Captain Picks Game-week 27 – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League
After Liverpool’s demolition of Arsenal in GW25 we were all expecting them to rip Fulham a new one in GW26. Whilst the floodgates did not quite open to the extent that we all thought they would, Daniel Sturridge still managed to grab himself a goal, two assists and the full three bonus points for a total captaincy haul of 30 points to reward those who were brave enough to pick him over team-mate Luis Suarez. That little contest may well be the key to a satisfactory GW27 for many a manger again this week as Liverpool host Swansea. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Adebayor travels to a very much under pressure Norwich team, Man City are at home which is usually enough said while RvP gets a go at an increasingly frugal Palace rearguard. Let’s take a look at the main Captains options this week.
Daniel Sturridge
Let us start with last week’s Premier League hero turned FA Cup villain. As we said Sturridge was very much the man of GW26 but he then went to the Emirates and had a bit of a stinker by his own very high standards. He missed a few chances and was left sat on the turf with his head in hands at the end having been dumped out of the cup. How this will affect him we may well find out this weekend. He has not really had any such set-backs at all in his Liverpool career to date and so it will be interesting to see if his confidence has taken a knock.
Liverpool host a fellow FA Cup exitee in Swansea this week. The way the Reds have recently swept aside much tougher opposition in the form of Everton and Arsenal at Anfield we would expect that Swansea might not know what has hit them this weekend if they go at them with the same ferocity as they have done in recent weeks. Liverpool are left with only one aim this season now which is the league so expect them to be at it from the start and assuming Sturridge is not affected then we think he could be in for another monster haul this week.
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Luis Suarez
We pondered last week just where Suarez’s goals and subsequent fantasy points had disappeared to and concluded that fellow striker Sturridge was swallowing them up with relish. GW26 appeared to be no different with the fantasy captain score showing 30 vs 4 points in favour of the dancer. Anyone who saw the game however would tell you this was not really a true reflection of how things went on the night. Suarez was his ever industrious self and but for the woodwork and a magnificent save from Stekelenburg he could have easily matched Sturridge’s haul.
The main concern with Suarez at the moment seems to be a slight shift in his position to wider out on the right but at home to Swansea we don’t expect this will be as rigid a Liverpool formation as it perhaps is away from home and we expect Suarez will have plenty of chances to get himself back on the score sheet this weekend. He is not the overall leading fantasy points scorer for nothing you know!
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Emmanuel Adebayor
Five goals in his last five PL matches has seen Adebayor rediscover the form that prompted Monaco, then Arsenal, then City, then Madrid and finally (for now) Tottenham to pay up for his services. In a team that has been transformed from boring and dull with over-expectant fans under AvB, to free-flowing, attacking with errrr over-expectant fans under Tim Sherwood, Adebayor has become the side’s main striker, shrugging off the competition of Roberto Soldado and Jermain Defoe. The visit to Norwich may not be as straightforward as it looks on paper, for despite the Canaries facing a relegation battle, they have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home matches. But with more pressure being thrown upon Chris Hughton this week and the return to full match fitness of Andros Townsend, we would expect Adebayor to receive and create a few chances – and he has shown in the last few weeks that he is back to his best form.
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Robin van Persie
RvP away to Palace – guaranteed Capo choice surely? Well, yes in days gone by, without doubt. But United’s era of dominance is over for now and they are not in any way the force they were. The team isn’t firing, the arrival of Juan Mata has lost some of its spark as he is being played out wide, but RvP is RvP and three goals in four games since his comeback speaks for itself – in fact it should have been four or five goals except for an inspired performance from Wojciech Szcesny at the Emirates last week. Expect the Dutchman to score at Selhurst Park, despite Palace’s decent record at home since Tony Pulis arrived.
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City Strikers
If you hold one, whether it is Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo or Stevan Jovetic, they may just turn out to be an inspired choice. City at home in the league have been imperious, but the last fortnight has shown they are at least human. Losses at home to Chelsea and Barcelona are hardly shameful, though the scoreless draw at Norwich was a match they could have lost – they did at least show fine form in the Cup win at home to Chelsea and expect the Sky Blues to get their title bid back on track this weekend. Stoke haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last ten matches and the continued absence of Robert Huth will hardly help their cause. Admittedly, the fitness of the strikers has been questionable of late, with both Dzeko & Negredo playing when they perhaps needed a rest, while Jovetic is still finding his feet in the Premier League. The return of Samir Nasri should add some creativity to the City midfield – expect a reaction, expect chances, expect goals – fingers crossed it’s your City striker that benefits!
