FPL Captain Picks GW36

Welcome to FPL Captain Picks GW36

Rosco — Chris Wood v Leicester (H)

Leicester City aren’t the worst team in the Premier League – but that’s hardly a glowing endorsement. That dubious honour belongs to Southampton, who have been so poor this season that if they fail to collect another point (and that’s entirely plausible), they’ll match the league’s lowest-ever total: Derby County’s infamous 11-point campaign in 2007/08.

But back to Leicester. Their game week 35 win over Southampton might have felt like a turning point, but let’s not get carried away – it was their first win since game week 23. That’s a 12-game stretch featuring 11 losses and just one draw. Dire.

Which brings us to Nottingham Forest, who host Leicester in what will be one of the Foxes’ final away trips of a dismal season. Forest aren’t exactly flying either, with only one win in their last five, but they’re still (somehow) in the hunt for a Champions League spot. You’d expect them to get back on track this weekend.

And that leads me to Chris Wood. He’s struggled to find form since returning from a brief injury spell, scoring just once in eight appearances since game week 25. But as they say – you’re only out of form until you’re back in it. Well, I’m not sure anyone actually does say that, but it makes sense in my head, at least.

Admittedly, the alternatives put forward by my fellow contributors are tempting. But there’s one thing I like about Chris Wood: he plays on Sunday. The Brentford pair and De Bruyne both play on Saturday, and for those of you – like me – who prefer to keep your captaincy pick alive until later in the game week, Wood offers that opportunity. Could he bag his second hat-trick of the season? Stranger things have happened.

Jamie Mc — Kevin de Bruyne v Saints (A)

(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

I knew that Tintin was Belgian.

I thought that Hercule Poirot was Belgian; thankfully, a quick Google search confirmed this to be the case.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was a famous Belgian “actor” in his hey-day.

In the sporting world then Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters were more than decent Belgian tennis players.

Throw in Edin Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke!!! as famous Belgian Premier League players.

So where is this nonsense going…for this game week captain’s armband then I present for your consideration the living legend that is Kevin DeBruyne or KdB for short (£9.5m & 10.2% ownership).

As we now all know, KdB is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.

KdB has helped City win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups with a third win a possibility come the end of the season, five League Cups, two Charity Shields and the Champions League. There will no doubt have been a few losing finals in amongst this lot.

In 282 City appearances, KdB has scored 72 goals and created 173 assists which is not too bad for someone not deemed good enough for Jose’s Chelsea (as well as Mo Salah).

KbB seems to have regained his fitness having started the last five game weeks playing almost the full ninety minutes in each of these games. KdB has scored two goals, created an assist, and amassed five bonus points in this period.

Your captain armband should very much be on a player with something still to play for in the remainder of the season. With City still chasing automatic Champions League qualification and having FA Cup places up for grabs then KdB will be looking for a well-earned send off from the City faithful.

Looking towards the last three game weeks of the season; City are away at relegated Southampton in game week thirty-six, home to Bournemouth in game week thirty-seven where City will want to turn on the style in KdB’s last home game and away at Fulham in the final game of the season and all being well KdB final City appearance.

As a more than decent differential then a decent finish to the season by KdB could be the difference in you winning your mini league or not.

Kop — Mbuemo / Wissa v Ipswich (A)

(Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)

At this time of the season, you’d expect a team like Brentford, sitting 9th in the table, to be lounging on the beach. But not this season. They’re just a point of Bournemouth, in 8th, and have a great chance to make Europe next season.

Over the course of the season, Brentford have knocked in an impressive 62 goals, making them the 6th highest scorers in the league. Over the past six gameweeks they’re the 3rd highest scorers with 12 in six games.

While I’m sure Brentford fans will tell us that have heroes all over the pitch, from an FPL point of view Mbuemo and Wissa have been the standout performers this season. Of the 62 goals that Brentford have scored, Mbuemo has plundered 18 and Wissa 17. For good measure they have eight and five assists respectively. They’ve both been amongst the goals of late with Wissa finding the back of the net on four occasions and Mbuemo three.

So, two great options in a team that scores goals. What more could you ask for? In a word, Ipswich! Let’s be honest, they’re dire. Over the course of the season, they have the 2nd worst defence in the league, conceding 76 goals in 35 games. Things haven’t been any better in the recent past either, 14 conceded in their last six.

So Mbuemo or Wissa? Mbuemo has blanked three times in the last six, whereas Wissa has only blanked once. Mbuemo has penalties in his locker, while Wissa is the differential of the two by some distance, 18% v 43%.

They’re both great choices and they both play Ipswich!

The confessional…

This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week… There are less guarantees that they will stick with this than in any given Man United performance.

DMC — Chris Wood if chasing. Salah if not.

Follow @DCoelho

The Gallant Pioneer — TBC

Follow @MitchellC_FF247

Jamesimmo — Cunha

Follow @James777Simpson

Ivan — KdB

Follow @IvanGB111

Swirly — KdB

Follow @theswirly

Matt — Honestly can’t decide

Follow @MattyMcveigh

Loud Atlas — TBC

Follow @FantasyFooty247

Smash — Mbeumo

Follow @Chrismartin1984

Kop — Wissa/strong>