Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 36
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 36. Welcome to the business end of the season lads and lasses – a small DGW gets us under way before the real big one in DGW37! This particular DGW has turned out to be a bit less appealing than most thought it would, as Arsenal and Southampton are both in poor form. Given Southampton’s lackluster performances, I believe there are better options for the armband than from them this week. They seem to be on the beach already and their manager seems fine with it too so forgive me for giving them a wide berth this time. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the other options for this week…
Harry Kane (away vs West Ham)
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[/three_fifth]After showing Arsenal who’s the top dog last weekend, Tottenham are heading into another London derby as they go face to face with West Ham. They will have to continue their 9-match winning streak to have any hope of catching Chelsea and will certainly be favorites to do so as West Ham have only registered 1 win in their last 11 PL matches. Clearly, any of Kane, Eriksen, and Alli can be considered for the armband, but I will focus on Kane here, as he is Tottenham’s top scorer and I believe he is the most likely to produce big points. Since his return from injury 3 matches ago, Kane has scored 2 goals and gotten 1 assist, garnering 21 points. After a 7-match loss streak, West Ham have managed to get somewhat better results recently, with 1 win and 3 draws. Still, Tottenham are the clear favourites for this one, making Kane a solid option for the armband.
Gabriel Jesus (home vs Crystal Palace)
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[/three_fifth]After making a speedy recovery, Gabriel Jesus made an instant impact as he netted a goal against Middlesbrough. In fact, he has managed 4 goals and 1 assist in the 3 matches he has started. I doubt Pep would even consider benching him, but with Aguero’s injury concerns, he is even more certain to start. City have dominated Palace in their most recent matches, and will be looking to get 3 points to ensure Champions League qualification next season. Many of us who brought in Palace players for their DGW were left disappointed after the event, as their recent matches have resulted in 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses. While City are coming from 2 disappointing draws themselves, they are favourites to beat this Palace side. Jesus is only owned by 3.2% of players, making him not only a good captain option, but a differential as well, for those of you who may be looking for that.
Josh King (home vs Stoke)
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[/three_fifth]I have seen Joshua King play many times for the Norwegian national team, and while he is one of our better players, I had never seen coming the performances he has put in in 2017! He had merely scored 3 goals up until GW22, and since then, he has netted 12 goals and gotten 1 assist. 4 of those goals have come in his last 5 matches, netting 37 points. His opponent, Stoke, have put in lacklustre performances all season, and are stuck in no-man’s land in 12th place. While they have gotten decent results at home against lesser teams, they have not won a single away game since they faced Sunderland in GW21. With King’s form and Stoke’s poor away form, I suggest that King is likely to score well in this match, making him a good candidate for the armband.
Eden Hazard (home vs Boro)
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[/three_fifth]Putting on an impressive display against Everton last round, Chelsea are 4 points ahead of Tottenham in the table, and looking at their form and fixtures, there is little reason to believe that they will not be top at the end of the season. Eden Hazard has been their standout player lately, as he has registered 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 6 matches. While generally being considered defensively solid, Middlesbrough have shown that they can concede several goals in a match, and I think that is very likely to happen at the Bridge as I expect Chelsea to go out and control the match from finish to end, playing like champions. Of course, Middlesbrough need points to avoid relegation, but if they try to attack instead of defend, I suggest that will make it even more likely for Chelsea to score multiple goals. Hazard has the easiest matchup of all the players on this list, and should be considered a good option for the armband.
Alexis Sanchez (home vs Man Utd, away vs Southampton)
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[/three_fifth]A couple of GW’s ago, essentially every serious FPL manager was looking at this GW and were certain that Sancehz would carry the armband for them. In fact, plenty even considered triple captaining him. However, his recent returns have been extremely lacklustre: 1 goal in 7 matches. If Arsenal are to have any hope of 4th place, it is essential that they and Sanchez turn their recent performances around, and hardly any player has displayed such grit and desire to win as Sanchez. Their first match this GW, against Manchester United, will be a battle between two teams fighting for 4th place, and a must win for both. Despite his recent form, Sanchez still represents the player with the highest explosive potential this GW. I am sure that many will give him the armband, even triple captain him, and he certainly has both the character and the skills to turn his form around and carry Arsenal into 4th. For those of you who do not have Sanchez, due to financial reasons, or his lack of form, consider Mezut Ozil. Since returning in GW 22 from a small injury break, he has scored 2 goals and got 2 assists in his last 6 matches. While he does not have the explosiveness of Sanchez, he is still highly involved in Arsenal’s attack and carries a potential for both goals and assists.
Thank you for reading my article, and good luck!
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 36. This article was written by Tekno Kun
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The Fixture Tracker in full…
Evening all.
Thoughts on latest wc draft?
Would like costa but can’t squeeze him in.
Shanec, really good team my friend. Maybe Pickford instead of Jaku for the extra game?
