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)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/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.
[clear][divider_1px]
4. ANDRE GRAY (home vs Swansea City)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/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.
[clear][divider_1px]
3. HARRY KANE (away vs Everton)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/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?
[clear][divider_1px]
2. EDEN HAZARD (home vs West Ham)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/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.
[clear][divider_1px]
1. SERGIO AGUERO (home vs Sunderland)
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/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
[divider_1px]
[row][span6]
Vote on our Captain Poll Now
[/span6][span6]
[/span6][/row]
[divider_1px]
[alert style=”2″]
We are running the main public FF247 League which anyone is welcome to join by using the following code 1147-701 (auto-link below). This one has a prize pool of £250 which is sponsored by @FootballFanager and will be paid into your account on their website. The top 5 places are paid out.
Join Our League – Quick Link
League Code: 1147-701
View league standings – COMING SOON
[/alert]
[alert style=”3″]
New for the 2016/17 we are delighted to announce we are running a Regulars League which has a cash prize pool of £300 paid directly to the winners from the FF247 management team.
To enter this one you need to be an active and recognised site member and you need to e-mail us for the league code – Elleffcee@fantasyfootball247.co.uk *terms and conditions apply and are available upon request. Management reserve the right to review membership of this league on an ongoing basis.
[/alert]
[divider_1px]
Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
[divider_1px]
What’s people thoughts on Alex Iwobi? As far as I remember he finished very well last season, and it looks like he’s been getting lots of game time (and goals) pre season. Arsenal fans? Is he likely to play?
I doubt it mate, he is probably just featuring because everyone is resting. Their mid is pretty packed these days I dont see him walking into it every week. Dont get me wrong im sure he will feature and maybe for the first 3 weeks he will be in it every week. For the same price you could have Redmond which is a far better pick
Cheers lukealike… Redmond simply isn’t an option for me (I’m a Pompey fan). Any other ideas at 6.0? I currently have Bolasie, but if he goes to Everton I need to rethink, as I also have Deulofeu.
Banjo
HUGE mistake.
Ignore club loyalties in this game mate.
You’re clearly not from Pompey. I’d rather finish bottom of the league than do that.
Haha I knew some guys from Pompey, yea I understand. He will probably get attacked for it, no shit :))
Same reason i avoid Watford players!
Understand rivalry completely, particularly that one (just finished Harry Redknapp’s book).
Hey it is only a game -play it as you see fit lads!
Here’s the current team.
Really there is so few options at that price your going to struggle, these IMO are the only alternatives and I dont rate any highly. There is proabbly a better Arsenal aletrnative in Xhaka, but I know nothing about him at all and maybe he will face the same problems Iwobi does for game time?
Cabaye
Xhaka
Ibe
Feghouli
Bolasie
Out of them I would say Cabaye is probably the best bet if he is on set pieces, but I think he plays pretty deep these days. He was awesome once fck knows what Pardew did to him. All the rest are a gamble, I would go to Cabaye if I was forced to take a 6mil person and I couldnt have Redmond. It would be through girtted teeth though
That pretty much sums up my shortlist. I like the idea of Cabaye for pens and free-kicks, but he’s not a real FPL player is he. Feghouli is interesting me, with the obvious concern being game-time. Or I downgrade defense to allow for a little more in the middle?
Hi Banjomaker, I Agree with Lukealike, Only 6m options for me are Bolasie, Cabaye and Redmond. If pushed maybe you could look at someone from Middlesbrough as they have kind opening fixtures.
Cheers. I’m thinking Cabaye or Feghouli… Or downgrade defense.
Best £4.5m squad filling mid? Currently on Hojbjerg as I’m not sure Leko is a certain starter.
I’ve gone Fletcher.
I’ve gone with Maloney, I’m pretty sure he’s on free kicks and he got 6 goals and 9 assists last time he played in the EPL
Hjoberg is in my squad. I don’t even know who Leko is mate. My subs are the cheapest possible.
I have Leko, hopefully I wont need him but if he is playing he will surely be better for points then Fletcher. I dont know who their other winger is
I think GP did some research on this and came up with Maloney.
I’m currently on Capoue but I think he gets a lot of YCs so I’m not sure.
Thanks all! Will look at Maloney.
Quick question; Bolaise vs Redmond?
Redmond
Thanks, was thinking about the Everton Koeman effect on Bolaise. Almost swayed.
Guys what combination of players do you prefer?
1. Redmond and Ibra
2. Deulofeu and Kane
Thoughts?
1 by a mile
Deulofeu was playing as false 9 in pre-season you may as well dsregard his pre-season goals, that wont be replicated in the EPL
Kane last season took 8 games to do anything, he had a terrible euros. Kane is particualrly woeful for some reason when Demeble is absent.
Ibra has so much to prove, Redmond is the best 6mil pick
This to me is the easiest decision ever
+1
1
2? 😉
1
Seems like a pretty unanimous choice. Cheers for that guys, Redmond and Ibra it is
Who is the best squad filling 4.0m Defender?
They’re all equally shite.
who definetly starts? I need two of them lmao god help me
Luke if you need two £4m defenders I would probably look at team balance. All well and good having a bumper first 11 but injuries and suspensions seem to creep up on you all the more when you’re trying to wing it.
Luke
AT nails it. It you need peace of mind,go any number of 4.5s.
Not going to get a definitive answer of 4.0M I’m afraid
Yea I know which sucks a bit, but I think its the sensible thing to do. I cant take any money from my attack all I can do is downgrade a starting defender at 5.5 to 5.0 and upgrade one of the 4.0’s and leave the other. Looks like Morgan it is then
Cheers, my team was very well balanced but I messed it all up yestrday
I’ve picked Lenihan and Fry. I honestly couldn’t care less if they play or not. I have no intention of playing either of them anyway. Cheapest bench ever. 16.5mln.
Agreed, Does any of them even start?
Smith purely due to how much they paid for him so I would have thought he would play at some point. But if you really need them to play I’d look at £4.5m.
I have Brad Smith but I read here yesterday that Swansea fans think Kingsley will start this weekend so could be an option too.
Thanks At and Matt, But I though Daniels would be ahead of B.Smith. Kingsley could be interesting.
Daniels hasn’t played much during preseason so I don’t know what’s happened there.
What about Francis?
I believe he’s been playing CB.
Thanks Matt, Seen that now, Smith seems an option, he is a good crosser of the ball. The team news article this week will be interesting!!!!