadline, I often find these are the most exciting, but can also be the most frustrating! Lets dive in!
Sergio Aguero (Newcastle, Home)
My allegiance to Newcastle holds no influence over my FPL team. Maybe if I’d been playing 20 years ago it would be a different story. I’m so desensitized to the mediocrity of my hometown club that they (sadly) rarely factor into my FPL strategising. If ever there was a game that epitomizes this, then it was Newcastle’s last league game at the Etihad. Back in the 2015/16 season, City beat Newcastle 6-1, Sergio Aguero scored 5 goals in just 20 minutes. When he scored his 5th, I actually smiled, safe in the knowledge that Aguero was my FPL captain; 50 points in the bag, my heart is made of stone.
We all know what Aguero is capable of, in seasons past often considered essential; a go-to captain choice. The injury to Gabriel Jesus has brought Aguero back into our thinking. Despite limited minutes his scoring record is right up there; 13 goals in just 1421 minutes, that’s a goal every 109 minutes, Only Kane, Salah and Austin can better that this season.
Newcastle have actually (unbelievably) picked up wins in our last two away games. We won away to Stoke (0-1) following the 2-3 victory against the Hammers, but I’m under no illusion that we will continue the trend at the Etihad. If Aguero is not in your team for this one, you may want to hide behind your sofa, that’s where I’ll be regardless, feel free to join me.
Mo Salah (Swansea, Away)
There’s no question that Liverpool are worse off without Philippe Coutinho. The question for FPL managers however, is whether the loss of Coutinho will see a regression in the output of 18 goal Mo Salah. So I had a quick look at the stats; Salah has played 8 games without Coutinho, scoring 67 points, that’s an average of 8.4 points per match. Salah’s score in the 14 games Coutinho did play? 112 points, averaging 8 points per match. After watching their 4-3 win over Man City, I have a feeling they’ll be just fine.
Swansea once again find themselves in mid-season relegation trouble and currently sit bottom of the league. Ex-manager Paul Clement was sacked just before Christmas, the third December in a row that they’ve disposed of their manager. They’ve only kept 3 clean sheets at home this season – against Huddersfield, Bournemouth and fellow strugglers West Brom, not the best form to face a Liverpool side that has scored 29 of their 54 goals on the road this season.
My GW18 Captain article suggested we ‘always stick with Salah’, hardly radical thinking. Unfortunately I’m incapable of following my own advice; I’ve only captained Salah once. Had I simply done as suggested, I’d be 78 points better off….just outside the top 500, ouch.
Harry Kane (Southampton, Away)
I’ve embraced Twitter over the past few months. Whilst I don’t do a whole lot of ‘Tweeting’, I have found it to be another excellent source in my quest to fill every waking minute of my day with FPL (I really should get out more, maybe move closer to Silvers!) Prior to GW19, twitter was awash with people keen to ditch Harry Kane. A disappointing 3 points in GW17 and 18 in addition to a blank game-week on the horizon, it was a brave move that could have paid off. Back to back hat-tricks followed, the #Kanexiters duly punished. Then came the double game-week; Harry got sick, then got better, starting the game-week on the bench, he came on, did nothing and finished with 3 points. Particularly painful if you used your Triple-Captain chip. Last game-week Harry was back doing what he does best, goals 19 and 20 of the season, 26 points for those who kept the faith.
This week the opposition are a Southampton side who sit joint bottom of the form table; 3 defeats in their last 6. They haven’t won a home game since November, conceding 8 goals in their 4 home games since. Harry likes to score his goals in multiples, he scored a hat-trick in Spurs last away game, that was against a Burnley team with far better defensive credentials than the team he faces this week. In the corresponding fixture last season, Tottenham won 1-4; Harry scored one and sent a penalty kick over the bar. Which Harry will turn up this week? Who knows, but the fear is real, Hat-trick Harry can turn up in any given game week.
Marko Arnautovic (Bournemouth, Home)
Owned by just 9%, Arnautovic is still something of a differential. Were it not for his double game-week back in GW22 that number would probably be even lower. Arnautovic struggled to establish himself at the London Stadium following his £24m move from Stoke in the summer, failing to score in his first 13 outings for the Hammers. The arrival of David Moyes has seen a change in fortunes for the Austrian, 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 8 appearances. In West Ham’s 1-4 win at Huddersfield, Arnautovic was unplayable; a goal, 2 assists and maximum bonus, finishing with 16 points. He’s now scored 52 points in his last 5 games, level with Mo Salah.
Bournemouth will be full of confidence following their 2-1 victory over Arsenal, a result that lifted them 4 points above the relegation places. However, the Cherries away form suggests they may struggle this week. In their 11 away games this season, they’ve let in 18 goals and failed to keep a clean sheet since November. If Arnautovic plays as he did against the Terriers, he could easily grab another double-digit score. I almost ditched big Arnie last week, thankfully a wise man (Uncle Init) advised against it, if only I had stuck the armband on him, hindsight is a wonderful thing…. although I may just do that this week, good luck kids.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24
This article was written by Rosco.
