Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 16
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 16. Much like the other day with AT, you only have me in this shortened gameweek (other than the Site Team) and again like the other day I’ll only be looking at who we should give the armband to. That may not be what you readers necessarily want but it is the most important question at this, or indeed any time of the season.
We are rounding the corner into silly season and that means rotation, rotation, rotation and the biggest worry we all have is that our ‘primary’ captain is suddenly rested. And in some extreme cases, as evidenced in this past midweek, the back-up one is too! You can either man (or indeed woman) up or cry off home with your ball like Rosco. Every line-up matters now but I am sure we will all get stung at some point. The midweek games will hopefully be a sort of guideline as to who will play this weekend, but they are only that, a guideline. I will give you my main options for the armband but just because I’m nice I’ll stick in another back-up choice or two just in case the main options are given a break.
Salah vs Bournemouth (A)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool looks on from the bench during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor on December 5, 2018 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Now if you don’t fancy Salah for the armband then my back-up option would be the oddly shaped, Xherdan Shaqiri. The little Swiss did start against Burnley and got yet another goal so I’d expect him to continue to start at the weekend and if he does I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the scoresheet again. He has been great for Liverpool this season; he has got 3 goals and 2 assists in 11 games, but it is also all the other work he does that you only realise when watching him. If he was playing with the Bobby, Salah and Mane from last season his tally would be even higher right now. Well, ok, you probably won’t captain him but the worst you could do would be to pick him up as a punt this week, that’d by my ‘Tip’. Listen… I’m trying to cover for 3 articles here, so lay off ok!
Aubameyang vs Huddersfield (H)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on December 5, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Now I think PEA is relatively safe in the line-up but if you feel otherwise the next best option for points who has an attacking threat is Lacazette. Which may be an odd one given that he hasn’t actually started the last two games but he has come on as a sub in both, and got points in both. Much as Auba was doing himself before he suddenly started a few and suddenly became flavour of the month. I’d fully expect Laca to be restored to the starting line-up for this one and as per Auba… it’s Huddersfield… at home.
Kane vs Leicester (A)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Harry Kane scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Wembley Stadium on December 5, 2018 . (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
If you are really stubborn, or just adamant that you do not want to bring in the Spurs striker, or simply cash strapped, than I would recommend Eriksen just for guaranteed minutes. He does not seem to be on every set piece anymore, but the great Dane is one of the best midfielders in the league and like Kane he will only profit from the upturn in fixtures.
Matt’s 3 Punts…
Richarlison v Watford (H)
Talking of flavour of the month players it wasn’t so long ago that Richarlison was a must have, much like Auba, albeit for a week also! Funny what a brace does to FPL manager’s sensibilities. He is however proving somewhat durable after another goal in midweek put him on 7 for the season and this week sees another home game, this time against Watford, which looks favourable for yet more returns. And don’t be put off by his return to the wing position in midweek, this may actually be beneficial as this is where he has scored the majority of his PL goals from after all. Sometimes it’s better not to be the actual centre of attention in order to actually become so.
Paterson vs Southampton (H)
The reason I’ve gone with Paterson here is twofold. And no, one is not insanity… One, Cardiff are on a bit of a run right now and are winning a few games at home. Two, they are playing SOUTHAMPTON! That should be reason enough to get Paterson in and stick the armband on him, but I suppose I should try and entice you a little more. Paterson has gone 3 games without scoring but in the four games before that he 3 scored goals and an assist so coming up against a struggling side that couldn’t even beat United ( 😉 ) Paterson should have no trouble. Cardiff have been keeping things tight in the last few weeks ignoring their most recent game against West Ham so Paterson and co. shouldn’t have to defend too much and it will give the midfielder / come OOP striker more chances to produce.
Raheem Sterling vs Chelsea (A)
Had this been at home young Raheem would probably be front and centre in the main section but City do tend to be a tad more conservative in their away games. It is all relative though and by conservative we mean only being the 3rd highest scorers away from home as opposed to being the highest at it, by some distance. Chelsea are looking like they have hit a sticky patch which is not the thing you want to be doing just as City are rolling up. In theory this should be a tight game, in reality it may be another cakewalk for Pep’s men.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 16. This article was written by MattX.
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Any tip for Arnautovic replacement? I have 1 free transfer and already own Kane and Wilson. So only 7.1 m to spend.
Would say Jiminez or mitrovic
Thanks. Though I had Mitro and his goals dried up as soon as I got him. Will check the fixtures of both.
+1 on Mitro
Hi guys, gone from an OR of 30k to 150k in 6 weeks, absolute freefall. Surgery required, please help!
Reluctant to take any hits this week. 1 FT, 0.1 ITB
Ziddy,
Assuming Robertson is fit, i’d get Mitro or Jimenez for Arnie.
Get Mitro!
All of ya…
My TV needs to rise 😉 !!
Agree with Cookie, i’d get Mitrovic for Arnie, 3 nice home fixtures in the next 5.
Done, agreed – was a toss up between him and Jimenez but gotta fancy Mitro in the next 3 (bound to score against Newcastle!)
Cheers Matt, think i’m sticking with Kane captain this weekend though part of me loves the Richarlison gamble.
Thanks all who advised well to bring in Kane and Richarlison, 34 points from the two was ideal!
Couple of injuries/doubts to consider for this weeked, 1 FT and £1.1m itb so your wise words appreciated again.
