Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 12
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 12. We’re back. Almost… at last! England win all of their qualifiers and yet we still despise international breaks. The brilliant variety of global members among us tend to feel the same way I think; poor old GP must be feeling a tad suicidal right now.
That said, there has been a lot going on in the world lately, including a ‘huuuuuge’ piece of news that’s been enough to divert our attention from the lack of Premier League matches — one that’s rocked the world to its core and has been THE hot topic of numerous online forums — yep: Sanchez and Costa have been yellow flagged with minor muscular injuries. Only the likes of Hazard or Aguero breaking a leg could trump that.
[Update: now Hazard’s been flagged too? Man… I cursed him. Only took three hours!]
Let’s forget about such horrors for now. It’s better to turn our attention back to the job at hand, away from these admittedly-important issues, knowing that messes of this magnitude tend to blow over in the end. We need to focus on the biggest conundrum of all: who’s the best captain for this weekend? I’ve had a few ideas… and strong bouts of déjà vu in the process.
Romelu Lukaku vs Swansea (H)[three_fifth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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There’s no particular order to this list but, if I had him, this guy would probably get my armband. That’s easy to say as a non-owner though! Lukaku’s infamous for his capacity to disappoint… even in the most seemingly-nailed-on fixtures. He’s the Hillary of FPL to put it bluntly.
Times are changing, however, as The Tank has bagged 7 goals and 3 assists in his last 8 PL matches. He added to that with a brace and an assist against Estonia on Sunday night. The former includes one goal away at the Etihad and a second-half hat-trick against Sunderland, who are currently rock-bottom of the table, tied on points with — you guessed it — his opposition this weekend: Swansea.
Just a couple of years ago, in the 2014/15 season when Swansea finished 8th, this fixture would’ve been rated as a 6 or 7 out of ten… but now? They’ve conceded 6 goals in their last two PL matches and there won’t be a much better time to captain Lukaku; never underestimate the home advantage.
Form: 8
Fixture: 8
Explosiveness: 8
Philippe Coutinho vs Southampton (A)[three_fifth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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Flare, dribbles, 20-yard screamers. Coutinho’s only 24 and, although still improving significantly every season, already oozes class. I’m no Scouser by the way!
For his latest magic trick, he weaved between three suspect Argentinians and fired into the top-right corner, helping Brazil on their quest for World Cup redemption that will probably never suffice. This is no longer an anomaly; he’s now showing the consistency required to be a great FPL player. To be 2nd in the points chart after 11 gameweeks requires more than the occasional long-range curler and 100,000+ fan-boy accounts on Twitter.
The problem? He plays Southampton, away, who are usually quite resilient. Ok, they did concede to Hull *twice* last gameweek, but everyone makes mistakes. I’m looking right at you, UK, US… I mean, if they can, then we’ll have to let The Saints off. So, basically, be wary: there are two very contrasting Liverpool personas these days and nobody can be sure of which will show up on a given Saturday afternoon. Form is on their side though…
Form: 8
Fixture: 5
Explosiveness: 7
Sergio Aguero vs Crystal Palace (A)[three_fifth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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This is where the déjà vu really kicks in. I can’t remember writing a Captain Picks article without mentioning Aguero’s name and if I have then, well, he would’ve most likely been on crutches. I heard Yaya was quite rough both on and off the pitch.
I needn’t explain why he’s a good option for the captaincy — he always is — we all know that. Let’s properly analyse the current situation: in the last 3 gameweeks Palace have conceded 10 goals. Hmmm. Aguero has 3 goals and an assist from two PL matches and also *isn’t* yellow flagged. Hmmmmm.
Shall we continue? Formalities and what not.
Form: 7
Fixture: 7
Explosiveness: 9
Jermain Defoe vs Hull (H)[three_fifth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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You may have heard from somewhere that Sunderland are rock-bottom of the table. This is not a bad thing, in terms of their players’ motivation anyway, but it is for Swansea’s troops. That’s just the way this cruel world works I’m afraid Bob, sorry mate.
The reason? ‘Defoe + 20 Legs’ managed their first win of the season before the international break. Away from home n’ all. Now they’ll have a little belief and some experts are speculating that all of the other 20 legs might actually start moving again.
Another incentive to take this gamble with your GW12 captaincy is that when you see it flash up that Sunderland just scored, you’ll know Defoe’s involved, penalty or otherwise.
