Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 3 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
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After having my sleep rudely interrupted by a chicken, c0ck-a-d00dle-doing about a looming FF247 deadline, I could have been forgiven for thinking we were still awaiting the kick-off to season 2015/16. So imagine my shock when I was summonsed to select the captaincy contenders for Gameweek 3! Anyhow, I’ve resisted the temptation to defer to the “snooze” function, and I stand before you under a false pretense that this is indeed GW3…
Makes you wonder why we even bothered playing from GW1. I mean, look no further than the chap who topped the GW2 rankings. While the rest of us toiled over the pre-season, Johnny-come-lately swoons in and pulls the rug from under our feet.
History is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Why? Because it tells us the same thing over and over again: that while we’ve supposedly “learned from our mistakes” blah blah blah, we’re doomed to repeat our sins of the past. The truth is that, notwithstanding its status as the most sophisticated of species, the homo sapien really ain’t that sophisticated. We are destined to look to history for the sake of repeating history. One needs to look no further than fantasy football to reinforce the point. We gushed over Rooney, Hazard, Walcott, Kane in pre-season and in GW1, and “learned from our mistakes” by retaining the aforementioned in GW2. Heck, we even captained them! A cursory glance of the FF247 pages reinforces the proposition: “Don’t play your wildcard…”. “Be patient…”. “Wenger will start Theo…”. “Don’t take points hits…” etc etc…Dare I continue?
Wake up folks. This is fantasy football Armageddon. The world as we know it has ended. Don’t believe me? Check your rankings (well, check mine anyway). Have a look at that half-baked attempt at what purports to be a football squad by the fool leading your mini-league by the length of the straight, who probably hasn’t logged in since hitting “autocomplete” back in July. Heck, the leader of my own mini-league still has Dzeko in his squad!! And yet, despite the statistics, despite the research, despite the history lessons, and the blood, sweat and tears expended over whether to pick Walcott, Cazorla or Ozil, the fires of fantasy footballing hell have descended upon over 3 million unsuspecting victims, leaving a trail of carnage and destruction over all who dare stand before them. We’re doomed. In fairness, one only has to note that Everton maintained their unbeaten start to the season (and Lukaku is scoring goals) for the stark reality of what is upon us to take hold.
But, again, what does history tell us? Yep, we pick up the pieces, and soldier on. We curse, we mourn, we activate the wildcard, we spit chips, we play chips, we blame Raz, we burn effigies, we threaten to walk away, but we pick up our bat and face up to one more over. It’s our destiny folks. Age shall not weary us. Fear is not an option. There is no excuse for failure.
And so with that call to arms, I present you this week’s captaincy picks.
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1. Juan Mata – Manchester United (h) v Newcastle
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His no. 10 counterpart is likely to be the more popular choice this week, but needless to say Rooney hasn’t (yet) hit the heights expected of him in early 2015/16. Again, our failings as homo sapiens conspired to construct what, on its face anyway, seemed an inevitable flow of fantasy gold. I mean, it’s Wayne Rooney! Historically starts the season so well! And he’s back in his favoured role! Oh, and look at his opening fixtures! But wait, there’s more: he scored twice in United’s last home fixture against Newcastle (December 2014). But let’s be frank, Rooney seems unlikely to explode any time soon. There is no bang here (football-wise, keep it above the belt peoples!). No sizzle is going to sell this sausage. Partly boredom, partly a product of the conservative attacking style being adopted by LVG, and Rooney’s tendency in the opening matches to drift wide, but no matter which way you deconstruct this beast (literally as well as figuratively), there is no escaping the fact that Rooney has been a fantasy disappointment (again, literally as well as figuratively).
Mata, however, has begun to show glimpses of the form which twice made him Chelsea’s player of the year, assisting Januzaj’s effort (and 3 bonus points to boot) in last week’s 1-0 over Sherwood’s Villa (and really should have had a second assist but for “When I was walking in” Memphis Depay somehow failing to hit a target as wide as Elvis’s (and Rooney’s for that matter)). Importantly, Mata appears the mainstay and the conductor of the United midfield which will look to make beautiful music against a Newcastle side which to be fair has started the season quite well by its own standards. Incidentally, Mata has enjoyed recent success against Newcastle (admittedly Lord Pardew was in charge then), scoring a brace in a 4-0 victory in April 2014. I expect United to decimate Newcastle at home this week, and further expect Mata to be central to that cause.
