Our GW15 Captain’s article focuses on three players, who all showed in midweek just how valuable they are, not only to their clubs but also to us fantasy managers. Those players are: Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero and Eden Hazard. Each week we look at our captaincy suggestions using recent form, forthcoming fixtures and back up our thoughts by using a new in-play performance index called Kickdex. (more info on Kickdex is at the end of this article).
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
As we have seen in recent weeks, Luis Suarez is at the top of his game. We are aware the Uruguayan has been in our Captain’s Poll every week thus far, however, after consistently producing outstanding performances he’s hard to overlook. Scoring FPL points in double figures 5 times since GW6 and boasting a Kickdex value of 35.55 (+6.44, +22.12%), it’s apparent that Suarez is enjoying his time in the Premier League despite the ongoing transfer rumours. Having scored 10 goals and assisted 3 in his last 6 Premier League appearances, we feel there’s no reason his performances and recent form will not continue.
Having considered Suarez’s performance as an individual, it is also reasonable to look at how Liverpool 238.08 (+12.78, +5.67%) have performed recently. It can be seen from the below analysis that Liverpool are playing at a considerably higher Kickdex value than their opposition. West Ham have not won away in the league at Anfield since 1963, losing 29 and drawing 11 of their subsequent 40 trips since. Another significant factor in favor of Suarez is that he has scored one more Barclays Premier League goals than West Ham have as a team this season. Subsequently, 10 of Luis Suarez’s 13 Premier League goals this season have come at Anfield.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Similar to Suarez’s recent goal-scoring record, Sergio Aguero has not been shy of finding the back of the net. Aguero has scored 10 goals in his last 9 Premier League appearances for Manchester City, as well as providing 6 assists. Seemingly vital in the performances of Manchester City, Aguero has only been unable to get involved in any of Manchester City’s goals 4 times in the 13 times he has appeared, whilst hitting double figures (FPL points) 5 times. A Kickdex value of 26.95 (+0.67, 2.55%) may seem a way off that of Suarez, but worth note is that Aguero has played 311 minutes over the past 4 game-weeks as opposed to Suarez’s 375, valuable time for the Argentinian to be involved in attacks.
Undoubtedly City’s away form has not been the best this season and they will be looking to win consecutive Barclays Premier League away games for the first time since January. It is important to note, however, that although Southampton enter this fixture on the back of a 2-3 loss to Aston Villa, Southampton conceded more goals in midweek versus Villa than they had in all 6 previous home league games this season combined. City showed in midweek that they are capable of turning it on away from the Etihad and with a Kickdex value of 230.05 -0.31 (-0.13%) they are performing consistently well of late – had we seen this fixture 4 game-weeks ago the prediction could have been a lot harder to evaluate, but with 1st choice keeper Artur Boruc injured and 2nd choice Kelvin Davis unlikely to be available, it could well be another fruitful day for City and Aguero.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
For the first time we are going to include a Chelsea player in our Captain’s Picks, and a midfielder at that. It was always the case for Eden Hazard of when, and not if, he returns to the form he has previously shown. As some of you may, or may not have noticed on the boards, I have shown how Hazard generally doesn’t play well if Oscar is on the pitch. This article is not going to look at why this is the case, but with a current Kickdex value of 23.36 (+3.93, +20.23%) I’m going to take all the credit I can get for this vague assumption! Scoring double digit FPL points 3 times in the past 4 game-weeks is a good sign that Hazard is performing well, scoring 3 and assisting 4 times in this period.
Chelsea have a good history against the Potters, having won 10 and lost none of the last 12 meetings in all competitions. Chelsea also inflicted Stoke’s heaviest ever Premier League defeat – 7-0 in April 2010, whilst the Blues also inflicted Mark Hughes’ biggest defeat as a coach, with a 6-1 result when he was at QPR in April 2012. Chelsea will attempt to score 3+ goals in 3 successive Premier League away games for the first time since August 2009 and only the third time in the competition. With an increasing Kickdex value over recent weeks that currently stands at 196.69 (-0.56, -0.28%), Chelsea will look to achieve the aforementioned and look to close a gap on league leader’s Arsenal.
Summary
All 3 of our choices look to be hitting great form and are worthy choices of the captain’s armband. Given, the on-going debate on Manchester City’s away form is hard to ignore, especially against a defensively sound Southampton who had conceded just 2 goals at home prior to the GW13 fixtures. Similarly, the form of Luis Suarez can be erratic to say the least, as highlighted in the Kickdex performance index chart above. Many will hope that the Uruguayan will again hit double figures and not a blank as he did in a favourable fixture against Hull. Despite the criticism Hazard attracted early on in the season, he could well be a must have midfielder if his current form continues, and it will be interesting to see how Chelsea carry on performing given their striker situation at the moment.
