FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 24
Welcome to FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 24
When a hero comes along…
…with the strength to carry on. Etc. Said strength will have been tested to the limit as of late, in FPL. And elsewhere, of course. Especially for those who considered Soucek’s powers too much to resist. And subsequently played him ahead of the likes of DCL or even Gundogan.
As we go into a bit of a mini DGW the main question is whether this week’s hero will come from our double selection or from a more conventional single game-week source. Let’s go see what our merrily unmasked men think…
Init – Gundogan v Spurs (H) & Everton (A)
Yeah ok, so he absolutely can do it on a wet Tuesday night away at West Brom but can he do it against the Champions on prime-time TV on a Sunday afternoon?
Yes.
In fact, it seems that there are very few places he cannot do it at right now.
Since GW13 began our hero in question has 9 goals, 1 assist and 17 bonus points for a total of 92 FPL points in 11 weeks. 5 of those were double digit hauls, and even some of the lesser ones included a 9 and a couple of 8’s.
As I mentioned earlier in the week, on our Fixtures article, City and Pep are usually a DGW trap but Gundo-man has now started all 11 of the aforementioned games in a row. He has been pulled off early a few times once the game has been won, but that in itself is a telling compliment. I don’t doubt that Pep will rotate heavily this week, but I very much doubt that G-Man will be a part of that mess.
He’s the most nailed on, in-form player, in the most in-form team in the league, what exactly is not to like here?
Matt – Antonio v Sheffield United (H)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Hulktonio! Antonio landed back into action after a long injury at the start of January and has been in ‘smashing’ form ever since!
Antonio tends to be the catalyst for most of West Ham’s attacks and they seem to lack a cutting edge when he is gone. Thankfully Antonio has a surprise Thor to his Hulk in the form of Soucek. West Ham would be struggling this season if it wasn’t for the Czech’s surprising goal threat. The Czech has won 13 points for West Ham with his 8 goals this season but with Antonio back, this unlikely duo could pummel their next opponent!
Over the last six games, Antonio has scored twice and assisted three times. He is the most in-form player in the West Ham side (according to the FPL site) but I have one fear for Antonio…
Superman has Kryptonite, Green Lantern hates the colour yellow and Antonio has dodgy hamstrings! I chose Antonio as my captain pick this week then heard he might be injured. Well, David Moyes has stated; “I think he just felt as if he was beginning to fatigue.” Keep an eye on the FA cup games but Antonio could be rested before the match in Sheffield which could mean he is fresh and ready to wreak havoc!
One last thing I will add is if you don’t like the current hero of the Hammers, well there could be a new hero emerging in the form of Lingard. The ‘young’ lad is looking to revitalise his career and could turn the dynamic duo into a terrific trio!
Rosco – Pope v Palace (A) and Fulham (H)
Not all heroes wear capes. Yes, yes, I know, Spiderman, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, etc etc. What I mean is, sometimes it’s the unconventional heroes that go under the radar. It’s a double game week, and sure, we can buck the trend and captain a single game week player, but where’s the fun in that right? Manchester City are the standout pick because well, they’re Man City, but the fear of rotation is all too real. So how about a player that is pretty much guaranteed to play both games? Step forward Nick Pope. Captain a keeper, what madness is this? I hear you cry. Well, hear me out on this one. Pope locked in his hero status for both Burnley and many an FPL manager last season, and how often is it the keepers and defenders who seem to be the ones with the most points come double game week time?
Burnley are an obvious draw this coming week; a trip to Selhurst Park to face a Palace side with the lowest number of goal attempts in home fixtures (87) and then a similar goal-shy Fulham visit Turf Moor having failed to score in four of their last five fixtures.
Burnley may have conceded the most shots in their away fixtures this season (192), but only two keepers (Darlow and Meslier) have made more saves than the Clarets custodian (45), and what do points make? Prizes? Well, er no, points, but that’s the point. Lot’s of points here, which is of course what we’re after.