Currently thinking:
a) Arnie -> Wilson on form (£1.1 itb)
b) Arnie -> Mitrovic on fixtures(£1.5itb)
c) Duffy -> Trent (£0.5itb)
d) Arnie -> Wilson/Mitrovic and Duffy -> Trent for a -4
e) Arnie -> Mitrovic and Duffy -> Spurs defender (great fixtures, no great attacking potential)/Rudiger (decent fixtures, some attacking potential)/Bellerin for a -4
f) Arnie -> Auba (captain) and Hazard -> FAnderson for a -4
g) Something else entirely
Camarasa would be the player to come off the bench if I don’t take a -4.
Many thanks.
F looks the most tempting of those given the fixtures ahead
I agree, but not sorting the two non-playing players seems a huge gamble.
Am also weighing up Hazard -> Sane for double City coverage soon.
Thinking of using my first half WC as only have until 29 Dec, right?
Any tips?
Posting my before and after …
Thanks,
CC
After … 0.1 ITB
The team doesn’t overly need a WC but I guess if you want Kane in, now is the best time to use it.
Nothing overly wrong with the WC draft. Would personally consider all/some of the following:
a) Van Dijk -> TAA, especially with Gomez injured, better points potential imo and gives you extra funds.
b) Xhaka -> £4.5 or less starter, using the £1m to upgrade Schindler/Doherty.
c) Upgrade Jiminez -> Mitrovic if you can afford it, has some beautiful fixtures in the next 5.
d) Risky suggestion if you want to gamble would be Hazard -> Sane (am considering myself in 1/2 weeks time) and see what you can do with the spare cash. Double City attack just seems deadly and Chelsea have gone off the boil a little.
I wouldn’t bother with Xhaka, he doesnt offer much fantasy wise. Get a cheap bench player and use the money to get a keeper that rotates with Fab and a better defender than Schindler
Looks pretty good overall but a couple of things to consider.
Double Bournemouth is risky with their next few fixtures – though could be very good if Howe is right and they have got their mojo back.
Torreira might be a better choice than Xhaka at :0.4m cheaper, which could get you Adrian in for Speroni which will mean you are covered if Fab gets injured.
Thanks so much all – I’ll take all this on board and have another tinker.
Also didn’t think current team was desperate for WC, but don;t want to lose it so may as well use it now.
CC
Is this any better?? I’ve 0 ITB – couldn’t have it all … I’m getting more confused LOL.
CC
On reflection, Mr Bean, I may go with Sane. So Sane for Haz and upgrade March to Pedro, bit of a punt.
Hey there!
A completely different opinion here…
Just to give you some more options 😉 …
I would :
-downgrade Haz to Son (you already have Sterling)
-use the money & upgrade Jimenez to Mitrovic (you ll get a great front 3)
-downgrade VVD to TAA & Laporte to (say) Bellerin (great fixtures ahead/time to finally grab a CS)
-use the money from VVD & Laporte to upgrade Xhaka – (say) to F.Anderson or even Martial (assuming he stays fit)…
Tinker time :manic:
Hey Hannibal,
Good shout re Laporte to Bellerin.
I’d just pressed the button and this is my final team – but will go back in again …
Thanks,
CC
I just switched Doherty to Bellerin
@Chelseachick
:applause:
Teams looks solid !
-You have 5 playing defenders ( a must have for December!) ;
– team looks balanced ;
-gives you options for 4-4-2 ; 3-5-2 ; 5-3-2
Though, in case you’ll need to field a 3-5-2 Richarlison+Fraser look poor.
Rich’s schedule after this home game is not the greatest + Fraser is in the same boat…
-> I would upgrade at least one of them to Martial (keep an eye on injury updates from the FF247 Team)
***Also, keep in mind that most will go with Auba as Capo for next GW, so a 1week punt on Auba (and then you can swap him for Kane)
In general – team looks solid !!
Cheers!
Thanks Matt. Let’s see if any brave souls go for Paterson.
1FT. £0.3m ITB. My squad is starting to look a bit threadbare so considering using my WC, although I am on a run of 6 green arrows so I’m slightly reluctant, and could do Murray/Mane > Laca/£7.1 midfielder for a -4 to tide me over for a couple more weeks.
What do others think?
Robbo, that’s unlucky because if you’d asked yesterday I would have said go for it, and get Felipe Anderson! He went up last night and so he is now £7.2m! Tricky one as I don’t really like the cheap mids, bar Fraser. I have wildcarded this week, although I didn’t have Sterling and Sane, which was the main driver for it!
Paterson? 😉
I was thinking about Anderson – never realised he had gone up, which is a bummer.
If mane looks likely to play at the weekend, I could just do Barkley > Snodgrass, but I’m keen to have some Arsenal cover.
Hmmm…Mane/Murray > PEA/Snodgrass works but it means I’ll have (GULP) Snodgrass in my team…
Snodgrass is not a bad option for a few weeks I think. If I wasn’t wildcarding this week I would probably have brought him in! He is such a yellow card magnet though!
This WC team does look tempting
Robbo, that is very similar to my current thoughts:
Cheers AT. Think I’ll wait on the pressers and then decide.
All set for the weekend I think?
I think so. Starting XI looks great. I’d be slightly concerned about your bench coming into this busy schedule though!
Yes, good to go.