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
Christensenat hopping a bit 8n the fa cup?
Sorry Gavy?
Just the four goals and two assists for Neymar tonight then
Strolling that league again AT.
You’d have thought they’d be bored of spending money to just keep on winning, eh?
Must be boring spending all that money purely to try and win the Champions’ League, knowing that not spending a penny would still see you win the Ligue 1 title.
I’m thinking of replacing Vertonghen this GW but can’t decide whether Danilo or Stones are a risk. Equally been looking at VVD or Bellerin too. Thoughts please? I already have Courtois, Dave, Jones and Masuaku
I could always hold the transfer too.
Cheers
In a similar predicament, although can’t say I’ve been looking at the other two. VVD might be a good option actually.
Danilo would appear to be the only ‘natural’ full back for Pep to pick, but even then he is on the wrong side of the pitch and Twitter is full of City fans mocking him. City’s version of Wimmer, if you like.
I don’t know when Kompany is back, but Stones seems safe until then.
I really like Danilo for his price and fixtures but I am concerned by Pep and risk of formation change. Knowing my luck he’ll try Sane as a wing back. After Stones making those mistakes I’ve been wondering whether he will be dropped for Mangala. My thoughts on them both being a risk.
I think VVD has a hammy strain at the min but haven’t heard any more about it.
I just don’t won’tto sub out a guaranteed started for someone that could be warming the bench.
What are you leaning towards at the moment AT?
I’m actually thinking Jones and Vert out for Shaw and Walker. Just not sure I want to risk Danilo. Mito listed about 5 ways he might not feature!
VVD if confirmed that he is over his hamstring injury might be the ideal transfer in.
Wait for the press conference from Klopp.
Prefer him to Bellerin anyway. Arsenal are a mess.
yep. Shame their next home game is Spurs, although WBA and HUD very good fixtures, even though they are away.
OMG, Morata is awful. I’m embarrassed he was in my FPL team for so long!
He’s off :noshake: !!
Two yellow cards in 2 seconds!
That was NOT a dive,btw…
Not a foul for a penalty but deffo not a dive.
Hey Doc! It looked to me like he was being pulled back and then threw himself forward looking for a call. That’s a drive in my book. I think the ref has gotten all the big calls correct actually. On to PKs!
Completely agree, there was contact but he made an unnatural movement away from the direction of the pull. He dives all the time, why would he not dive in this instance…
And that’s nearly a million players just handed a new problem! Not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing really as they’ll now be forced to get someone useful
Haha, lots of hits for those who made early moves and a Firmino double rise will do me, init!
Yep. Funny how one small thing can alter so much. Especially if they’ve already made moves. If they haven’t then Firmino is the easy swap if they don’t have it. I wonder how many will take it as a chance to hit and get Kun. That’s the bit I was wondering about when I said I wasn’t sure whether it was a good or bad thing. That all depends on how Kun does!
Deffo a good thing for me !
Alvaro out Kun in.
Kane/Kun/Bobby upfront 😉
Yeah, Kun and Firmino were the two I was looking at to replace him. Kun could do damage for sure but it seemed like a short term move with Jesus coming back and the gw28 blank. Hopefully Otamendi and Sterling are enough for me.
Damn, that’s some front line Doc!!
Would have thought a lot of those accounts are dead tbh
I was half hoping that was going to be Christiansen hahaha
Evening lads. Didn’t bother watching the football tonight but it sounds like Chelsea made a right dogs dinner of tonight’s game only scraping through.
Anyway need some advice on which of these moves you’d prefer? Right now I’m pretty set on Wally. I just have a gut feeling he will come in and hit the ground running. He needs to prove a point and also with the World cup coming up he’s going to want to force himself into contention. If you guys can convince me otherwise here are some other options.
Alli to Mahrez/Sane/Wally.
Alli and Gomez to Mane and Dunk for a -4
Alli and Gomez to Ox and Alonso for a -4
Matt, if you feel it, do it. No reason why he can’t. He scored in 2 last season – 19 in 37 which is impressive. He’s still scored one in 4 this will sporadic chances. Don’t really know what the issue is with Wenger and why he’s frozen him out so much.
I fancy him to hit the ground running too.
I also fancy Mahrez vs Watford who can’t stop conceding!
I’d wait as Walcott has not played a lot this year. He was in the Arsenal team but after Palace game think it was last year he criticised the Arsenal players ininterbiew after game by saying Palace players clearly wanted it more. Wenger spoke against him in presser after and was clearly not happy with Wallnuts. He’s not really played since
Hi matt.
I rate Wally very highly but personally I’ll be doing Alli > Mahrez and waiting to see where Wally fits in to the Everton team before buying him. Go for Wally or the Ox option above if you want to live a bit more dangerously though
I’m not convincing you otherwise if you’re set on it! I don’t think its a bad shout. He was FPL gold back in the day. Sane would be a decent shout too. Not sure I’d be going with three premium Pool attackers. It worked last weekend, but they won’t score four every week.
