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Captain Sensible – Gameweek 17

With just a few hours remaining until this evening’s 6.45pm deadline, it’s time for our pre-Gameweek members’ article as we analyse the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.

We get underway by assessing the main players in this week’s Captain Poll, then turn to the Opta numbers and check up on the Rate My Team ratings before considering a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.

The Captain Poll

After serving up a second double-figure haul in his last four at Wembley, faith in Harry Kane’s captaincy potential is on the rise once again.

With Spurs set to entertain Brighton on Wednesday night, their top scorer – who has been the number one armband pick in Fantasy Premier League in each of the last two Gameweeks – leads the way with over 49% of the votes cast in our Gameweek 17 Captain Poll.

His team-mate Son Heung-min delivered the top score of Gameweek 16, bettering Kane by 16 points to 12 after supplying a goal and two assists in the 5-1 hammering of Stoke.

Subject to more transfers in (76,000) than any midfielder in the Gameweek, the South Korean international has started each of his side’s last seven home matches but is backed by just 1% here.

A home clash with West Brom ensures that Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (16%) is regarded as Kane’s closest contender.

The Egyptian’s opener at home to Everton was the eighth Gameweek in succession that he’s provided a goal or assist. Salah also claimed maximum bonus against the Toffees to return 11 points – his seventh double-figure haul of 2017/18.

After being used from the bench on Sunday, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino seem set to be unleashed from the start against a Baggies defence with a single shut-out on the road all season.

Selected by just 5%, Coutinho is shaping up as an explosive differential – he’s delivered double-digits in four of his eight league starts and netted a Champions League treble against Spartak Moscow last week.

Firmino, meanwhile, has persuaded only 2% backers, yet has produced five goals and two assists in his last four starts across all competitions.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard claims third spot with 6%, despite an underwhelming display at West Ham on Saturday. The Belgian’s form on the road has been nonetheless impressive, with 39 FPL points over his last four away appearances.

Rested for the weekend derby win over Man United, Sergio Aguero (4%) is regarded as the stand-out Man City option ahead of tomorrow’s trip to struggling Swansea.

The Argentine netted twice in the corresponding fixture in 2016/17 and is favourite to lead the line at the Liberty Stadium, having started three of the previous four Gameweeks.

Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez will also be hoping to echo their output from last season.

Having scored just one goal in the last nine Gameweeks, the Man United frontman earns just 2% of the votes ahead of a visit from Bournemouth. Yet Lukaku netted four times at home to the Cherries while playing for Everton last season.

Meanwhile, Sanchez makes his way to West Ham, where he racked up three goals and an assist in the previous campaign. Unlike Lukaku, he boasts productive form for this one, with a goal or assist in four of the last five Gameweeks.

Four goals in three starts under Mauricio Pellegrino has earned Charlie Austin over 104,000 transfers in since the weekend. Up next, he entertains a Leicester City side with a single clean sheet on their travels.

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2,081 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve Stiffler
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    1FT & 0.3 ITB

    Pope
    Kola Ward Maguire Christensen (Mbemba)
    Coutinho Salah Hazard RLC (Surman)
    Kane Morata* (Niasse)

    What to do with these lot? Not going to take the hit for Morata > Firmino, have gotten too much value on him. Was thinking about doing Niasse > DLC straight swap just?

  2. MFFista
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Will Batsuhayi start?
    Carzy swapping Morata for him (-4)?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Might be a good punt but risky

    2. adey70
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yup. Maybe swap him for someone you *might* want to keep for longer than a week or two...

      1. MFFista
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Already Done my 2 ft, dont wanna do -8. Plan is to swap Batsuhayi + RLC for Cout next week and swap to 451.

        Will Bat start?

        1. adey70
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          He might! Here's hoping, if he's in your team...

  3. adey70
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Elliott
    Kola, Azpi, Gomez, Mee
    Salah, Hazard, Richarlison, Groß
    Kane, DCL
    Subs: Foster, Morata, Carroll, Daniels
    1.2m in the bank, 1FT.

