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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Guys, any thoughts on my team? 2M itb. Not sure how great of a pick Lens is, and thinking whether I should stick to Pelle or switch him to Kane.
Get Kane. I’d prefer Williams in place of Cedric as he rotates perfectly with Huth. I am a little worried about Wally. Sanchez will be back soon.
If you aren’t sure on Lens you could upgrade Wilson to a 6.5 like Sahko, Diouf, Berahino… And then go for a 5.5 mid who’s just as much of a punt (ki, mahrez, redmond,). Otherwise looking good with solid coverage. Only thing is to have a plan if Wally isn’t getting game time when sanchez returns.
In the gossip this morning:
-United make a bid for Harry Kane. Heightens his appeal perhaps?
-Lyon tell Lacazette he is free to leave with Liverpool front-runners. Where would a deal leave Benteke/Firmino etc. – can’t play them all, surely?
-KDB allowed to leave for £50m. If he joins City he could be worth it once he has settled in.
Rose joining Chelsea? Then azpi is in trouble.
Yeah I heard about that. Would be a cracking signing FPL wise if he played weekly but I’m not so sure how readily Mourinho would dispose of Azpilicueta.
Azpi-Rose rotation will be a disaster for FPL. It made me do Courtois+Clyne in place of Migs+Azpi
Alder and Mane or
Azpil and Milner
Smash
Azpilicueta & MIlner.
Plus 1
Thanks guys that’s what I have. Just not liking the triple Liverpool of Benteke, Milner and Gomez
Morning all. Inching closer to satisfaction with my team. Here’s where I’m at: major change since yesterday is crumbling under the nerves and reinstalling Hazard in my lineup. Main issue for me is that it means either gambling on an unknown quantity as 3rd striker, or having a weak defence. Here I’ve picked the latter- with a bit more work on the rotations this could just about work, but it means a 4.0m placeholder, which is a shame.
Alternatively, I have Fabregas for Hazard, enabling the following options:
1) 2.5m in the bank to do Rooney > Aguero, if the time comes (but that’s money wasted meanwhile)
2) Upgrade the defence, bringing in Azpilicueta for S. Taylor (so Azpi, Kos, Cedric as my starters).
3) Do 2), and also downgrade Ki as I’ll likely start Mahrez each week, and dislike attacking rotations. Would mean I had 1.0-1.5m to spend around the team, which would mean freedom to act in the transfer market if I needed to.
Any thoughts?
Pippin, I like the team pal. I would certainly downgrade Ki or Mahrez to a 4.5 that would free you up to use elsewhere. Maybe upgrade Pelle? But thats personal preference. Id also lose Wisdom as a rotation risk, Huth?
Cheers again, Alex. Ki > Wanyama (unpopular I know but 2 points is fine until the bargains reveal themselves) would enable Milner/Hendo over Mahrez, though I am not sure that’s an upgrade and I already have Benteke. Would certainly enable upgrading the defence though, might mean I could stretch to Azpi in there somewhere.
What are your thoughts on going without Hazard? Just no?
Just no. Chadli I like for 7mil. API would be a great call!!
Chadli and the Palace guys are the ones I would keep an eye on I think, thanks!
Pippin
I like this team better mate. Very strong in the front eight and you still have Arsenal and Southampton in defence. And a very good goalkeeper for points. More people (myself included) are seeing that a 4.0 defender is necessary to make it work.
Cheers GP, all I really need to check is defensive rotations (but Ki > Wanyama might mean I can avoid them).
Maybe I just keep Haz > Fab and Rooney > Kun as a transfer strategy if Kun kicks on and Hazard doesn’t…
You all set for the season mate?
Pippin
Think so. :see-no:
I’d stick with Hazard as it gives you a captain everyweek which fab doesn’t. If you don’t like attacking rotations (and I’m with you on this) downgrade ki or mahrez to 4.5 and then you have an extra million for defense. Cedric to Azpi?
4.0 defender is ok as long as your team is all certain starters which it appears to be.
Good luck!
