Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 26 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
A ten day break from league action is just what the doctor ordered for fantasy owners. The wildcard has been played, the transfer window has closed and a break in the action will have allowed us all to take a long, hard look at the team we have going forward.
A rash of injuries to significant fantasy players has proved frustrating and a bench featuring good reserves players has paid off for those who make sure their reserves start for their respective EPL teams. The good news is that Sanchez and Aguero look set to play this weekend, which should solve many selection headaches around the world.
In the interest of full disclosure, I write the article this week coming off disastrous captain choices for my team in the past two gameweeks. GW24 saw me captain Kun Aguero who, with double the points, earned me 10 points. Nathanial Clyne (8pts), Eden Hazard (10) or Harry Kane (12) would have been better choices on my team. And then there was GK25, which featured a team led by captain Alexis Sanchez who brought in a meager four points. Aguero, Kane and Ozil each scored 11 for me and Sturridge scored eight. Check in with me on Friday to see who I’m going to captain and then stay away from that poor bloke.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our options…
FIXTURES
Aston Villa v. Stoke
Chelsea v. QPR
Crystal Palace v. Arsenal
Hull v. QPR
Sunderland v. West Brom
Swansea v. Manchester United
Manchester City v. Newcastle
Spurs v. West Ham
Everton v. Leicester
Southampton v. Liverpool
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5. Angel di Maria (away vs Swansea)
Manchester United has been a mess this season: injuries devastated the team at the start of the season, they have abandoned a formation no one understood for one that some partially understand, and the manager has struggled to plug players into the right positions. They have three world-class forwards who have played a number of different positions, making it difficult for fantasy owners to employ a United forward. Enter di Maria. When healthy the Argentine has produced: in the 12 games he has played at least 75 minutes, he has scored three goals and dished out eight assists.
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4. tie: Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez (away vs Crystal Palace)
To be honest, Santi Cazorla could make this list too. It’s easy to be bullish on the Arsenal midfield: the position has accounted for 63% of Arsenal’s goals and 62% of its assists. With Mesut Ozil healthy once again, and looking bigger and better than ever, there is good reason to believe a midfield three of Cazorla—Ozil—Sanchez will continue to produce. In his last three league games Ozil has produced 2 goals and 3 assists, and the quality of his service makes him a constant threat for an assist. What can you say about Alexis that hasn’t already been said? His relentless work-rate and tireless thirst for the ball means he is always in the right place at the right time.
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[/three_fourth]3. Diego Costa (home vs Burnley)
It’s always risky picking a player fresh off a lengthy suspension as captain but there’s every reason to think the Stamford Bridge Stomper will pick up where he left off. Despite spending the last three weeks suspended this goal scoring gladiator still leads the league in goals scored. For the season, the Brazilian Bruiser averages a goal scored every 93 minutes played and at home he is even better, scoring a goal every 74 minutes. The Champion of Chelsea scored a goal earlier this season at Burnley and converts on more than 25% of shots he attempts.
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[/three_fourth]2. Sergio Aguero (home, Newcastle)
News that Sergio Aguero is carrying a knock should surprise no one. The good news for Aguero owners is the injury appears to involve his back, not his oft-injured knees or hamstrings. The City forward averages an eye-popping point every 11 minutes he is on the pitch. Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony have returned from ACON and this added firepower should make it easier for Aguero to continue terrorizing the opponent’s defenders. He played just eight minutes against Newcastle in week one and still managed a goal; at that rate he should score 11 goals if he plays the full 90 this weekend.
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[/three_fourth]1. Harry Kane (home vs West Ham)
The North London Nose has picked double-digit points in five of his last eight games and each of his last three. The Tottenham Trunk has been on a tear: five goals in his last three games and 11 in his last 10. His current form makes the Whiffer of White Hart Lane an almost automatic pick. Like Aguero, his beak bagged a goal in just eight minutes of action against West Ham in week one. Say what you will about size of his schnoz, his goal-scoring record this season is nothing to sneeze at.
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Honourable Mention:
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Olivier Giroud (away vs Crystal Palace)
Arsenal’s first-choice striker is healthy again and looks ready to lead an end-of-the-season charge towards Champions League qualification. He has two goals and two assists in his last four league games and bagged a brace against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. What sets Giroud apart from other strikers is his ability and desire to bring teammates into play. He dished out nine assists last season and does not get credit for his ability to set up his teammates.
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One-Week Punt:
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[/three_fourth]Romelu Lukaku (home vs Leicester)
That Lukaku makes this list as a one-week punt tells you what a disaster his season has been. Everton’s record-signing has rewarded Roberto Martinez’s faith in him by spending the last week chirping about how he belongs at a bigger club. Being on track for his worst scoring season since becoming a full-time starter in the league might suggest otherwise but, if the Belgian is ever to put his money where his mouth is, it’s this week: put in a good game against a poor Leicester side or best to keep your mouth shut.
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 26. This article was written by Lawdogg
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Don’t forget to vote on our Captains Poll
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Hmm Falcao injury a blessing in disguise?
