Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 4 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
If you captained Yaya Toure in Gameweek 1, Romelu Lukaku in Gameweek 2, Callum Wilson in Gameweek 3 or Riyad Mahrez in any of these weeks, congratulations! You are succeeding more than most. Some of us are holding on to Rooney’s “assist” in Gameweek 1 as the only time we got it sort of right.
So on to the next chance we have – and I’m writing this off the back of two 4 point captain shows – so you may want to look away now, stick your fingers in your ears and pretend you never caught sight of this.
I jest. Like the most optimistic (or sadistic) FPL players, I’m back for more. And this week I’m going to crack it.
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Gameweek 4 – The Fixtures
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Bournemouth v Leicester City
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester City v Watford
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
Southampton v Norwich City
Swansea City v Manchester United
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My Five (actually seven):
Callum Wilson
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[/three_fourth]There was a debate pre-season regarding the price of Wilson and his fellow promoted striker – Watford’s Troy Deeney. Each priced at £5.5mln, each playing in the Premier League after brilliant Championship seasons and each with claims for that difficult “third” striker slot. Well the Coventrian has made light work of finding his way to the top of the striker charts, even if it is at a very early stage. OK so his points were mainly hauled in one game at Upton Park where he bagged his first Premier League hat-trick but Wilson owners would happily have taken a goal a game at this stage so three in one, is of no concern.
So his backers or those purchasing him this week might consider that the armband goes to him – the man is in form after all and Bournemouth as a whole are playing some great passing football. They are very incisive and direct and a hallmark of their promotion-winning side from last season.
Leicester have started brilliantly but consider that they are yet to record a clean sheet and even Sunderland stuck two past them and you might just look twice at the Bournemouth penalty taker.
Although, as we’ll come to later, there are superstars with attractive fixtures this week, looking at Rooney, Aguero and Hazard all being two-pointers recently, maybe taking a chance on a lesser light might just be the way to go. And Wilson will hardly be short of confidence.
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Riyad Mahrez
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[/three_fourth]In the same match, the man of the season so far, Algerian Riyad Mahrez, will be aiming to take Charlie Daniels to the cleaners at Dean Court on Saturday.
Three matches, four goals and a clean sweep of all nine bonus points before him, has the winger as the top midfield point scorer. He has also stuck away the Foxes’ only penalty so far and would be lined up again one would assume, should another fall their way.
At the very least, this man should be in your squad, captaining him may take a bit of bottle but maybe that is the way to go. You could hardly be backing him at a better time.
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Pedro
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[/three_fourth]The Spaniard will find his way in to many teams this week and the good news is that his price should be protected until after the deadline. Many will see Hazard to Pedro and banking some £1.9mln as a worry free move and I have to agree. I think if both fit, Pedro might just match Hazard’s point tally this season. He introduced himself to the Blues’ fans with a goal and an assist in his first start to send Chelsea to their first victory of the season at The Hawthorns and send himself to the 3 bonus points – couldn’t have asked for more from his debut.
A home match against Crystal Palace won’t be easy but you would have to expect Chelsea should win even if it is to keep up with Manchester City (and Leicester). The Barcelona academy product has gone for a reported £21mln, which to me could well be the signing of the summer.
I’d add Diego Costa in here as well – Pedro could be the perfect supply line for the granddad of the Chelsea team. Costa scored his first double-digit haul in the West Brom match and that could be him off and running for the season.
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Christian Benteke
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[/three_fourth]Many will argue that the Belgian is still awaiting his first ‘goal’ in front of the Kop due to the clear infringement of the offside rule which should have resulted in his goal being disallowed. Thankfully moral decisions don’t apply in the fantasy world and the £32.5mln summer signing managed to mark his Anfield debut with 9 fantasy points courtesy of his goal and the 3 bonus to leave Monday Night Captainers rejoicing! He also hit the crossbar in the second half so it could have been more.
Truthfully he should also have added another against Arsenal on Monday evening. Where the plaudits will go to Petr Cech for a fine save, Benteke shouldn’t have given him the chance of a save. What is encouraging, however, is the understanding being shown clearly between Benteke and Coutinho. One can see Benteke having many laid on for him by the Brazilian in the coming weeks especially in the matches at home where Liverpool will see lots of the ball. Next up are out-of-sorts West Ham so there is definite scope there for more goals.
