FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 25
Welcome to FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 25
The finest of margins – that’s what FPL is in so many ways. At the time of writing, the likes of Sterling, Fernandes and Salah have five, nine and seven points respectively – then there’s Gundogan who has almost the total of the three players’ gains combined, with 19 points. Those who not only had him in their team, but also followed our man Init’s tip of captaining him, congratulations! As for the fortunate few who even triple captained him, even better! Regardless of whether he plays his second fixture, that is a tally to be pleased with.
Indeed, being pleased when your points tally is great is key to this game. In these times where we look for escapism from the general naffness of lockdown, nothing beats seeing that green arrow as you move closer towards your season-end goal and, dare I say it, even overtake a few rivals in your league. But, if you don’t do well, console yourself that this is a season and the end of the last have been nothing short of ridiculous. No years have been like them before and, hopefully, won’t be like it in the future either. Whether it’s VAR, the lack of a crowd, extra rotation from the fixture congestion or players testing positive with Covid-19, it’s fair to say we’re up against it. On top of that, there’s the fact there are now eight million managers in this game and therefore much greater competition – that means those points make a greater difference when it comes to shift in rank. I remember when there were about 3.5 million people taking part – and it wasn’t that long ago.
So, let’s take a look at the players in yet another double gameweek who will hopefully deliver the goods and give you that great points tally and another green arrow!
Init – Bamford v Wolves (A), Southampton (H)
Would I captain Bamford in a normal GW? Would I heck. In fact he had one of those last week and couldn’t even find his way in to my starting X1. So why the sudden change of heart; from bench to Captain? Well, DGW’s do that to people.
- Why would I not normally consider him for the armband?
Becasue he’s just not exposive enough.
He tends to score 1 and then check out.
He’s only hit double digits on 3 occasions this season.
He has 12 goals and 8 assists but has only coupled and assist with a goal on two occasions.
He struggles to accumulate bonus points, he only has 16 in total. - So why this week?
Because he’s bloody consistent.
Bednarek.
He always plays, which is always a good start.
Bednarek.
His opponents have proved themselves to be pourous as of late.
Bednarek.
Rosco – Raphinha v Wolves (A), Southampton (H)
Init makes some good points, but if you’re going to captain a Leeds player this week then you’re surely going to choose their best player, right? If you’re in any doubt over who that is, Just ask Gary Cahill.
While Bamford hogged the headlines (for all the right reasons thankfully) his Brazilian teammate was quietly adjusting to life in the Premier League. Just 4 attacking returns in his first 10 league starts but the signs were there that Leeds had shrewdly invested their £17million in a very talented player. Sure enough, he now has 6 attacking returns in his last 5 (2 goals and 4 assists) taking him to 10 in 15 – impressive. So impressive, that the inevitable transfer rumours have begun in earnest (Liverpool and Barcelona if the daily rags are to be believed).
“Go f*ck your mothers in your fish and chips country.” Tweeted one disgruntled Rennes fan when he moved to Leeds. Well, I think I’ll give that a miss, but I do like Fish and Chips, and I may just give him my Captain’s armband this week, so there.
Swirly – Fernandes v Newcastle (H)
If in doubt – and you’re not going for a double gameweek player – you can always rely on Mr Dependable. Just like Mo Salah, even when the rest of Bruno Fernandes’ team isn’t at the races, he still manages to get in and amongst the points more often than not. In fact, there are just eight gameweeks where he has scored fewer than five FPL points so far this season.
Playing against a side who have conceded 10 in the last six, part of a story that has seen 40 let in from 24 fixtures – as only three other sides in the league have a worse tally – you have to fancy the guy we know as Bruno to pick up where he left off the last time Man United played Newcastle. That time, back in Gameweek 5, he scored one and set up another in the Red Devils’ 4-1 victory. Since the full time whistle was blown at the end of the game, the number 18 has gone on to register another 11 goals and nine assists and only needs to hit the back of the net another trio of occasions to catch up with the golden boot race leader, the aforementioned Mo Salah.
