Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 37
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 37. Spare a thought for DGW37 outcasts Bournemouth, Burnley, Palace, Everton, Hull, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Stoke, Swansea and West Ham; wandering around the wilderness futilely in search of a second helping, like acne-ridden flotsam cast into the social void, while the other half lives it up in shared accommodation with their fine-dining and beautiful spouses. Those with their single games are not welcome in these parts.
This is ‘Wife Swap’ on steroids.
In this week’s episode…
ALEXIS SANCHEZ – Stoke City (A), Sunderland (H)
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[/three_fifth]Alexis is a lucky boy to still be clinging onto his slot in FF247’s Captain Picks. But by virtue of a double-helping of appetising fixtures, he gets another shot at redemption. 2 goals in 8 games does little to justify his hefty price, yet his recent performances have been decent and has clearly retained much of his characteristic verve as the Gunners enter a do-or-die climax to their campaign.
Mark Hughes had done much to improve his stock in Premier League management, with Stoke heading for a top-half finish after a creditable draw at Man City in March. Since then however, their form has dipped markedly and he will now be relieved their 41 points keeps them safe for another year. It’s clear then which team should be the most motivated when Arsenal line-up against the Potters.
Conversely, Sunderland’s victory at Hull showed just what a team can do when there’s nothing but pride at stake. Moyes’ men will arrive at the Emirates keen to upset the odds once again, but it would take a brave man to bet against a certain Chilean pouring more salt onto Tyne-and-Wear wounds.
HARRY KANE – Manchester United (H), Leicester City (A)
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[/three_fifth]By the time Mauricio Pochettino leads his team into White Hart Lane for the final time, Chelsea may already be champions. Ordinarily this would send the FPL community into a spiral of paranoia, second-guessing the implications of weakened team selections. But given the significance of this fixture regardless, such concerns would be misplaced. Line-up schizophrenia can wait for the time being.
Unless you have Man Utd players of course. Mourinho appears to believe that a 5 point gap to Liverpool with a game in hand is somehow insurmountable and thus will continue to shuffle his deck like a croupier being tasered. With such erratic selections in mind, Kane could be up against a disjointed and unfamiliar defence.
The King Power Stadium will be a tough proposition for the Lilywhites, and both teams may struggle to raise their game in what could well be a dead rubber. This would be an ideal time for Pochettino to give fringe players a run out, though Harry Kane will surely insist on game time as he seeks to overhaul the 3 goal gap between himself and top-scorer Romelu Lukaku.
EDEN HAZARD – West Bromwich Albion (A), Watford (H)
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[/three_fifth]Champions-elect Chelsea will be looking to get the job done at the Hawthorns in front of Baggies boss Tony Pulis, as the debate about English managers’ dearth of success in the Premier League era rages on. A narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture suggests that this may be no walkover, as Albion seek to bore their opponents to death, starving them of oxygen and a will to live; like an anaconda slowly reciting its favourite 100 party political broadcasts.
Even though the title may be settled by the time Watford trudge in, this will be the Blues’ trophy-waving victory lap in front of their own fans. Expect a Harlem Globetrotters-esque showboating extravaganza, with Conte perhaps choosing GW38’s finale against Sunderland to experiment.
As for Hazard himself, there’s little that his 15 goals and 9 assists don’t already say on his behalf. He has 3 games to get the 24 points he needs to overtake his personal FPL record of 233, achieved in the year he was crowned Player of the Year. Curiously, while 11 of his goals have come at Stamford Bridge, most of his assists have come away, so he should have something for everyone this week.
DIEGO COSTA – West Bromwich Albion (A), Watford (H)
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[/three_fifth]Diego Costa hasn’t missed a single minute of action since GW22, so one would think he’s a safe bet to see out the full 180 in a DGW that has many of us fidgeting uncomfortably over the availability of players over the full stretch.
Performance-wise, the Far East distractions that surfaced in January clearly put Costa off his stride for a while, but he’s looked focused again during Chelsea’s title run-in. “I am the owner of my future”, says the Spanish International, quite rightly asserting his sovereignty, and who knows where that future will be? However, the owners of his FPL strawman couldn’t care less right now and will be expecting exceptional returns in his next two fixtures.
