Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 25 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
Gameweek 24 was a mixed bag for captaincy candidates. Walcott returned a one point cameo from the bench; Silva left empty-handed; while teammate Aguero contributed a paltry 5 points. Eden Hazard continued his march up the scoring charts with a handsome 10 points. Once more, however, the limelight was stolen by Harry Kane who, for those ‘punks’ who were ‘feeling lucky’ accrued double digits for the second consecutive game.
This week throws up a few, how to put this, potentially less balanced fixtures. But then, that was said about Man City vs Hull City, so who really knows what will happen? With Man Utd and Arsenal having irresistible home fixtures, can Fantasy Football managers afford to overlook them? Take a look at this week’s top 5 and decide for yourself.
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[/three_fourth]5. Sergio Aguero (away vs Stoke)
Well, that wasn’t in the script. Against a well organised Hull outfit, the Argentinian failed to light up the Etihad as expected. While his meager assist was scant consolation for the thousands that captained Aguero, shocks like this are, after all, why we love football. 4 games without a goal in 2015 makes worrying reading for more than a quarter of FPL managers, but this is no Benteke-esque drought. Far from being bereft of near-misses, or starved of decent chances, Sergio has still looked capable of scoring. The Britannia won’t be an easy place to resume ‘normal’ service, but world class players don’t stay stifled for long.
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[/three_fourth]4. Jermaine Defoe (home vs QPR)
Homesickness allegedly drove Defoe to depart Toronto FC and head for Sunderland, a mere… 275 miles north of his hometown in East London. No matter the reason, Poyet has potentially saved the Mackems from relegation peril by hiring this prolific marksman. Adding to the over-saturated market of quality budget strikers, Defoe joins the likes of Kane and Austin as £6m sharp-shooters. 2 goals and an assist in his first 3 games back in England suggest there’s more to come against a hapless QPR side who know all about homesickness. Having notched 5, 6 and 7 points respectively so far, you may as well add Jermaine’s 8 points on right now.
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[/three_fourth]3. Harry Kane (away vs Liverpool)
A trip to Anfield against a galvanised Liverpool defence isn’t an ideal fixture for a captain. But on current form how can a top 5 not include Spurs’ super Harry Kane? 10 goals in 9 games. 2 goals against Chelsea. 2 goals against Arsenal. Clearly this season’s FPL phenomenon, Kane is already approaching coveted ‘fixture-proof’ status. Far from being a mere penalty-area predator, the striker is showing genuine talent in every aspect of his play. Roy Hodgson won’t be able to resist giving the 21 year-old his first England cap. I dare say many out there won’t be able to resist captaining him.
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[/three_fourth]2. Robin van Persie (home vs Burnley)
Let’s face it. Robin van Persie has become unfashionable. There are, naturally, a number of contributory factors. His unconvincing displays under Moyes; his perceived lack of motivation; the increased competition for places; his greying hair. Premier League observers have been left asking what’s happened to the flying Dutchman that scored when he wanted? Surprising as though it may seem, RvP has RSVP’d this SOS. While the forwards ahead of him in the FPL charts have been rightly getting the plaudits, our mate from Rotterdam has sneaked into the top 6. His last 11 starts have tallied 6 goals and 2 assists. Over the season as a while, 56 of his 93 points have come at Old Trafford. Up next is a Burnley team whose only away clean sheet came at Palace in September. Sometimes being unfashionable is the coolest thing to do.
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[/three_fourth]1. Olivier Giroud (home vs Leicester)
Cazorla, Sanchez, Walcott, Ramsey, Ozil, Welbeck. What Wenger doesn’t lack is depth in attacking options. Of course this is wonderful for him, but a nightmare for us. Figuring out who will be next in line for their turn at the buffet is nigh on impossible. However, while the musical chairs midfield continues to revolve behind him, Olivier Giroud is Arsene’s go-to guy up front when the music stops; plate in hand, shovelling food onto his plate oblivious to the chaos. The Frenchman’s problem this season hasn’t been productivity, it’s been availability. When he’s not undergoing physiotherapy, he’s serving silly suspensions. This is all too evident in his stats. Only 779 minutes played, yet an impressive 7 goals and 2 assists. 6.5 points per 90 minutes is a remarkable return given his sporadic appearances. Leicester’s 9 defeats on the road is eclipsed only by QPR. Whichever lineup Wenger opts for, you can be sure Giroud will be at the spearhead stuffing his face.
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 25. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Thanks for this Bryan-sensei. I reckon I’ll end up capping Giroud too, assuming I bring him in this GW.
Any of you reckon it’s worth benching one of Jones (BUR H), Terry (EVE H), and Wisdom (SWA H) for PvA (QPR H)? I already have Pantsu in goal.
Wisdom. I have Wisdom and I’m benching him. Probably doubling up on Sunderland, dangerous but still. QPR at home without Austin.