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Other notable mentions:
Eden Hazard
Chelsea’s player of the season so far has recently said he wishes to become as good as Messi & Ronaldo. Well, if he can produce the form of his last match at Stamford Bridge, the plaudits will be all over him – a hat-trick vs Newcastle was as imperious as it gets and despite a disappointing draw at WBA last time out, Hazard was still their main threat. Five of Hazard’s double-digit returns this season have come at home and with Everton keeping just one clean sheet in eleven matches, we would expect the Belgian to be the big danger again.
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Olivier Giroud
With Arsenal’s fixtures as tricky as they get right now, Wenger will be desperate for three points at home to Sunderland. But to do so, they will be looking for their French striker Olivier Giroud to regain his top form – well, any form really. He hasn’t scored at the Emirates since mid- November and if recent press reports are true, he clearly finds it easier playing away from home. Though this could be a tight affair, especially bearing in mind Arsenal played Liverpool last weekend and Bayern Munich on Wednesday, there are likely to be goals and Wenger will hope Giroud can replicate his scoring form off the pitch to on it.
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Thank you for reading Captain’s Picks, this article was written by Inittowinit & Cookie
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Can Anyone RMT – 2FT 0.0 ITB
Adrian
Zabaleta – Cahill – Sagna
Hazard – Lallana – Mata – Gerrard
Adebayor – (c)SUAREZ – (v)Negredo
Bench – Mannone – Demel – Ward – KI
1FT – Demel out Olsson
2FT – Negredo OUT started last night so probably be on the bench so Tranferring out but for who ? here’s my option Eto’o,Giroud,Sturridge
Good team. Wouldnt really like Sturridge in there as you already have Gerrard and Suarez. Remy could be a good pick, he returns from suspension, has decent fixtures coming up and was a great fantasy pick earlier this season.
Cheers B but Newcastle are in poor form & haven’t score in there last 4 games plus Remy just come back from injury maybe Giroud for 2GW punt ..?
Anyone else !
If anyone has a minute I could really use a second opinion on this before Olsson goes up in price tonight.
I have Eriksen, but because his playing time has been limited with the return of Townsend I’m thinking of getting rid of him. I know he has a match in GW29, but he does me no good on the bench. I’d like to bring in Lallana for him, but I’m .1 short to do a straight swap.
Marshall Manonne
Vlaar Coleman Ivanovic Koscielny Ward
Silva Hazard Puncheon Mata Eriksen
Suarez J Rod Sturridge
.8 in the bank
Thinking of dropping Vlaar for Olsson, or maybe Puncheon for Noone/Livermore/Redmond to make the $ I need to get Lallana. What do you think is my best move? Or would you hang onto the free transfer and keep Eriksen for now?
Hang on to the free transfer and simply drop Silva for Lallana next week. I least with Silva you know for a fact he will not play, Eriksen may still play.That extra money could open up other possibilities and perhaps give you the option of going for a Fonte type in for Vlaat.
Thanks for the feedback Common Sense, I appreciate it! Good luck to you this weekend. : )
Thanks for the article fellas – it seems to me that captain choice is one of the easier decisions coming up in the next few weeks! One click is better than days of anxiety over starting lineups… I’m thinking of riding out this week and saving a transfer for next week…what do we think?
Ruddy // Marshall
Azpilicueta // Coleman // Bardsley // Ward // Chester
Hazard // Silva // Lallana // Barkley // Livermore
Suarez // Sturridge // Rodriguez
Pippin – if it’s so easy – who have you decided to go with?
Pippin, exactly – hold that transfer and we’ll gets better idea of GW29 and possible future DGWs next week.
Evening guys,
Apologies for not being in here as much as I would of liked to over the last few months, but the wife had a death in the fam so been abit busy..
If you have a min could I get some advice on my non playing defenders as GW 28/29 is looming!
Marshall/Mannone
Kosc/Baines/Ivanovic/Clyne/Gabbidon
Silva/Lallana/Haz/Mata/Colback
Suarez/Danny-Boy/Dzeko
1ft 0.9ITB
Im thinking 2 of Collins/Olsson/Ward but the Collins transfer would be dependant on Mondays outcome.
Cheers
Shotts.
Anyone got a spare min or two?