Quick stats (Past 4 game-weeks)
During the last 4 game-weeks, Suarez and Hazard have created double the amount of chances to that of Aguero.
However, Aguero and Suarez have double the amount of goal attempts to that of Hazard.
Despite this, Suarez has been involved in roughly 60% of Liverpool’s goals, better than Aguero and Hazard, involved in 30% and 40% respectively.
Aguero has had 10 of his shots on target, Suarez has 50% more whereas Hazard has 50% less.
Hazard has completed 50% more passes in the final third than Aguero and Suarez, however, Suarez and Hazard are generally equal in chances created where Aguero falls short at 50% less.
Worthy mentions that should be considered although not included in this article are; Loic Remy, Romelu Lukaku, Aaron Ramsey, Yaya Toure, Mesut Ozil, Steven Gerrard, and Jay Rodriguez.
Following our analysis of our 3 Captain’s Picks for GW15, we would love to hear your views below on which player you are going for and why. Will it be any of our 3 or someone different? Don’t forget to cast your vote on our Captain’s Poll below.
Good luck to you all this game-week,
This article was written by flingy (Sean).
Kickdex
Every player has a single Kickdex value that updates every time anything happens on the field of play. This number represents the player’s contribution to their team. E.g. Suarez 32.2 (-2.34%). The second number shows the percentage difference since their last match.
Kickdex is at the cutting edge of sports analytics. Kickdex uses a complex algorithm using number of advanced mathematical theories. This algorithm is perfect for analyzing team and player form, Kickdex adjusts for the relative strength of fixtures to remove the misconstrued view that form and performances aren’t always directly related to a team’s results and league position. A team or player may perform superbly, but unjustly lose because of a lucky deflection or outside influence.
If you wish to have a closer look at how Kickdex works, or have a look at the Kickdex web application yourself, head on over to:
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Any word on Oscar? Will he play tomorrow?
Aaah by the way. How many users will relegate and how many will promote from Bantburry league?
If i am not mistaken, there will be 3 promoted/relagated from each league
Placed 10th out of the 20. But number 18 is just 6 points away from me. Hmmmm.
Mourinho said Oscar is getting better but he’s not sure if he will play – taken from Chelsea’s twitter
Given Chelsea’s riches in midfield, I’d be surprised if he was risked.
Which team will win?
Team 1:
Marshall – Davis
Chico – Merte – Terry – Ward – Rosenoir
Lampard – Nolan – Nasri – Janu – Barkley
Benteke – Rooney – Kun
Or Team 2:
Guzan – McGregor
Clyne – Vlaar – Terry – Kos – Turner (Car)
Hazard – Ramsey – Gerrard – Brady – Ravel
Kun – Suarez – Lukaku
Team 2
Yo Poorly. Weren’t you the one that said I should play both Guzan and Vlaar yesterday? Just checked Fulham’s home stats. They’ve scored in every home game this season. >.<
Yep, that was me!
I still stand by my decision! If I remember correctly, you are definitely playing Guzan, so it’s really a choice between Vlaar and Brady. I don’t believe in avoiding doubling up on players from a team; I’m not a portfolio manager trying to minimize risk, I’m trying to field the highest point-scoring team.
Villa has had 3 CS in last 5 games, and Southampton only managed to score once Vlaar came off the pitch.
However, there is the lift that teams seem to get when a manager is sacked, and the home statistics for Fulham that you pointed out.
In conclusion, I will continue to poorly manage and provide poor advice to all takers!
Hahaha, you’re great. You’re actually doing ok for someone who started in GW5. This same account I am using now I started up in GW5 or GW6 last season. Still managed to enter the top 500k. Missing out on the first 4 or 5 GW’s.
On that note, last season I seemed to have the magic touch. Not this season though. Overthink shite too much. At the moment home with a fever, so nothing else to do than think. 😉
Team 2
Funny, people pick team 2 but team 1 won more Banter matches. 😉
Maybe because it has many differentials? It’s 6th in the Bant League. Scoring just 750 points overall but winning 8 one to one. This just shows anything can happen really.
Hmmm peepz. If Kelvin Davis returns will Gazzinga be out again?
How do i get to play H2Head?????
just entered the league FF247 yesterday
Hmmm. Ask Banter, I think you need to sign up before the season starts. 1 week ahead I think. He made 2 leagues. Still uncertain if I will play in it next season, even though I like it and I’m watching it. Problem is, if I have the same player as my opponent and he captained him I want him to do well, but not super well. And since I have both Kun and Suarez I have that problem almost every week now, lol. >.<
I guess the only way to be noticed is climb up the FF247….
