Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 1
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 1
With 45 attacking returns (36 goals, 9 assists) in the 22/23 season, it’s hard to imagine betting against the Norwegian meat shield (that’s Earlng Haaland to the uninitiated!) in any given game week. However, a closer look at his numbers and you’ll see that 30 of those 45 returns came at the Etihad so if you’re going to go against the masses at any point this season then I’d recommend that you limit those dalliances to the weeks that City are playing away.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not recommending that this is something you should do on a regular basis, and indeed there is every chance that in doing so you end up worse off, but on occasion, you ‘might’ end up better off looking elsewhere. With that in mind, we’ve asked some of our greatest minds (ahem) to come up with this week’s best alternatives! And him…
Just before you go asny further though, we have been quite busy in pre-season so don’t forget to check back over the previous articles where you will find analysis of all three promoted teams, as well as our comprehensive guide to pre-season friendlies which The Gallant Pioneer has updated meticulously as they have happened.
As for our core articles please check out these four beauties –
Rosco – Rashford v Wolves (H)
So, with City travelling to Burnley in GW1 we have one such opportunity, but, are you brave enough to go against Haaland and his 85%+ ownership? If you are then Marcus Rashford at home to Wolves is certainly worth the conversation. A disappointing 21/22 season saw Rashford come in at just £6.5m (in 22/23) and he proved to be something of a bargain, finishing the season with 205pts, some 31pts higher than his previous best. 32 starts produced 24 attacking returns (17 goals, 7 assists), much like Haaland, Rashford excelled at home, starting 18 matches at Old Trafford and picking up 18 attacking returns (13 goals, 5 assists.
The Red Devils face a Wolves side that struggled for much of last season. In their 19 away games they managed just a single shutout and their 38 goals conceded was the fourth worst in the league, whilst it’s a new season and defensive recruitments have been drafted in, the jury is still out on how Julen Lopetegui’s men will perform this season. So, I guess once more it comes down to your risk profile, the gains are there to be had, but the risks should not be dismissed out of hand!
Kop – Haaland v Burnley (A)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
I’m all about the easy life, so when the call went out for GW1 writers I immediately plumbed for the Norwegian as capo…
I could obviously bamboozle you with stats at this stage, but given that he currently features in 86.3% of teams, I don’t really see the need. He scored 36 goals last season and nobody will be surprised should he better that tally this season.
How’s he done in pre-season? I honestly have no idea. However, if you were to tell me that he’s spent the summer selling sausage rolls at the local Greggs, I’d still give him the armband in GW1!!
I hope you all enjoy this article, as there’s unlikely to be a need for many of them over the course of the season…
OddDane – Saka v Forest (H)
Next in line is a genius move, if I may so boldly say, and I will… In fact I just said it! Forget what you´ve read so far and most importantly, ignore the Norwegian pony-tail guy.
Saka is your pick, and I´ll tell you why in two words.
Nottingham Forest.
That´s right my friends, your captain is playing Forest up next. At home. The team that lost 5-0 against some Rennes team, that´s surely some kind of mustard, right? (Okay, okay, that´s a good team I´ll admit…). It is also the very same team who lost 2-0 against Leeds (that’s not good, surely!). In fact, they haven´t scored in (or won!) any of their last seven friendlies (apart from the 2-1 win against Levante, and.. err.. a 1-0 win against Notts County seven games ago… Wherever that is). Yes, impressive right?
So that´s the clean sheet secured! And Haaland doesn´t get any of those, that´s the beauty of it – you´re already ahead in the count!
Next up, Saka can take corners. Haaland does not. Assists galore!
And goals? Saka has two goals and three assists in pre-season, and Haaland has how many pre-season goals? Erm, also two you say..? Moving on…
(mumble mumble Saka gets one more point from goals… mumble, mumble, shush now! Don´t tell the silly Haaland holders…)
Well, he´s on pens! (Probably. Having just missed one, the verdict is maybe not certain) And Haaland? He gets subbed off and City loses in a penalty shoot out. Ha! Got you there!
Finally to end on a high note, Forest ended the league with 68 goals conceded and had the third worst xGA record. They´ve also lost their star keeper (well returned him from loan more like it) and are signing Arsenal´s Turner who is 2nd choice between the post (or was he 3rd in line?). Granted, they may get Henderson or some other unlucky fella. Alas, not in time to stop you getting these genius, yes genius, captain points!
