Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 36 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
Has it really been a month? Did I really lose the Post-It note? Did I really wait until the last minute to write this introduction? Yes, maybe, and … anyone else having a sense of deja vu? Yes, it’s only been a week since you last attempted to make sense of my gentle musings but I’m back again as what us Yanks call a “pinch hitter” in baseball. I’m the 89th minute substitution for a team winning 1-0 that’s hoping to run out the clock. And right about now I’m starting to feel less honored about being asked to fill in this week…
Fill in you say? That’s right. I’m filling in for Chins, who offered to fill in for GP, before the two of them ran off to race gritters Tokyo-drift style around Scotland. Or were they racing grifters? Or was it greyhounds? And who the heck is Mr. Plow? That name again is Mr. Plow. Who knows, but the mental image of GP and Chins racing Huge Greyhound Hormone (HGH) powered dogs is too rich to consider any other possibility. Safe racing, gents.
Fixtures for GW36
Saturday
Everton vs Sunderland
Aston Villa vs West Ham
Hull vs Burnley
Leicester vs Southampton
Newcastle vs West Brom
Stoke vs Spurs
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd
Sunday
Man City vs QPR
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Monday
Arsenal vs Swansea
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[/three_fourth]5. Aaron Ramsey, home vs Swansea
Guess who’s back, back again. Ramsey’s back, tell a friend. Guess who’s back, guess who’s back… It’s safe to say Aaron Ramsey has rediscovered the form that saw him lead Arsenal to the FA Cup last season, and at just the right time for the Gunners. With a return trip to Wembley lurking in the not too-distant future Ramsey has turned his sights on annihilating the competition in the Premier League. With three goals and four assists in the six games since he returned from injury, Arsenal’s most hot/cold player is forcing fantasy managers to figure out how to bring him into their squad ahead of Arsenal’s DGW37.
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[/three_fourth]4. Eden Hazard, home vs Liverpool
Chelsea’s Mr. Reliable sits this low this week only because Chelsea have already wrapped up the league title. As such, who knows what sort of tomfoolery The Special One has in store for the balance of the season. There’s no doubting the Football Wizard’s form: for the season he’s averaging 6.3 ppg and has four goals in a seven-game stretch that’s seen Chelsea struggle to find a goal-scoring presence at the forward position. Hazard will be up for the fight but, with the title already wrapped up and John Terry’s tears already collected in mason jars for posterity, will Hazard be given the opportunity to finish out what could be his best-ever season in the Premiere League?
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[/three_fourth]3. Alexis Sanchez, home vs Swansea
Just when we think it’s safe to drop Sanchez he goes and has a game like he did against Hull City. Poor Hull City, and poor fantasy managers that dropped him. We promise to never think about transferring you out again, Alexis, as long as you promise to keep having games like this. Has his form dipped as of late? Sure. Has the toll of his first season in the Premier League finally caught up to him? Maybe, but the world class talent is still averaging a league-best 6.4 ppg since joining the Arsenal. After bagging a brace against Hull we fully expect the Chilean to finish the season strong, especially with Arsenal’s DGW37 right around the corner.
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[/three_fourth]2. Sergio Aguero, home vs QPR
The City forward may not be able to get no first place action, but that’s more a product of a dodgy manager. Aguero has kept his end of the bargain, scoring five goals in his last four games and collecting 32 points for those managers who’ve remained faithful to him after a bit of a dry spell. Add to that the fact QPR – the league’s worst road team and a team he bagged a brace against earlier this season – visit the Etihad this weekend, and it could be a massive payday for managers slapping the captain’s armband on him.
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[/three_fourth]1. Christian Benteke, home v. West Ham
Admit it, you’ve been watching Benteke each week thinking this run of his will end soon. It has to right? Well it’s time for us to stop ignoring him. In his last eight games he’s logged 10 goals, an assist and a massive 15 bonus points. Despite putting up the best fantasy numbers during this stretch the Villa forward features in only 7.4% of fantasy teams, making him him our Big-Hitter Differential this week. With rumours of a Liverpool bid coming in the summer, and his team sitting a mere two points clear of relegation, Benteke and his teammates have everything to play for this week against a West Ham team sitting comfortably mid-table.
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[/three_fourth]One-Week Punt/Differential Picks: West Bromwich Albion
For those of you chasing league titles and looking for differentials to help you edge out that annoying guy in your league who will never let you hear the end of it if he finishes first ahead of you, we are here to help. This week we’re recommending a trio of West Brom players to help you out. Please note this is a one-week recommendation only – after their match against Newcastle, West Brom closes the season against Chelsea and Arsenal.