Prediction: United 4 Newcastle 1
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2. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City (a) v Everton
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Now, be honest, how many of you hid behind the sofa when the team sheets for City v Chelsea were announced last week? Actually, in view of the way this season has started for many of the big names, we’d have nothing to worry about. Right? Wrong! After easing into season 2015/16 with a 28 minute cameo against West Brom, Aguero put in an impressive 90 minute display against the Champions, scoring his first goal of the season in the process. It would now seem that Aguero is back to full match fitness, after his summer break post-Copa America. Attention now turns to the Toffees. This match-up has been kind to City in recent years: Everton have failed to defeat City in their last 4 outings, losing 3 in the process. Incidentally, Aguero has scored in two of those fixtures. Storming into title favouritism, City have been keen to make an early impact on 2015/16. Clinical in their surgical dissection of the Champions, City will look to build on their impressive start to the season. Expect goals in this encounter. Kun is likely to be on the goal sheet. Ignore him at your peril. Refrain from your wildcard or points hits at your risk. Do whatever you need to do to get him into your squad. I, for one, will be watching this fixture from the comfort of my lounge, not behind it!
Prediction: Everton 1 City 3
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3. Alexis Sanchez -Arsenal (h) v Liverpool
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Much like Kun, and again following the Copa America, Alexis eased into season 2015/16 with a 24 minute cameo against West Brom, followed by 74 minutes and an assist against Palace. In truth, Alexis should have achieved much more from the Palace fixture, missing a host of chances that he would normally bury by his own high standards. Which only serves to make him an even more dangerous proposition at home to Liverpool this week, now that he appears to have reached full match fitness. Arsenal have generally underwhelmed since winning the Community Shield in early August, however they come up against a side for which this fixture has been very favourable in recent years. Liverpool have failed to defeat Arsenal in 8 of their past 9 meetings in all competitions – the most recent fixture being a 4-1 demolition in April, and, yes, one in which Alexis scored. The Gunners have scored at least 2 goals in each of those 8 victories. A rather interesting statistic is that, in the last 13 premier league meetings between the two teams, a goal has been scored in the 90th minute on 9 occasions. In all likelihood, Alexis will see 90 minutes, which only adds to his appeal in this fixture.
In view of Chelsea’s recent performance, a straight Hazard to Alexis swap is likely to be a popular transfer this week. Much like the case with Kun, this could be another “hide behind the lounge” moment if Alexis unleashes on Liverpool. However, and in view of recent selection anomalies, it’s equally likely that Le Professeur will choose to start Alexis from the bench, further polarising all opinion and rationality. At some point before too long, normal service will resume in fantasy football: expect Alexis to be leading that renaissance.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
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4. Dimitri Payet West Ham (h) v Bournemouth
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Payet has opened his Premier League campaign in fine style, scoring one and assisting one in his first two matches. The West Ham of 2015/16 appears to resemble everything that their former manager was not: slick, efficient, attacking, and most certainly not boring. They dispatched Arsenal with ease at the Emirates in GW1, before stumbling against the new title favourites in Leicester, who seem to remain under the impression that they’re still in a relegation fight, having picked up right where they left off in 2014/15.
Payet’s credentials are certainly impressive. In 2014/15, Payet created more chances (135) than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues last year, and led Ligue 1 in assists (17), whilst helping himself to 7 goals in the process. Payet also led Ligue 1 for key passes, 40 more than any other player. The 135 chances basically meant that he set up a team mate every 23 minutes. Payet also attempted more shots from outside the area (58) than any other Ligue 1 midfielder in 2014/15.
Rightly titled the “Assist Master”, Payet looks set to add a new edge to the Hammers’ attacking midfield in 2015/16, and a hapless Bournemouth awaits as his main course. Priced at 7.6m, Payet has shown early signs that he may well become the mid-priced purchase of the season.
Prediction: West Ham 3 Bournemouth 0
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Red (proceed with caution): Rooney
Amber (if you have him, captain him): Mata
Green (ignore him at your peril): Aguero
Best of luck to all. Back to sleep I go. Let me know when the season gets underway.
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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 3. This article was written by blue_moon
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Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Captain Poll
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So United again have missed out on a quality player, this time it is Pedro. I really don’t get it. Just 21m Chelski paid for him? WOW!
