Captains Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 1 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
Welcome to the first captains article of the season!
The Premier League has finally returned, and while many of you have probably come pretty close to a settled squad by now, you also need to select a captain to help you start off your season with a good score. Well, that’s what we are here for. Whether that’s double points or treble will depend on whether you take advantage of the new ‘Triple Captain’ chip but more on that later. So without further ado, let’s get right to it and look at the best captaincy options for Game-week 1.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
[one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/one_half]Eden Hazard
Chelsea may have lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield, but expect Mourinho and his players to shrug off that result and start the season strongly. Chelsea play Swansea at home in their opening fixture, a match that ended 4-2 last season, while Chelsea won 5-0 in the away match. In other words, Chelsea enjoy playing against the Swans, and while Hazard scored none of the goals against them last season, he has been impressive in pre-season and should continue that form into the opening matches of the Premier League. As Costa struggles with his fitness and has been poor in pre-season, the responsibility for the offense falls on Hazard, and he can easily flourish under such a responsibility. He will probably be the most popular captain choice this game-week, and rightly so.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
[one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/one_half]Wayne Rooney
United begin the season with a home match against Tottenham, who have played Real Madrid in Munchen this evening and then will play either Milan or Bayern on Wednesday – three days before the season opens and having taken a squad consisting mainly of their preferred starters who you’d imagine will at least feel some fatigue. Typically, United win this matchup, and while United have bought well and strengthened their squad, Tottenham have been a bit more anonymous in the transfer market. The additions of Schweinsteiger, and Schneiderlin should boost United’s midfield platform and allow the likes of Mata and Depay to concentrate on creating more opportunities for Rooney. While he had his weakest FPL season last season, he looks to start the season in his natural striking position and should flourish in his preferred role.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
[one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/one_half]Raheem Sterling
City have not been overly impressive in pre-season, conceding 4 goals to both Real Madrid and Stuttgart. They face West Bromwich at The Hawthorns in the first match of the season, and while City have a tendency to struggle against this kind of team, they are much stronger on paper and should be able to get a comfortable win if they play up to their attacking potential. If there has been one light in City’s pre-season, it has been Raheem Sterling, who has scored 3 goals and gotten 4 assists. Pellegrini will certainly look to his dribbling and pace to create havoc in WBA’s defence, and Sterling could be employed either as an attacking midfielder or up top. Expect him to be among the points this game-week.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
[one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/one_half]Theo Walcott
While no-one can say for sure what Walcott’s role is in the Arsenal team, it is difficult to not see him starting as long as Sanchez is not available for contention. As with Sterling, Walcott’s pace and dribbling will cause problems for West Ham’s defence, hence Wenger could play him up top rather than on the wing. He started as a striker against Chelsea in the Community Shield, and while he was subbed off without any goals or assists, that was against arguably the best defence in the Premier League – this is against a West Ham team that struggles to repel the minnows of the Europa League’s early stages. Hence, Walcott could easily get an explosive score if he gets enough playing time this round.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
[one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/one_half]Graziano Pelle
As the 4th highest scoring striker last season, 8.0 might seem like a bargain. However, many will remember that he started the season strong, but then became more and more invisible as the season went on. He still managed 12 goals and 6 assists, and has been impressive in pre-season. Southampton play away to Newcastle, a team that may or may not improve under a new manager. Even if they do improve Southampton should still be the better team, and if Pelle can carry his pre-season form into the Premier League, he could start the season with an impressive performance against Newcastle. Obviously, Pelle should be seen as more of a punt compared to the rest of the players.
[clear]
[divider_1px]
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.
[divider_1px]
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 1. This article was written by Tekno-Kun
[divider_1px]
Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Captain Poll
[polldaddy poll=9008803]
Hey guys! Does anyone want to be my partner for the FF247 Doubles League? If so, then leave a reply here or tweet at me @8bitruben. :beer:
I can be your partner, but I have not played this doubles thing before, I should alert you about that.
Raz would have been my first choice for this game, but I think I can win this thing with any partner.
Also, I am only willing to pair with a person who has a previous season’s rank that is not lower than mine, and not 500 places higher than mine.
