Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 5 2017/18
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 5. This is only my second Captain Picks article but in my last article 4 out of my 7 picks either scored, assisted or both; so hopefully I can continue this trend with my picks below.
Last weekend we saw some new players settling into their teams and their new surroundings in the first gameweek after the International Break and the closing of the transfer window. The likes of Renato Sanches, Zappacosta and Krychowiak all featured for the first time in the Premier League. Hopefully with all the business now done and the new players settling into their teams it will allow us, as fantasy managers, to see the real picture and begin to get a feel of how the landscape lies. Case in point GroS and the rest of the Brighton team, not a single goal scored in 3 games and as soon as I decide to bench him, Brighton score 3 with the German involved in all (but I’m not bitter I swear!!).
Let’s move onto the players who will hopefully bag some massive numbers for us this weekend. Here are my 5 picks, in reverse order, for that invaluable Captain armband this week –
5. Mohamed Salah vs Burnley
Last week Rosco tipped Firmino as one of his choices as Liverpool would be “full of confidence” after the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal…. I blame him for the loss against City, he put a curse on them! After the 5-0 loss to City, Liverpool showed just why they desired VVD so much, not just because he plays for Southampton but also because Klavan and Matip are as useful as a knitted condom. Defence is not Liverpool’s strong suit but attack is and a key part of that is Mo Salah. While writing this I do not know the outcome of Liverpool’s fixture against Sevilla and Salah was replaced at half time against City with Sevilla in mind. Whether this means he is benched against Burnley and brought on for a cameo I don’t know but with Mane out Liverpool need all the speed they can get so I would play him.
Salah could be the focal point with Mane out and was looking very lively against City before the red card and his subsequent substitution. In the 45 minutes he did manage, he really should have added to the 2 goals and 2 assists he already has this season but did not have the finishing touch or final bit of composure. One upside to a sad injury to Heaton (may he get well soon) is that 25-year-old Nick Pope is going to be in goal and Liverpool could capitalise on this by scoring like they did against Arsenal and if so then I expect Salah to be amongst the points this weekend.
4. Chris Wood vs Liverpool
This may be a weird one as I am placing him ahead of Salah but the Burnley new boy could really hurt Liverpool. As we all know Liverpool aren’t exactly the masters of defending, especially set pieces!! This is where I can see Brady and Wood succeeding the most. Wood has scored 79 goals in his career and a lot of them are headers and the tall physical Kiwi could really trouble the Liverpool defence at set pieces and even just when holding them off and turning towards goal. Wood has scored in the two games he has played in so far since signing for Burnley and could extend that run here against a poor defence. He could be a nice differential for those who have him.
3. Lukaku vs Everton
I debated putting Lukaku higher in this list but never once did I debate not including him. Lukaku has been on fire this season so far, as have United. They did stumble against Stoke but the Big Belgian still got on the score sheet as he has done in 3 out of the 4 games this season. Lukaku is welcoming his former employers Everton in this one and could be out to show how much they will miss him. With both teams having a former player returning, Lukaku will want to outshine the man who can’t keep it in his trousers, so I wouldn’t be too quick in taking the armband off the boy.
Lukaku is quickly becoming a perma captain this season and that is mainly due to the fact he is averaging a goal a game so a lot of people are leaving the armband on him and just letting the lad do his thing. If he keeps getting 6 points doubled in every game why not but sometimes people like a bit of change so here are some more choices.
2. KDB/Aguero vs Watford
This one is risky as Pep could screw us over with rotation but I feel KDB and Aguero are safe enough. KDB could be the most controversial pick today as he has done nothing apart from the Liverpool game but I think that performance could be the boost he needed to kick on. As we know KDB is a brilliant player and usually pulls the strings for the Sky Blues which is exactly what happened on Saturday at the Etihad. KDB showed all his doubters that he can turn up when he wants to. With Watford keeping 3 consecutive clean sheets people might shy away from capping a City player but those clean sheets came against Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton who aren’t the greatest sides and shouldn’t really make City that worried.
The other key man for City is Sergio Aguero, the little Argentinian has always been a brilliant captain choice for FPL managers and with Jesus up top partnering him I can only see more goals being added to his tally. Aguero has 2 goals and an assist this season and with fixtures turning in his favour a bit he could once again become a great captain choice for this game and beyond.