A price hike (£5.5) meant few started the season with Pope, but he’s quietly gone about doing what he does, and his 102 FPL points are bettered by only one other keeper (Martinez) thanks in no small part to the 21 save points he’s wracked up (only Johnston and Meslier have more). Pope already has 5 double-digit returns under his belt this season, a tally bettered by no other keeper. Would it be that surprising if he managed to do it twice next week? No. Would you happily take 10 and 11 points doubled? You bet your ass you would. Go on, have some fun, it’s a game you know.
Smash – Bruno v West Brom (A)
Bruno Fernandes? What’s he doing here? He does not have a double I hear you ask. Well there is a thing called “double GW fever” where we overlook all single GW players for doubles with average fixtures. I’ve heard DCL (who I have been tipped to write about) being mentioned, well one of those games is City where considering their defensive record you would expect a blank so that’s just Fulham who generally concede one or two goals. City themselves have two relatively tough games in Spurs and Everton and there’s no guarantee our City player gets both games. We have been here before with Pep. Plus do we really want to captain a Burnley keeper this game is meant to be fun? So what makes Bruno so special he only has one match?
Right here we go.. If there was no double everyone would be captaining Fernandes. Bruno is the best FPL player in the game, he has the most points with 169 and he is playing the worst team defensively in the league West Brom. Bruno seems to get more FPL points without Pogba in the team well guess what Pogba is injured for this one. West Brom have conceded a quite staggering 54 goals the next worst is Palace with 39 goals. City’s next two opponents Spurs and Everton have only conceded 66 goals between them! They have conceded 370 shots this season and an cGC (expected goals conceded) of 43.66. In basic terms yes West Brom really are that bad, they also need a win, they are playing at home so should not just sit back which will create even more space for United attackers.
As for Bruno well where do I start? Number one player for big chances created (16), check, goal attempts (78), check, expected assists (6.46) check, expected goals involvement (17.39) check. Yes he’s top for all of those. He’s also second for chances created (68) behind Jack Grealish, 2nd for goals scored (13) and 2nd for assists (11). Is there a better player in the game? So yes Bruno Fernandes only has one fixture but he’s the best player playing the worst team in the league and there is no stand out double GW pick don’t be surprised to see Bruno outscore all the double GW players and he might even be a differential captain pick which makes a change doesn’t it. Personally I’m still undecided I’m down to three and Bruno is one of them.
Swirly – Sterling v Spurs (H) & Everton (A)
My pick is the Man of Sterl…ing (a reference to the Man of Steel!). Having scored four in his last five Premier League starts, the Man City number seven looks to be in the kind of form that he enjoyed once the last season restarted – much to my dismay as I didn’t have him in my FPL side back in those sunny July days! Indeed, this superhero could easily have more goals to his name, as he now joins Messi and Aguero in a very small club of players who have each scored 100 with Pep as their boss.
Looking ahead to this double gameweek, Raheem will be facing Spurs at home, before travelling to Goodison Park a few days later. This does mean there is a risk of Pep’s favourite hobby, rotation, however I’ll press ahead in the hope that, having sat out the tie against Sheffield United in Gameweek 21, this guy can play both.
Spurs have shown how much they need Harry Kane to function, as Son misfired and Jose grew increasingly demoralised when their star striker was sidelined. Though they have the third-lowest expected goals conceded when away from home, the Londoners still need to rely on their attacking force, as an average of 13.2 shots conceded in each game on the road puts them eighth on the table. Across all competitions, the Cityzens have scored 13 past them in the last five meetings at the Etihad, with Raheem himself accounting for five of those.
