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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Good day fellas!
Got 2 FT this week and considering following moves:
1) Kane, Terry, Sterling/Fabregas out for Benteke, Ramsey/Ozil, Bellerin. (4pt hit)
2) Vardy, Sterling out for Giroud and Ibe. (And then do Fabregas -> Ramsey next week)
3) Sterling and Fabregas out -> Ramsey and Ozil/Caz in.
Or alternatively a hybrid solution 😛
What do you think? Any suggestions?
RITZ
How about sterling to Ramsey and saving a FT? Or if you feel adventurous . . .
Hazard and Kane out for Ramsey and Giroud and go all in on Arsenal now?
Does Fabregas and Kane out earn you enough for Ramsey + Benteke?
Hey RITZ, I see you are a Sanchez/Kane eary adopter! I like that!
I see you need the Terry-»Bellerin move to make the others happen so I’d go with option 1 including Sterling and Ramsey, if he’s fit which he should be I reckon.
Afternoon guys…
Who would you play out of the following?
Bruce vs Burnley (H)
Skrtel vs Chelsea (A)
Ward vs Man United (H)
I had planned ahead to play Bruce but of course he’s lost his place now. Will probably come off the bench for another 1 pointer.
Skrtel has a decent goal threat but you’d have to fancy Chelsea to score…
Man United have failed to score in their last 3 games. Could that continue vs Palace?
I’d go for Ward, personally, James. Would have said Bruce but, like you’ve mentioned, you can just see him come on in the 89th minute for one point!
Cheers swirly. That’s who I’m leaning towards given the form. You can guarantee Steve Bruce will shake things up and play Bruce after that defeat!
Though one James. With those options I’d probably go with Skrtel.
But I do ask you this:
Which 2 would you play out of the following?
Alder vs Leicester (A)
Schlupp vs Saints (H)
Skrtel vs Chelsea (A)
Thanks DMC, hm, it sure it tough.
I have Alder and am definitely playing him. I’d probably (just) give Skrtel the nod there ahead of Schlupp as I can’t see Leicester keeping another cleansheet for some reason.
Afternoon everyone.
Still clinging onto my mini league for dear life.
Was thinking about Sterling to Ramsey this week but not sure whether to risk it with his nock.
Any other changes you’d make?
I’d hold fire on your move if you can, Milburn. Though it does sound like Rambo will be OK (a tweet from Injury Expert says he’s 100%, returning on Monday, whilst a tweet from Uncovered Arsenal says he’ll be absolutely fine having only picked up ‘just a knock’), it’d be better to be safe than sorry and wait until the conferences on Friday or anything official comes out of Arsenal. A great move in theory, anyway – the rest of your team looks good enough to not justify taking a four-point hit.
ok mate, cheers for the reply.
Afternoon all any one thinking of leaving Sterling in for rest of season
Think him and all other Pool players are being massively dropped. 😉
No Silver, but good day to you.
Good day to you Cookie still unsure with Sterling Pool still need to win games cheers mate
Yeah true, but one of those is at Chelsea and it’s not like Pool have looked like tearing teams apart. Not for me.
Afternoon all – how are we? Sun shining, ready to vote in the UK? Transfer plans sorted?
No monkey pics yet today.
Such great timing. 😉
as if by magic! Or maybe we’re just the same person ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BinWA0EenDY
Love it!
Cookie,
Transfers done last night pal. Off to vote tomorrow then watch the results come in tomorrow night/Friday morning taking me up to the Friday madness of the pressers and the subsequent panic on these boards.
Love it.
Beautiful GP – you lot could be taking over Westminster this time next week!!
Cookie,
What a thought . . .
Any jobs going in Monaco ? 😉
If that happens and Sturgeon and Miliband are running things, I’ll defo be staying down here!! And I suggest you all join me
Room for Mr and Mrs Swirly and their cat?
always Swirly, you bring the cat, Raz can bring the monkey for a play partner!
To be fair, she’s a mental kitten and so I think even the monkey would get tired!
That is also my plan, GP!
Swirly,
Nice one mate. Make sure you put the ‘X’ in the right box! And then let me know which one that is because I don’t think any of us can be sure.
Haha, I’m one of few people who knows who they’ll vote for! It’s definitely going to be a close result, that’s for sure.
Very well thanks, Cookie. Hoping this weekend brings me:
> Another Villa win and a move towards league safety
> Captain Aguero to have the game of his life and help increase the cushion between me and second place in my ML league (that’s presuming the guy in second place doesn’t bring in Aguero!)
I’ll second that Swirly, hopefully Benteke has another stormer! I’m really tempted to captain him but know that by Saturday evening I’ll be panic sweating waiting for Kun to play home to QPR!
Yeah, I’d love to captain Bentekkers too but Aguero will get it for me. Won’t quote be the same as the Man City v QPR match of a few years ago, mind! AAAGGGUUUEERRRROOOOOO!!!!!!
ssshhh now Swirly, I like you but not if you carry on with that dirty chat!!! 😉
Sorry, I did mean to leave that kind of filth for late at night!
hahaha you’re let off just don’t do it again!!
My monkeys are rarely impressed. 😉
not even with a playful pussy ?
That face reminds me of someone, hahaha. Wait. There ya go.
Ben Dinnery
?@BenDinnery
Few #AFC updates
Ramsey will be fine for #Swans ‘just a knock’
Debuchy ruled out & Welbeck 50-50
Arteta in full training & available
What to do? Ivanovic to Bellerin and Sterling to Sanchez for a 4 point hit…………..
or…………………
Ivanovic to McShane/Wasi, Coutinho to Sanchez and Sterling to Ramsey for an 8 point hit?
or………..
something else?
You have to sell Ivan to finance the other moves Raziel ?
Hmmm to get Sanchez yeah. Already have Terry by the way.
Probably Bellerin and Sanchez than Raz, I think. Post your team up with cash situation and let”s have a double check…..
Need to do it from the head. Oi. And my head ain’t working properly. Lets see:
Davis – Jak
Ivanovic – Terry – Moreno – PvA – Wisdom
Hazard – Silva – Coutinho – Sterling – ummmmmmm JwP
Giroud – Kane – Kun
0.1m in the bank I think. 😉
I think your first option is better Raz. Not sure this is the week for an 8pt hit.
Raz,
I think i’ve changed my mind – not that I’m recommending it, but if it were me I would take the 8pt hit and get your cheap defender, Sanchez and Ramsey.
@ Pippin
ARsenal face Swansea at home, while Pool face Chelsea away. Unless Mourinho changes tactics do you see either Coutinho/Sterling getting many points at Stamford Bridge? I don’t like the 8 point hit but when I think ahead first they have Swansea at home, after that a DGW.
When you frame it like that Raz, no I don’t see Pool getting anything (except perhaps a spanking?!) out of Chelsea, who may even play with a bit more swagger now they’ve won the league. Not only have you changed the advice I’m giving you, you’re tempting me into taking hits myself now…. 😉
I think losing points through hits is never good but Pool aren’t getting you any points. If the guys you bring in are staying for the rest of the season, I guess it’s worth it!
Thanks Pippin. Arsenal are on a roll, in form, Sanchez and Ramsey are in form. Liverpool suck monkeyballs, Coutinho (did well last game) and Sterling not on the same form as Ramsey/Sanchez. Plus, while Pool face Chelski away, Arsenal have Swansea Home (also 3 of their last 4 games are home games).