Hull are bad but as you may have heard from somewhere, they scored *twice* against a usually-quite-resilient Southampton recently (we all need some déjà vu in our lives) so this one should be a high-scoring affair. Nothing held back by either side. Perfect!
With ‘the big ones’ — barring big Rom himself I suppose — all playing away from home this gameweek, this risk is primed to pay off gloriously, but I’ll understand if, after living through 2016’s drama, picking a safe option sounds wiser and far more appealing.
Form: 7
Fixture: 9
Explosiveness: 6
Eden Hazard vs Middlesbrough (A)[three_fifth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
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Did someone say “safe option”? Here’s a well-known candidate who’ll therefore definitely be popular. That’s never gone wrong before has it? Right, fine, sorry I’ll drop that now.
This is not only a matter of Hazard’s form (a mere 12.3 points per game over the past month) but also his teams form: a staggering (16:0) quintet of wins as of late. Eden — still on penalties — should be ready to seize this fixture and score in five games on the bounce.
Boro, as can be testified by both Arsenal and Man City, are often a tough team to break down. Karanka should be highly sought after in north Mexico if life in the PL doesn’t work out. However, those instances were when Boro played away from home, backs to the wall. Up in the Riverside, their fans demand goals and 3 points, sorry cries that usually go unanswered: that should play into Chelsea’s hands.
I mentioned his yellow flag earlier: after scoring in the first half against Estonia on Sunday night, he picked up an injury in the second, which lead to him requesting his own substitution. Martinez, the epitome of reliability, says it was “just a kick to the calf” which offers faint hope that it wasn’t a complete waste of time writing up these paragraphs just a few hours before the incident.
Form: 9
Fixture: 7
Explosiveness: 8
Bonus Punt
Kane, like Jermain, offers a great differential captain pick this weekend: he’s netted in three PL matches on the bounce (across either side of his recent injury lay-off) and has a decent home fixture in West Ham on Saturday evening.
If you happen to have him, are wary of Costa’s groin (who isn’t?) or perhaps have a WC to hand, giving Harry a chance could prove to be a masterstroke over the coming weeks.
He really wants to “win the game” after all. Smart bloke…
Form: 7
Fixture: 6
Explosiveness: 7
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 12. This article was written by Jamesimmo
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Fixture Tracker – the next 6 games
Thoughts on this lot guys for the week
Heaton
Walker Mc Auley Friend
Coutinho Walcott Hazard Allen
Kun Costa Lukaku
Looks good on the face of it nish.
Who’s in reserve?
Jaku Marney Amat Smith
Looks ugly I know
How’s your team shaped for this week?
I’d keep your team as it is nish. Obviously
I haven’t logged in yet this week mate. Don’t think I have any injuries so that’s something.
It’s a great Thing To survive the international break without injury scares. Well I had a lot starting with Walker then Costa and hazard to add more to the misery
Great team.
I do not think it can get much better. Except maybe if you went to a 3-5-2 formation, but it is matter of long discussions! 😉
Cheers mate. Since i have hazard now I might downgrade Costa to someone like Austin and get double Liverpool mids but that would be next week at least
Nishant, ur team is almost same as mine.. we have just 2 players different.. 😉
This is my team.. 😛
Hi all,
thanks for the excellent articles, as always!
Can you have a look at my team? 1 FT, 0.3 ITB.
I am hesitating:
* Smith–>McAuley or Evans, to have a (poor) defense with better fixtures and field 10 players even if Kingsley does not play.
* Keep the FT for next GW. I think that I will substitute Lukaku out then, and use the money in the midfield (except if I try to get Kane…)
I would not want to lose Smith mate.
I can’t help mate. Am confused v seeing this team. Mind doing Holebas to Mc Auley? Or Evans?
No problem to substitute Holebas instead of Smith. You think that he has better chances to score?
Because their fixtures are equally bad!
I like Smith style of playing and he has been very effective.
Vinci, how about Kingsley to Nyom?
Good idea. Thanks Cookie.
This way, I keep both my offensive-minded defenders.
Yes yes do this and forget what I said
If I had 2 FTs, I would do Kingsley to Nyom and Hobelas to McAuley.
I do not want to piss anybody off, I appreciate both your help!!
Haha its your team Vinci, you must do what you think best – you won’t piss anyone off
Hey guys, how’s it going? About ready for this break to be over or what?? Haha, me too. Thanks for the article james, always love the way you do the form, fixture, and explosiveness bit in your Captains articles- nice one bruv!