Yeah, nothing’s safe. QPR without Austin – but then Swansea without Bony and Siggy looked a soft touch for Southampton’s defence…
Probably Wisdom. I thought WBA would keep a CS vs Burnley but they failed, which doesn’t give me much, if any, confidence for the Swansea game.
So double up on Sunderland over playing Wisdom? Hm, I’ll need to think about it, but I don’t have anything against the idea. If anyone’s gonna be benched for PvA it’s Wisdom, I agree.
Hey Bry, many thanks for writing a double Capo article this week bud and especially for writing this one on your weekend. Much appreciated mate.
So is everyone on a Gooner? Guess it makes sense as we speak…..but then we thought that of City this week.
Evening Cookie. Yep, i’ll be going with an Arsenal player. Hopefully Alexis, but if he’s not fit then Cazorla or maybe Walcott if he starts.
Sanchez.
If not… Haz maybe. Or even Defoe
City have no soul. Just like their home-crowd is sort of dead. It’s the opposite of what it should be. I’ve seen this docu on Manchester City. United had the fans scattered over the world and City has the fans in Manchester. How come their stadium is so quiet? If anything could pump up a team it’s the fans. These prima donna’s don’t see to be enjoying the game enough themselves. Dear o dear, Kompany looked bored, Demichelis and Hart speak a different language. And no soul or spirit. Maybe the last few minutes. I would start every game with Lamps with Yaya out. Did you know they hadn’t won a game since Yaya left? Pellegrini is messing shite up.
I was sort of surprised since they did look decent versus Chelsea, they should’ve won that game to be honest. However they didn’t. And Chelsea tends to make other big teams believe they look good against them and then they strike. Park your bus here please.
Anyhooooooooooooooooo. I should’ve freaking known. City already lost points at home versus Stoke (0-1) and Burnley (2-2). If they don’t start with the right attitude they will lose points. FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which isn’t bad, but I rather see them win than bloody Mourinho. >.<
Raz, looking on the bright side for MCFC, YYT is back and they have a nice run of fixtures. That said, even with him in the side at times they haven’t kept a CS since 20 December. In the FA Cup they let Blackburn score first before squeaking through, and then went out next round to Middlesbrough. Which says to me that, with the possible exception of QPR (h) in GW36, their nice run of fixtures isn’t gonna bring a whole bunch of CSs. I can see Zouma keeping more CSs in the rest of this season than Kompany
Completely agree Raz. Most City players, for me, are nothing more than a bunch of overpaid primadonnas. If you look at last game, then there was essentially no movement at all, which is essential for the way we play to succeed. Most didn’t even try; they were just standing there and looking. The only expection was Milner, who, like always, work harder in the 20 min or so he gets to play than the entire rest of the team combined. Also, Aguero worked hard and looked good the last 20 min or so – those are the only two who actually were noticeable. If there’s anyone who should start every match, it’s Milner.
It fucking pisses me off as a City fan to see all of these players get paid so much money and do so little to deserve it.
+1. Milner should be a guaranteed starter. I would have loved it United had got him years ago. Cracking player.
Woo-hoo -I’m ahead of FF247! Must say that, back in GW8 when I was 70+ points behind, this was not looking likely. Combined with Wattie beating Blackburn (despite being outplayed for much of the game) this is a Very Good Weekend. Just a bit of a pity that Luton didn’t lose.
Screw it, Gayle out, Kane in. Can see a Gayle hat trick now haha
Exactly (Gayle hattrick) the reason why you shouldn’t do that. Kane now has 2 tricky fixtures and a blank GW. Why not wait till GW28 (DGW) to get him?
After ignoring everyone’s advice on Zouma (not to do it) last GW I decided to take the advice this week. I can remove Zouma for GW27 to still have a full squad and Kane is proving to be fuxture proof. Gayle was subbed off too, perhaps a sign that the squad is overly abundant in striking options.
AT, I’m sticking with Zouma as a longterm prospect. That said, Bellerin gets his spot in my squad next GW.
Okay well I’ll sort it, maybe Eriksen out for one week. Back the teams in form and I can hardly ignore Kane for much longer.
Zouma, Bellerin and Jones at the back for me.
Just done Fabregas to Hazard and probably bring one of the Arsenal mids in for Silva when we see team sheets on Tuesday.
Have a look at this little lot…been on a bad recently (last 10 weeks) and I couldn’t even stop the rot with my WC…
Di Maria, Henderson, and possibly Sanchez need to go… And perhaps Defoe for Kane too ?
I really don’t know.. What do you think ?
Hi Demsie, long time no see! Di Maria -> Silva for a start. Cazorla is a better deal but you’re already maxed out on Arsenal cover. I would lean toward that move and losing Henderson. Kane is just about essential these days but Defoe has a great fixture to cover that spot.