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Gameweek Tracker GW24-29
***NEW ARTICLE*** CAPTAIN PICKS #GW24
A wonderfully clipped article from Rosco, many thanks mate.
At the risk of embarrassing him I’ll say this, as I said it to him in private last night, but didn’t really expand on it – some writers take ages to get into their stride, it took me 2 years to really grasp it, but he’s only been doing this a matter of months and I reckon he’s nailed it already – he’s got his own style already and it’s consistent, funny, factual and to the point. Well done mate, you’re a great addition to the team.
Oh, and he remembered to actually do it and he got it in on time, which always helps.
Hi, team 😉
Team? You mean Matt and his chart, just say it.
I didn’t actually, but yeah now you mention it…. B&P don’t have forward buttons on their emails? Odd that
I served it up for you.
To be fair, I thought that also, but then thought it was possible that Rosco has decided that he won’t send it over until he verifies if Matt counted 1 through 10 correctly or he could be telling the truth and have it typed up at work with absolutely no access which be amazing with the technology these days. 😉
Is this just because he called you a wise man? :hippo:
He loves compliments.
Rosco’s style is ‘factual’. Convenient that 😉
It really is a cracking article though, cheers Rosco. Does make me feel a little better about not owning Aguero too, given the wealth of other options I do have.
Yes. Remember it for your first review on yours next week 😉
To be factual, or to give you compliments? I can’t do both.
On time with little editing makes you a favourite. He doesn’t love all his hens the same, only loves those that can spell and tell time.
Basic life skills that seem to be beyond 50% of people surveyed
@At, be very afraid of Kun. Guaranteed brace for him, almost more guaranteed than Charlie Daniels stinking. 😉
I genuinely have no idea why I brought him in. Must have been an enabler, but seems a bit expensive for that. Maybe I just suck at fantasy. Definitely possible.
Aguero? He’s past it, mate.
Ahh shucks!
Thanks Unkle Init, high praise given the writing talent at your disposal!
Init is Boss Hogg in your world not Uncle Jesse. Matt is Daisy?
Many thanks Rosco, great stuff mate. Thinking Kun this week, still remember that 50 point haul, easily the biggest haul I have ever had in a non-dgw.
Me too.. if only I owned him..
Rosco,
I concur with Init above in that the style of your writing is very enjoyable to read. Great work there pal, flows perfectly.
Sorry about Newcastle. You have to do what we did by getting Ashley the hell out of your club! Albeit, I’ll admit it is much more difficult in your case
Thanks GP!
Feel like we’ll never get rid, it was all looking so promising over Christmas!
Great read thanks rosco.
Best replacement for dcl?
Thinking of doing rlc to mahrez.
2ft 3.8 in the bank cheers.
Sounds fine and dandy to me shanec.
Got 5.1 to replace dcl.
Gp.
Ayew only person really but rubbish fixtures
Shanec
Sorry, I wasn’t very clear in reading that back. I meant I like the mahrez move this week and save a FT.
Sorry gp I wasn’t clear either.
Can’t afford straight swap from rlc to mahrez
Only have 8.3
So was going to downgrade dcl
shanec
I assume with Mahrez coming in then you’ll be playing 3-5-2 anyway? If so, the third striker fixtures don’t matter so much, hopefully you won’t need him. In fact due to this, there is a case to say you could go McBurnie and save yourself 0.6M.
Cheers gp didn’t think of McBurnie.
Morning guys how are we all doing really not sure which way to go my four bench warmers have all decided not to even get on the pitch & I have no cash in bank any suggestions
Only player I would likely drop is Son to raise cash been thinking Son &RLC out Aaunt & Albrighton in any ideas also have Surman pain 😉
Sorry don’t know what happen there ment Arnaut
Those moves make sense silvers.
Son only good this week then fixtures turn bad.
Silvers
Unless you are losing a FT this week, I would leave Son this week and then bring Arnautovic in for him for next week and then use the saved cash for replacements for Kenny and Gomez.
cheers shane , GP why change Kenny & Gomez are they likely to be dropped as Surman & RLC ????
Gomez will usually rotate with Trent. Kenny is in an Everton team I don’t really rate at the present time. You could hold him and upgrade Mariappa then.
Got some nice fixtures, but experience tells me that nice fixtures means disapointment…
Any suggestions? Should I play maguire or calvert-lewin?
Don’t think it matters because Klavan won’t play. Maguire though because DCL has lost his place
Play Maguire over Klavan and I might be willing to leave DCL in there and hope he starts even if it is out wide. If he subs in for a one point cameo that will only be a point less then what you will probably get for Carroll.