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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Any changes that I should consider?
Abhirup
I like it.
Keep an eye on the Friend situation as Boro are in talks to buy Fabio so he may have competition there.
Can you suggest some alternatives for Friend?
PlayStation? 😉
A Burnley defender maybe?
:ok:
abhirup I’m seriously considering putting Kane in place of Ibra I like this team good stuff 😉
Morning all,
Really want all these players (obviously Hojbjerg just in for being in there’s sake) but as you can see it really isn’t possible. Who would be the first to drop? £1/1.5m really
Ibrahimovic
Cheers NIN, I only just brought him in! haha
Who would you replace him with, out of interest?
Vardy or Kane and if they don’t perform swap to Costa or Lukaku.
It has to be him if you want to pull that money from one player. Can’t do Firmino as you’d then have three mids at 7mln or under, leaving 0 flexibility. Could make multiple downgrades of course and squeeze the squad a bit.
Vardy.
Cheers NIN, I could do Firmino to Ayew but don’t really want to do that either hahahah
Feel like I’ll probably do that just to keep that sort of template. If Kone joins Everton my decision may be easier..
It’s a tough one mate but I think Firmino has to be the one to go due to fixtures or you could drop Lamela to a 5.5 mid and keep Firmino!
+1
Thanks both, Firmino to Ayew is an option but just worried about no Pool players.
Matt, I can’t see value in sub £6m mids so don’t think that’s an option.
Yeah I don’t see much value there either just had a feeling you wanted Pool cover so it’s the only way I could see it working. But I like the Ayew pick.
AT
Deulofeu to Bolasie, Lloris to Schmeichel.
Hi GP, don’t know why but I think Deulofeu will do great this season and Everton have cracking fixtures.
Ahh, feel like I’m too fixed on an impossible set of players! Firmino for some reason seems like the one I feel happiest departing with but I that comes with some huge red flashing lights.
AT
Been down this road with Deulofeu before though.
Go with your gut feeling and if that’s Firmino ultimately, then it’s him.
Personally, I think he’s shite. Get the odd flashy score but all in all he’s garbage.
I get too fixated on random cheap players and decide they’re must haves hahaha.
I reckon it will be Firmino, but NIN raised a good point that it will kill my team shape. a £10m, £7.5m, £7m and £6.5m. I guess it would take a hit of lowering one and upping another to sort it out.
Managed a rather impressive 2 goals and 9 assists in just under 1400 minutes of sporadic play last season.
He got quite a few returns from the bench did he not? He’s usually muck when he plays a full game oddly enough. I can see why folk are picking him after his preseason goals and shit but he’s not one that has even made my shortlist once, let alone a draft.
Fair enough, I could knock down to Redmond and I could probably squeeze £0.5m out of somewhere.
Hi AT, I think there is a great chance Firminho starts up front for Liverpool this weekend. Arsenal have problems with injuries at the back, Next up is Burnley away, Tough one with Spurs away. But that gets you to Gw 3 and you can do a swap at that stage. Deulofeu to Bolasie , Lamela to 6.5m Mid, Would free up the 1m you are looking for.
I think Origi will be up front not Firmino
Great stuff Bry my Captain choice is either Valencia or Stones long story but there are some good choices there I thk any of those could do well but I might have taken a punt on Grey feel Swa are on their A— 😉
Valencia if it were me Silvers.
Valencia all the way mate.
GP did you see my comment below on Community team ???
Responded mate. Thanks.
Just a quick one fellas as it should finalise my team.
Which combo is better:
A: Baines, Flanagan and Valdes
B: Williams, Stones and Valdes/Heaton
B for me
Matt
Williams Stones Heaton
Cheers lads that’s what I was thinking as well it was the keeper that’s the hard decision.
B
Long or Gray?
Gray for me AT
Just like his guaranteed gametime against Long’s competition.
And his penalties.
And his form.
Why aren’t I captaining him? 😉
Because he’s never scored five in one game 😉
Gray for me anyway.
Gray
Best bet is to get Redmond in midfield and then put Gray up front, solve all problems. No rotation risk for Long, and you got cover from both teams. And pre-season Redmond has scored a couple I think and for 6mil he is one of the only decent options. That said I dont think Grays fixtures are particularly good after GW1.
Think I’ll get Long then, cheers all 😉
Hey guys
please rmt. I have 0 mill itb
Thank you in advance
Quite a weak GK situation, but other than that I like this team. I don’t doubt Siggy’s capabilities, but I do worry for Swansea.
cheers for that, what other 7.5 mid do you think should do well this season?
Walcott, I have him. If he is playing as a striker which im pretty sure he will be, then your laughing. Giroud is to fat and tired to be starting and well Welbeck is welbeck (injured)
He is a gamble though for sure I only saw him in one other team then my own
I think you’ve got some good options at that price. I’d leave Ayew to start with, but that could end up being a bargain. What about Everton? Nice fixtures after GW1. Barkley or Deulofou? Lamela is interesting me at 7.0 as well.
I wouldn’t want to have three everton players in my team and all spurs(two). I like Walcott tbh
Good point Stewy. I didn’t really look at that.