Hey NiN, I did something really crazy yesterday. Took a hit where I didn’t need to and it might not even pay off. I got Depay for Sterling. 😉
Beg FPL to let you reverse that move 😉
Really? Don’t you think he will come good now? Especially versus Newcastle?
Geezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. this ain’t helping.
hey raz..how u doin?i see a goal coming for depay against poop..nice move there.
Spurs and Villa have essentially nullified him for 90 minutes. I don’t see the appeal there ahead of a forward in a free flowing attacking juggernaut like City.
He was misused, wrong position. Yesterday we’ve seen what he can do when at the right position. Also, the player trying to find him now, since he is the man in form. Yesterday he was on set pieces/corner kicks/direct free kicks and everybody was looking to give the ball to him (instead of Rooney). He got 2 goals and a assist. I don’t rate Newcastle higher than Club Brugge, rate them the same.
I disagree with all of that, literally.
Explain yourself. Yesterday he played from the left flank, players were trying to find him, he was on corner kicks, free kick and a direct free kick. What is there to disagree?
Next thing you’re going to say is that Rooney was man of the match. >.<
To give an idea how he played and how many touches he had. Depay had 77 touches in the opposition half and eight touches in the opposition box – more than any other player. I would love to give a graphic of ROoney but it doesn’t exist. :p
Great analysis NiN! :p
“He is the man in form”
After one good game?
Raz, i have no interest in this thread. Move on, maybe do something constructive.
Now now Raz , NIN I thk Depay will come good but I thk MU have been luckily so far but there are better options than Depay @ present. I will take a chance on Mata this GW might even Cap him. 😉
Hi all, see lots of people WC’ing. I’m going to stick it out and see how I go this week.
The team:
Courtois | Hennessey
Mertesacker | Cedric | Kaboul | Morgan | Oxford
Hazard | Cazorla | Sterling | Mane | Milner
Rooney | Pelle | Defoe
I have 2 FT and £0.5 ITB but am falling well behind already with 42 points after 2 game weeks, I am thinking Rooney + Milner or Mane out and Aguero + Mahrez in. Anyone any other suggestions or thoughts?
I could even take a -4 hit this week if the right player came along, I am doing that badly!!
Really appreciate any help lol. Really!
specialK – Those sound like ideal moves to me mate. Probably Mane ahead of Milner as you have Pelle there too.
Mane looks class though. I heard after United missed out on Pedro LvG has his eyes set on Mane. Really don’t get that move. They need a real striker.
United are looking for someone quick to play on the right. I’d be surprised if they don’t sign a striker as well
Thanks for the reply NIN.
I’m actually so confused with looking at my team I pasted the wrong line up. LOL
My front line is actually:
Rooney | Sakho | Defoe
Wish I did have Pellé!
Mane > Pelle
Hahaha, no worries. It can all get very confusing at times! Okay then, if you can raise funds by dropping Milner then go that way i’d say. I expected Milner to show a lot of points this season but so far he has been out of the loop altogether. So has Mane, to be fair, but at least he’s a winger.
@ NiN
With Henderson fit Milner won’t give you mega scores. Mane should be at 150-200 points at the end of the season. If he starts finishing those chances.
@ Raz… How about actually RMT’ing the post you’re commenting on rather than aiming comments at me?
To all those who are planning to leave hazard, wrong decision..dont repent later..he’ll explode one day and take you along.
Also, a question.,, why are we not seeing Wildcard status this time on our rivals page. need to check whether my rivals have activate their WC or not.. how to check..
constantine – Only way to know whether a WC is active is to look at the opponents funds. If they’ve got a fortune tucked away then they are probably chasing price rises, meaning an active WC. If your opponents don’t do things like that then you’ll find it hard to tell. FPL have removed that information this season. I like that they have, it makes it more interesting 😉
NIN,, what wud the transfer history show if soneone’s on WC. one of my rival’s TW shows 10 transfers already and Team value has reached 100.6 now..does that mean he’s on WC?
I just had a look at a mates (one who i know is on a WC) transfer history and it only shows one FT he made after GW1. That screen should always show up to last GW and not current GW transfers. If your rival is showing ten transfers made this week, then he/she has made ten. Crazy!
Hahaha..he actually is..all baffled up i guess. poor guy..thanks anyways NIN. and again dont lose hazard. 😉
Haha, madman! I’m not selling Hazard mate, no way Jose 😉
That’s odd constantine, one of my mini league mates has done 2 this GW but on transfer history non appear. See image. Can we take a peak at that of 10 transfers?