West Brom face a Newcastle club in crisis – they’ll be missing two of their starting four defenders to suspension, they have a manager who has publicly questioned the heart of some of his squad and the players themselves have asked family members to stay away from the club’s home games due to growing unrest in the stands. Sad news for a team with a rich history, but the perfect opportunity for you to capitalize on a team possibly headed for relegation.
Our pick: Boaz Myhill
Who? Its safe to say many a fantasy manager hadn’t heard of Boaz Myhill until he stepped in for injured starting goalkeeper Ben Foster, but the California native may be playing himself into contention for a starting job next season. Myhill has been instrumental in West Brom’s keeping three straight clean sheets (scoring 34 points during) and there’s no reason to think he won’t add to his scoreless streak this weekend against a free-falling Newcastle side.
Other options:
Chris Brunt – with four assists in his last four games, there’s no reason to think he won’t carve up a Newcastle defense missing two of its starters.
Saido Berahino
It has been seven long week’s since the once must-own budget striker has scored, but facing an undermanned and unsupported Newcastle side may be precisely what the doctor ordered.
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 36. This article was written by Lawdogg
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WooFBet
We would like to remind you that our official partners, WooFBet, are again running a whole host of prize competitions, which will please many of you who are slowly building a lovely retirement nest egg, while others continue to persevere in the hope that this week will be their week! If you haven’t done so yet we recommend you get yourselves over to WooFBet.com as this week they have over €300 in free entry prizes and a whopping €1,850 in guaranteed pots. You also have the option to create your own tournaments and head-to-head challenges. Choose your rules and buy-in fee, and invite friends or leave it open for the public to challenge you.
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Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Captain Poll
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Thanks Lawdogg. Great stuff mate. Probably Aguero this week for me, although, may go for Rambo if he’s fit.
NIN
Morning mate. Aguero is so obvious this week that it has to be right. I hope.
Top article, quite a few good options this week!
I’ve managed to close the gap in my league from 100 to 36 points these last 4 or 5 weeks so wondering who to captain this week. They didn’t have Benteke, Ramsey or Sanchez last week but already made 2 transfers.
Should i keep going for differentials and captain Benteke as they’ll probably do Aguero but risk losing the made up ground if Aguero goes crazy or go reasonably safe and cappo Aguero?
Thanks!
Hi Shadow
If it were me, I’d go Aguero. I would fear being left behind if Aguero goes crazy and that would be the end of the chase probably.
Getting the captain right in GW37 might be crucial but I wouldn’t go all out this week. 36 points can be made up in a very good week. For example I pulled away 30-odd points this week in my local ML.
Hi GP, thanks for the feedback. Yes I was leaning towards Aguero as I didn’t want the last few good weeks to go to waste with Aguero having a field day against QPR.
Sanchez or Ramsey for the double but which one I’m not sure yet!!
Shadow,
I’d favour Sanchez slightly but the Ramsey differential (for captaincy) is appealing particularly if you are chasing. I’ll personally captain Sanchez for the double I’m pretty sure of that.
Morning/evening all, how’s things? Thanks Lawdoggggggg, great little read. I’m trying to wrestle Teke into my team but it’s him or Sanchez this week and I think the DGW will win. What are all out trades this week?
Alex
How’s it going my friend?
Way for your boys to spoil the Watford party! My wife has a friend whose husband is a big Hornet and he is absolutely shattered still with that late goal! I have to keep reminding him that they are still promoted!
I’ve gone in early and removed Hazard and Sterling and brought in Sanchez and Cazorla mate.
Gp, I’m well thanks pal, how’s things in sunny Scotland? hahaha yes I have some Watford mates and it’s been non-stop shit all week! Loving it. That’s a brave move pal, why did you go caz over Ramsey? Who is your third Gooner?
Alex
Couldn’t afford Ramsey mate. My other Arsenal player is Bellerin.
Yeah all is well up here mate. It is sunny today. Surprisingly
Gp, get the midgie sprey out then!! What’s your forward line? DMC just made an interesting suggestion below. What ya think my Scottish pal?
Alex
That’s a decent suggestion to be fair. Wouldn’t put you off it even for -4.
Aguero/Kane/Ulloa just now.
Ulloa did me proud at the weekend.
That was a great Ullo shout there Gallant! Congrats on your rank by the way and man how many green arrows are those?
DMC
Thanks mate. I just took a bit of a punt when most seemed to be going with Vardy for the DGW and to be fair that was the right call. But holding on to him for the Newcastle match was where it paid off for me.
Few green arrows in a row now I think. There certainly was an improvement needed.
Hi Alex. I’ve brought Alexis in for Sterling and am planning Benteke in for Kane too. This uses my 2FTs. Then I think next week for a hit I will drop Terry + Henderson for Bellerin + Oezil/Caz/Ramsey. This means going without Giroud but I think my Arsenal cover is enough.
