Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24 2017/18
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24. To be honest; I couldn’t wait for GW22 to end. The Christmas fixtures started so well, green arrows in GW19 and 20, but quickly followed by two reds in 21 and 22 resulting in ending up pretty much back where I started. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it (honest) but usually the pain of a bad game-week is over in a matter of days. GW22 was like an episode of Downton Abbey, tedious, something I don’t want to watch and overly drawn-out. The FA Cup was a welcome break, which is saying something as prior to last week, Newcastle had failed to reach the fourth round since 2012! If all of the above sounds a little ‘woe is me’ it’s not meant to, but sometimes we all need a break.
I went into GW23 feeling refreshed and optimistic, and what a cracker it was too. If this weekend’s games taught me one thing about the Premier League, it’s that the gulf in class between the top teams and those languishing at the foot of the table is vast, gargantuan in fact. On Saturday I made my pilgrimage to St. James’ Park, it was a dire affair, no need to bore you with the details. In stark contrast, the match between Liverpool and Man City was master-class in attacking football (defending? not so much). The final score doesn’t do justice to just how good Liverpool were, they raced into a 4-1 lead in slick style, it was joyous for FPL managers who had kept the faith in Salah and Firmino, if only Bobby hadn’t threw away his shirt and with it any hopes of getting any bonus points!
If you’re the indecisive type then this game-week is not for you. It feels like one of those weeks where people will be jumping between potential captains right up till the deadline, I often find these are the most exciting, but can also be the most frustrating! Lets dive in!
Sergio Aguero (Newcastle, Home)
My allegiance to Newcastle holds no influence over my FPL team. Maybe if I’d been playing 20 years ago it would be a different story. I’m so desensitized to the mediocrity of my hometown club that they (sadly) rarely factor into my FPL strategising. If ever there was a game that epitomizes this, then it was Newcastle’s last league game at the Etihad. Back in the 2015/16 season, City beat Newcastle 6-1, Sergio Aguero scored 5 goals in just 20 minutes. When he scored his 5th, I actually smiled, safe in the knowledge that Aguero was my FPL captain; 50 points in the bag, my heart is made of stone.
We all know what Aguero is capable of, in seasons past often considered essential; a go-to captain choice. The injury to Gabriel Jesus has brought Aguero back into our thinking. Despite limited minutes his scoring record is right up there; 13 goals in just 1421 minutes, that’s a goal every 109 minutes, Only Kane, Salah and Austin can better that this season.
Newcastle have actually (unbelievably) picked up wins in our last two away games. We won away to Stoke (0-1) following the 2-3 victory against the Hammers, but I’m under no illusion that we will continue the trend at the Etihad. If Aguero is not in your team for this one, you may want to hide behind your sofa, that’s where I’ll be regardless, feel free to join me.
Mo Salah (Swansea, Away)
There’s no question that Liverpool are worse off without Philippe Coutinho. The question for FPL managers however, is whether the loss of Coutinho will see a regression in the output of 18 goal Mo Salah. So I had a quick look at the stats; Salah has played 8 games without Coutinho, scoring 67 points, that’s an average of 8.4 points per match. Salah’s score in the 14 games Coutinho did play? 112 points, averaging 8 points per match. After watching their 4-3 win over Man City, I have a feeling they’ll be just fine.
Swansea once again find themselves in mid-season relegation trouble and currently sit bottom of the league. Ex-manager Paul Clement was sacked just before Christmas, the third December in a row that they’ve disposed of their manager. They’ve only kept 3 clean sheets at home this season – against Huddersfield, Bournemouth and fellow strugglers West Brom, not the best form to face a Liverpool side that has scored 29 of their 54 goals on the road this season.
My GW18 Captain article suggested we ‘always stick with Salah’, hardly radical thinking. Unfortunately I’m incapable of following my own advice; I’ve only captained Salah once. Had I simply done as suggested, I’d be 78 points better off….just outside the top 500, ouch.