Thx.
DMC – The Transfer History screen is only for transfers from previous GW’s. The screenshot you posted shows two made this week, for a total of two, meaning there are no previous transfers to view. Hope that makes sense mate
NIN – it does; I thought constantine was saying that transfer history (he used TW…) of his mate had all 10 of them there, which wouldn’t make sense.
I now realize he was referring to the main page, that is, the first of my images.
If there it says “Gameweek transfers 10” then of course he/she is not on WC and has made those 10 transfers (with a big hit) and which we all only be able to see after deadline. Oooofff
DMC, here is the image of his transfer history. 12 in total and 10 for this GW. People are crazy around here for sure.
NIN and DMC , for you..have a look
It’s probably to do with the amount of different chips available now, triple (c) picks and such can be cancelled so they can’t differentiate between them, also manage your own team snooper
Greetings to all
How’s everyone doing?
Hi Fergie. Not bad mate, yourself?
All good NIN, got myself in a wildcard confusion but am mostly happy with what I’ve got. Really comes down to Keeping or binning Hazard:
Schmeichel Schwarzer
Kompany Darmian Richards Gomez Elphick
Sanchez Yaya Mahrez Wanyama (either hazard or Chadli)
Aguero Gomis (either benteke or ighalo)
Looks good Fergie. Personally, i’m keeping Hazard for the long haul. Ighalo could be a real gem if he gets enough game time.
Hazard will come good. He should have scored last 2 games. So it will happen soon. Whether he is worth the price I’m still unsure like I was at the start. I still have him though.
Liverpools next 3 fixtures are off putting.. arsenal and United away. Hazard has not shown any form as yet. Very confused Fergie.
Thank you Smash,
I don’t think Hazard is worth that money but he is worth 200 points per season.
Yeah, agreed re L’pool’s fixtures. Very tough. I’d go for Hazard over Benteke but, to be fair, Chelsea’s next three isn’t the easiest either! Still, surely the Champions will get their arses in gear soon enough…
They will have too because if United and City win this weekend and they don’t then they are looking at a 7/8 point gap already.
Yeah, that would be crazy for this early. WBA are one of their bogey teams too..
I’m actually thinking about leaving Hazard out for the time being and making sure I have an emergency buy back plan. As I’ve set my team currently (Chadli and benteke) I have 1.1m in the bank towards it.
Memphis really impressed last night so I’m looking at him also.
Would be so funny if that happened NIN. They’re obviously gonna start playing better sooner or later though.
Fergie – Good stuff mate, once that buy-back route is set out then no worries :thumbup:
Teks – Yes, it so would! As a United fan, i am loving this short time being ahead of Chelsea in the table. Wont last though. Well, not for United anyway. Your lot might well be there for the season by the look of things. What an attack :shake:
Everyone keeping Mane if he goes to United?.
I’d probably sell as I don’t see him being a first team regular from the off.
United haven’t even made a bid yet. I’d be worried about it though. Still, cant see it happening.
Yes they have.
Source? An official one preferably..
Sky Sports News.
*Official.
Yeah and Saints have said he’s not for sale. This don’t mean a lot though
Hey everyone. I’m in a bit of a dilemma. What do I do? Bench Henderson and play Wanyama or take a hit to transfer Henderson out for someone else?
Cheers.
Is Henderson definately out? All depends how long he’s out for
It doesn’t say. He’s got 75% chance of playing. I don’t want to play him anyway, because of the tough fixture.
I should just play Wanyama and not take a hit, shouldn’t I?
Yeah I think it’s close on who to play out of those 2 anyway
Hi Ruben. I would play Oxford, leave Wanyama as first sub and hope for the best. . A hit for Mahrez might not be the worst idea either, to be fair. Is Henderson definitely out?
Oooh good idea NIN! Hendo is not definitely out, but his fixture is terrible anyway.
I will play Oxford and have Wanyama as first sub as you suggested!
Thank you.
:thumbup:
I think you’ll be stuck waiting on managers pressers on Friday to find out about Hendo’s availability for Mondays game, no matter what fixtures say though I’d always look to play Hendo over Wanyama, mids only lose a point for losing the CS but the attacking returns is what we want to see.
Andy – Thank you! Yes I will wait, and I will probably keep him until next GW anyway. Sell him if he’s officially out for weeks.