Kop – Ings v Chelsea (H), Leeds (A) Or Gundo v Arsenal (A)
Ilkay f**king Gundogan. I was all set to waffle on and tell you why the aforementioned Gundo was a great option this week. It was going to be very cathartic. Why cathartic? Because dickhead here doesn’t own Ilkay f**king Gundogan! I’m not bitter. It’s my own fault. Although, Cookie should take some of the blame.
That’s enough about me, back to the article. I was going to tell you all not to be blinded by the double gameweek lights and how you should instead focus on the leagues form player. However, Pep has thrown a spanner in the works and indicated that Wednesday night’s game against Everton might come too soon for Gundo. Now, I appreciate this is Pep and he has form for being nothing but a baldy liar and Gundo may in fact start against Everton and then start against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. However, I can’t confidently waffle on about someone who potentially has a dodgy hammy… despite Man City having become firm favorites to win the league.
Instead, I’m being drawn towards the double gameweek lights. The above picture of Danny Ings probably gave it all away. You didn’t need all the nonsense about Gundo. You can blame Cookie for that!
Why Danny Ings? Because he’s got a double gameweek and double gameweeks are great. Simples. Unfortunately, he plays for a Southampton side who have lost their last six league games and have scored just four goals in that. Ings himself has started the last five games with just a solitary goal to his name.
I’m not really making a case to captain Ings, am I? Fck it, just captain Gundo!!!
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 — Fernandes
Jamesimmo — Dallas (no longer a joke?!)
Swirly — Bamford
Horse — Bamford
Matt — Bamford
Loud Atlas — Bamford
Smash — Bamford
Kop — Bamford (he’ll blank)
Cookie – Ings
The Gallant Pioneer — Dallas
Rosco — Bamford
Ellefcee — Bamford
Floydeth — Bamford
AT — Ings
Init — Bamford
Mito — Bamford
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL GW25
Thanks for reading FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 25
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Do I go with
McCarthy for double game week
Or
Martinez for one game?
Double I think
McCarthy has chances of being dropped. I personally wouldn’t take the risk of bringing him in.
If he’s already in your team you could start coz I don’t see Emi keeping a CS anyway
I daresay if I had McCarthy I’d probably play him. Leicester are in good nick and you’d fancy them scoring against Villa. Southampton I know are in a sorry state but Mc may fluke a few saves and may marginally outpoint Martinez.
It’s a tricky one, Southampton have lost 6 in a row in the league haven’t they?
Thanks for the article guys! I’m going with Danny myself.
I may shift the V onto him (going with Bamford after some umming and ahhing).
Will be interesting to see how we approach next week if Ings goes mental this, and has another DGW.
Bamford is the best option if you’re consolidating your position, given effective ownership.
Yes agreed. That is exactly what I’m doing.
I would have wildcarded KdB in if I was chasing.
Another week with week with entertaining writing, cheers. At one point I thought Kop had just posted an image of Danny and then that was it, his recommendation for the week
O Danny Boy, the goals, the goals are calling
From CHE to LEE and down the merseyside.
The single’s gone and all the doubles coming.
‘Tis you, ’tis you…
Surprisingly little uptake on Danny. Which I suspect is more to do with Chelsea’s uptick in defence.
Hi Innit,
). Anyway, we could all be wrong, and I hope so for Ings captainers!
Yes that’s what swayed it for me – I saw Danny as essentially a single game weeker + 2 points (probably
See you round – hope the family is slowly coming round to normality.
What is the best captain choice Bamford or Bruno Fernandes?, I’m not sure what to do at the moment
Bamford for me, A13.
I’m currently on Bamford, Vice is on Fernandes, not used my second wildcard as of yet as there has been no announcement on double game week in 26
I have never been more unsure in terms of chip strategy and transfers. This season is trying to get the better of me but I won’t go down without a fight!