Hi Shotts,
Really sorry to hear the news mate, thoughts with you and the family mate. Though time.
The best advice I can offer and it’s pretty general advice to all is assuming you can field a half decent team this week (which you clearly can), then hold that transfer, wait until Monday’s replay is decided and then act. A Hammers defender would be useful of course, but if Hull win, which they should at home, the Hammer will be useless for GW29.
Evening Cookie!
Shotts, apologies, I’m with Cookie and meant to say to hold your ft!
Hey BB, how you doing? Staying calm? Feeling the pressure? Mrs told you to “get a life” yet?!!
Doing ok thanks Cookie. Not sure about calm though! Been told to get a life many times! In 1 ear an all that!
Good lad!!
Hello Shotts
Gabbidon and Clyne are a problem with gametime. Just looking at your 4 players though have double blanks 28 and 29. Perhaps see if you can start to cover that area?
I have Gabbi too and I’ll be watching with interest to see if he gets the nod!
Thanks guys.. Much appreciated!
Cheers Cookie and Initt. Great article giving managers a lot to ponder over!
Interesting that Giroud on the bench tonight!!
Cookie, and others, you around for some help and then for me to blame?
Go on Milky, what can I take the blame for now? If I don’t respond immediately it’s cos I’m having dinner, but I will answer you after, promise !
No one likes to be categorized as other! :cuss:
+1
Oh calm down B-Bash. I only called others, because I generally blame Cookie for everything. I can start blaming you as well if you wish?
Since you’re 12th in the world you can help with my conundrum below 😛
How about, “please B-Bash, as you are having an excellent season, would you mind awfully looking at the pickle I’ve got myself into and offering your advice”?
I gest!
Always help where I can mate!
Please B-Bah as you are having an excellent season, and I just love the way you look in those pants, could you help me with this darn pickle my WC got me into?
Well Mito you are the OTHER because you’ve probably overtaken me.
Cookie: I’ve seen Adam’s response but my issue is the 3 City players, Gnabry and Chester going into the blank GWs. I just feel I need to either get Gnabry or Chester transferred out, or Kolarov/Dzeko for a more consistent starter and points earner.
How have you got yourself into this mess Milky?
Chester was on the bench the other night, so I feel Gnabry is a bigger problem for you this week. I don’t know how much cash you have, but I would recommend you ditching him for a player with a GW29 fixture.
Leave the 2 City boys in there this week. Hope they play. Then work on the rest next week. Worst case scenario you have to hold on to one during their blanks and then at least you’re 1/3 of the way there to preparing for their DGWs!
I’m good to you.
Cookie how I got myself into this mess? That damn stupid January WC! It did more harm than good!
I have around 2.1 in the bank, so if I were to transfer out Gnabry I’d have around 6.3 to spend. GW 28/29 looks like EMPTY. Haha
I just hate the fact I’ve got Kolarov/Dzeko on the bench when I could have Azpi or Ade bagging points!
Same here, Wildcard actually managed to mess up my team. Was really happy with my team before the WC, hahaha. Even though I got an 80 score last GW it’s looking like a nightmare. Also took a punt on risky defenders like Bruce/Chambers. Sighs.
Ok Milky,you do that then. Transfer out two players who have a great chance of not only playing but also doing well at the weekend for Azpi & Ade.
You know what? You remind me of myself last season – I got myself in a mess and asked for advice – did I take it? No. I knew best. Result? Crap season.
Calm your panties, Cookie! I am talking your advice, my my! Did the missus not make your dinner correctly or something?!
What you think of Ince? Or double up on Soton attack with Steven Davis at 4.7?
Milky, the whole situation is a nightmare! Looking at this week, Eriksen , may not start, but doesn’t have a blank gw. So as boring as it is, like you and Cookie have said get shut of Gnabry this week. Noone? Keeps your money for later when double gw’s start.
Yeah B-Bash you see that situation I find myself in! I like the idea of replacing Gnabry, all depends with whom. Noone seems to be the one everyone is going with, but he has delivered.. Yes he is cheap, but I’d be bringing the guy in to get me points for those two GWs..
There’s nothing particularly attractive about 29. Slim pickings from the fixtures. Noone will be seeing me through 28 and 29. Would say Davis but you have Lallana. Fer, Ince maybe.
Seems boring but most wont even be fielding 11 without hits
B-Bash think I’m going the Adam route!
Good call Milky, forgot about him!