In recent weeks Costa has favoured picking off the weaker opposition, scoring decent points hauls against Bournemouth (8), Southampton (16), and Middlesbrough (6), while blanking against the likes of Man City, Man Utd and Everton. With games against West Brom and Watford looming, and noting that both opponents allowed him to score in the reverse fixtures, owners may wish to put their bibs on now in anticipation of a feast.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE – Leicester City (H), West Bromwich Albion (H)
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[/three_fifth]We all love a catchy football chant, don’t we. One harks back fondly to Zamora ‘hitting row Z’ and Peter Crouch’s ‘feet sticking out the bed’; but in terms of lyrical wit and incisive social commentary, nothing quite matches the zeitgeist-defining genius of “Oooh, Kevin De Bruyne (repeat)”.
Even while the pack has shuffled around him, KDB has been largely a mainstay in Pep’s new world order, missing only two games all season. Taking this into account, a return of 5 goals seems relatively meagre until you realise he’s hit the woodwork 9 times. But this guy is a latter-day Robin Hood, unselfishly giving to others on an astonishing 15 occasions. The Belgian has more assists than at a Freemason lodge circle-jerk.
The visits of Leicester and West Brom are covered fully in an unhelpful critique below (spoiler), but suffice to say Kev will be expecting 2 victories as City continue their pursuit of Champions League football, in a league that is already almost bereft of teams that actually still give a toss about what happens between now and the end of the season. In this respect Manchester City are a beacon of hope for FPL fans.
GABRIEL JESUS – Leicester City (H), West Bromwich Albion (H)
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[/three_fifth]Ok, let’s get something straight. It’s pronounced ‘Zhay-zoose’, not ‘Jee-zus’. So all those oh-so hilarious puns have been in vain. Stuff like, “Jesus is due a goal, well…. he’s Jew-ish.” and “I’ve just cashed in on Aguero and bought Jesus. I sold him for a prophet.” are all henceforth utterly redundant. It’s immature and inherently incorrect, so let’s all just please move on from this.
Since Sergio Aguero tweaked his groin at the Riverside Stadium, demand for Kun’s 20-year-old Brazilian heir has reached almost biblical proportions. With 65k transfers in so far this week, and an ownership percentage rising seemingly by the hour, having Jesus at the top of this captain pile is probably preaching to the converted. Two full games into his second coming and he’s already amassed a goal and an assist, bringing his full repertoire to 4 goals and 2 assists in 4 starts for the Citizens.
The first of two home games sees a tale of two cities as the rejuvenated Foxes come to the Etihad. Craig Shakespeare has been a revelation for Leicester in the wake of (allegedly) ousting Ranieri. Such a betrayal, if true, would put him up there with Marcus Brutus and Judas Iscariot, so watch out Jesus. Tony Pulis doesn’t evoke such obvious literary connotations, though after those 5 games without scoring, ’50 Shades of Grey’ came to mind.
The Baggies shocked the footballing world with a double against Burnley last weekend, so who knows what goal-fest awaits us in the second of Man City’s double-bill. The smart money is on it being one-sided target practice, but don’t take that as gospel, it’s not necessarily a nailed on win, Jesus isn’t good on crosses, he’s just a very….. (Editor opens trapdoor)
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 37. This article was written by Bry Cooper
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The Fixture Tracker in full…
hi guys
rmt plz
cabalero jakupovic
azpi alonso stephens yoshida prodl
hazard alli son king capoue
kane jesus vardy
1ft 0£ in bank
bench boost activate
azpi and son>monreal and sterling for -4 hit?
Hey Nauj,
Not sure you need to make these moves at all and especially not for a hit. Are you trying to cover a ML chaser?
Potentially Alonso is more likely to be rested than Azpi
Ok
Need a bit of advice. Looking to get Jesus in and reduce my Southampton contingent. Maybe ward prowse out??? I’m on a BB with 2fts so wondering what to do?
Was thinking
Costa/Gabbi to Jesus but with Gabbi would prob need to take a 3rd sub. And -4 hit. Any help appreciated.
Cheers
Anyone?
Kickers,
If you did Gabbi to Jesus, how much would you need to raise?
2.4 mil
I could take out Cahill? For Holding or Stephens ?
Yeah you could bud do you really want to do that?
