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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Fixture Tracker
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Local Leicester press are reporting that Vardy is a “huge doubt” for the weekend.
Ffffccccckkkkk! Screw it then, I’m buying Aguero
hee hee…damnit me too. And Hazard.
This should be the highlighted hot comment! Much more sensible and wise!
It doesn’t get any easier, does it? :noshake:
2 FT’s would be nice.
5 or 6 would be ideal
Haha, if only. There’ll be a boat load of hits taken this week, that’s for sure.
Indeed. I’m trying to justify to myself an 8pt hit on the basis of many others taking hits…and many of those who don’t take hits may only be fielding 8/9 players…or numpties…
It does make sense, once the moves work of course. I’d say there are plenty of squads that are in a right state! Just Bell-end and Vardy so far for my lot.
The biggest headache really is Alexis. When will he get this rest? Will Wenger just play him for CL? Is it all a bluff and will Alexis play most games?
Cookie – Personally i expect him to start more often than not. Remember last season when he was dodgy before a match, then went over on his knee in the first half and looked even dodgier, yet Wenger left him on until after the hour mark even though he was struggling. Unless he’s totally f****d then he plays, for me. Nailed capo for 14-16 😉
That means Sanchez coming off my bench. I’ll take that! :hippo:
That’s if Sanchez makes it off his own bench!!
Thanks for your kind comments guys!
With all the injuries and break-through form players surfacing over this international break, the captaincy choice is probably a fairly minor affair for most of us, but hopefully I could help nonetheless.
Thanks James, top stuff mate!
Captain choice is never a minor affair, it’s always one of the most critical decisions you have to make and one that could ruin your weekly score big time, as I’ve been experiencing this season… yeah, I know it’s more or less a general feeling…
Cool. If i get it wrong then i’ll just blame you, James 😉
Here are the pots for Euro 2016
Pot 1: Spain (holders), Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium
• Pot 2: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine*
• Pot 3: Czech Republic, Sweden*, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary*
• Pot 4: Turkey, Republic of Ireland*, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland
We’re getting to the business end of the FPL week so it’s time to seriously consider making moves. With Vardy a doubt I am tempted to do Lukaku straight in for him or just leave it and play my other 7 attacking players. Thoughts?
If I leave it then I am tempted to get either Hennessey in for McCarthy (finally) or Rojo in for Sagna. Thoughts on either of those?
Third option is save the FT for when/if I feel Aguero is a necessity so I don’t have to take a hit.
Pancho, I’d leave Vardy – if he misses this week then so be it – I think he’s a season keeper, unless it’s reported to be more of a serious injury than we have been told before now.
Hennessey could/should work well. I would wait for LVG’s presser before going for Rojo as he was playing for Argie last night so I assume won’t be back at United until tomorrow.
Thanks for the info on Rojo. I didn’t consider his travels. I think he’s got a long-term spot in my team, it’s just a matter of when to bring him in.
True on Vardy. I have always liked the looks of Lukaku though. It is rare that he disappears in games. When he is getting the ball regularly he has always looked dangerous.
My lineup for this week. Should I start Pelle or Sanchez? Captain choice alright? any other changes?
Hi Tique, you may be starting him over Vardy if some of today’s reports are correct! Couldn’t really pick between them right now but let’s see what Wenger says about Sanchez playing. And as I say…
As for capo, go with him if you feel that’s the right call. Nothing wrong with Kane. I’d go Lukaku over him myself but who knows.
I’d do Lukaku over him if I had him too. I’m debating over Kane or Deulofeu.
Lol, sorry Tique! Swear I saw Lukaku there, obviously not! Yeah Kane then, given your actual players
Sticking with Özil as my captain for the 2nd week in a row.
Only player in PL in along with Vardy in consistent form