Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 21 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
Welcome to Gameweek 21 and 2015. Can it really be 2015? Remember Y2K? The electronic apocalypse! Our bank accounts would magically disappear, electricity, heat and running water would be a thing of the past, and life as we knew it would cease. Instead we got cheap champagne, some knob playing Prince’s “1999” one last time and a midnight kiss from some broad with a snaggletooth. Fifteen years on, Apple has taken over the world, “reality” TV has destroyed that entertainment medium and it turns out Pluto was never a planet. Where has the time gone?
We hope you survived the Holiday fixture madness, slept off the New Year’s Day hangover and put away all the Christmas albums for another year (though we give you permission to keep “Fairytale of New York” in your regular music queue). It’s been tough to getting back to work and, while we can’t cover for you when you drag yourself through your work’s side door fifteen minutes late, we can help you tackle more important matters: who wears the captain’s band this week? We’ve done the work so you don’t have to!
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our options…
FIXTURES
Sunderland v. Liverpool
Burnley v. QPR
Chelsea v. Newcastle
Everton v. Manchester City
Leicester v. Aston Villa
Swansea v. West Ham
West Brom v. Hull
Crystal Palace v. Spurs
Arsenal v. Stoke
Manchester United v. Southampton
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[/three_fourth]Alexis Sanchez (home vs Stoke)
Despite tallying just three points in his last two league games Arsenal’s Energizer Bunny makes our list. Despite an obvious need for a day off the Chilean will undoubtedly feature in an Arsenal side that practically picks itself due to a litany of injuries at nearly every position. Away from home, Stoke will be happy to play to a draw while Arsenal will be keen for revenge after losing 2-3 at Mordor earlier this season. Sanchez’s tireless work rate and knack for being in the right place at the right time makes him a constant threat to score or provide an assist, and we think him Arsenal’s best bet to score against the mighty Orc Army and their revolutionary 10-1-0 formation.
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[/three_fourth]Harry Kane (away vs Crystal Palace)
With five goals, three assists and ten bonus points in his last five games it should shock no one to see the Tottenham youngster on this list. His offensive explosion has seen his price jump from £5.0 to £5.6 in that same time period. Crystal Palace has shipped the third-most goals at home this season and has a new manager. Spurs come to town brimming with confidence after playing to a scoreless tie against United and putting five on the board against Chelsea. This one could get ugly early, and we expect Kane to be in the middle of it all.
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[/three_fourth]David Silva (away vs Everton)
The miniscule midfielder has benefitted from the absence of Sergio Aguero, with Manuel Pellegrini granting the pocket-sized prowler the freedom to play further up the pitch. The results speak for themselves: diminutive David has scored four goals in City’s last five league games. The Elfin executioner travels to Everton to face a defense in complete disarray; the Toffees have allowed a second-worst 33 goals this season and are without goalkeeper Tim Howard until mid-February. Everton backup keeper Joel Robles yielded three goals to Newcastle and saw Hull score twice. This fixture sounds like a recipe for disaster. With Aguero out and Yaya Toure wasting his form at the Cup of African National Goblet Cups, we think the miniature midfielder will be the beneficiary.
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[/three_fourth]Cesc Fabregas (home vs Newcastle)
The second ex-Barcelona player to make our list this week, and you really have to wonder who is in charge of talent evaluation at the Camp Nou. Cesc’s performance this season has made his boyhood club look the fool. With 14 assists in just 19 games, Cesc is on track to shatter his career-best 20 assist effort in Arsenal’s 2007-08 campaign. While his goal-scoring may have dropped off – and if he didn’t play so deep for Chelsea he’d probably have more goals to his name – his vision and precision passing is as sharp as it’s always been. At home against Newcastle we expect him to provide at least an assist and may pick up a clean sheet as well.
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[/three_fourth]Eden Hazard (home vs Newcastle)
Yes, we are tipping another Chelsea midfielder for the captain’s armband and with good reason: Hazard has scored three times and added three assists in his last five league appearances. Meanwhile, Newcastle are a mess. Toon fans finally realized their dream of forcing Alan Pardew out. With Steven Taylor out (again), and Daryl Janmaat and Fabricio Coloccini nursing injuries, this Toon dream becomes a nightmare. We expect Chelsea to score early and often, and we think Hazard will provide the firepower to bring down Newcastle. We’re expecting a big day for the Belgian and think he’ll reward us with at least a goal, an assist and a few bonus points. Double that and you’re week is off to a good start.
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Honourable Mention
Charlie Austin (away vs Burnley)
With goal totals of 16, 25 and 17 in his last three seasons, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that Austin has already tallied 12 goals this season. Despite relatively poor form away form – he’s scored just three goals away from Loftus Road – Austin hasn’t gone three straight league games this season without scoring a goal. Last week Burnley let Steven Taylor (12 goals in 8 seasons), and Jack Colback (6 goals in 7 seasons) score against them. Jason Shackell is questionable, Michael Duff is out, and Charlie Austin could have another multi-goal game.
