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.
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[/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.
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[/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.
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[/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.
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[/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.
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[/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.
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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.
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Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Game-week 1. This article was written by Tekno-Kun
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Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Captain Poll
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As Soton attacking coverage a must? I noticed Soton are playing European games, I fear the worse. A lot of pre-pre-pre-games. Tomorrow Vitesse again. They look very good but I am afraid too many games will break them up.
I hadn’t thought of this, but it reinforces my decision to not have Mane. I do have Pelle and it will be interesting to see which of their forwards (Pelle/Rod) will play league and which will play Europe/cup games. Any thoughts on this Raz?
Pelle seems to be their main vocal point, regardless. I think JRod will be winger like he was when Lambs was at Soton.
I think it may effect them. Hopefully koeman can balance the team for both epl and euro
Koeman balancing his team out really doesn’t help us though. If anything, it’s a danger for more rotation.
I think Soton should go through to the next right with ease. They are class. Hope they will use a mix of young players and premium in the EL and just their premium players in the EPL.
I’ve just been thinking this, teams in the Europa League struggle ( i don’t know why), especially if it is their first time in it. Players could get rotated as well, look at Everton last year. Mhhhh, to keep Mane or not :cuss:
Yeah. Pelle might actually be less of a risk in that perspective, he seems to be their main vocal point. Hard one for me. I don’t know.
Raz
I’d have one as they play a really nice attacking style particularly at home. Depends on your other players mate.
Yeah, already have United, Chelsea, City, Pool, Arsenal coverage in the frontline, for one a double even. 😉
Haven’t put that much money in my defense, unsure if that is something I will come to regret.
Good thinking Raz.
Hi Guy, RMT please as I am holding back 2.5 m for Agüero , planning to change out for Rooney the week after, but not sure if I should put someone else in and take a 4 point hit GW2
Cahill to Azp and Yaya to Sterling
+2
+2?
+4 now
lol
Naaah, I’ll try and explain. Not sure if it makes sense, nothing really does when it comes to my logic.
Normally when someone makes a point and you agree it is +1. In this case he made two good points so for me that’s +2. Also, I am the second person to agree with that one, so his +1 and my +1 is also +2. Shit man, I can go on like this. I can even explain why +7 would work. But you get my point.
Oh now that makes sense
Also, you have to re-arrange the order of your team. Terrible color schemes mate. Do Pelle to the left and Benteke in the middle. Rest is fine. Would make it perfect.
cheers
Dazza
I think you could be running in to problems even before you start.
I don’t think double Leicester is very attractive in defence and Baker probably won’t play. Gomez too is risky and Cahill may be rotated with Zouma. Mertesacker too could be rotated with Gabriel from time to time.
I’d have Azpilicueta and Koscielny and three defenders at 4.5 who are sure to play. If you need funds for this, I’d look to replace one of your midfielders.
Looks like going back to the drawing board, lol
Dazza
I just think you are better having 15 guaranteed starters from the beginning to save ‘wasting’ transfers or taking unnecessary hits.
cheers, I will have another look
Evening gents
Who would prefer
A Haz, Azpil and Sakyo or
B Fab Ivan and Pelle
Rest of team is here
Haha I just posed a similar question. For you I would say go with what you have there or maybe Benteke and Sakho to Kane & Wilson???
Prefer Tekkers and Sakho.
Just means double Liverpool attack (obviously) which is why i brought it up. I like the option with hazard in the team!
Very true Pancho.
Haz option, he is a must for me.
Cheers Duthers. probably the best thing to do. Just think if he doesn’t come out of the blocks straight away he will drop in value. I can see Fab playing further forward against Man City
horse
Good to see you mate.
Whichever option includes Hazard.
Cheers TGP.
I will probably settle with Hazard.
Rest of my team ok? May change gks
Looks fine Horse.
Who were you thinking of in terms of GK?
Not so sure about Myhill and how many games he will play so thinking of Butland and Ruddy or Adrian and Boruc if I can find the money
Pelle and Haz or Fab and Rooney?
Find a way to get Haz and Rooney
Yup,
Sound advice . . .
Any 4m defenders nailed on as starters for any team?
Pancho
None mate. Sorry.
Pretty sickening Clark is getting the nod over Baker. Baker would’ve been a steal.
I need to stop this shit. Screw you guys, I’m going home.