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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Don’t forget to vote on our Captains Poll
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What do you think? i have left enough money in the bank to change pelle with aguero, let me kno what you think! cheers lads!
Can change pelle for rooney or VP for 1 week until aguero is up and running… any thoughts?
I think Dawson is back from injury which may limit playing time of Alex Bruce and I’m not overly keen on Hendo as your 4th mid, maybe moving out Clichy (who will rotate with Kolarov) can free up funds to change these two around a little.
Bruce wouldnt be a starter, but i see what you mean, it was a toss up between hendo and chadli if i had chadli i cant have aguero… unless liek you say i change clichy to free up some funds…..
Chadli > Hendo, ever day of the week.
+1
What about rooney or pelle for 1 or 2 weeks? When aguero fit will change em?
I’m concerned about Siggy now that Bony is off to City. A shame – it seems the two of them were just starting to click. It will take him a while (and the whole team) to get used to playing with a different man up top. Add to that a difficult fixture list, and I think you may want to find a Siggy alternative.
Afternoon guys.
Hearing of a chink of light at the end of the Aguero tunnel??
Maybe i won’t need Rooney short term . . . . (think I’ll still have Rooney this weekend at least until Aguero is up and running)
Can anyone find any faults or alternatives in my attached WC team? Think I’ve just about looked at every player twice in the last day!
Thank you.
Hey GP. Cant argue with any of those selections really. Rooney/Costa instead of Sergio this week though, for sure. Unless of course Pellegrini says he’s good for a start, but that might be asking a bit much of him.
Hey GP – tough to find a fault with that team. Looks like you’re all set mate.
Like NIN said, may want to have Rooney start this week as I can’t see Aguero coming straight back and starting (although now that I’ve said that he will definitely start and score a brace) :shake:
GP, its great pal. I really do love it. My team is similar but my TV means I can’t reach the dizzy heights of that midfield! I agree with NIN, I don’t think Augero will play a part this week so get someone in to cover him.
Nice looking side there Gallant!! My WC draft with Pellè in it looks very similar, which makes me happy as you definitely know your stuff!
Having Pellè in there allows for a powerhouse 4th mid and your team looks very strong. What are your thoughts on Pellè vs Giroud or maybe even Austin? His fixtures actually look pretty good for a while after United, but I had him earlier in the season and he was frustrating. Didn’t bring me very many points at all.
NIN/Lawdogg/Alex/Red
Thank you all very much for the time taken to say so. I’m as happy as I’ve been this week with it. Can we start the game week tonight? 😉
Red – I fancy Pelle and Southampton’s fixtures as you say, after United. Pelle served me well earlier in the season – seemed to get him at just the right time luckily enough. I’m outta love with Giroud after his red card shambles (my captain that day) and Austin has blanked too often for my liking.
I will be going Rooney guys. His next three to five games are more attractive than City’s (famous last words).
Thanks again.
Nice well balanced team G.P,though not a fan of Bruce myself.How about taking a punt on a Burnley striker or Giroud for this week only instead of Rooney ? Southampton are no pushovers as they have shown over recent weeks,you already have United coverage in Di Maria and throw in the fact Rooney’s new midfield role ??
Brookyboy,
Thanks mate. I am thinking of moving away from Bruce in fact. Might just shift to Wasielewski from Leicester. He’ll be my last pick defender most weeks anyway.
I’m not convinced by Burnley and Giroud upset me last time out. If I bring in Rooney though, it may be for three/four weeks and not just for this one. I’m not entirely worried about the supposed ‘midfield’ role. He scored and assisted in the Newcastle game from that position and he is still a bomb in attack and hardly a sitting midfielder.
Like your thinking though, I think when the next two weeks roll around, I’ll be happy to have both Rooney and ADM. That’s my thinking anyway.
Fair enough.So your actually planning on keeping Rooney more than 1 week and not bringing Aguero in straight away ?? Interesting and very brave but i can see your logic when you look at the fixtures.Could go either way that !! Doesn’t the potential price rise in that time (i know he’s price protected initially) worry you ??
brooky,
I’d like to have the option to ride out City’s tough fixtures with Rooney’s decent ones.
If Aguero clearly becomes ‘must-have NOW’ again, I’ll make it work by finding a little cash elsewhere, even with a non-playing GK or something.
GP – team looks decent mate. I’m also looking at doubling up on WBA defence.