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One-Week Punt: Ashley Barnes (home, QPR)
The Burnley forward has quietly tallied three goals in his last five league games. QPR comes to Turf Moor this weekend having conceded a league-high 22 goals away from home. It’s a match made in a claret-coloured, soon to be relegated heaven. Barnes will score a goal this week – you heard it here first.
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 21. This article was written by Lawdogg
Follow @PlanoGooner
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Charlie Hebdo: Gun attack on French magazine kills 12
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30710883
Fucking terrorists. >.<
horrific
Right.
Appreciate your loved ones gents. I couldn’t imagine losing someone that way.
It’s sickening. Sighs.
Crazy.
Is ADM now expected to start consistently? (And return good points)
Several people on here suggesting him for WC inclusion. Personally I ‘m currently considering if I should stick with Silva (81 total points to ADMs 65 and in an arguably more attacking team).
Hey same thinking the same but maybe putting to many eggs in two baskets Cle & MC but in the lg run I thk it will pay off
Put simply:
A. silva
Or
B. ADM
Hard to say really. I think he will get a start this weekend but that’s a hunch, and nothing more. I’ve gone for Di Maria ahead of Silva, but i’m aware of the risk.
Late call on him maybe then?
He’s been out for an age.
Yep. He did get a half hour in the cup, which is something. Scored too. If it looks iffy for him this week then i may just bench him and play Wasilewski for one game. I want Di Maria in my team for the long run anyway.
Alright J101,
Think I am going ADM as will most likely get Aguero once I play my WC, so that covers both City and United. They will prob score similar over the season so will switch between them if/when they get injured tho
Thanks for the write up Lawdogg good stuff
Afternoon gents,
I hope your wildcard teams are coming along nicely if you have pulled the trigger :thumbup:
Anyone know if Ayoze is only starting because of injuries at Newcastle atm?
Afternoon Floydeth. Maybe, but he should be okay for a few GW’s at least as Sissy is suspended.
Cheers NIN,
Thinking long term here as he will be bench fodder for the remainder of the season and don’t want to have to waste transfers sorting my bench
Indeed. Tough one to call until Toon get themselves another manager. Ashley Barnes seems to be getting game time and is well cheap too but again, not sure if he keeps his spot for the duration.
I would assume he is safe to start most games, he is the best player at the club at the minute. Looks like Carver is playing 4-4-2 right now too so I would say that makes him a sure starter.
Floydeth – Looks like Carver is playing 4-4-2 right now which I would say makes him a sure starter. Looks to be the best player at NUFC too!
Cheers Not Too.
Its either Barnes or Ayoze, swaying towards the latter atm… Although the extra funds Barnes gives will strengthen my shocking bench!
Afternoon Floydeth, you well mate? Have you pressed the button?
NZ – I’m good thanks, you?
Not pressed it yet but on the verge! Wanted to hold off but will be making a couple of changes this week so makes sense to do it all in one go.
How is yours coming along?
Floy, slowly and painfully! Its tricky getting a balance mate. What are your thoughts? (its below)
NZ – It looks strong fella, when are you planning to bring Aguero in? Got the same issue with Hazard and Fab on mine, do we really need both?! I always plan for a strongish bench but get carried away up top!
Floy, Im edging towards no we don’t pal. If I put Chadli in, it means I can hold Costa till Augero comes back. I’ll put him in when he starts making sub appearances, as he proved last time he doesn’t need 90 to score! I went to the city game against the mighty owls on Sunday and city fans said they expected him back the week after this. Whats your planned WC team looking like?
NZ – Pretty similar yours but with no Costa or Pelle as going down the fab route atm
Floy, which forwards you going for mate?
NZ – Potentially, Aguero, Kane and a budget and going 5 in midfield. Nothing is set in stone yet tho
I know the timing is a bit off but I found almost a perfect wildcard team.
Sort of annoyed Kun can’t play above Silva. Freaking Kane.
Above? I should say under. >.<
On that note, Duff needs to be placed next to Hutton.
The double-double-up at the back is a bit of a worry. Front 8 is very nice though.
You’re right about that. Can be changed. I really like van Aanholt though. Like Janmaat he will make freaking goals/assists. Think on his return he even scored the 1-0 in the FA CUP this week. On the other hand, can’t say no to Pant. Newcastle and Sunderland have the perfect rotation. So if I want I can play one goalie and one defender. If their fixtures are really kind I can go with Pants and ummmm vAanholt. Nothing set yet.
Anyway, I’ve had Baines for freaking ages. Need to stop wasting money on my defense.
Yeah. Shame about Baines really. I had him penciled in as a season keeper but Everton have fallen apart recently. May go back there at some stage but it doesn’t look likely just now.
plz help! which one shuld i choose, or any better ideas?
Yellow, WC1 for me but id downgrade Eric to Chadli, better return and saves you a bit of cash.
+1. Could use that extra fundage to up Alderweireld to Bertrand/Clyne and maybe get two different GK’s. Preferably two who go well together and are guaranteed game time. Would also sort the double Villa defence, which isn’t ideal i don’t think.