Is 805 a reasonable score considering I missed 1st gameweek….?
sorry wrong post….
Yip. Better than mine. Started this season really well, sort of stuck too long with last years players (which were out of form) and destroyed my entire year by doing 4 bad weeks in a row. If you played GW 1 you’d probably be on 870 points, though your team would have looked different. So maybe if you start in GW1 you’d not be so high now or maybe even higher, who knows. Usually it takes a few GW’s to see which players do best. So in a way you already got to use 2 wildcards mate. 😉
Yes. I’d think so.
Did anyone watch all of Liverpool’s match on wed night, and think Sterling looked good apart from his goal?
Thinking of him as a great budget mid at 4.9, he might get a few games now without sturridge.
Will be either him or Shelvey…
Not a fan. Once defenders figure him out he’s easy to deal with. Like his last season, started out great but once defenders knew how to take him on he was invisible.
In that team it’s hard to look bad though so he’ll get his chances if he plays, he’ll score and assist.
Shane, unfortunately was not able to watch much. Btw, congratulations on being top of the FF247 league!!
What the hell. Shane number one of the league. I shouldn’t be giving him advise. >.<
Shane – I only saw highlights I’m afraid, but I’ve been disappointed with him this season. It’s like last season never happened for him and he’s trying to make the breakthrough all over again. In one instance against Norwich we had a 3 on 1 and all he had to do was square the ball to Suarez for an easy goal but he took it on himself and messed it up!
Now in saying that, with Sturridge out injured he is likely to get some games but picking him would be risky as he wont start every game.
Congrats on the league position :thumbup:
cheers lads, yeh its a risky one alright, that bit cheaper than shelvey which would save me a 4pt transfer hit, but yeh in the battle of the young fathers of multiple kids I suppose Shelvey is a slightly safer bet.
guess the only way to be noticed is climb up the FF247….
Is 805 a reasonable score considering I missed 1st gameweek….?
That is a great score, considering you missed a DGW.
Solid.
I think it’s more than I have and I started in GW1!!!!!
Yip. Better than mine. Started this season really well, sort of stuck too long with last years players (which were out of form) and destroyed my entire year by doing 4 bad weeks in a row. If you played GW 1 you’d probably be on 870 points, though your team would have looked different. So maybe if you start in GW1 you’d not be so high now or maybe even higher, who knows. Usually it takes a few GW’s to see which players do best. So in a way you already got to use 2 wildcards mate. ”
Copy pasted it just for yall since you post came out wrong the first time. 😉
Is this your first season by the way?
What gameweek 1 was a double gameweek!!!!!!!!!!!!Alert
Many thanks for your reply’s,I feel better now only wish I never missed the start…Damm
Hellow KOP, Mito, sz,,how u guys doing? Great job on the site guys,,,
Long time no speak KOTM…good to see you on the sie.
How’re things?
Yeah KOP, was too busy with things i guess, and once ffc folded up i didnt use ff help sites for a while,,and seeing the new site founded by our old guys,,i decided to join in on the banter fun again,,,how u guys doin,,,
I missed price rises last night, it’s never bothered me before and I never really check but it’s bitten me in the arse this time!
I was planning on making 2 free transfers yesterday, Remy and Townsend out, with Lukaku and Cabaye coming in. This would have cost me nothing and I was bang on the money for making the move. Unfortunately Lukaku rose £.1m and Townsend dropped £.1m, leaving me in a position of having to force Boruc out for Speroni to fund it and taking a 4pt hit in the process!
All I need now is Mito to post how many positions behind I am before the week even starts due to the hit.
I learnt my lesson an use total fpl now to keep my eye on things helps alot..
If you hadn’t missed the start you’d never have a good second gameweek as you have. Astonishing, missing first GW and just a 26 score in GW2, lol. 😛
First time played Fantasy Football still a learner…..
I didnt had a good first gameweek!!!
I wonder what my points would have been if i started 1st week double gameweek under my belt and reasonable 2nd week.
Do you think Lukaku was worth it over Remy and to lose 4 points for it? You could have optimally waited till next GW to do Lukaku move? (well I also take a lot of hits so I can not give you a lesson on this 😛 )
JudoQueen – Probably not for the hit, but then Townsend isn’t playing, I have Morrison who is suspended, and Lukaku will probably rise even more! Prices were tight and it means my team is good for the next few weeks so no transfers necessary.
JudoQueen..HAHA made my day! And totally agree with that logic! I have built team value (110.2 and rising) and now I am building a team that has 14 nailed on players for the next few weeks so hopefully not too many panic transfers needed till the january wildcard! Good luck and let’s hope Lukaku bangs a hat trick vs Arsenal! 😛