    Got into top 20k with this lot. Will probably hold Morata as bought him at 10.3 (although I could get Aguero - tempting), could do Daniels to Jones, Carroll to Grey / Surman, or hold. Any thoughts? Also, when are pre-Christmas Wildcarders pushing the button?

  4. Wass up
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Lossl
    Long-Christensen-Davies
    Coutinho (C)-Sterling-Richarlison-Salah-Hazard
    Kane - Murray

    Subs: Elliott-Wilson-Kiko-Moreno

    Who to captain ? Really keen on Coutinho as cap !

    1- couts
    2- Salah
    3-kane

    1. Steve Stiffler
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      big Harry

    2. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I'm thinking Coutinho or Kane, tho why would we risk it, we should cap Kane tbh:)

  5. Berna1985
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Free hit after the injuries of Morata, Ramsey, Kiko

    Pope (Speroni)
    Otamendi/Christensen/Smalling (Tarkowski, Kenny)
    Hazard/Salah/Coutinho/Gray (RLC)
    Kane/Firmino/Austin

    0.5 Itb
    GTG?

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Not bad mate. Having to do one myself. Kun has to be in it for me

    2. Sterling Chap
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      You mean the free hit chip?

  6. Rex Lapis
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Ramsey + Morata > Lingard + Kane worth -8?
    or just Ramsey > Sterling and play Mee?

    Fabs
    Ota Kola Azpi
    Haz Salah Richarlison Ramsey
    Morata Vardy DCL
    (Elliot Mee Lascelles Barry)
    1.3 ITB

  7. Whazza
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Safe getting Kaku in? Is FA still investigating him?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I think so

    2. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      1 goal in 9 matches too

  8. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Is Morata-->Firmino overkill for a one week punt or two? I won't split Morata's cash so I'm gonna get him back soon. Got 2FT and 0.1itb, thanks!

    Pope
    Azpi,Monreal,Otamendi
    Coutinho,Salah,Sterling,Groß,RLC
    Kane,Morata
    Subs:Elliot,Niasse,Mee,Rangel

  9. Geri-hatricks
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    How nailed on is Marriappa?

    Could save 0.5m if I went him over Kabasele but how secure is his spot during this busy period?

  10. rnrd
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    MUFC update on def

    Jose spoke to #MUTV about Marcos Rojo's fitness: "He's a brave guy. I don't know - let's see if he can be ready for the match. but if he's not ready, we have other alternatives to play." #MUFC

    Jose added: "Phil Jones was already on the bench [at the weekend]. The injury is behind [him] and hopefully he can stay fit." #MUFC
    ----------

    Looks like Jones definitely is an option from now on isn't he?

    1. LewanGOALski
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      would love to go for him, although I am a bit scared about him starting this week...

      1. rnrd
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Jones has started every PL game this season when fit. So if he's fit..

        But yeah, there's a risk he doesn't start indeed

    2. Ode
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, just have to hope that he doesn't get injured

    3. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      First comment suggests Rojo will start if fit though, right?

      Don't think we can be sure Jones will start, can we?

  11. Malkmus
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    What to do? 1FT, 0.5 ITB. Bought Morata at 10.2 but if a few are rested I could end up with 7/8 players.

    Elliot/Speroni
    Ota - Christensen - Mee - Duffy - Mbemba
    Haz - Sterling - Salah - Richa - Ramsey*
    Kane (c) - Quaner - Morata*

    A - Ramsey to D Gray
    B - Ramsey & Morata to Coutinho and Firmino (-4)
    C - Ramsey & Morata to Couts & Giroud
    D - Ramsey & Morata to Couts & Rooney
    E - other

    Cheers !

  12. FlockofSeagulls
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    I'm tipping Kenny to be the highest scoring defender in the game this gw.