So, then it’s a trip to Everton – a team that has had a very good season so far. Currently lying in seventh place, they are just three points behind their Merseyside rivals, with two games in hand. A look at their defensive stats, however, does raise an eyebrow in an Ancelotti-like way, with 14.1 shots conceded per game at home, an unenviable second-worst behind West Brom, along with the seventh-highest expected goals conceded per fixture when playing on their own turf. In recent times, Man City have enjoyed playing at Goodison Park by notching up eight goals in the past three fixtures there – and two of those have Sterling’s name next to them.
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get out clauses than a Lionel Messi contract but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own.
DMC — Sterling
Jamesimmo — Bruno
Swirly — Sterling
Matt — Bruno
Loud Atlas — Sterling
Smash — Bruno
Horse — Gundogan
Kop — Gundogan
Cookie – Gundogan
Rosco — Gundogan
Ellefcee — DCL
AT — Bruno
Init — Gundogan
Mito — Gundogan
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Some questions, perhaps for Otieno. I like the plan you posted yesterday, especially to save the WC for GW30. Do you think, given the injury reports, that one can accumulate 11 DGWers with FTs for DGW26-will we know the DGW26 teams tomorrow? And, are we likely to know what the EPL is planning to do, by way of incorporating postponed games into GW26 and/or GW29? Thanks ahead for any answers to these convoluted questions?
I’m not Otieno but it sounds like he has a similar plan to me so I’ll chime in!
I already have triple Leeds so I don’t need to WC in GW25 to get them, and if I did WC in GW25 I would want 3 Leeds. By proxy if bench boosting in GW26 it would be the 3 Leeds boys on the bench who are guaranteed a single GW. Therefore I might as well BB in a single gameweek as there will be no benefit of doing it in 26.
With the above in mind a WC post BGW29 fits my agenda, BB will be played the following week.
In answer to your question, we should have a rough idea of who will double in 26 by tonight, but it won’t be confirmed, maybe it will be tomorrow but I’m assuming it won’t be. Looking at the likely doubles for 26 I currently have about 8 players who double. I’ll likely add another. I’d imagine you will have a similar number, which I think will be more than adiquate.
All makes sense, however… If you BB in 26 with 3 Leeds, you can still add a DGW goalie on the bench. For me, even though thats only one player, I’d say that maximising the BB chip within what you are looking to do.
Thing is, there is no right or wrong with this, just your gut feeling.
Plus you can already have that keeper in situ and use the FT in 26 to make Leeds into 2 and add an extra DGW player. Or even begin with 2 Leeds and go to 14 doublers plus 1.
Yeah also a valid option, one that will be open to me as I have 2 keepers who likely both double. My only draw back is I want kane with my FTs and I need cash and Pope is my cash cow. Lots of different ways to play it and it will depend on your individual circumstances!
The 26 reveal will tell all Rosco, until then it’s all second guessing what anything actually looks like.
I think a few will take one week punts this week in anticipation of WC’ing in 25 with a bumper 26 to come.
Yep, a one week punt this week is more fun than planning as well
Rosco,
Thanks very much for these points. They are very helpful-I also have about 8 double players and, like Otieno, I’d like to use my bench to keep players for GW29.
And yes, I would look to bench boost the week after the GW30 WC.
I also have it in mind to find a Spurs double for a Kane TC-he may be in the running for goals, and he has lit it up in the past.
Southampton winning has made our job a whole lot easier. Now it’s likely TOT v AVL will be put in GW29 so we have two quite attractive teams with a double and no blank.
So now we can easily get 11xDGW26 players and i’ll already have 8 players in my 15 ready for BGW29. (Son, Kane, Watkins, Bamford, Coufal, Dallas, Martinez) You may have more
On which chip strategy Otieno?
(I do know, I think, just conscious that a lot of people follow your strategic thinking and it’s not immediately obvious from this how that is achieved).
I’ll have 2FT and 4.2 itb going into 25 and ill probably use one to get Ings/Adams.
Then it depends on the injuries how many transfers I’ll use to set up for the DGW, maybe consider a hit.