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Sergio Aguero
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[/three_fourth]Home game. Yep. Home to a promoted team. Yep. City playing well. Yep (three in three with +8 goal difference). Already scored this season. Yep.
All the signs are pointing to an Aguero Armband this weekend.
Depending where you are in the overall standings or your own private mini-league, you’ll know if you can take a chance by moving away from Aguero. Common sense tells you that those with him (28.2%) will make him their man so to either stay with the leaders or hold off those challengers, you really shouldn’t be looking any further than your top striker.
This is also the beginning of six decent fixtures for City, so I’d imagine many will be loading up on their players and it also makes sense to captain one of them being as they are in by far and away, the best attacking team in the league.
This leads me on nicely to David Silva, a differential of sorts owing to the expected Aguero love this weekend. Three assists, three clean sheets and two bonus points so far and he should/could have been on the score sheet at West Brom in Gameweek 1. The first goal is around the corner and could come this weekend. As usual, playing in between the lines of the opposition, the little Spaniard is never far from the attacking points. You could do a lot worse than side with him this weekend.
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As usual, here are the traffic lights . . .
RED (Take a punt if you have him): Callum Wilson
AMBER (Proceed with caution): Christian Benteke
GREEN (If you have him, armband him): Sergio Aguero
A final thought:
This is the last Gameweek before both the transfer window closes and for the hiatus for international football so the next round of matches, Gameweek 5, isn’t until 12 September.
Usually this is the worst time to have a stinker of a Gameweek because you have what seems like an eternity to wait to get back on track. For those of you who have wildcarded, I’d imagine and hope your squad is in good enough shape to bank this week’s free transfer and have two to use come the return in GW5. For those still with the wildcard, then I should imagine many will be activated once this week’s deadline has passed to benefit from that two week period of tinkering and to take advantage of the transfer business still to be completed.
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.
For those wishing to use it before such a double Gameweek, I’d imagine that Aguero at home to Watford is as enticing as a single match gets.
Whatever you do, go with your instinct and have a great Gameweek 4!
Enjoy your football.
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Thanks for reading Captain Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 4. This article was written by The Gallant Pioneer
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What about Januzaj as my last mid? Choosing between him and Redmond.
Redmond, without a doubt. What about Morisson?
Not sold on him. Decent fixtures though. Thoughts on Kouyate?
Of those two, Redmond for sure. If you’re playing 3-4-3 and plan to bench this player most weeks then i would suggest a cheaper option like Albrighton or Westwood.
Agreed. All but United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get rid now! :dance:
Will mostly play 3-5-2, rotating with Kone depending on fixtures.
Okay so, Redmond for me :thumbup:
Hi all! Have wildcarded and need some feedback!
Pls RMT or suggest anything if you think can be improved! (Need a starting defender who plays A/H/A to rotate with the 4 other defenders who play H/A/H)
Team A:
Courtois McCarthy
Kompany Williams Gomez Cameron Olsson
Sanchez Pedro Silva Mahrez Westwood
Aguero King Diouf
Team B:
McCarthy Hennessey
Sagna Williams Gomez Cameron Olsson
Sanchez Pedro Silva Mahrez Westwood
Aguero Gomis Diouf
Team B is a great squad, for me. Only small issue is the GK’s as we are yet to see whether Speroni will get his place in the team back once he is fit. Maybe drop Williams to a 4.5m and get a 4.5m GK in for Hennessey? Yeah, a few defensive/GK switches and Team B is looking pretty beast.
Thanks NIN! Prefer Team B myself but I’m 0.1m short to upgrade to a 4.5m goalkeeper, assuming I want to keep Williams!
Hopeful for a 0.1m rise for my Kompany before I sell him off!
Nice. There’s options there anyway just in case the rises don’t come through for you. Good luck :thumbup:
I don’t really do the home away thing since one injury or whatever messes the entire plan up. I usually go with the players I like and think are good. You do know that the Palace goalie will be back soon so the second keeper combination will be a pain in the ass after the international break, a def no no. Both teams looks good, both midfields htat is. Not sure about the defence.
