Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 13 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
Wake up! It’s already mid-week and there are FPL points to be had this weekend.
I remember that we were also coming out of an international break the last time FF247 handed me the reins on this article – however, that was during the first one, back when we were all still feeling relatively fresh and optimistic – now I suspect that many of us feel about as fresh as Alexis and that much of our optimism has disappeared like Hazard at home to Liverpool. We have to re-motivate ourselves and believe that, over the coming weeks, we can strive up the leaderboards to rankings that many of us probably took for granted last season…
To help with that, here are 5 of my captaincy recommendations for this weekend, or indeed for Saturday as it happens. They are all (in my opinion) both selected by a decent amount of ‘serious’ managers at present and, of course, in with a shout of bagging a few of goals or assists. I’d best stop waffling now.
As before, even though it didn’t catch on *sniffs* with the others, after each description I’ve rated the player on 3 factors: form, fixture and explosiveness. Hopefully it’ll help you to quickly weigh-up this tough decision if you’re in a rush… or just lazy like me.
Graziano Pelle – home vs Stoke
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[/three_fourth]This guys does tend to find his way into a lot of Captain Picks articles. Why is that? He’s a budget-friendly and nailed-on forward who plays for a quality Premier League team. He’s always a good bet in home matches: 15 out of 18 goals in the League have come at home and “17 outta 20” come Saturday evening has a good ring to it doesn’t it?
That said, lately Stoke have been quite a force, keeping 4 clean sheets in their last 5 matches: including against Chelsea and Villa – oh wait, hang on, sorry – they’re the sh*te teams. While we’re here, now that 12 matches have been played, the Form Guide (available on the Premier League website) is in full-flow and it’s very worthwhile keeping an eye on: for example, you can see Bournemouth’s woes clearly in the brutal light of red and grey, whilst Arsenal currently sit smugly on top. Useful stuff.
Pelle has been going through a bit of a slump lately so I’d say he’s is a bit of a risky pick right now. Who knows though: maybe this is the match to Stoke the fire and get his season back on track. I’ll see myself out.
Form: 4
Fixture: 8
Explosiveness: 7
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Jamie Vardy – away vs Newcastle
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[/three_fourth]Of course he’s on the list. No, not that list, but a Captain Picks one! Vardy has become commonplace in FPL over the past couple of months and is now a regular contender for the armband. So long as Leicester keep playing like beasts, that is.
I don’t need to tell you about Jamie’s current scoring streak. It would’ve been Ruud not to have at least mentioned it here though. Newcastle have conceded 22 goals to date and are, quite frankly, sh*t. Once again, mind you, in the last 2 games Newcastle have kept clean sheets. Vardy is in such amazing form, though, that I wouldn’t let any such stats put you off. Leicester are undefeated away from home and it’s hard to picture this one being a stalemate really.
Mahrez is a very worthy option should Vardy’s yellow flag / restraining order still be lingering around come Saturday morning. He’s a worthy option regardless actually!
Form: 8
Fixture: 7
Explosiveness: 6
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Mesut Ozil – away vs West Brom
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[/three_fourth]Here’s a name slightly less familiar with the intense spotlight of this list! Mesut Ozil has finally rediscovered his confidence and is now playing what is arguably the most technically-supreme football in the League.
West Brom either keep a clean sheet in a cagey encounter or concede 3 when playing at home. Arsenal have hit a slight rough patch lately, with Bayern and Spurs knocking their streak somewhat, but it’s a touch too early for them to be having a mid-season melt down. I expect a bounce-back game and, if so, Ozil should once again be a key figure in that. If he picks up another assist it would the 7th game on the bounce that he has done so. The question is… why do so few of us own him?
You can’t expect a hat-trick from him but Mesut is a consistent producer and he’s a solid bet for the armband in my (bulbous) eyes.
Form: 9
Fixture: 6
Explosiveness: 5
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Romelu Lukaku – home vs Aston Villa
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[/three_fourth]…from Mr. Consistent to Romelu! Polar opposites. Usually, anyway, but as of late Lukaku has been performing well: 2 goals and 2 assists in as many games. This week? He plays at home against the worst team of all. What could go wrong?
Quite a lot. If there’s ever a week to captain The Beast then I think this is it though. I only rated him a ‘7’ for explosiveness but a hat-trick is very much a possibility here.
Deulofeu ain’t a bad shout either by the way! He bagged a hat-trick for Spain Under-21s recently to continue his fine form for Everton and has made my selection of Barkley look plain-stupid in recent weeks.
Form: 7
Fixture: 9
Explosiveness: 7
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Juan Mata – away vs Watford
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[/three_fourth]My final candidate is a slightly more outside punt but a worthy one nonetheless. United might play in a style about as exciting as listening to James Milner consoling Brendan over the phone, but still, they currently sit comfortably in 4th place and the goals have to come from somewhere: quite often Juan is the man.
It’s funny how such a talented player, like with Ozil, can accumulate 60+ in 12 weeks and get ignored by so many. I’m guilty! If you’ve got a Payet-shaped hole (just like Arsenal and Man City do in delicate areas) then here’s a very promising filler.