Cheers cookie. Can’t afford Pickford 0.1 short
Course you can Shanec, just turn Albrighton into Ndidi 😉
Perhaps downgrade Monreal to Davies/yoshida, this should give u more cash
This is a long post (apologies) but in typing it, I’m hoping to perhaps instigate discussion , and maybe a slightly different way of thinking in the construction of those of us on a WC in prep for BB in 37.
I’ve Been doing some serious thinking on this whole WC thing.
There’s obviously a bit of a template forming in a lot of teams, I’ve seen a ton of teams ( myself included) who have either a front 3 of Kane, Jesus, Costa/Gabbi/Vardy, a midfield with the usual names and all this leads to a cheap as chips defence.
Earlier in the season when clean sheets and even attacking threat from defenders was limited, it was prudent to go cheap and invest funds elsewhere but this hasn’t been the case for a while now. Every week there are now premium defenders you can rely on ( Alonso, Spurs defenders, Man U if you choose the right one) and cheaper defenders who if chosen wisely can reap the rewards Mawson, Maguire, McCauley for a good period) when rotated to suit the fixtures.
In recent weeks ( pretty much since Aguero has been in my team alongside 2 other big hitters up front) I’ve watched as the guy in my ML has chopped my lead from 150 points to just 50. Most weeks I have look at his team and it’s returns from his entire back line that have ensured a good haul, whilst my cheapo fillers like Ake (who I just never got a chance to move on) made my back 3 pick themselves regardless of fixture.
I’m now looking at my WC and thinking I’m just doing the same again, hoping my big guns will perform and that my cheapo defenders a) play and b) actually return.
With this in mind I thought, what if I forget the BB ( yes I’ll be playing it) and instead look to making a strong 11 regardless of formation and get a bench with decent players who could still come in should I need them.
This season has been a frustrating one in that we’ve never really had a real budget/middle of the price range striker perform across the whole season or at least for a sustained period within the season ( think Vardy, Deeney, Ighalo last season).
Players like Austin, Defoe, Carroll, Llorente and more recently Gabbidini have made their way in and out of our squads, and if you’re lucky, you’ve picked the right games and they’ve rewarded us.
But right now there isn’t really a standout 6.5 ish forward who we know will get us the points, where we are blessed with options is in midfield. We have the big hitters like Alli, Eriksen, Sanchez ( when in form) Hazard, then below them you have players like Son, Sane, and more recently King.
Taking into account the above it seems to me that unless you’re blessed with a hug TV then you have to make allowances somewhere. Yes you can have 3 big hitters up top, they may all perform and your budget defenders might all come good for you. I’m starting to think it might be better to consider a switch to 352.
Pretty much most teams on a WC will have a cheap 5th mid but if you switched to a cheap 3rd striker the difference in funds is huge, you can make improvements to not just one player but as my quick drafts below show you can upgrade 5+ players.
I’m starting to think I might be far better to spread the potential points gain across my team as opposed to going all in on one player who might not show up/get rotated/pick up an injury.
I’ve rabbled on a lot now so again apologies if people just like short snappy posts but I hope it will help or give at least some of you something different to ponder in ’tis game we all love!
Below is the team I’ve been pretty settled on all week, and a quick draft of what can be achieved if you switch to a 352.
I’m seriously considering going down this route as ther over all bakance it gives can’t be overlooked, and let’s face it we all know someone like Barnes will cone along and our score a big hitter once in a while.
That’s a bonus, but the bigger bonus is that having such a player will allow you to really spread your bets and upgrade your team as a whole.
Maybe I’m mad and you’ll all tell me so, I guess that’s why I’m posting this. Maybe I over think these things, that’s not a bad thing right!?
Well I’m off to mow the lawn or my mrs will have my nuts in a pickle jar!
Rosco,
You should be writing articles mate 😉
Excellent and well thought out argument – at the end of the day you can go 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, bottom line is the players you select.
I don’t think you are without an essential player in your 3-5-2. Clearly I’m not a fan of Barnes but then who is?! Apart from Mrs Barnes.
As long as he enables you to improve your overall squad I think its a great play.
We can have him with our other 3000 words or more writers, Kop and Guy.
RIP Mutts
I’m usually funnier if that helps my cause!
Ha ha thanks cookie, Barnes was just a grab and go as I walked the dog! Not a fan myself, that said my other grab and go would have been Anichibe and as a Geordie that felt wrong (whilst I might still pick him!)
On current form, Barnes stands a better chance than Anichebe. He will probably outscore Anichebe anyway, DGW notwithstanding.
Great post. I prefer the first team. However you do put forward a very good argument for 3-5-2
Well if it makes me realize I was set all along thats no bad thing! Cheers smash!
Excellent post Rosco. I was reading through your comments thinking “hmmm, he’s probably right, maybe I need to go 3-5-2”. But, if you want my honest opinion, when I see your two teams, I much prefer the first option. You make very solid points about team 2 being more well rounded, but if I had to pick it’d be the first one. Thanks for giving us all another stance on things though.
Brilliant thanks Banjo, I suppose I’m quite fortunate in my team value and I’m more than likely over thinking it, but I do like to weigh up all options in these situations!
Excellent post! You do make a vaild and logical argument for 352. Guess I will keep tinkering now!