Thanks Raz, you sure make sense about injuries messing the plan up! Will stick to defenders who I think are good then 😉
Yeah would want another 4.5m keeper to be safe but I’m currently 0.1m short! Hoping for my risers to gain another 0.1m before I sell them!
Cheapest goalie combo that works is Schmeichel/Schwarzer. On that note, McCarthy/Speroni is also 8,5m. Speroni very close to dropping by the way, he’s at -70 percent. A few more weeks, he could be back soon though.
Hi Neo
Check this out for fixture rotation – it’s brilliant information and shows who you could have to rotate with your other defenders:
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/fixture-tracker/
I prefer Team B – I think Cameron is only in until Shawcross is fit and which Olsson is that?
Choices, a hard one.
Neither one here tbf :p
Neo, take your Matrix sunglasses off. :p
Hehe, you will be instantly rich. A little bit of coke sniffing doesn’t hurt anyone.
Thanks GP! Have decided to rotate with Stoke/Leicester/Bournemouth defenders!
@ Neo
Those 3 teams have gotten 0 cleansheets amongst them in 9 games. Just saying. :p
Who would you guys prefer for the next game? Hazard or Sanchez?
Assuming you don’t have Pedro/Arsenal cover? Would go for Sanchez myself as Arsenal’s attack has ‘clicked’ whilst Chelsea’s still hasn’t
I have Pedro, it’s just for the next game. I would do Hazard to Sanchez during the international break. Hazard at home versus Crystal versus Sanchez away versus Newcastle.
Raz
Hazard personally. It’s a home game and he is still on pens I believe.
It’s a hard one GP, if Newcastle mess up, they mess up hard. :p
If you have Pedro, I would ‘spread’ the bets and go for Sanchez. Arsenal might play away but then again it suits their counter-attacking game 😉
True Neo, and in GW5 they play Stoke at home. Sanchez will be the best cap choice.
Hey y’all. I always wait til Fri night to make transfers but I’m getting the itch to just be done with it this week
Would you do Mert > Kolarov and Ramsey > Yaya for a -4 or should I address Mings/Oxford/Milner/Deeney instead? Team’s linked if you want to see just how awful it’s been….
No issues with those moves Colriles, happy days. Stocking City players is good on both a short and long term basis. Probably play Milner this week in a 3-5-2 i reckon.
Second what NIN says, think your most important move is to get a starting defender in and taking a hit for a City player is reasonable, given their form
Would go 3-5-2 as suggested above also
Cheers guys, works for me! Can’t take another red arrow this week :shake:
Hi all, sorry for the spam in the last hour but want to sort my final team ASAP as it’s occupying so much of my focus!
Assuming the front 7 are fixed:
Sanchez Pedro Silva Mahrez Westwood
Aguero Gomis Diouf
Team A w 0 ITB:
Guzan
Steven Taylor Targett Muniesa Williams Kompany
Team B w 0 ITB:
Hennessey McCarthy
Huth Targett Muniesa Williams Kompany
Team C w 0.6 ITB
Guzan McCarthy
Huth Targett Muniesa Williams Sagna
Team C pros: Better keeper as well better defensive coverage
Team C cons: Sagna might not start in a few weeks’ time
Team A pros: Better keeper + Kompany instead of Sagna
Team A cons: 2 4.0m defenders!
HELP!!!!
Hi All
My team is Myhill( McCarthy)
Darmian, Gomez, Richards (Martin, Ward)
Silva, Sanchez, Mahrez, Payet, Depay
Aguero, Gomis (Kone). 0.0 in the bank.
I feel I’m missing Yaya or. Man City defender having looked at their fixtures. Should I use 4 points to get in Yaya for Depay and someone at 7.3 or less for Payet or 1 transfer for someone else such as Sagna for Darmian or do nothing? Thanks in advance.
Hi All
Anyone able to give me some help with my post at 4.01 p.m. today. Bit short of time as on hols in France and have limited access to Wifi
Cheers
I don’t see a direct problem with your defenders this GW. City defenders seem to be a must yeah. You got Silva and Kun so you don’t need yaya. Depay to Pedro? Wait not possible. *sighs*
I’d do Darmian to a City defender sooner or later, United will concede at some point and their fixtures will get harder. Actaully don’t know what to do but a 4 point hit for Yaya is crazy if you already have Kun and Silva.