Since I have all my chips available, I’ve tried every possible scenario that I can think of but it somehow always feels wrong. My gut feeling went down the gutter, I reckon!
The most logical thing to do is WC now and BB in DGW26 but with the double Leeds & Saints in DGW25, I can’t find a way to maximise it. Also, there is a fixture swing for most of the teams I’d have 2-3 players from (Villa, Spurs, etc) after GW30, had I used my WC now it’d be difficult to navigate.
I tried with some FTs as well (I have 2 atm) + a hit or two but I have too much deadwood to get rid of if I wanted to go for BB in 26.
Tried a WC draft which will also set me up for BGW29 but it was a complete mess.
I guess I can use FTs to have 10/11 players with DGW and leave the BB for another GW but then when you think about it – when?!
Can anyone advise me what the best strategy for my team would be, please? #desperate
I can’t say I have a great deal more clarity on it but I think you nailed it with the ‘-when?!’ In which case I think you probably start with the notion of BB26 and work back from there.
That was helpful wasn’t it! :rofl:
Nope :laugh2:
Doubt we get a DGW as big as this one. Also you’re dilemma is between a scenario that you’re 95% sure of now vs a yet to be announced scenario in the future of which we have only maybe 20% idea about.
Also would like to mention, your dilemma is probably what millions of managers are facing during this stretch of FPL. If we had a clearcut answer for your “when” query, I’m pretty sure all the million others fretting regarding this conundrum would have an answer for you
Personally I’d attack this DGW :popcorn:
Agreed. I’m seeing it as a block of games to be plundered as best we can. Fortunately the BGW isn’t immediately after 26.
Though very likely to play the BB next week I may not and just put the TC on Kane or Vardy, surrounded by numerous DGW personnel. Best to keep all options option, er open.
Thanks, Doc!
I know I am not alone in this for sure, that’s why I am seeking help from the wiser folk around.
You said you’d attack this DGW meaning going for Leeds & Saints (presumably without WC as I have 2 FTs)? This automatically means no BB next week. Or did you mean WC now including Ings, Dallas etc and then get rid next week and play BB?
A way of maximising it would be to go for Leeds plus Ings (or whatever combo floats your boat) this week then TC Kane / Vardy / whoever floats etc next week. That means the SGW players can be stashed away on the bench and you’d have a TC + 9 or 10 DGW players. That’s a pretty powerful combo.
Obviously injuries this GW could completely capsize that plan (or maybe even make it more of a reality).
Another thouguht is having a -4 next week and start clearing out the Leeds players and BB.
Thank you, Kralin!
I think I can avoid using the WC chip if I went with this strategy, as I have 2 FTs (+4.1 M ITB) and could fix all those with a hit or two.
Let’s say I did this and use TC next week. What about BB then? Do you have a good answer for the “when” question?
I may not play BB myself next week (may TC or simply put out a strong DGW XI) and my answer would be – I haven’t the foggiest when I’d play it. Having it up my sleeve for later on – some misty undefined time when another DGW may magically appear, perhaps. Or just a nice looking week when my entire squad plays at home.
Cheers Kralin! Whatever you may decide – good luck!
I haven’t pressed the wildcard button for whatever reason.
Play Areola: Home to Sheffield United
Play Martinez: Hole to Leicester
Well, Martinez’ high ownership will cause your OR a mischief if he keeps a CS. But I think Leicester will find their way through without being 100% confident they will (I wildcarded Barnes in but have him on my bench).
Areola narrowly.
There’s no Cash for Villa this weekend Barnes should get a few chances to score
I’d probably still go with Martinez. That ownership is way too high. I don’t see clean sheet in either of those fixtures tbh.
Quick question, I know this came up before, can I make transfers and use bb in the same gameweek?
Yes, just can’t use multiple chips in the same week
Yes