Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 32
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 32
From the new perma-Captain to the old one?
Let’s face it, Haaland has almost single-handedly done away with the need for this particular article this season. Well, the good news is that he’s not got a game this week. The bad news is that his ‘perma-Captain’ predecessor Salah has, and he’s back in form. Bang in form, in fact.
All indications are that you should probably just follow this route but we are conscious that some people simply do not own him. Others may not be willing to rip their teams up to do so. Or that others simply need a differential, for mini-league reasons, and with no Haaland to almost certainly punish the latter, then this may be a good week to break free and be creative with that armband.
With the argument for Salah we have Liverpool fan-boy GP and with a couple of differentials we have Rosco and Init…..
The Gallant Pioneer – Mohamed Salah v Nottingham Forest (H)
Mo, it’s Forest next, la …(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
As I read the already-inserted introduction, I was beginning to believe the author had done my job for me!
“Perma-captain” Check.
“Form” Check.
“Fan-boy” … wait, whaaaaa?
So Mohamed Salah had two goals to his name in the last match with 2 bonus points to match. He also only has 3 blanks in his last ten matches. Now this is – by his own high standards – somewhat of a dip in numbers since the times he was posting 300-point seasons, but who can turn their noses up at 14 points (or 21, or 15, or 12 (twice), or 11 or 10 so far this season) from their captain?
The opposition are Nottingham Forest. They have lost four of their last five away matches and are the worst team on the road so far this season with only six points collected from 45 – and just a solitary away win (and that was Southampton!). With 36 against them, no other team have lost more goals on their travels.
If you have him, lovely job. If you are on Free Hit, lovely job. If you don’t have him, get him.
Fish. In. A. Barrel.
Inittowinit – Ollie Watkins v Brentford (A)
Watkins mocks Init… ‘so you had two choices and you went with… Ings? Fool!’ (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Ok, so I’ll start off by stating that I absolutely hate this guy right now!
But… on brief reflection that may be a tad harsh. It may be more accurate to say that I hate myself because of this guy right now!
Let me explain…
Back before DGW29 I had a choice to make over a cheaper 3rd striker. It was him or Ings, essentially. Since said GW:
Ings – 4 games, 64/27/60/0 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 BPS, 5 points….
Watkins – 4 games, 90/90/90/90 minutes, 5 goals, 1 assist, 10 BPS, 40 points…
Yeah.
Anyway. Onwards and downwards and all that.
So with any credibility out of the window why would you trust me on this? Well, Watkins, that’s why. If Salah has picked up form then this guy has been the epitomy of it since GW21. Prior to that he had 3 goals. Since then, in 12 games he has 11 goals, 3 assists and 19 BPS. He has registered a return in 11 out the 12 games. Culminating in that season high 16 pointer against Newcastle last time out. He’s had 6 away games since GW21 and scored in every single one.
If you want consistency and almost guaranteed returns then Watkins is your man.
Not you, Ings.
Rosco – Gabriel Martinelli v Southampton (H)
I’ll play Southampton from down here lads (Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Init’s Watkins tale of woe feels eerily similar to my own experience with Gabriel Martinelli. Having sold him in GW23 following six blanks, he’s since racked up 72pts compared to Saka (whom I switched him to) who has returned 46pts. A 26pt swing, coincidentally the exact number of points I’m shy of 100k. Ouch.
Enough about me though, this week I’m on my free hit and he’s in, and if I’m brave enough, he may even win my captain’s armband. Much like Salah, Martinelli has both the form and fixture. Like Salah, he also sits on 180pts as the joint top-scoring midfielder. So, why Martinelli and not Salah?
Both Salah and Martinelli face opposition from the bottom three, with neither Forest or Southampton able to pick up a win in their last 5 fixtures, but Southampton are bottom for a reason. Just 4 clean sheets for the Saints all season and whilst Forest have shipped 56 goals, Southampton are not far behind with 53.
Then you have the unpredictable nature of a Liverpool side that can batter Man Utd 7-0 one week, and then lose 1-0 to Bournemouth the next. Since that 7-0 win they have drawn twice, lost twice, and of course, won comfortably against Leeds at the weekend. But is that anything to shout about? Sure, salah has 8 attacking returns (6 goals, 2 assists) in their last 6, and yes, I’ll concede he probably is looking more like the Salah of old, but which Liverpool will turn up? With Arsenal, things just feel a little more assured. As ever with these calls I’ll caveat my pick with my usual; if you’re chasing, go with the Brazilian, if you’re playing from a position of strength then stick with Mo.
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 an Antoine Griezmann contract but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own. And they promise that their picks will be allowed to play for more than 29 minutes each week…
DMC — Salah
The Gallant Pioneer — Salah
Jamesimmo — Salah
Ivan — Salah
Swirly — Salah
Matt — Salah
Loud Atlas — Salah
Smash — Salah
Kop — Salah
Rosco — Salah
Ellefcee — Salah
Floydeth — Salah
Init — Salah
Gear — Saka
Stone Frog — Salah
OddDane — Salah
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1 FT and 1.1m ITB … wanting to save my FH for GW34 … maybe best to use it now though?
Haa to Jesus?
Hmmm … what would you do? Sny suggestions appreciated!
Thanks,
CC
I think I’d be tempted to -4 here if you can reach Salah with your funds… Haaland to Jesus or Isak or Jota and Grealish to Salah?? depends on how aggressive you’re feeling and what your goals are for the rest of the campaign.. Good luck.
Thanks highaction – was going to say I’m not averse to a -4 and getting Mo makes sense.
Conscious I’d be without Haa then for GW 33 …
CC
Now I’m thinking maybe go Gakpo and Jesus – to buy Haaland back in 33 … ?