The first main alternative would be Giroud instead of Benteke but I can’t afford him now so would do a defence transfer this week to do so (Bellerin in for Terry). The second is to drop Hazard + Hendo next week and get in two Arsenal mids (for total of three!) or else Hazard + Vardy for Ramsey and Giroud. The last case means lining up with two from Henderson, Cambiasso and Boyd though, which isn’t ideal.
As you can see I am no more decided than yesterday 😉
Don’t tell Musungu!
Pippin, well that’s given me way more ideas than I was planning for haha! All have their pluses and minuses I guess. I’d figure out which 3 Gooners you want and go from there. It’s bloody tricky mate, I’m struggling!
Morning Alex, hope you are well? I can’t honestly say what I’m doing this week yet as I haven’t actually looked! I think you have to go with Sanchez if you have the opportunity / funds.
Hello Init, how’s things big bird? Yer I agree, I am tempted to do giroud, fab and sterling to Ramsey, Sanchez and Teke followed by a Gooners defender next week. Raz reprimanded severely for suggesting taking out giroud the week before a DGW though. Thoughts? The pains of being a fantasy manager!
I’d leave Giroud in there mate and uphold Raz’s reprimand!
Thanks Init, I actually quite like dmc’s idea. How was your GW?
Don’t think I broke any records but it was fairly satisfying from a ML point of view. Leaves me nicely poised now with a small cushion.
Good man Init, we all want a handy lead. Life all good with you?
Hey NS, could you do Hendo, Sterlo, Vardo -» Sáncho, Allbrighto, Benteko for -4?
*NZ!
Dmc, how are you fella? I actually can! Means I have albrighton and cambiaso but I really quite like that suggestion! Then I bring in an another Gooner mid for Fab next week. How are you shaping up? Thanks for the suggestion ????
Hey Alex, I’m fine and my FPL exploits are even better. I am now close to top 100k which while not being huge is very decent given that I was 318K on GW30! Brutal. Also got to close a 50 pts ML gap to 12 during the process and my team now looks better than his, so let’s see! I already had Sánchez since he got back from injury so this week I thought (and executed) Bento+Cazo for Sterlo+Kano. Always a risk to take Kane out but difficult to ignore Bento and those were FT. Anyway I like your plans there and will look at either Fab-»Rambo or Bento/Aguero-»Giroudo for GW37 or even Kevo-»Ospo depending on ML situation after this week. Also looking for a Leicester 0 Saitns 0! Can that happen?
On the captain front my gut tells me Sáncho will outscore Aguero so I’m going Chile over Argentina!
Dmco, loving trying to tralate who all those players where but I think I got there! Think your plan sounds great and team is well set up for no hits! Well done pal and hope you reach the top of you ml.
Greetings managers,
Hope you all had a productive GW
Looking to overturn a 5 point margin to top my mini league
Have 2FT and 0.2 mil itb
Want to transfer out the Liverpool players I have
Skrtel- monreal
Sterling- Sanchez
Henderson- Ki
For a -4 hit
Or should I make just 2 transfers and rotate a Liverpool player
Any advice is appreciated
FplDoc, I’d probably role with those but hold Hendo. Only thing is as you already have Ospina would you not rather have two gooner attackers?
True. But which 2 arsenal defenders would you suggest?
Sorry, I meant which 2 Arsenal attackers
FPLDoc
I’d do the first two and hold Henderson (if you can afford that).
Can’t afford it…. Gotta free up space cash for Sanchez. Else will have to go with Ramsey… But not sure if he’s fit enough to start
FPLDoc. Yep I would avoid a hit if possible this week. Overtaking a 5pt lead is not too challenging if your transfers work out, no point in doubling your oppo’s lead before you even begin!
Cracking stuff Lawdogg- another excellent article mate!
(Whisper it softly, but I am going to miss the regular trickle of great content through a football-less summer….what are we all going to do??) 😉
Have a break, I’m knackered!
Well deserved, all of you!
Good morning again
Need some help.
Have 0FT and £0 itb
1. Will I leave Hazard and Fabregas or change Fabregas to someone (who? £9.3)
2. Albrighton or Walters instead of who to start?
Please help, don’t know what to do.
Thanks a lot.
Respect
Leave as is mate. Especially with no FT left. Looks good to me.
Hi GP, will I squeeze one of my mids in for a defender?
Respect,
I considered that but I think all four defenders have a chance of a CS.
Walters in for McShane maybe.
thanks man, still have couple days to decide 😉 good luck with your team.
+1 – always like 3-4-3 as a FF formation.