1. Harry Kane vs Swansea
No need to check your calendars because Harry Kane has scored which means it’s no longer August!! Since September 1st HuriKane Harry has come storming in with 4 goals, a brace for both club and country and against a Swansea side that did not look very good against Newcastle, Spurs and Kane should have too much for them. He may have dropped in price due to a lot of impatient people but if he continues this form Kane’s price will rise again and all those who stuck with him through August can laugh at all those scrambling to bring in the Londoner. Eriksen, Alli and Davies have been getting all the points for Spurs so far but with Kane having turned the page of his calendar it shouldn’t be long before his name is top of the Spurs points sheet. He will most definitely be my captain choice this weekend and I hope he can reward me and all of us!
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 5
This article was written by Matt.
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Gameweek Tracker GW5-11
Hey Matt, thanks for the Capo’s article!! Glad to see I’ve got a few of the players you’ve suggested, although it’s tough to see past Kane now that he’s finally broken his duck. Really wish Salah hadn’t gotten ill yesterday and been flagged as he was on his way up to another price rise with Mane out for 3 matches. Hopefully he’s fine for the weekend!
Good afternoon all, Since I have Pogba & Mane in my team, I need to use my 2 FT on them. Should I take hit to upgrade lacazette to Kane also ??
Which midfielder duo would be the best replacement options for Pogba & Mane if I have 16.8 ITB ??
Can you link your team or post it and this will help us better answer mate!
Forgot to upload the pic
It al depends on how you feel taking hits! Im taking a -4 to get Kane in this week so if you’re not opposed to it then I certainly would not persuade you to do otherwise!
Option 1: Pogba + Mane – Salah + Mhki would be the obvious moves
Option 2: Pogba + Mane + Laca to Salah + Kane + 7.7m (or whatever is left!) to pick another mid of your choice i.e. Fabregs, Rambo, current sub 6.0 and below flavour of the week!
Inspired by Mr Bean’s 5 at the back, plus fuming after Olson head to head with my wife’s team this week as she always plays with 5 at the back. Looking at going to a 4-3-3 on my WC. Thoughts?
I’m on a -8 right now and not pressed the WC button, but it’s inevitable as Kane has to be in my team!
*after losing*
I like it mate, think I’m going to switch to 433 this week too!
Guys, is Jagielka nailed on? At 5.0 he fits right into my plans but I’m not sure if he’s gonna keep starting or not.
Hey Tekkers, hope you are well. In short he’s not no. Only plays when we play a back 3 with wing backs. When we revert to a 4 he’s the one who drops out. In theory we play a 4 against the ‘easier’ opposition so it was bit surprising to see the 4 deployed against Spurs. Might explain why we got hammered! I’d expect we’ll go back to a 3 against United and then a 4 again in the following 3 games. So in essence you could have him only for the hardest of those matches. Too sporadic to predict when he’ll play really.
Hi init, yeah I’m well thanks, what about you? That rules out Jagielka then, I’ll look to get Keane or Williams instead.
Hello friends..a bit late on mentioning but had a decent week. 67(-4) total score after two horrible weeks. Faith in Kane paid off. Also, a bit lucky (till now) as none of the players are injured in my team. Bad news for Pogba owners. Done Mane to KDB in the very dame night when he was given a red. How does the team look? Any changes you guys would suggest? Cheers
I’d be tempted to switch your keepers but that’s all. New manager bump for Palace perhaps plus Newcastle seem to have got things together at the back a bit, plus they’re at home.
Guys, quick question. Is Gamez’s starting spot secure for the magpies?
Question time for Milbs and Rosco. This usually goes well….
:popcorn:
#notbitter
#honest
Just seen this after I replied!! I feel genuinely bad mate but I think he’ll be back soon…. honest…
No def not, he played really well so I certainly would be happy for him to remain in our team but Lejuene is heading back from injury and I fear Gamez will be considered the weakest link.
He only played 4 times for us in the Championship so I think he’s considered as back-up. I may be proven wrong as I expected Lejuene to be straight back in last week (sorry again init) but I do think Lejuene will be back soon given how much we paid for him and how he played up until his injury in GW1.
Thanks for the insight Rosco. I thought he played well as well and looked like a potential bargain
Yeah if it was a straight choice between him and Dummett I’d go with him after last weeks performance. Perhaps he’ll retain his spot but I’d imagine Lejuene will be back in if not this week then soon. If this happens then one of Lascelles, Clark or Gamez will be dropped. Lascelles is our captain and after his goal and general performance against Swansea I can’t see it being him to get the chop, Clark is probably our most consistent defender and Rafa loves him so he could be pushed out to the left to accomodate Lejuene when he comes back.
That’s some fence 😉
Loving the fence