How about taking Kane and Bailly out for Vardy and Holding or Stephens?
Yep don’t really want to bin Cahill. What about
Kane-Vardy
Gabbi-Jesus
Bailly-Stephens for a -4 hit.
Do I want to get rid of Kane though?
Kickers, only you can decide that mate.
Can’t make a decision to save my life mate!
Is bringing in Jesus worth a hit or should I stick on Gabbi? Or even take out Costa
To put things into more context I just retook top spot in the ML by 15 points. Is taking a hit a bad idea
Taken a hit isn’t a bad idea, taking a -8 is. Spurs fixtures aren’t great and Alli has been in Ibiza this week – how about Bailly to Holding and Alli to KdB?
What about
Alli-son
Gabbi-Jesus
Bailly-Stephens
To many choices!
Ok two options are
Alli-kdb
Bailly-holding
Or
Gabbi-Jesus
Cahill-Stephens/holding
Which is better?
That’s better, though I think I’d prefer Sane to Son if affordable?
So
Gabbi-Jesus
Alli-sane
Bailly-holding or Stephens
I prefer this one Kickers if I’m honest.
Thanks cookie appreciate it
Kickers, deinitely go down the Man City route – Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater are confirmed out, while Robert Huth is a big doubt with a foot injury.
Ta
Just checking
When you use bench boost. Everyone on your bench is used so all 15 players??
That’s correct – just make sure you activate your Bench Boost chip on your team page!
Cheers. Done it
nice one Kickers, good luck mate!
Kickers,
How about?
Gabbiadini to Jesus
Cahill to Stephens
Bailly to Clichy or Kone (either one is a punt but latter probably more assured of 2 games)
Not sure binning Cahill is a good plan
True but you need to raise money somewhere….
Very true
Morning all and thanks for the capo article.
Who do you think has less rotation risk for the 3 remaing game, Monreal or Kompany?
I don’t know much about what’s going on with the Arsenal defence Ben but I can’t see Kompany being dropped. 34 points in the last 4 games!
good point Milburn
No rotation risk! Not likely
Injury risk? Kompany
Just got to show off a little bit 😉
Nice shooting man!!
Well done
Why is Gabriel Jesus not available in the Captains Poll?
Thought he’d be a viable contender for this week
That’s an oversight on my part and should be sorted now!
Morning guys,
seeing some great scores and ranks so well done all!
Love this article! Thanks Bry! Going to bookmark under ‘how to write a solid FPL Article as I may need this!
With my team performing well this week, and looking well set for BB next week I’m not sure if I’m better served saving my FT for 38, but it would be good to have some input from everyone!
I don’t see any major issues, I could move out Sanchez or Hazard for KDB, but to be honest both Haz and Sanchez could play both and score well so is there any real need?
Think I have my ML wrapped up (went from a 30 point lead to around 130 points in last few weeks) so i don’t think there is much need for drastic changes!
Feel like I’m answering my own question here, but i’d hate to think there was a nice little move that would get more points that I’m overlooking!
Nothing obvious to me Rosco, so long as Rose isn’t back but I’m sure you’re aware of that. No point changing things just for the sake of it.
I’ve just seen on twitter that over 40% of the top 10k have used their bench boost. That ranking of yours could look even more attractive post gw37!
Cheers Milburn!
Yeah I’ll be watching out for Cookies ATG article tomorrow with a keen interest in the the spurs presser, if it does look like Rose might be back I may bounce him to someone like Huth.
Thats a pretty interesting stat – 40%?? thats surprising, I was curious about that so good to know! If my bench performs like they did this week I’d be very happy!
I was surprised by the amount of places I actually jumped this week, I had a look at a few of the leagues I’m in to see how many points are in it from where i am to top 1k etc and its not loads, maybe like 30-40 points but if they’re scoring similar to me then I’ll never catch them!! Hopefully at least a few of those having used BB or their WC a while back i might rise a bit – we shall see!
looks set to me Rosco
Cheers Photek, how are you set mate?
Hey Rosco,
As per other comments nothing much to worry about other than Davies’ game time.
Lots of people have talked about KdB. He is a great assist machine over the season but this sudden interest smacks of looking in the mirror of last week. He might do it again but it is just as likely that Hazard or Sanchez throw in a great score as well.