Once he’s not on the pitch, i’m happy 😉
Looks like aguero be fit for the weekend. Although don’t look happy lol
Shrugs, you don’t have to put up a fake smile for the fans every time.
That’s my C pick sorted then, cheers!
Anyone else get the lone wolf achievement in the cricket game?
I played one Bangladesh guy in the game earlier, clearly still have no idea what I’m doing
Hey Wisdom owners (or anyone else shopping for a defender this week), who are you looking at? I’ve seen Naughton mentioned, Vlaar/Hutton, Wollscheid, and NIN suggested staying with WBA defense. Is anyone considering Alderweireld who could be back this week? Who else in that price range is worth looking at?
My back line is:
Pantsu Mannone
Wisdom Hutton Terry PvA Bellerin
Hey Red I would swap with Lescott or wait until Alderweirld is back Naughton is worth a shout if you don’t want to spend cash but don’t bring him in this wk unless you have 2 FT
Hey Red – I’ve got a bit of a longer-term plan working with a limited budget, but I’m looking at Wollscheild and Haidara in place of Wasil and Baird.
I’ve read Olsson may be back soon for WBA so keep an eye on that wrinkle.
Nice one, thanks Silver and Colriles. Definitely going to monitor the injury situation, hopefully we’ll find out some useful information at the press conferences. If Alderweireld is back I might look to him as he’s only 4.8. I could even bench him this week against Liverpool and play Terry, Bellerin and Hutton who has Stoke at home. I’d probably just bench Wisdom and save the transfer this week if I could, but I have 2 FT so I need to use one.
Think he’s going to be a bench filler for the rest of the sesson. Shame, thought he’d bring even more points with Pulis at the helm!
Zouma. Good chance of a CS whenever he starts, and unlikely to come on as a 1-point sub. And scores goals.
Yo Red. I’ve just had a quick look, and i’m not buying the whole Naughton thingy at all. Swansea have only kept three CS’s in their last 10 league games and have 3 tough games in the next four. Personally, i would avoid him like the plague. Alderweireld/WBA is where i would be looking. I’m currently eyeing up a move for Haidara, however, that is solely for the blank week. Toon have awful fixtures ahead but Villa (h) in 27 is a cracker. My thinking is that he’s a decent 4.1m bench filler, and could come in very handy later in the season. Again, he’s a GW27 punt with a view to being used regularly later in the season.
Hi lads, please RMT!
The plan is Giroud and ADM out for Costa and possibly Chadli after the blank GW.. what d’ya think?
Also, any news why clichy and wisdom aren’t being picked anymore?
Hi Benny, sounds like an excellent plan couldn’t argue against doing that really.
Clichy played the 5 league games straight prior to GW25 so no issue that I’m aware of other than the usual minor rotation with Kolarov but Clichy gets far more games overall. Always the risk with him.
Wisdom has just been a victim of Pulis trying to find the right formula at the back as he’s swapped a lot around in recent weeks. You’d have to expect that having just won 4-0 he may well stick with the team from that game and that Wisdom will have to wait his turn now.
Hi BennyB. Your squad looks to be in tip top shape, mate. Your proposed transfers sound like the right move to me, provided Chadli is back in the first team by then. You’ll be okay with Clichy, but it does seem like Wisdom has fallen out of favor, just now.
Init/Nin, cheers boys! If Chadli gets 90 this weekend I’ll go with him.
Much appreciated lads!
Oi oi!!!
How are we all??
Any ideas on what I should do with my team for GW26. 1FT & 0.9ITB
Evening, Mitro. I’m good thanks. How about yourself?
Not a lot wrong here really. Like myself, you’ll be keeping those fingers crossed that Cameron gets some game-time in GW27, eh? Stoke’s defence is in a heap just now so he may be good for that week at least. Unless Defoe/Aguero get ruled out completely then you could easily hold that FT for the blank and double weeks ahead. Your 11 is in great shape and it’s not the worst of weeks to play Hutton, should Wisdom be kept in the cold again.
NIN – I’m good mate!! Flat out with work as usual!!
I was thinking get rid of wisdom for maybe alderweirweld ??
Have you thought of bringing in Sturridge yet??
The Toby move sounds like a good’un to me, but is it necessary this week? I fancy Liverpool to score against them. I reckon you’re better off keeping the FT if you can. I’m hoping to do the same myself, and i have no subs. Literally!
As for Sturridge, he’s not one i’m considering just now. My next move for a premium striker will be a Costa move, whenever their DGW is confirmed. I’d be more than happy to roll with Diego ahead of Sturridge. If he performs well this weekend then he’ll have to be looked at a bit more seriously, for me.
Evening Mitro,
I’m fine thanks. Not been on for an age unfortunately!
I’d agree with Nin and say that its unlikely that Wisdom will feature, so start Hutton and as things stand you should then have a full starting 11. Defoe is still rated at 50/50. 2ft’s could be very handy to carry forward
Bash – how do bud! It has been a while. Would you get rid of wisdom now??