    1. Dazzleraz
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I know he's cheap and everton are in form..but looks a poor player in my opinion.
      Kenny, Chilwell, and Cresswell very similar players, decent peg but slow and limited going forward

  13. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this wc team folks? Bony or Murray?

    Ddg
    Christensen Otamendi tarkowski
    Hazard Salah Coutinho silva Richarlison
    Kane dcl

    Elliot bony mariappa masuaku

  14. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you start of and a reason would be great
    A) niasse
    B) gross

    1. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      B) because he will start

  15. ZeBestee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Captaining Hazard

    1. Fudge
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      underrated option

    2. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Tempting but can't take it off Kane atm

    3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Gonna blank

  16. FantasyNik123
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Fab
    Alonso Ota Ward
    Haz Salah Rich RLC
    Kane (c) Firmino DCL

    nordfelt mariappa gross dunk

    Looks good boys???

  17. Fudge
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    When is Mee meant to be back???

    1. adey70
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Hoping for today...

  18. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Nth from Mourinho's press conf suggesting that Zlatan could start?

  19. reeceon
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you prefer over Christmas:

    A) Shaqiri
    B) gray
    C) Lingard/Young

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      A

  20. Mr_Majestyk
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Need your help please, struggling to decide transfers this week.

    2FT and 0.0 ITB
    Tempted to hold onto Morata. so..

    Pope

    Ward Otamendi Christensen Gomez
    Hazard Salah Sterling Rich
    Kane Niasse

    Elliot RLC Dann Morata

    a) Dann/Niasse to Kenny/DCL
    b) Dann to Kenny/Masuaku
    c) other suggestions Thanks

    Not overly keen on doing Niasse to DCL

  21. TSN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    For long term, should i bring sterling or coutinho?
    Have salah on my team, no city mid

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      youve answered your own question

  22. beric
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Pope
    Dann - Mee - mariappa
    Coutinho (c) - hazard - Sterling - Salah - richarlison
    Morata - Austin

    Speroni, niasse, Duffy, Moreno

    I have high hopes!

  23. Strchld
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Changes DLC starting? Probably bringing him in to avoid 11 players today.

  24. Lets jump straight into it.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    (K)ane is sensible but Salah (although risky) could get a haul..

    Guess it up to Brighton, who need to turn it around and unlucky Baggies, who got Pardew (poor b*stards), to do something.

    or not

  25. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Salah, Coutinho & Firmino for the next 3 gameweeks too risky?

    1. payetisgod
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      ha just asked the same question below - i see the only risk being rotation. If they explode all are going to be involved!

    2. Mr_Majestyk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      even with rotation look at Salah the other week came off the bench scored approx 13 pts in limited time.

  26. payetisgod
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    anyone thinking a triple up on pool (cout,salah, firmino) is a bit excessive?

    I'm heading that way because of the Morata injury but interested to hear other views?

    Thanks

  27. fr3d
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Help pls
    a) Ramsey -> Sterling
    b) Ramsey/Niasse -> Sterling/DCL (-4)

  28. KolLaca
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    De Gea
    Azpilicueta Kolasinac Daniels Mee
    Hazard Carroll Salah Gross
    Kane Firmino

    1 FT/ ITB 0.7M
    Bench: Elliot Ramsey Niasse Rangel

    Desperately want to do
    Ramsey > Silva/Sterling
    but need to make extra transfers due to lack of funds.

    Any suggestions?

  29. Whazza
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Are we expecting a decision from the FA regarding Lukaku?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      What decision? Sorry, don't know what you're talkin' about.

      1. Whazza
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Are they investigating the bust-up after the derby

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          No idea. Haven't heard anything.

    2. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think it was anything to do with lukaku.. the only accusation could be match fixing 😆

      1. Whazza
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Lol. Just found both clubs will comment the incident to FA before Wed 5 PM. Then retroactions could be taken as the incident was not noted in Oliver's match report

  30. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Flat-track Bully to shine again?

    1. Alnair
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      If he even plays, would be a good time to for Mou to drop Lukaku due to "fatigue" and start Ibra...