Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 33 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
Gameweek 32 saw some unfamiliar faces get the headlines. Chelsea’s Pedro finally rewarded those loyal few who had kept faith in him since… Gameweek 1 with 16 points. Any suggestions to captain Morgan would’ve been considered rather rum, but a storming header and clean sheet combo from Leicester’s skipper gave the Foxes 3 points and FPL owners 15. Alexis Sanchez, being one of the more mainstream picks, boosted many a ranking with his goal, assist and bonus points haul. In fact, last week’s Captain Picks writer Guy Sanchez put in perhaps THE most impressive performance, with all 4 of his choices scoring at least 7 points. No pressure this week, then.
Onto this week and Gameweek 33 is somewhat of an oddity. Crystal Palace have two home games, but with the team in sharp decline and no-one showing any kind of form this year, it seems best to avoid Pardew’s men altogether right now. Everton are another team who are vastly under-performing, although they at least have a couple of players with FPL appeal.
Whether to chase the DGW with our captains or to stick with the untouchables will be the main headache this week. As with last weekend, we can be sure there’ll some bizarre returns. OK, now hit play for my GW33 Top 5.
5. Riyad Mahrez – Sunderland (a)
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[/three_fourth]With the title completely in the bag now, Ranieri may decide to rest his entire team away to struggling Sunderland AFC. Although saying Big Sam’s beleaguered team are ‘struggling’ is like saying Donald Trump is ‘controversial’ or that China has ‘pollution issues’. Assuming Mahrez does play, which he will because I was being facetious, he will face a defence that last week celebrated their first shut-out since November, in an unsightly slug-fest against WBA.
But for a blip at the turn of the year, the Algerian has delivered stunning consistency. The player-of-the-year elect has found time to give us 16 goals and 11 assists. When he doesn’t achieve one, he usually provides the other. This makes him a low-risk captain choice at the worst of times, but against the Black Cats he becomes almost irresistible.
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4. Philippe Coutinho – Stoke (h)
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[/three_fourth]Despite missing a third of the season, Coutinho is having his finest season in a Liverpool shirt. A delicious curler against Spurs at Anfield last weekend was his seventh of the campaign, and had he been Brazilian we’d have all been talking about that goal for a long time. Anyway, in a game that could see both clubs swap league positions, Stoke come to Merseyside looking for their first away clean sheet in 2016, a task made all the harder by the injury to arguably their own player of the season, Jack Butland. Replacement Jakob Haugaard needs no introduction, which is a relief, because I know nothing about him. Conceding 2 at home to Swansea, however, could be an ominous precursor to a tough climax to what has been a highly lauded campaign thus far.
With Sturridge looking lively, but still somewhat rusty in front of goal, the smart money seems to be on Coutinho to continue spearheading Klopp’s charge for… erm… 8th.
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3. Harry Kane – Man Utd (h)
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[/three_fourth]Spurs idol and childhood Arsenal fan Harry Kane is looking ever more archetypal fixture-proof FPL fodder. Proving last season was no fluke, Kane’s Bergkamp-esque equaliser at Anfield took the leading goalscorer to 22 goals, his 6th in 4 games.
Man Utd, though, are nothing if not solid. Yes, they are the football equivalent of Coldplay. Yes, their scrappy defeat of Everton was as an inappropriate christening of Sir Bobby Charlton’s stand as had Man City legend Colin Bell squatted down and curled one out in the center circle. BUT, with only 1 goal conceded in 4 games, Louis knows how to keep things tight. Against most.
Harry, however is no mortal. In FPL terms he’s amassed an incredible 43 points in 360 minutes of game-time. No wonder many are favouring him ahead of even DGW players.
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2. Sergio Aguero – West Brom (h)
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[/three_fourth]Ordinarily, Kun at home to anyone would be a shoe-in for the number one slot and no-one could be blamed for thinking that regardless. With KDB starring in their dismantling of Bournemouth, Man City looked much more like the team they were when….. well, when KDB was last in the team. Aguero will hope his return will restore some much-needed momentum in the final throes come April and May. FPL managers will be hoping for some long-overdue consistency which has been strangely absence in a patchy 2015/16.
If Man Utd are Coldplay, then West Brom are a creaky covers band sweatily churning out workmanlike performances that no-one particularly wants to watch. If West Brom played in your pub, you would finish your pint and leave. Naturally, none of this has any relevance to FPL, but in the absence of anything new to say about Sergio Aguero, I felt it necessary to pad out the paragraph.