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get out clauses than a meeting with Daniel Levy but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own. And they promise that their picks will be allowed to leave for free if a better offer comes along…
Loud Atlas — Haaland
Kop — Haaland
Rosco — Haaland
Ellefcee — Erling
Floydeth — Haaland
Init — Haaland
Gear — Haaland
Stone Frog — Haaland
Jamie Mc — Haaland
Smash — Same as everyone else in the game
DMC — Same as Smash
The Gallant Pioneer — Haaland
Jamessimmo — Same as Smash and DMC
Ivan — Rashford
Swirly — Haaland
Matt — Saka
OddDane — Probably not the same as Matt
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 1.
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Can I ask two generic questions?
1) Why is Areola in so many drafts? Unless I’m mistaken, he’s not first choice, and with such high ownership surely it’s an inevitable price drop.
2) Why is James not in any drafts? Is it just a fear of injury thing?
Last season James was injured to much to much of a risk for me
Injuries I guess and Areola o don’t know.
Turner seems like a better choice at 4 million imo
1. It’s because West Ham fans were bigging him up and saying he was going to be no 1. Don’t see it happening anymore as he had a poor preseason.
2. It’s injury and Chillwell has been the more advanced of the two in preseason games. I’m tempted to go with them both to be honest.
Actually on that note with Ruben Dias apparently not travelling tomorrow, would you do him to Stones, Gvardiol or James?
I dunno why you’re asking me – those defender choices are exactly where I’m uncertain at the moment! Stones seems safest. But Akanji is tempting me. Surely it’s too soon for Gvardiol. If you’ve already got Chilwell I think James is a bit much. Chelsea still need to prove themselves for me.
From what I’ve seen of predicted lineups they think Gvardiol could step into the inverted midfield role with stones dropping back. Ruben being out wasn’t predicted though. Haha
You’re tempting me to go straight for Gvardiol!!!
Trust me… I’m tempting myself too! Really not sure what to do as Pep could fuck us all easily.
Read somewhere that Pep usually throws his new big defensive signings into the team on the 1st game of the season
Hey guys,
Havemt been o
n here for ages as wasn’t feeling the love for FPL after last years performance and some.personal problem’s, but have decided to have another crack.
These are probably pretty template but narrowed it down to these 2
Any thoughts appreciated
Cheers
Good to have you back Hammers. Number 1 gets it for me.
2 for me
Personally I keep switching between these exact 2 myself. I can’t decide if triple Brighton is too risky or not.
Thanks guys,
I do really.like the Jackson team, but think I could be in trouble with it as theres a few non definite starters there in my opinion
This is tough. I’d you asked whether I’d prefer Mitoma and 0.5 to play with or Jackson I’d choose Mitoma. But triple Brighton does feel excessive. I don’t think I’ve helped you there have I…
Haha not really
Is Pedro actually a good pick or Is he a risk?
I think he’s first choice and on pens. But he does have competition. Every Salah draft I had he was in.
Hello to one and all. Apparently my latest draft containing Richarlison may have been a bit hasty! Judging by the latest Harry news where there appears to be some hesitation. DDoes anyone know why I should not put in Bowen as a 7m placeholder? Hope all is well with you guys!
Certainly no reason not to but I’d almost be tempted by a punt on Trossard (if no 3rd arsenal already) a cheeky punt on Szobo as he was on a lot of set pieces for Pool or just go for another 6.5 and keep the 0.5 itb.
Okay Matt! Tossing up between Martinelli and Odegaard for 2nd Arse, but also Jota and Darwin from Pool.
Would be Odegaard and Eze or Marto and Bowen I think.
Thanks for the advice!
Ode and Eze by a mile
Okay then Mattie, I’ll give it a burl!
Here goes!
Thanks again for your considerations.
Ahoy hoy! Good to be back! How’s everyone else feeling going into the season openers?
Here’s my first draft, but it’ll probably be wildly different come deadline lol
Newcastle have the hardest opening 5 games of anyone. Most, me included, are avoiding those guys and will asses as we get to week 5. Personally I would go with Saka over Son too. I can’t see your bench either. There goes my 2 cents.
Thanks ODT. Yeah, I will probably only keep Isaak. Just feeling like it didn’t matter who they faced last year, their attackers put up points. Possibly trying to turn Almiron into Martinelli or just go Mitoma.
So Estu and 0.5 in the bank or Chilwell?
Estu to Chilwell in Gw3?
That might be the way to go , thsnks
Hi people
I’ve got 2 drafts ….I’m basically wanting to start with 1 which looks a little safer and suits fixtures at the start, and be at 2 by GW 2-3 when fixtures swing and I’ve got a better idea of those players game time/output…but preempting transfers doesn’t often go well and could also likely lead to hits due to price change pressure
What team do you prefer….should I start with 1 and follow my transfer plan or just go with 2 from the off?
2
I would start with 1 and play it by ear.