Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1
Pre-season friendlies are bizarre affairs. They give Pep, Jose, Jurgen et al the chance to manage their teams like Frank Zappa would probably play Football Manager. Team sheets read akin to the mad ramblings of a deranged coach trolling fans because, “It’s pre-season so if I want Dave from Marketing at left-back, you can’t stop me”. Things escalate further during the game itself, as personnel are rotated in and out like the hokey-cokey shaking it all about on LSD. The 4th official, overworked by a myriad of substitutions, froths uncontrollably at the mouth and falls limply to the turf, incapacitated. Eventually the game stumbles to a shambolic ‘controllers out of the window’ video-game finale. All this happens while most of the star players (the players that people actually want in their FPL side) take picturesque selfies of themselves reclining in deckchairs, sipping on pina coladas.
Despite this, FPL managers cling to every assist and every goal, in the search of uncovering an under-the-radar gem to get the edge in Gameweek 1. But will we ever learn not to read too much into a deflected Josh Cullen shank against The Goat & Tricycle? Probably not, and neither should we, especially when the alternative is watching dressage or the modern pentathlon.
By now the nucleus of your squad will be taking shape and thoughts shall turn to the final piece in your FPL puzzle, the captain. For those playing with a straight bat, it’s a fairly easy choice this week, but the gamblers out there may fancy rolling the die to get out of the blocks sharpish. And if that’s not mixing metaphors, I don’t know what is.
5. RIYAD MAHREZ (away vs Hull City)
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[/three_fourth]The reigning PFA Player of the Year had a quiet European Championship. Those with a basic grasp of geography will argue that isn’t too surprising however, as Algeria is in Africa. 240 points put Mahrez streets ahead of the rest at the FPL summit last campaign, with 17 goals and 11 assists. A late start to preseason has allowed little indication as to what shape he’s in, but he encouragingly completed the full 90 in the Community Shield, suggesting he’s ready to pick up where he left off at a promoted Hull City. With Steve Bruce departed and injuries aplenty, the Tigers seem like a club determined to return to the Championship at the first attempt. They won’t get much sympathy from the current Premier League champions.
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4. ANDRE GRAY (home vs Swansea City)
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[/three_fourth]If judging players on pre-season form is your thing then shut the door, lock it, barricade with plywood and mummify yourself, cos you ain’t gonna need to go anywhere else. With a staggering nine goals, Gray has scored in every one of Burnley’s six friendlies, most notably a hat-trick at Ibrox. It’s worth mentioning that Sean Dyche’s men remained unbeaten throughout pre-season and will carry plenty of confidence into their opener hosting Swansea. Having just lost Andre Ayew, the Swans will be hoping their own excellent preparation hasn’t been ruined. The point is rather moot as in current form, last season’s top scorer in the Championship will feel he can score against anyone.
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3. HARRY KANE (away vs Everton)
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[/three_fourth]Harry Kane. Remember him? He’s that fella that couldn’t take a free-kick or trap a bag of cement during the Euros. Well he’s back, and a brace against Inter Milan last week suggests we’ll get the Spurs version of ‘Arry and not his international imposter. In a rejuvenated Koeman-led Everton, Tottenham have the trickiest task in this top five, but Kane’s 25 goals gave him the Golden Boot in May and has shown time and again that he falls into that coveted category of ‘fixture proof’, just so long as the fixture isn’t against Russia or Wales… or Slovakia… or Iceland. One striking fact about his… striking… is that he had a ridiculous 158 goal attempts last season compared with next best Aguero’s 119. Everyone loves a trier, right?
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2. EDEN HAZARD (home vs West Ham)
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[/three_fourth]2015/16 will be known as the season when the Eden project went temporarily offline. Then, with Hiddink’s tenure winding down, the Hazard lights suddenly flickered into life. Like Jimi Hendrix finding his favourite Stratocaster; or Brian Clough being reunited with Peter Taylor, the Belgian had shaken off his Kryptonite and his mojo was inexplicably restored. 4 goals in his final 5 games propelled him belatedly back into the FPL limelight and no doubt left a bittersweet taste in Chelsea fans’ mouths. A goal and 4 assists at the Euros gives good reason to think the 2015 Player of the Year is going to be back in business, starting at Stamford Bridge as new boss Antonio Conte takes on Bilic’s Hammers in Gameweek 1’s final matchup.
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1. SERGIO AGUERO (home vs Sunderland)
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[/three_fourth]One thing that has been particularly apparent to anyone watching the pre-season Manchester City is that they are in even more defensive disarray than last season. Encouraged to play the Guardiola way and pass their way out of trouble, City’s defence has struggled to adapt. Thankfully, the Citizens look as dangerous going forward as ever, and while new signings Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane will give FPL managers a midfield rotation migraine, it means our boy Kun will be getting chances served on a plate. With Big Sam gone from visitors Sunderland, Pep could hardly have wished for a gentler introduction to life in the Premier League and we could hardly have wanted an easier captain choice. It’ll be a bold move not to give the armband to a man who bagged 24 goals in just 30 games in 2015/16.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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A bit of advice, please. Baines and Lamela, or Stones and Ayew? Trying to fit the last pieces…
B for me Ki! I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on the two other especially Baines over the first few GWs and if he is on set pieces I’ll be getting him in sharpish but to start I’d be going Stones & Ayew.