Ha ha thanks Chris sorry if I messed with your mind!!
First team for me rosco
P.S you must have been in a dark place to consider Barnes!!! 😉
Ha ha very dark indeed, that’s how pre – mowing the lawn gets me!
Obviously just an example, if I’m honest Gabbi is probably still a big enough risk and allows improvements … but I may still go Costa.., or Vardy… unless Kuns fit… ahhh f@ck it!
If Kun is fit I’m not sure what I’ll do
It feels wrong that I’m kind of hoping he’s not as it makes things a little easier!
Rosco
Phew…I thought J.R Tolken had a fpl team there for a second..lol
Seriously some great points made.
My pain is having to bench King every other week to acomodate that 3rd striker, and it hurts.
I think with Aguero a doubt and Costa out of form most are going
3-4-3 but with Kane as premimium and 2 cheapos with him,
It’s hard to ignore Rashford / Gabi and The second coming of Jesus,
This allows us to have a good balance through out.
Ha ha ha sorry man I do go on when I’m putting off doing a household chore especially!!
I’m not decided either way, but I certainly feel it’s worthy of contention especially if you’re struggling with TV!!
Taking Rosco’s inspired words of wisdom re Anichebe
What you make of this?
What was the alternative Dreamers? As in who left.
Hi Mitro.
I think most will captain Sanchez , whether we should or not
You still thinking Blind now that Smalling and Jones back in the mix?
hi Init – guess its
1) Courtois, Monreal, Morrison, Gabbadini v
2) Calallero, Azpi, Ozil, Anichebe
I think I prefer 1 but it’s a close call.
Rosco i couldnt agree with u more, i also wanted Costa but chose a cheaper third striker, altho Gabby is not in form, soto has 4 fixtures in two weeks, this has enabled to have a proper defence of Cech, Caberelo, Vert and Monreal and two Soto defenders for kicks, i now have a City and Spurs defenders of my bench, 4 weeks ago i was ranked 29k and now 150k, nightmare 4 GW”sand i was flying whole season.
We might have template teams but not all managers have WC and or certin chips left so as always skipper choice in 37 will make or break it as there are many options with a DGW.
I had a 100 point lead that was cut down to zero and i was in first place for 24 GW”s.
#sadface
Thanks man, yeah although I can have Costa I may punt on Gabbi for the reason you mention. I want a decent defence and having Costa as my third over Gabbi limits that somewhat. Two more days of planning so god knows what I’ll come up with next!
I’m still 10k ranked but I’m not naive enough to think it can’t go either way in these last 3 weeks!
I scored 178 points in last years DGW with my BB so anything possible
Superb post! I do still prefer the first one though. Reading it I was expecting to see a much bigger improvement in personnel on the Barnes team if I’m being totally honest. If it had meant say Hazard arriving instead of Albrighton then I’d have been more inclined to revisit mine to see if I could achieve similar.
What I think you need to look at is your rivals team a bit. 50 shouldn’t be overhauled now really but it’s easy done if you’re not careful. That’s unless he doesn’t have many / any chips in which case it’s in the bag.
Well if it doesn’t nothing other than affirm that I had it right all along it was an exercise worth investigating!
I do think the improvements were decent although already having the key attackers in place meant funds were mainly distributed at the back … which can be dull!
Hi all
Hi all advice please.
Im thinking of either
Costa – Jesus and ward prowse -redmond.
Do I do both for a hit or just the Costa one? And is it better to use bench boost or all out attack with my current team this week?
Cheers
I would not be removing Costa for that fixture. And yeah this might be the week for all out attack
I’d definitely be doing AOA this week (play Yoshida & Cahill). Save the FT, and then make 2 moves with BB in mind for the next GW.
Thanks both of you
See what your saying. He just seems to do bigger all at the moment!
Seriously contemplating hazard as my cappo for this GW, anyone else thinking the same?
I have my doubts with Sanchez, but I don’t think I’ll have the balls to change it! I’d kick myself more if I tried to be clever and it backfired. Not playing Sane is a big call too.
Banjo – I know but who do I bench mate? King is on fire
Mitro, any of your front 7 except Gabbi is a strong choice this week mate.
I think gabbi will surprise us?!
Are you telling or asking me?!
A bit of both lol
I am and I’m on a WC so could conceivably have anyone, my Rival also brought in Hazard last week and has BB but not WC and doesn’t have Sanchez so will likely go Haz. I can easily see Sanchez getting a 2 and say a 7 and Haz destroying Boro with a 19!
Yeah I can see hazard destroying boro but is this GW that Sanchez shows why he has the most points?
I hope so!!
Kind of feel it has to be Sanchez. I’d be surprised to see him blank
That’s a lot of fate you have in Soton.
Yep I know! Fingers crossed I can get something out of them
They were a nightmare at home versus Hull. Like really bad.
Man, seriously. If I had not forgotten my Champions League team in the quarter finals, I would now be in the top 10.
Capped Ronaldo which everybody did. And now got Alves (2 assists) and Hiquain.