I believe you have Ariana Grande in your profile picture, so I can show you some leniency. This is your lucky day.
Hahaha, that’s great.
Ruben + the B, when you can, e-mail me at :- Elleffcee@fantasyfootball247.co.uk and i will get back to you with the doubles code.
Righty-Hoot, this is the last post for you to join the site regulars league. E-mail me at the address above with your name, your site name and your team name. Cheers.
Elle – Thank you! We will get on it right away.
The B – I have never played it either, and my overall rank last year is probably worse than yours. I remember between 77 and 78k. Got a new account now though.
You can partner up with Raziel, I don’t mind.
Ritche and Sakho
or
B.Johnson and Rodriguez?
Ritchie and Sakho hands down
Worlds longest name is very confusing but thanks.
He has confused “Username” with “Biography”.
Kind of impressive to have a name longer than my comments to be fair. Sense of originality
I think I may have to go into rehab at the end of the week for a FPL detox….
My final team…. now I’m gonna hit the booze
Cech
Cedric–Francis–Azpi
Sterling–Mane–Cazorla–Henderson–Depay
Rooney—Benteke
Good luck Twinkle!! Starting XI looks good mate
Cheers Cookie… I dread to think how many changes I’ve made over past two weeks 😉
How about this – madness?!
I like it but no Arsenal attack is upsetting. But still solid.
Who do you think is the best Arsenal cover at this moment? I had Walcott initially, but switched to Ozil hoping that he will be playing in the whole. Walcott faces competition from Giroud, and there is no way Walcott will get entire game once Sanchez is back.
So, Ozil or Caz?
Cazorla if it’s between the two, I’ve had my eye on Ramsey most of the preseason as well, fancy him to do well again this year. Ozil is really hit and miss for me.
Caz
Though I dropped him to get Pelle in.
I need to see who is playing before I commit to arsenal mids.
Too many options…
Nice. But going in GW1 without Arsenal attackers seems unexciting for me.
James – Starting 11 looks very solid, but the bench is worrying. Maybe downgrade to 9.0 rotating goalkeepers (4.5 each, e.g Ruddy & Butland) and that way use the .5 on upgrading Baker.
Not a bad shout. Will take a look at that. Thanks!
I like this team, maybe because 5 of the front 7 in your team are also in my team at the moment. 😛
Cheers B.
Post it?
Here it is. Hoping Raz doesnt see it.
Lol i just realized I dumped Pelle to get Kane.
Hi could we please rate my team
Courtois (Hennessy)
Azpilicueta Mertesacket
Bellerin
Gomes
Target
Hazard
Sterling
Walcott
Milner
Wanyama
Rooney
Benteke
Jerome
I plan to 4-4-2 most weeks
Not with the format you have posted your team in.
That’s a bit harsh!
Looks good that newo. Maybe Sinclair in for Wanyama?
Moral Police?
Really? Team’s good overall newo, buthhave some concerns in defence. Bellerin probably will get the nod for now but how long will he keep his spot with Debuchy waiting in the wings? Same can be said for Gomes, and Targett is good for the first few GWs at most. I’d recommend changing Bellerin and Gomes (though if you are taking an informed punt on Gomes ignore this), and trying to find an extra 1m from somewhere to upgrade Targett and Wanyama by 0.5 apiece.
Oh what the hell. I would not prefer having double Arsenal defense there, especially when Bellerin is a rotation risk with Debuchy being fit. Maybe Bellerin > Cedric?
Downgrade Courtois and invest in a decent but budget 3rd striker. 4-4-2 does seem achievable and attractive a lot of times, but I have personally tried it for 3 GWs last season, and it only made me regret my decisions.
Great midfieilders!
PvA got me so many points last season be I want to get him in again for his attacking potential.
Ruddy / Mignolet
Ivan / Toby / Cedric / O’Shea / Benalouane
That’s my backline atm but am looking at getting PvA and Francis / Mings in for Toby and O’Shea. Want the Sun/Leic rotation so Francis / Mings could be any other decent 4.5m defender.
Any thoughts lads?