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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Hi All,
Here we are back again. Hope your summer’s going well.
Please RMT…Foden out if reliable reports show he is not starting.
Thanks
Yeah that’s fine.
Maddison would be a good replacement.
That was pretty much identical to mine a couple of days ago – so I like it! The consensus on here was the Mitoma and Watkins were a better pair than Maddison & Jackson.
Who are the best 4,0 defenders and and 4,5 mids/forwards to keep the bench warm?
Good question, that I haven’t put loads of thought into. I’m 3-5-2, so mine are Mubama, Baldock & Kabore. No idea if they’re the best options though!
Unless I’m mistaken the forwards article doesn’t cover anyone less than 5.5m? Is there a ‘best benchwarmers article’?
Supposed to be a response to GP
Joao Pedro is your man banjo!
He’s 5.5! We’re looking for best benchwarmers. So who’s the best 4.5 forward and mid and who’s the best 4.0 defenders.
There are no good forwards priced at 4.5m. They’re 4.5m for a reason!!
I saw the 5.5mln in your question and my eyes lit up!
Yeah as Kop says – grab a good 4.5 defender for first on the bench and pick any old Joe Bloggs for in there.
Take a look at our previous articles. All covered.
Hey people – how’s the frantic ‘last day before lock-out-what if I don’t have the right team’, going??? Hahaha – don’t worry, as we have all probably got just subtle variations on the same thing! It’s like being on a big soft bed, where you just seem to fall into the middle, despite all efforts to remain on your own side!
I have just a wee question – as I can’t seem to find (Sorry Innit, I know this is dumb!) my profile to change the linked team code. Usually it’s at the top of the page on the left, above the login thing, but I’m unable to get ‘up there’. This obviously reveals me as ‘tech-challenged’ (or just an ‘airhead’) – is there a command like F10 or something to get to this?
Otherwise, just enjoy clicking on my link to an unfortunate FPL member from Sweden apparently, who is totally unaware that you’re taking a peek at his team!
Hahaha! Thanks in advance! 😉
MIne is top right! Check there. I’m on laptop right now and it’s a small thumbnail up on the right.
Yeah that’s what I’ve been trying to do, but can’t get to thumbnails at top – I can vaguely see the bottom of the white boxes, but not the profile one. I’ll keep trying! Thanks GP!
I’m not a very experienced techy sorry.
Have you changed any of your laptop window settings that it’s actually ‘there’ but you can’t see it?
No worries now – got to it via an alternate route (reduced internet, then found Profile on a side menu on the site).
See yah!
Hope all is well with you GP. BTW, visited Scotland for the 1st time in my life with family in July – I bloody love the place! A whirlwind trip of 5 days, but loved the craic!
Superb AJW!
On both fronts! Where were you? We actually had a decent July weather-wise.
Edinburgh, Inverness (and wee trip to Isle of Skye). Flipping amazing! Oh, and loved talking to your countrymen – you get a decent conversation out of most of them! Some cheeky banter from the most surprising of people! 😉
Now that Kane news is starting to emerge, thinking seriously about turning my Odegaard + Eze combo into Richarlison + Martinelli!
By for now!
I’ll wait till this afternoon though!
But I’ll wait until Harry and family actually get their tickets to Munich before moving on it!
Is caicedo crazy to put in first draft as my 5th mid? I know he hasn’t even got a team yet but I’m thinking as soon as he signs for (Liverpool hopefully) his price is going up and I’ve got 0 itb and would mean hits. Is it worth getting him sat on the bench until he scores me millions of points (unless he signs for Chelsea)
It’s basically Anderson and Richarlison or Caicedo and Eze?
Thing to consider is, wherever he goes you are taking up a third spot for two teams who may be a triple-up at soem points in the season so that would block you.
Anderson and Richarlison (Kane-dependent) sounds decent.
Can´t believe it… he´s gone
He gave Spurs a lot more years than he owed them. Time for him to go win the champions league
for sure, he doesn´t owe the club anything… it´s just sad to see him go.. Watch him breakthrough to first team and become a club legend ….
Its the end for the best duo in PL history
Now it’s time for the Maddie and Richo show!
I guess you Spurs’ fans must feel like you’ve lost a family member. Perhaps this will shore up the confidence of opposing teams in the next few weeks, until the dust settles!
In any case, the end of an era for sure.
Not just Maddy and Richy to step up but the rest as well ..Kulu and especially Sonny, even more so if he takes the armband. Not sure how we are replacing the 25-30 goals that he scores season after season…. This is gonna hurt for a while…
Yeah – it ain’t gonna seem like it’s right without him, that I can understand, but maybe it will force the team to improve it’s overall efficiency, and goals will come more prolifically but from a wider range of sources?
Anyway, I can understand the feeling of loss, e’en tho’ I’m not a Spurs’ supporter.
That´s the hope and at least things does look promising pre-season so let´s see. How´s your FPL team shaping up btw?
Not bad – unfortunately I could only fit in about 12 of the 52 players I wanted!
Not necessarily, he still has to decide whether to actually go.
He has decided mate…
Stones vs Chilwell? Who is better pick?
I think Chilwell.