Harry Kane (Southampton, Away)
I’ve embraced Twitter over the past few months. Whilst I don’t do a whole lot of ‘Tweeting’, I have found it to be another excellent source in my quest to fill every waking minute of my day with FPL (I really should get out more, maybe move closer to Silvers!) Prior to GW19, twitter was awash with people keen to ditch Harry Kane. A disappointing 3 points in GW17 and 18 in addition to a blank game-week on the horizon, it was a brave move that could have paid off. Back to back hat-tricks followed, the #Kanexiters duly punished. Then came the double game-week; Harry got sick, then got better, starting the game-week on the bench, he came on, did nothing and finished with 3 points. Particularly painful if you used your Triple-Captain chip. Last game-week Harry was back doing what he does best, goals 19 and 20 of the season, 26 points for those who kept the faith.
This week the opposition are a Southampton side who sit joint bottom of the form table; 3 defeats in their last 6. They haven’t won a home game since November, conceding 8 goals in their 4 home games since. Harry likes to score his goals in multiples, he scored a hat-trick in Spurs last away game, that was against a Burnley team with far better defensive credentials than the team he faces this week. In the corresponding fixture last season, Tottenham won 1-4; Harry scored one and sent a penalty kick over the bar. Which Harry will turn up this week? Who knows, but the fear is real, Hat-trick Harry can turn up in any given game week.
Marko Arnautovic (Bournemouth, Home)
Owned by just 9%, Arnautovic is still something of a differential. Were it not for his double game-week back in GW22 that number would probably be even lower. Arnautovic struggled to establish himself at the London Stadium following his £24m move from Stoke in the summer, failing to score in his first 13 outings for the Hammers. The arrival of David Moyes has seen a change in fortunes for the Austrian, 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 8 appearances. In West Ham’s 1-4 win at Huddersfield, Arnautovic was unplayable; a goal, 2 assists and maximum bonus, finishing with 16 points. He’s now scored 52 points in his last 5 games, level with Mo Salah.
Bournemouth will be full of confidence following their 2-1 victory over Arsenal, a result that lifted them 4 points above the relegation places. However, the Cherries away form suggests they may struggle this week. In their 11 away games this season, they’ve let in 18 goals and failed to keep a clean sheet since November. If Arnautovic plays as he did against the Terriers, he could easily grab another double-digit score. I almost ditched big Arnie last week, thankfully a wise man (Uncle Init) advised against it, if only I had stuck the armband on him, hindsight is a wonderful thing…. although I may just do that this week, good luck kids.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 24
This article was written by Rosco.
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Gameweek Tracker GW24-29
Nice one Rosco. It’s between Kane & Salah for me.
As I don’t own Aguero I’ve gone and bought myself a new sofa!
It’s a whopper!
Think I may finally follow my own advice and go with Salah, no Aguero here either…
No Aguero for me either Rosco. Firmino has been outscouring him and doesnt really make sense taking out for Kun. Firmino can get same amount of points this GW and for less money.
@Eagle.
Also, Firmino has a game in GW28 home vs WHU, Kun probably won’t have one
Kop that’s one huge sofa! For Giants i believe. You have any more space for me? going Kun-less but I have other players to lessen the impact if he goes nuts.
Do we think triple Liverpool attack is to much? next two are Swansea and Huddersfield..
Should be ok, there fixtures are good until 29. The Spurs home game should not be a huge dent from an attacking perspective since Spurs like to press high also. Obviously it depends which 3, Salah, Firmino and ? Ox or Mane?
Either way I think it works, I will probably be on 3 LFC attackers come next week also.
Yep,I am going Ox,Salah & Bobby
With Coutinho gone, is Oxes role gonna be any different? He already scored and assisted in the last game.
I’m going to give that one a couple of games to see what pans out. With Lallana coming back to fitness I think Klippity Klopp might mix things around a bit over the next few to work out for himself what the best combination is. If Ox scores and assists again this GW there will be a stampede to bring him in!
After a slow start fpl wise, I looked at his last 8 games started and noticed he grabbed something in 5 of his last 8 and decided to take a chance on him. I do fear Lallana could become a problem, but he could also be a problem for the other two mids, not just Ox. So hoping if Ox can keep his form up, he will win a spot a la Lingard.