Fancy DCL for TC in 26 v SOT & WBA if he’s fit (I already used my BB)
I’ll come out of GW26 with 7 BGW players to set up for BGW29
Then WC 30 and that’s all my chips done
Thank you. Very different to what I’m planning but just wanted it to be clear for those who are following a more similar path to yours as it looks a good strategy.
Depends what chips are left. I used my FH in GW18 and BB19. For those who still have these left then WC26 , BB26 and FH29 will be a popular strategy
Re Leeds and Southampton players coming in on a wildcard for 25 but possibly hobbling BB in 26, I’m pretty chilled about it as DGWs look like they’ll keep materialising. There’s an off chance Southampton, for example, could have another one in 26.
Also if DGW26 is as huge as predicted then a crafty -4 isn’t going to hurt anyone. It’ll cause a bit of pain maybe, some soul-searching. A quick little cry. A few managers will be taking hits anyway I daresay because of the mounting injuries.
Southampton have a DGW in 25, almost certainly in 26 v Spurs and quite likely MCI could be put in 27 giving them 3 DGW in a row. 7 games in 22 days. Is there an emoji for knackered! 😯
I’d expect the 26 games will be confirmed early next week, it’s usually a Monday / Tuesday when that happens. Certainly before 25 begins.
That’s when to start chip planning on earnest. It’ll suit some to WC in 25 and BB in 26 but as Rosco says that becomes more difficult with Leeds in 25. You could still WC to fill up for 26 plus Leeds and then TC in 26. Leaves the BB exposed and riskier though if left.
29 looks barren but could be worked around with a few FT’s. I wouldn’t get too caught up on 29 though. From what I can gather a couple could be added to 29 but more likely most will be in 27/28. But it’s all conjecture until confirmed. Which is a problem in itself as they are often confirmed in stages, one week at a time.
Guys.
Thanks for the informed, detailed comments. Great food for thought.
GW29 is set in stone imo. 3 games plus TOT v AVL. Can’t possibly be any more and it would be daft to play less. But PL have surprised us before!
Great replies, lads! My head is spinning just thinking about all of those possibilities! Therefore, I am waiting until Saturday morning to make changes, as I want to have as much info as possible!
cestions?
Danny Ings has a double next week, but has 4 blanks in a row. Bad form, bad service or unlucky?
He has Chelsea and Leeds, depends on which version of Leeds turns up, if it is the 5-4 version good for Ings or maybe JWP. Chelsea do not seem to concede a lot recently at least
Ings has just scored by the way
Is almost certain to come into my wildcard side. Bit of a trouper, old Ings.
He could have had 2-3 in the last game. Looked sharp and scored in the cup tonight.
Evening
Not sure what to do here, 4 players flagged up at the moment hoping the pressers will take some of those flags away.
I have 2 FTs & 4.1ITB – was thinking Mitchell to Digne? Which means Son will be benched depending on what happens with DCL.
Probably will play Areola over Martinez. Any ideas on what I should do with the other FT?
Bit of Burnley defence?
Son to Rashford Mitchell to Burnley defender ?
You could get in Ederson for one of your keepers and still get Digne given your itb figure. With CL starting soon, would remove the rotation risk quite a bit
Anyone but #7, just not #7…. ah, fck off!
Never know, may catch them on a bad night. Stirring win last night for your chaps.
Yeah… we are out!
In a one off game you have a chance you Innit
Maybe they’ll get one too many injuries like last time and try to claim Covid status again and subsequently get kicked out. Unfortunately I think that’s about our only hope!
It’s a one off game Everton are at home, More than likely they’ll have De Bruyne back by the time they play use
Great, although I’m not sure that exactly helps either our chances or indeed your optimism about them! :rofl:
Also depends how bad DCL injury is
Sounds like Spurs and Villa will have a game in bgw29 which makes things a whole lot easier !!
Yes and no Brooky. Wudnt be expecting much cs’s in that game. I guess could technically have 4 offensive players and Martinez