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Fantasy Football Captain Picks

Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1

Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1

Captain picks tipsWelcome 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 gamesimage

 

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574 Comments

  1. 49
    MarkGL says:

    I really am struggling people! Having a template team infuriates me so I’m here trying out so many drafts and having better luck pulling my hair out instead of picking a great team to start with!

    • 49.1

      MarkGL

      You’ll eventually talk yourself out of taking all the best players if you worry about who everyone else has.

      Pick the best team YOU can. Forget everyone else. Once the transfers start being made, teams will alter.

    • 49.2

      Nobody’s template gets past KO Gw1.
      Loads of guesswork based on pre-season meaningless friendlies and fanboys hopes going on,
      that & last season was just a fluke normal service will be resumed with everyone locked to a predetermined position in he League based on how ‘big’ they are.
      Nah.
      Follow Sinatra & do it your way

  2. 50
    charlcupido says:

    Any opinions?

  3. 51
    theswirly says:

    Afternoon everyone!

    Hope you all had a great summer, enjoyed the Euros and are enjoying the Olympics. Here we go again, then – another rollercoaster season awaits, with the highs and lows that’ll come with it.

    Below is my third attempt at a team. If you could let me know your thoughts, that would be much appreciated!

    Cheers!

  4. 52
    Silvers says:

    10th August: Riyad Mahrez
    this could change things
    Rumours of a potential transfer to Chelsea for Riyad Mahrez have gone into overdrive after the Algerian was pictured in the same hotel as the Chelsea squad by a fan. His agent reportedly told an Italian journalist: “Chelsea want Mahrez”.

  5. 53
    MarkGL says:

    Anybody else seriously looking at Oscar? Conte seems to be a big fan of him and it looks like he has been given some set piece duties as well.

  6. 54
    beno1234 says:

    Eriksen or Firmino?

    Redmond and Ibra or Tadic and Vardy?

    HEEEEEELP

    • 54.1
      Nosaj says:

      Firmino

      Redmond and Ibra

      • beno1234 says:

        Firmino even despite is first 5 games being pretty tough?

        • Nosaj says:

          Firmino was amazing in the 2nd half of the season and with Sturridge injured (like usual), he’ll most likely be playing up front as a false 9. Liverpool scored against all opposition last year, and to be fair their fixtures aren’t that bad. Arsenal at the moment look like fielding Holding and Chambers at CB this week with Gabriel, Mertesacker and Koscielny all currently injured, which spells goals for Liverpool. They then play Burnley who he should be able to get some attacking returns against, which means that he should start the season (the first 2 GW’s at least) on fire.

        • lukealike says:

          Or Origi starts and poops all over your parade, and then Mane is a far better pick then Firmino. When Firmino aint playing as a false 9 he aint a great pick IMO.
          Personally I have Mane, he controlled the Barca game.. Cant be bothered juggling Firmino around

    • 54.2
      Smash10 says:

      Redmond and Ibra

    • 54.3
      Wafflez says:

      Eriksen
      Redmond + Zlatan

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