Watford are no pushovers, especially at home, but I have a gut feeling about this one; look no further for a differential cappo.
Form: 6
Fixture: 7
Explosiveness: 5
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Gamble
Bolasie vs Sunderand at home. MNF magic. It may well carnage! He scored an 11-minute hat-trick in the reverse fixture last season back in April. Sunderland have taken just 1 point on the road so far too. You heard it here first (and probably last) folks…
Thanks for taking the time to read this. All the best for the coming weeks.
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Triple Captain Chip
Just a quick word on the new feature this season. It pretty much does what it says on the tin and trebles your points for your captain on whichever game-week you choose to deploy it. We shall touch on this as and when we feel the opportunity presents itself to use it effectively but this in all likelihood is one to save for when we encounter double game-weeks later on in the season.
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Thanks for reading Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 13. This article was written by jamesimmo
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BREAKING NEWS
Police in Liverpool today pulled over a scouser and were amazed to find the car taxed tested and insured.
It wasn’t stolen and there was no stolen goods or drugs found.
The driver was sober.
He had a full licence and no points.
A police spokesman said they had no option but to fine him £80 for wasting police time. :big-lol:
Many thanks James, gread read that. Lukaku is tempting, for obvious reasons!
Where are you on your Chelsea dilemma Cookie?
Nowhere! Amazingly I won’t be doing anything until Friday evening. Their fixtures are so good if then can sort themselves out. Problem is I saw another article today suggesting Mourinho is looking to offload Hazard, Oscar, Costa and one other in January. Can’t believe that is the case – but it would offer an explanation for their horrible form.
Contemplating going with Hazard instead of Kun for 6 weeks and see what happens……
No can’t see that happening. Maybe in the summer if he makes it that far himself.
As for Kun / Hazard that’d be a gamble for sure but who knows. Aside from his wonder week Kun wasn’t exactly pulling up trees. Trouble there though is that at least you can imagine City suddenly knocking 5 past anyone, Chelsea not so much.
I’d be more confident if Hazard had shown some semblence of producing……
Yeah I agree, if I was gambling on Chelsea I think I’d limit it to Willian in all honesty, given the price differences.
Will see what Friday brings injury wise and what Mourinho says, for what it’s worth. Just feel there has to be some value in Chelsea over this period, but identifying who it could be is anything but obvious and will probably take a gamble to make it pay. But my gambles are not usually that great!
If Hazard had scored a couple early on or played well for Belgium then it would be a different story. Maybe a defender is best. They can’t be this useless all season.
Great stuff James, cheers! The way this season is going I may just go with Bolasie! After I bring him in of course…
James,
Really nice read that mate. Liked the Ruud reference – not lost on me anyway.
I can’t remember who I have in my team let alone who I’ll captain!
Come on now GP, I don’t believe that for a second. Your wife told me you sleep with a freshly printed copy of it under your pillow every night. Along with a picture of the Krankies
Init,
What’s my wife doing talking to you about what goes on in our bedroom?
Just small talk 😉
Sadly, true. . . . :winktongue:
Great read James, well done and many thanks. Pretty sure I’ll be going with Lukaku. That’s assuming neither he or Bony move in price anymore prior to Friday. Really isn’t the week for early transfers so hope I’m not forced into making that decision. Then again I suppose a -4 that involved Deulofeu as well might not be the worst idea ever!
Toss up between Lukaku and Vardy, for me. Leaning toward young Vardy at the minute. Pen duty, vs Newcastle, to equal the record: I have visions of him getting an early goal and then going on a rampage!
Go for it mate, was a game featured in the one week wonders and for good reason #chatshitgetbanged
Just realised when I posted that NIN that you’re not a twitterite! Wasn’t having a go you, Google the hashtag!
I went with the thought that with the Belgian game called off Lukaku isn’t playing. Hopefully that means no injury. I capped him too for good measure.
What’s that saying to do with eggs and baskets?
You just jinxed it right there. He picked up an injury this second. FFS!
Gemany the Netherlands has been cancelled just now. The entire stadium is being evacuated, not looking good. People terrified.
Shit, seriously. What’s happened now?
Precautionary but there are signs of another attack. Hope nothing happens. The fact the match is cancelled an hour before start is already a loss. Spain versus Belgium was cancelled a few days before, now loads of people have travelled. Was already crazy amount of police so the fact they cancel is means it is probably serious for them. Sucks.
Hey Raz any more news this isn’t good.
Hi Silvers, you really need to join twitter or even just google! 😉 I’m not volunteering to show you how though
In short : stadium evacuated in light of reports of a fake ambulance filled with explosives and also a suspect package being found. Reports since suggest both weren’t true. Nothing found. Better safe than sorry though.
Cheers Init been working tonight so not caught up with any news , not a big fan of Twitter but spend most of day on computer.
I’m ready to make a double hit how about you. 😉
I don’t think I’ve ever done a -8! Ever.
.