So I was wondering if I could get some feedback if anyone’s around as I have a few different ideas this week. I have 1 FT, zilch ITB, and only 2 playing defenders.
Heaton Pickford
Koscielny Smith Holebas Walker Amat
Sanchez Coutinho Firmino Chadli Fletcher
Sanchez Lukaku Austin
A- hold FT until next week and play AOA (leaves me very thin if other players are rested).
B- Take a -4 hit and do something like Sanchez and Amat out for Hazard and McAuley (solves my Amat problem so I have 15 players for xmas time).
C- Do Smith to a 4.7 defender for free (good for this week and keeps Sanchez but the Amat problem remains).
Obviously going to wait until after the pressers but does anything stand out to you? Opinions and other ideas would be very much appreciated!
Hi Red
How’s things? Hope the family is well.
It looks like this week is primed for AOA based on your defence but then I see Fletcher in there and I go ice cold on the idea.
Your idea of Sanchez to Hazard shouldn’t harm you long term and could even improve you. Additionally, as you mentioned, it helps you with your squad. I would be tempted by that if I’m honest.
Its a bit greedy playing Sanchez twice but hey if you can get away with it 😉
Smith or Holebas to a West Brom defender for me Red – AOA with Fletcher seems a waste.
Hi Red – couldn’t help notice you have 2 Sanchez in your team. So which player did you forget to mention?
Hello mate.
I believe you meant Kun instead of Sanchez for the second time
I would personally vote for option C. You can sell Smith or Holebas to a west Brom defender. Mc Auley or Evans.
Thanks guys, much appreciated. Sorry for the typo, was trying to machine gun out a post before the baby woke up from his nap! Yes, that extra Sanchez is actually Aguero, lol. Still not sure what’s best tbh, hopefully the pressers will provide some insight and might make things more clear. Hope everyone is well and excited for this weekend, these breaks are the worst!
Evening guys, How’s everyone doing?
Quick one; who do you think is the best replacement for Lallana, that is 7.1 or less?
Milner maybe?
Hi Matt
The penalties certainly make Milner appealing but I think Hull have four very favourable fixtures ahead and I would go Snodgrass personally. He is inevitably involved in most of their goals.
Hey GP, was looking at Snodgrass but Hull just haven’t been the best of late so not 100% appealing.
What do you think of Gundogan? City have nice fixtures for the next two weeks while Lallana is injured.
He came on for 30 minutes the last time and scored and assisted so not entirely what more you could ask for
Yeah Gundogan also good so I would be happy with that.
I only just looked at his history and seen that
Looks like a coin toss decision I think haha
Just had a look and it’s him or Chadli if he’s back. Or Snoddy.
Yeah there isn’t much choice. I was looking at Everton mids but they have poor fixtures I feel.
What do you think of bringing in Gundogan for the next two weeks and bank the left over funds to swap him back to Lallana when he returns?
Chadli is supposed to be fit now.
Evening all feel like I need to take a hit anyone else ?
Evening Silvers, I fancy Mitro is with you
Evening Cookie how are we mate I thk Mitro might have already taken a few how about you .
All good mate – I got Hazard in for Alexis early doors and haven’t logged in since then!
Guess i’ll have to tomorrow as the pressers begin so no doubt the twitchy finger syndrome will appear – we call it Mitroitis!
Ha ha
I like it Cookie I’m not sure about the Sanchez to Haz move but I probably will be completely wrong I might just hold Sanchez need to do Bellerin to someone & start making moves to change Luk to Kane .
What is great that we are all talking about different names rather than the same old template – keeps it interesting
In that case Cookie Tips will be very interesting!!!!
Oooooh how exciting!!!
Hmmmm….
Maybe we’ll come across some unexpected bargains 😉
Hello!!!!!
Had 2 FTs – used 2 FTs – it’s looking like I will be going with a -4!!
Get in!!
You know you want to Mitro 😉
That’s what he just said.
Great article James! Currently on Kun and will probably stick with Kun but saying that I could take out Costa and bring in lukaku if we get any hint that he won’t be play!!
He should be ok to play. Hazard however…. Guess you could always get Alexis
FFS!! I brought in hazard for payet!!
Still can’t afford alexis
Pretty sure that the yellow on Costa is a hint. 😉
What is Costas middle name Mello
Jello