The conservative choice would be Baines and Lamela. Stones and Ayew is more riskier in terms of playtime. I suppose both Ayew and Stones should be in the starting XI given what they cost their respective teams. I like Stones/Ayew better, but both might not start first round.
Initially I’d go with the first option. At least until we know where Ayew will be fitting in.
Thanks everyone, for the thoughtful feedback.
Hi guys! Here it goes; my frist draft. Obviously coloured by your comments and tips! Thanks for that!
Appreciate any feedback. Especially Capou I know nothing of. Are there better options at 4.5?
Cheers!
Wouldn’t complain too much with a team like that as its quite similar to my own. Keep an eye on the Williams situation, regardless of where he ends up I cant see him starting the first GW because of no pre-season. Stones may be one to look at to fill his spot but you could easily start McAuley & keep Williams… I’m amusing Smith is Brad & 4m?! If so, take a look at Amat & Kingsley of Swansea. Neither Williams nor Taylor have had a pre-season at Swansea and these two have been filling in. Rangel is certainly challenging Kingsley for the LB spot which is why I’m going with Amat as one of his main competitors (presuming Williams leaves) is Fernandez who is currently an injury concern, leaving Swansea with two fit CBs, one being Amat!
Thats excellent info Rambo! Thanks buddy.
I’ve moved Brad Smith for Amat then. Can I ask whose your fifth midfielder?
Cheers
hey there lads! great to see you all again, hope you all have an awesome start..
As always, im going bananas with all the options and the “small” budget, so here’s my team and any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Hi paulers
Are you set on having neither of Ibrahimovic or Aguero?
Hi mate, you know how it is….I wouldnt go crazy for ibra just yet..aguero we all know what he does but dont i lose too much bringing him? kane out? or how would you bring him?(if you dont mind me asking)
paulers
Kane to Aguero
Ibe to any 4.5 midfielder
Schmeichel to 4.0 GK.
Is doable.
alright, i’ll give it a try, thank youuu
GKPs should be 5.5 + 4.0 I think.
(or if you can actually find a rotation not based on fixtures but on historical source of clean sheets then maybe 4.5 + 4.5 )
That’s 1.0 freed to upgrade Ibe,Townsend, or Borini
Keep an eye on Benteke & Bony transfers.
Good shout with Lafferty & with Spurs/Leicester cover
that makes sense, ill give it a little more thought,
thank you and good luck for the weekend!
I just don’t think the rest of your team/squad looks any better than most people’s who have opted for Ibra and Aguero…
As someone else has commented, your team is very weak IMO considering you dont have the big hitters. You have way too much invested in subs and in your defence. I have Ibra and Aguero currently if you take them and my subs out the equation this is my team,
Foster
Valencia, Terry, Kone
Hazard, Mane, Walcott, Redmond
Gray
So yea your team probably is better, but I have Kun and Zlatan… and with those two, no offence but mine blows yours out the water IMO
alright mate, no offense taken, more like thank you for taking time to review it…I get your point.. ill try a different approach ..i like your team btw..mine was my first sketch..theres always more than one and I needed suggestions so thank you again.
His lads,
Been chopping and changing this team like crazy over the last week. Any advice on the final few tweaks?
Siggy has had no pre season & not expected start gw1.
& their 2 strikers only just arrived , Ayew departed, Dyer just back from Leicester.
Not sure if Swans can get themselves sorted out as a team this side of gw5 to be honest, could be jousting with Hull for the Nil points trophy I think – plenty of options
Like the Wally punt.
Cheers for the input Tiger…… Who would be your choice for a straight swap with siggy then?
plan or not? GW1 Courtois,Morgan,Stones,Shaw,Mahrez,Redmond,Fabrigas,Siggy,Gray,Aguero,Ibrahimovic
GW2 TF Gray/Carroll as above but McAuley and Barry replace Redmond and Morgan
GW3 TF Carroll/Long as GW2 with Morgan replacing Barry.
Hi gramps, very similar early plan to mine. Let that cheap forward chase the easier fixtures. Not sure I’d want Barry though. Is there an alternative to him? Well I know there is but what I’m saying is find one
Made a couple of changes, Morgan for stones and Larsson to Dier. Shall i changes long to gray too? Thoughts would be appreciated!
Hi jol, you caught the last comment on the page syndrome! I’m not a big fan of Dier in fantasy terms. I saw a stat today suggesting he’d have scored 100 less points last season if he’d been a mid. Not entirely sure that’s accurate but I get the sentiment. Other than that toss a coin on your Long selection. I have him but he could easily be Grey. Rest looks good. Couple of punts in Zaha and Ibe but nothing wrong with that.
Good evening Init – think I asked this before a few weeks ago so I do apologise for repeating myself but do you think deulefeo is nailed on to start?
Cheers innit, It is a punt but am stuck for cash (as always!!) And thik Ibe will do well, wanted townsend but cudnt scrape together the money! No doubt i will be using my wildcard after th efrst week as all will be wrong!!haha