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1. Romelu Lukaku – Watford (a), Crystal Palace (a)
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[/three_fourth]Batman v Superman; Leonardo Di Caprio v that bear; Jack Wilshire v nightclub security staff. Some battles are destined for folklore, but none more so than that which has echoed out wails of despair for eons, FPL v Romelu Lukaku. I asked Nathan, a software engineer from Lincolnshire, who bemoaned, “I captained the useless oaf for Chelsea in 2012 against Blackburn. He did sod all and got replaced by Drogba before the hour.” Sofia, who studies archaeology in Copenhagen, said, “I was looking forward to a points-fest at home to Watford in August last year after I gave him the armband. The tw*t spent most of the game on Twitter looking at Joleon Lescott’s latest motor.”
Let’s not pretend that there’d be any reason whatsoever for the Belgian being anywhere near this article, were it not for a DGW. But what makes this particularly appealing is the opposition, both of whom are enduring a torrid 2016. The Hornets have lost their sting with four defeats on the bounce, and The Eagles have failed to take flight with no wins (and no clean sheets) all year.
Lukaku has been lukewarm of late, but with 18 goals and games in hand he’ll surely be hoping to turn up the heat on the likes of Kane (22 goals) and Vardy (19) ahead of him.
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Thanks for reading Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 33. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Great read haha love the jokes in there too.
Will probably go with Lukewarmu myself.
I have a question though for all y’all. Most people aren’t playing 15dgw players with their BB in 34, I personally have kept 3 non DGW players. Pretty much because Kane and Mahrez can score DGW scores in a single GW but also because I can’t find a balanced team which would be able to field 11 in GW 35 without taking a hit.
NIN is giving out to everyone for not playing 15 DGWers what’s others views on this?
McButch, there are different views on how many DGWers you should be Bench Boosting. We all think differently and much will also depend on our budget.
My personal view is that 10-13 is the right number – given the teams involved, as impoirtantly the teams NOT involved and the blank for some in GW35 I don’t think 15 DGWers is preferable. But that’s just me.
I was thinking the same Cookie, however NIN is like the DGW police over here lol
Hi McButcher, I reckon we’re all struggling to sort that equation out. As Cookie said, much depends on budget and I would add ML/rank situation and your proposed goals. It’s difficult to have a good BB squad with all the big hitters with two games AND keep Mahrez/Kane. You need those funds, especially Kane’s, to build a good DGW team, especially to field a strong-ish defense. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a strong 7/8 attack and personnel between 4.0 and 5.0 in defense. This just doesn’t guarantee good returns (for example, the “rojo/darmian vs smalling” conundrum).
Also, for those with a WC active in 33, it’s difficult to predict now who will be banging on form come two weeks. European games in between don’t help but that’s what it is.
I am very indecisive at the moment but I’m actually leaning towards XV doublers and ditching Mahrez and Kane. Reluctantly, of course. Already shipped Aldo and Vardo on that note.
yeah I’m in the same boat as you DMC I let Alder and Vardy go. might let them go but need to have a team that I will be happy with for the rest of the season if I do get 15 DGWers
Yeah McButcher, I’m building around something with
3 Arsenal
3 Pool
2 Man City
2 WestHam
2 ManUtd
Lukaku
Robles
Darlow
so with 2ft you’ll be able to get 11 for 35 is that right? I reckon I’ll get the lead with this DGW as anyone ahead of me or close to me have all used their chips except the leader but he has told me he’s keeping his for the DGW37
McButcher – Yes, Robles is benched and Darlow plays. From the other 6 without a game in 35 two would have to go. Looking at banking the transfer on gw34 so no hits needed unless something pops up.
Morning Guys
Many thanks for the great Captains article. I’m having a fiddle with my WC team which is currently:
Hennesey/Darlow
Sakho, Bellerin,Gabriel, Simpson, Rojo
Sanchez, Coutinho, Mahrez, KDB, Payet
Lukaku, Aguero, Martial 0.3 itb.
I’m not convinced that Rojo will play all of or both games so am considering:
Mahrez, Rojo, Hennesey out and Lennon, Delaney, DDG in.
Thoughts?