Ox went to my school. Admittedly I left school before he was even born.
#claimtofame
Hmmm, I was born on June 6, which was D-Day, not the same year, thought I clear that up. Was born in the town where the vice-president of the U.S. shot Alexander Hamilton and that is my small claim to fame.
Weehawken in New Jersey Mito?
D-Day is and was very big in Portsmouth as I am sure you know.
Yep, I was born in Jersey.
Hi chaps, does anyone have any insights on Kun? I didn’t think he looked too sharp against Liverpool and although Sterling didn’t either (good reasons for that of course, with the warm welcome he received from the crowd…) I’m wondering whether Kun gets rested ahead of UCL games and Sterling plays up top…? Thoughts? I’m keen to bring one of them in, but really need Salah as well I think.
Salah has to be the priority. Can’t see Aguero being benched.
UCL are after GW27 and they have the easiest of the UCL match-ups, so not sure if Pep rests him or not. Thinking that could be the chance for Jesus to play again, since Pep did mention the Basel game as where he could see Jesus back.
However Salah should be first. There has been no let up in his points.
Thanks AT and Mito. After the Saints game I am willing to consider dropping Kane to make way for Kun. If Salah comes in this week I could perhaps use another transfer on Sterling so I’m at least covered for Newcastle…
Did only score one at the other end mind
Just read an interesting stat about Coutinho. Could be that when he played in mid, he didn’t track back so much and thus, we might have had less balance in the side… Interesting stat tho – very surprising to me!!
I know it’s a small sample size, but most interesting is the goals per game going up without him this season!
Hey guys is GW 28 going to be the week with the massive amount of blanks? Or is there another massive blank ahead? I think that will be the ideal scenario to play the free hit chip and use WC before the big DGW and the BB on the big DGW and TC on the smaller DGW.
GW 28 is League Cup Final so just Chelsea/Arsenal/CIty/United at risk, though all likely to miss.
GW 31 is FA Cup quarter final which is the big blank – Only 4 games during it last season and only Stoke vs Everton guaranteed this year so far.
GW 35 is FA Cup semi finals so another blank on the cards as well. Stoke vs Burnley guaranteed so far.
I thought the free hit was going to happen one of those weeks. Not sure if loading up stoke and Everton players would pay off…. let’s just hope city get knocked out
@Eagle, 31 will be the biggest blank in all likelihood.
GW28 will likely see the City vs Arsenal moved and possibly the United vs Chelsea game if CFC beats Arsenal in the second leg of the EFL cup. Could be just one blank, possibly 2, but that be the most.
GW31 should have the most because of the FA cup quarterfinals are on the same days. Since hypothetically there should be more PL teams left in the quarters than the Semis that are played at the same time as GW35, GW31 will have the most blanks.
As far as the chips, personally it depends a little on who is in the blank on 31, but the thought right now is that you WC in 33 or so, right before the DGW in 34 where you can use the BB chip then, you could then use the free hit chip for 35 in that blank GW and you would have your WC team back in place for 36 and more importantly in 37 (TC chip) which would have a lot of the same players who were on a DGW in 34 having one in 37.
That would however leave you vulnerable in GW31 and the 4-5 blanks that are likely to take place, but you would have 4 GWs to prepare for that huge blank GW, since we would know a bit after GW27 is played who will be missing in 31.
Hope that helps or at the very least confuses matters more. 😉
That’s about as good an explanation as you’ll get at this stage about when it’s most likely to be best to use the chips, thanks Mito. I shall Hot Comment that so that people can refer back to it.
Brilliant explanation Mito!
#Applause #HatsOff
Thanks Mito, that was great. Much appreciated.
That’s a really interesting way of looking at the free hit chip Mito. My idea was to play it in GW31 but what you say about playing it in GW35 makes a lot of sense.
Things will become clearer by GW25 when the next round of the FA Cup and League Cup have been played.
Thanks Mr. Bean and Mito. I thought GW28 was the big blanks but looks like its going to be on GW31.
Mito – I understood your explanation and logic. Seems like the best way to approach the blanks and DGW’s. Cheers buddy!