I would highly doubt Walcott will start at the weekend, that seems inconceivable. I will be the boring one to say save your transfer & review next week, that’s coming from the guy on a -8 this GW.
I would expect Ali to outscore a starting Walcott this weekend anyway.
My review on Chelsea is they take good penalties, thats it. See below for my thoughts on Morata!
He’ll start.
I think Wally could be a great option. Just not sure straight away.you are right could be worth a punt. Everton will be very defensive is more my concern
Cheers Smash. Yeah I definitely think Everton stay defensive but I was saying earlier today that I see Walcott as being the outlet for defense. Basically I can see Everton defending deep, winning the ball and booting it down field for Walcott to turn it into a counter attack.
Yeah I agree there Matt
Cheers lads. So it boils down to playing safe with Mahrez or taking a punt on Wally. I’m leading my ML but I just feel everyone and their dog is making the Alli to Mahrez switch and it’s kind of boring me. Haha
Init what do you think Wally will bring to the team? I don’t know much about this Tosun fella ye brought in but is he likely to link well with Walcott? Also do you think Walcott will get played on the winger or as a partner up top since he’s always saying that’s where he feels he’s at his best?
See above Matt that was meant for you
I would have thought the spearhead would be Bolasie, Siggy, Walcott with Tosun up top in a 4-2-3-1. Rooney will likely play deeper or in the middle at the expense of Bolasie. Walcott can’t hold the ball up so it doesn’t make sense to play him as a striker, he’s most effective on that right wing.
Forgot about Bolasie but think he will miss out. Yeah Walcott will be the outlet down the right
The caveat here is that Rooney can’t be one of the two in a 4-2-3-1 formation in modern football. Heck, not even in medieval football. Ok, perhaps in that one. Anyway, that position demands running and that’s surely not his best attribute. Expect Rooney to be benched or play behind the striker until Bolasie is fit enough to start back to back matches. On the Wally front, I think he’ll be good value but I also think Tosun will be the greater beneficiary of Walcott’s signing with him and Siggy the providers.
Looking at recent games I imagine it’ll be like this :
Tosun
Wally Siggy Bolasie
Rooney loses out. He’s been shit lately. In fact he’s been shit all season. His mini goal spell masked a lot. He shouldn’t get near that team now. Bolasie has looked good since he’s come back and that’s the perfect mix there with your pace on the wings and your most creative player in the middle behind the new striker.
Hey Matt, do you have 2FT and need to use one? Because I read somewhere that Alli has a fantastic record against Southampton. I might play him this week and then reevaluate before his tough fixtures start. That’ll give you time to look at Walcott as well.
Hey Red, no I actually already did that to do Mee to Smalling. Really? I’ve never heard that about Alli but I will look into it. Maybe keeping him an extra week while everyone sells him will be a bigger differential.
Yeah, it was something like 6 goals and some assists against them in the last 2-3 seasons. Not to say Mahrez or whoever won’t do well either though!
It’s a tough call with all these midfielders playing well. I have Son and was thinking about downgrading him to get Kun in, but he’s been great for me so I’m keeping the faith for now.
Yeah I’ve heard this about Alli it is at the back of my mind. Problem is I think I got lucky with triple Spurs Kane, Alli and Son so I think Alli has to go for me
Just looked – All has 5 goals and 2 assists in 4 games vs Soton, scoring every time he’s played them. Given that Son is pish away from home FPL wise, Alli might be the one to keep this week (I have the same two so same dilemma!)
Yeah I don’t have a problem keeping Son. When he plays he always gets points. Alli in the other hand is that one million more but yeah that’s tempting me to stick for another week
Keeping Alli for this game with Kane could prove wise and just see how Wally fits in. I might just do that fellas cheers.
Ah, there it is. Thanks Robbo, those are some pretty good stats for Alli!
I’m truly beginning to detest Morata, he seems to think it’s a non contact sport. I had already taken him out this week for a hit, so I’ve got that working for me.
I assume that’s another game missed now through suspension…
I’m a Chelsea fan and not been convinced by him all season. I don’t think he’s good enough. He can certainly head a ball so he’s not all bad
So can Crouch but you wouldn’t pay a Morata price for him! He’s an odd one as when you look at his past clips he looks so skillful too. Probably just a confidence issue but that’s down to the manager to sort and unfortunately he looks like he’s on borrowed time himself now. We’ve been here and seen it all before with the Chelsea manager cycle. Carlo caretaker by March. As usual
Next stop : Avram Grant!
Morata is a confidence player. Up and down. Here is a tweet of mine from August.