Captain’s Picks
Welcome to our weekly Captain’s Picks article. Every week we will look to elucidate potential captains for the forthcoming game-week and give you our opinions on the merits of each, but then also delve a little deeper by analysing their recent stats to help make that crucial decision a little easier for you. Our Captain’s Picks for this week are as follows:
Luis Suarez is in fine form since returning from his 10 match ban; he has scored 5 goals and assisted his teammates for 3 in the last 4 game-weeks. He faces a tough challenge away to an Everton side that have conceded just 1 goal in their last 4 games, but will they be able to keep the in-form Uruguayan quiet?
Although there was no contribution by Sergio Aguero in GW11, he has still managed to net a respectable 4 times and assist 3 these past 4 game-weeks. Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City and Aguero will be looking to follow up his form with another impressive display. Tottenham have one of the best defensive records in the Barclays Premier League this term, second only to Southampton, conceding just 6 and 5 respectively.
Loic Remy has impressed of late, although scoring just 2 goals in the past 4 game-weeks, he scored 5 more in the previous 3 so he’s certainly comfortable scoring this term. In GW12 he faces Norwich City at home, a team that has the second worst defensive record in the league with 21 goals against, joint with Crystal Palace and second only to Sunderland who have conceded 22.
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have been the main men for Manchester United this season and arguably the only reason that United have managed to climb the table after a bleak start under the new management of David Moyes. Rooney has 2 goals and 4 assists in the last 4, alongside van Persie who has managed a goal in each of the last 4 and 2 assists. With a victory over league leaders Arsenal fresh under their belts Manchester United will be looking to kick on, and with a favourable fixture against Cardiff City, the aforementioned are both potential captain material for GW12.
Goals and assists
We will now analyse the statistics behind the recent performances of our 5 picks from the previous 4 matches in the Barclays Premier League, looking at the key attacking potential they hold, the threat they pose in front of goal, and finally their involvement and creativity for each of their respective teams. Statistics from the past 4 game-weeks will be used to keep player form and statistical data current.
Key attacking statistics
- Suarez is presented with a chance every 14 minutes, under half the time of Rooney yet only slightly better than Aguero.
- 27 – the most attempts at goal of our 5 picks come from Suarez, double that of Rooney but closely followed again by Aguero on 25.
- 90% of Aguero’s attempts have come from within the box.
- Both Suarez and Aguero have had 11 shots on target, more than the other 3.
Goal threat
- Suarez and Aguero see a lot more of the ball around goal, with roughly double the touches in the penalty area than our other picks.
- Rooney leads the group with a shot accuracy of 47%.
- van Persie finishes 37% of his attempts at goal, just under double that of second best Suarez with 18%.
Involvement and creativity
- Suarez has created 33% more chances for his teammates than Aguero, and roughly 66% more than the remaining 3 picks.
- Creating a chance every 25 minutes is the best from the 5 by Suarez.
- Suarez has also received the most passes in the final third of the pitch, whilst distributing the most successful passes in the same area.
- Of the 5 Remy sees least of the ball in the final third of the pitch.
- van Persie is involved in 75% of Manchester United’s goals, although creating joint fewest chances alongside Remy (5).
Summary
Luis Suarez is the stand out performer of the 5, with a chance every 14 minutes and creating a chance every 25 he’s performing at the top of his game.
Although fewer chances come the way of van Persie, he is far more clinical than the Uruguayan with a 36% conversion rate.
Sergio Aguero cannot be overlooked; with 90% of his attempts on goal coming from within the area he can easily net a number of goals in any game.
Even with a good goal scoring record Loic Remy seems the weakest choice of the 5, but with a better conversion rate (18%) to Aguero and Rooney (15%) it proves that no matter how many chances you have, you need to take them for it to count in terms of fantasy football.
Wayne Rooney has the best accuracy with his attempts (46%) but with a conversion rate of just 15% and minimal touches in the penalty area, it seems he is taking his attempts from distance.
Worthy mentions that should be considered although not being included in this article include: Rickie Lambert, Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Steven Gerrard and Adam Lallana.
Following our analysis of our 5 Captain’s Picks for GW12 we would love to hear your views below on which you are going for and why. Will it be any of our 5 or someone different? Don’t forget to cast your vote on our Captain’s Poll below.
This article was written by Flingy.
[polldaddy poll=7555802]
Guys, who is the best mid south of 5.5? I’m looking at Brady and Ravel as they have security of starts and pens and oop respectively.
Januzaj and Barkley do not have the security of starts, while Amalfitano hasn’t done anything in recent weeks. Is there anyone I’m missing out on?
Sharma, im looking at Aston Villas Bacuna @ 4.7m, he’s a good differential and has decent fixtures
:finger:
Hmm.. in order of preference Brady’s good enough to be 4th choice (pretty consistent) and Bacuna does not inspire the same confidence.
But, he’s been on my watchlist for very very long.
I have Arnautovic but, like Amalfitano, he hasn’t done very good recently.
Maybe Bacuna (4.6) or Kasami (4.5).
Sorry, Bacuna is 4.7
Arnautovic is decent bet, considering he’s played oop sometimes as well right?
I generally avoid Fulham players so no Kasami. Bacuna’s a good bet though.
Bacuna could be an option, he is only 4.7 and is owned by less than 2%. Has similar statistics fantasy wise and a great schedule.
Sorry Sharma that was meant for you.
Bacuna is someone I haven’t really seen play. I’ve seen Brady and everything at Hull seems to flow through him which means if there are points to get, he’ll be involved.
All I know of Bacuna is that his free kicks are tasty.
Sharma you can always go to sites like http://www.whoscored.com/Players/79967/ and compare players in there. Just use the search button,to find the others. You can see ratings and key passes, shots on goal and other stats to help you make your decisions.
I try to not go there as I’ve had hours that disappeared in looking at stats.. haha.
Oh dear, well in that case just come here and ask and one of us to go look. :beer:
Also, great score in Fantasy cricket! (Ashes)
Today we turn our attention to another difficult 1.. Wingers:
1. Ribery
2. Ronaldo
3. Bale
4. Hazard
5. Robben
6. Alexis Sanchez
7. Reus
8. Walcott
9. James Rodriguez
10. Pedro
I personally believe Reus should be higher up. In between Bale and Hazard, debatable wether above Bale, and is have to say yes.
You cant include Ronaldo in that list and not have him at #1!!!!!!
Walcott…are you having a giraffe?
LOL
SP – I couldn’t disagree with this list any more than i do haha.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion,but i don’t think Rodriguez,Walcott,Sanchez or Hazard should be in there at all….
James is not a true winger, he has played in the central role on many occasions in the last couple of years.
I can hear you, you know.
It was a compliment! Saying you are not pigeonholed into one spot, that you are multi talented. :whatever:
Anyone looking at Cissokho now that Enrique keeps getting injured a lot?
Seems like a really good option at 5.
Sharmaisms – Could be a decent shout,he seems to be a bit wild though,from what i’ve seen of him anyway..
Just think he’s a better bet now of getting into that Liverpool backline with Toure not guaranteed any playing time with 4 decent CB’s around.
Evening all, andy, re worrying about goofy + getting home, john henry had his private plane ready at the end of the game to fly goofy back to blighty, no doubt he was asleep most of the journey, so he will be ready for action come 12-45 on saturday. :thumbup:
Benching him sounds a bit harsh, I’ll probably rethink that one but I’m still not giving him the (c). Rooney more than likely.
Walcott back in Arsenal Squad