If aguero is confirmed fit and will start think this will be my team if not Costa will remain for one more week.
What do you think?
Mitro,
Although double WBA and Sunderland back there might make a lot of people cringe. You actually can play one of each for the majority of weeks until the end of the season so it ain’t the worst idea in history. I researched this last night after a tip from a very learned friend.
You’re set up for 3-5-2 and I love it I have to say. Providing Wisdom finds favour with Pulis and nothing to say he won’t, I think you’re laughing here. Well done mate.
GP – I was looking at their fixtures and there not to bad, I’m also looking at heaton instead of pantilmon.
Yeah Im going to give 3-5-2 a go for a while, Im hoping having haz and fab will soften the blow of losing Costa – if it doesn’t work out it will take me 2 moves to get him back in.
Any other decent defenders you can think of instead of oshea and pieters?
Also when are you considering wally??
Mitro,
van Aanholt would save you 0.3 on O’Shea and is quite an attacking full back. Based on him regaining his place this is.
Pieters is OK. If you can nip another 0.1 from somewhere then Alderweireld is the man to go for.
No plans for Walcott. Got Sanchez and he is the main man.
All right. Have decided to wild card and here are the two teams I have come up with. Only real difference in in defense. What do you think? Appreciate the help!
LawD
I prefer the one with Pieters and Wasielewski mate.
Law I’d go with option 1 as well. Dawson is close to a return so Bruce will be the one to miss out you’d think. You’re unlikely to use Hull for the next 2 weeks anyway so you may as well save yourself that now. Stokes run looks better than Swansea’s as well.
Another vote for #1 Lawdogg, Pieters over Bruce for me as well.
thanks guys – appreciate it! Think i’m almost there. Can’t figure out if I want to keep Costa up top though!
I went back and forth with that question forever Lawdogg. I think for the money Costa doesn’t bring enough points considering his talent for getting yellow cards his and aversion to assist and bonus points. If you dropped Taylor and Costa for Wasilewski and another forward, could you fit a Chelsea defender in there? Terry would sure look nice in that back line!
Just throwing another cheap defender in there for everyone to think about, Santon has just returned from injury and with Krul coming back they could tighten up at the back, he’s pretty attacking as well. I guess he would regain the LB spot ahead of Dummett if he can remain fit.
Xabi,
All will depend on the new manager I guess. Good player and very strange in that he is a left back who is right footed.
I have not activated my WC yet and will probably do it next gameweek or beyond but just playing about how does this team look below? Would like to switch Fab to Haz but would have to seriously weaken the defence to achieve this.
Good afternoon everyone. How are your teams shaping up for the weekend? I’m still tinkering with my WC but I’m getting close. I think I’m happy with my defense, but I could use some help with my front 8. Any opinions on which of the following looks best?
1. The Costafarians
Boyd Sanchez Hazard Silva/ADM + 7.0 mid
Aguero Kane Costa
2. Diego who??
Boyd Fabregas Sanchez Hazard + 7.1 mid
Aguero Kane Rooney
3. He’s no Pelé
Boyd Fabregas Sanchez Hazard Silva/ADM
Aguero Kane Pellè /Giroud
Bonus question: which 7.0ish midfielder do you like? I’m thinking Chadli, Johnson, or maybe Downing.
No.1 for me with Downing
Hey RedTV, for me it is The Costafarians with Silva over ADM and Chadli as your 7-ish mid.
I’m tempted by He’s no Pelle, but I’m going to wait to see if Pelle can rediscover the form he had at the start of the season. If so, then I may find myself going Costa -> Pelle.
actually like ADM over Silva. :turtle:
From the 7m rated mids I’m going to stick with Siggy, Bony was hardly the most mobile of forwards up top and I think Siggy may actually benefit from having a forward who can make runs behind defenders rather than a target man type forward.
Red
I like number three (with Pelle of course 😉 )
For the 7.0 MID question though – Downing for me.
Thank you 1 of 7, Lawdogg, Andy, and Gallant! I think I’m going to leave Costa out as including him would mean sacrificing Fabregas who has outscored him by 14 points and is almost 2 million cheaper (I bought fab at 9.3). So it’s coming down to Rooney and a 7.0 midfielder vs Pelle and Silva/ADM. If I could have Rooney and Silva/ADM it would be ideal, but that would weaken my defense too much.
Cheers guys, I think I’m getting close to finally being done with this WC business- it’s starting to drive me a bit mental at this point!