Thanks mchammer. I like the idea of Azpi; if I lost Cedric I would likely grab Targett as my 4.0m punt for the opening week at least.
Yeah Southampton should be worth covering but will have to see how they deal with europa. They have a small squad so it could be a bit much for them.
Pippin – I’d go with option 3, don’t like the idea of having 2.5 ITB expecting for Aguero to be ready, even less when his fixtures aren’t that good until gw3 or 4.
I would also change Wisdom (maybe with Martin if you want to stay with a Norwich defender), not sure he’s nailed on.
Hi Albert, thanks for this. You mean you’d go Fab over Haz, and spend *that* money on defence? Or just downgrade Ki to Wanyama and have the extra 1m? Cheers!
Ah my bad sorry, I lost the Haz to Fab bit… that’s my main dilemma right now, I’m very tented to go with Fab but I’ll be scared to go Hazardless!
Anyway, Ki to Wanyana and have an extra 1.0 to use elsewhere seems sound.
Pippin- I like this team a lot better than your last one mate. Haz needs to be in there so it’s all good now. I would do as Alex says and downgrade Ki to Wanyama and upgrade defence then I think you’ll have a stronger team all round.
Thanks Matt, appreciate it.
Ok lads and lasses,
Thoughts on my team. My thinking is keep this team till gw4/5 and then WC to get Kun in. If the teams going well a mid can be downgraded to raise funds.
Please rip it apart
Morning Alex, thanks for the comments above! (Will comment there separately).
I like this a lot- we’ve followed similar thinking but you’ve got the four premium midfield, and a second tier striker (though I fancy Sakho to score well if WHam click- that’s my only doubt though with Payet feeding him, it would work out nicely). I like Huth but not sure about Leicester keeping many CS. Why not play Cedric vs Newcastle?
Lastly, is Myhill/Hennessey assuming the latter transfers to WBA? And then you’ll just play them all the time? Fingers crossed for save points in that case. Could work out well for you! Any plans for Kun?
Pippin, thanks mate. Kung will be a major downgrade in midfield or WC 4/5. Cedric may well start, will decide nearer the time. GK is based on Myhill starting most till I WC. Hen is a bonus if he cements his starting place.
This looks good to go but I’d switch Myhill with another 4.5 gk. Especially if you’re only hiding on to him for 4 weeks! West Brom have tough fixtures so there might be better options available.
Thanks Mc, Im going to keep Myhill, he may have tricky fixtures but Brom seem to do well and the new BP’s may help him!
Very wise Alex. I’m planning to jump on board the West Brom train for GW4. Hard to believe they had the second highest clean sheets last season. Great effort!
Mc, I know! The pullis affect again!
Alex
Love it. Very strong and looks good to me.
One thing that would worry me would be if the David Marshall to West Brom move goes through. Just have a Plan B in that event.
Cheers GP, I didn’t know about Marshall so will keep an ear to the ground. Thoughts on a short term punt on the two palace keepers until spironni is back? Only 8mil!
Alex
I considered that myself. I think Speroni might struggle to get back in. If you are happy with Palace every week, then why not?
GP, it’s another 0.5 to spend elsewhere. I don’t think palace will be tight at the back but at this stage of the season it’s hard to see who will be. The foxes looked great at back end of last season but will they again with the tinkerer in charge? Maybe Norwich?
Kiwi, I really like it mate. The keepers are causing much debate I see, and I can see why. Not a huge fan of WBA defensively with Chelsea & City arriving in the first 3GWs. I think I’d be looking for potential clean sheets than possible save points but then again anthill produced 17pts at Old Trafford last season so it could work well!!
Apart from that, it looks very solid and should start well.
Cooks, thanks mate. May go back to the drawing board with the keeper! Ignore my comment above, clearly you where one step ahead of me. Again. ;$
I forgive you – you were about 297k steps ahead of me last season
Is that how deep the cellar is. No wonder it was dark 😉
Nice team Alex and very well balanced!
Good luck mate.
How to become FF Champion by last years winner.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33713208
Colonial,
I read this yesterday and meant to put the link up here.
Well done mate.