Cheers Raziel
I’ve no idea what to do so maybe nothing is the best answer.
It usually helps doing nothing when you’re not sure, unless you have to. Aaah, I see you put big money in your midfield. This must be a GW3 WC I’m looking at. All the new ones don’t have Payet or Depay (except mine, depending on tonight I might just get him again). :p
Tomo – Darmian to Sagna?
Cheers Cookie.
That was my plan B. As an MU fan do you think they will get some more clean sheets in the next three weeks as Sagna probably has 2 or maybe 3 weeks before he is subbed out?
Raziel it was a bit like a W/C but it was my first week after getting sucked back in to playing this frustrating competition. 2 weeks retirement from FPL did’nt work out!
Don’t ask me Tomo, I’m the worst gambler/predicter in the world!!
What I do know is I’d rather have a City defender than a United one for the foreseeable.
I’d say Team C.
Definitely not Team B because you’d find yourself without a keeper when Speroni returns. Not sure who your other keeper is meant to be in Team A but I don’t like the 2 4m defenders.
Hi Neo
I’d sway away from the 4.0 defenders ang go with C. You can deal with the Sagna problem when you’re faced with it by keeping a transfer spare so you’ll have two transfers that week
Bump!!! Really appreciate the advice thus far but would like more if possible!
Still yet to use my Wildcard, made my one transfer and brought in silva for mane
team for this week is;
Butland
Darmian/Cedric/Mert
Milner/Silva/Hazard/Mahrez
Aguero(C)/Defoe/Wilson
subs, Richards/Payet/Mings/Schmeichal)
Payet on bench is that wise?
Would do the same, don’t see Liverpool conceding ATM + Milner should be in a more offensive role since he’s being covered now by Can/Lucas
yeah that’s what I was thinking, Wilson and Defoe seem in pretty decent form scoring hattricks this week so that only leaves Aguero to score one
When I looked as Milner’s position and compared it to Can’s vs Arsenal in their last appearance I found that they basically took up the same position just on different sides of the pitch. Both had an average position of about the middle of the park. The real difference between those two was not their positioning, but the shots and corners taken. Those two things heavily favoured Milner as he took 3 shots and 5 corners, whereas Can registered 0 in both departments. Not sure Lucas nor Can helps his position (Milner) it was the absence of Hendo that made him drop deeper this past game. If Hendo is back expect Milner to have more liberty going forward. Hendo did sit deeper than Milner and the average position over the first two games showed that.
I beg to differ. Liverpool plays a deep 4-2-3-1 (Milner and Hendo as the 2) and this doesn’t play to their strengths as they are strong runners into the box.
When Can is in though (as seen after his subbing in for the first 2 games), and especially with the inclusion of Lucas, Milner is more liberated as seen in his further forward positions when pressing/with the ball etc.
Perhaps he seems deeper in the Arsenal game because Liverpool was very much forced back in the second half but I’d argue for sure that Milner has the opportunity to play higher w/o Hendo + yes his threats from set pieces!
@Neo, I am talking specifically about the last game, that is why I mentioned it. The reason I say that having Can and Lucas along with Milner didn’t help him was because they didn’t play a 4-2-3-1 they played a 4-3-3. That is why Can and Milner had the same average position. When Hendo was there, Rodgers sent out a 4-2-3-1. Now that could be due to the opponent (Arsenal) that he changed or that he was missing Hendo. All I was saying was that the inclusion of Can and Lucas didn’t necessarily mean a higher position for Milner. However the inclusion of Hendo had meant that so far this season. He sat higher in the first two games and easily sat higher than Hendo despite being part of the 2 in the holding area.
What I have noticed from Rodgers is that he is not necessarily predictable when it comes to formations or who plays where. He looks to exploit a teams weaknesses, we can argue about whether he is actually effective in doing that or not, but the point is that the inclusion of certain players or non inclusion doesn’t always mean as much as we think it does when it comes to Liverpool. Well that is just my point of view.