Tomo, CP def against Utd and Arsenal.. Not good
Hi Constantine. Thanks for that info, I’ll probably change Delany to Collins or Huth for GW34. I mainly have slight reservations about Mahrez, but leaving him in really gives me uncertainty about M U defence cover
Tomo, I just realised that he plays 2 DGWs in a row..And also is a cheaper option than many. The ROI that he holds is good. I’m myself considering him for two GWs, then will lose him for the rest of the season.
Hi guys im using my WC and will play my bench boost for the dgw so here is 2teams i need some advices on which team is better
team 1: 10 dgw players
hennessey mignolet
gabriel sakho huth ward daniels
sanchez iwoby mahrez siggurdson payet
aguero kane lukaku
team 2: 14 dgw players (4 of them are not playing in the gw 35)
mignolet hennessey
sakho gabriel huth staylor ward
sanchez iwoby debruyne coutinho payet
martial lukaku aguero
which one is the better choice?
Any advices plz?
Nauj, I prefer no.2 mate. Must you have S Taylor in there though?
yeh or i can have smith from bournmth but he’snt playing dgw.
martial or rashford? Im afraid dat if rooney is retrning,rashford will be on the bench, while martial will play.
Nauj, surely you swap Huth to Simpson, that gives you an extra .7 straight away to help upgrade S Taylor.
Yeh i didnt tought about this move!
huth>simpson and taylor>evans. what do you thnk?
yeah that’s better – or double up Leicester with Morgan. Or get Kirchoff for Sunderland’s DGW37 or even Klose for Norwich in 37 – all better options than S Taylor I think.
ok thnks! 😉
Guys I am having a major dilemna here playing my TC chip. Please help.
1. GW 33 – Lukaku for this week?
2. GW 34- Kane>Sturridge and Sturridge TC?
I am planning BB on GW37..
Praveen, I’m not a fan of either option to be honest!
Out of your two choices I’d rather have Alexis at home to Villa in GW38 – I trust neither Lukaku or Sturridge.
Alexis in 34
Paveen, you seem to have your TC active. Are you able to cancel that?
Great Article Bry.. Brilliant as ever..
Peeps, I am in a dilemma with my team. hope you guys would be able to take a look and shed some suggestions on what to go for. I would like to have Sanchez,KDB,payet,mahrez in the midfield and Kun and Rom upfront but not sure how to balance the team with both of them being so pricey!! I would like to take advantage of the DGW and field max no. of players so that I can play my BB chip. Any Suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance
St1cky, add the players that you would ideally want in there and show us what you have left and then I’m sure you’ll get plenty of advice from the helpful folk on here.
Thanks Cookie,
This is where am stuck. I am short of 0.3 mil to get any player in. Any suggestions ?
Draft no. 2
HI Sticky, Toby to Monreal, 3.8 can bring in S.taylor (new). I know it’s a punt, But play him in Gw34 BB, He plays Gw35, 36 and 37 Cpl (h) and Villa (A) aren’t the worst fixtures. Plus Newcastle will have something to play for.
what say guys??draft no. 2..Only fear and its a repetitive one I guess.. I srashford nailed for sure? Whats the scenario like if rooney returns.cheers
Of course he’s not nailed on for sure. However, Rooney was supposed to play a U21 game but didnt make it suggesting he’s slightly behind to get back to fitness. I’d imagine Rashford will get good game time but Rooney will be brought back into the side after being eased back into things. Rashford not bad for 4.5 considering fixtures, DGW’s and potential returns.
Exactly right there Captain.
Hey captain..Have the same doubt. ‘d like to have a sure 4 pointer than cringing with the fear of getting him benched or replaced after halftime. I guess if Lingard is a better option(wrt to the playtime), I’d do Rash to Deeney/Mitrovic and Lenon to Lingard..what say?
Well I personally have Rashford at the moment, a sure 4 pointer he is not, but I think he’ll get decent game time and if he chips in with a goal or assist, which he looks capable on doing, then for the price its a decent gamble. You defiantly need to be looking for more than 4 points, DGW or not. Lingard is the same gamble really, not as explosive as Rashford in my opinion so wouldn’t change a lot in that respect. Your issue is having De Bruyne, Sanchez and Aguero. I tried that but feel my team was better without De Bruyne as a whole and I was worried with the Champions League games he will be rested where possible.
Cheers Captain..I do not necessarily want a 4 point hauler. I meant that I’d like to have 4 points rather than sporadic 1’s or 2’s. But, you have point on De Bruyne and I guess I’ll be also better w/o him. May be would get Ozil in his place and strengthen the fforward position. thansk a lot