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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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

2,081 Comments Post a Comment
  1. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A) Daniels, Morata > Mariappa/Holgate, Aguero
    B) Daniels, Morata > Masuaku, Lukaku
    C) Morata > Austin/Firmino
    D) Something else

    1FT, 0.4ITB

    DDG
    Naughton Mee Otamendi
    Salah Coutinho Hazard Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata*

    Elliot Niasse Long Daniels

    1. Genovoze
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A from these

  2. Genovoze
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso Kenny Mee
    Hazard Salah Ricarlison Gross RLC
    Kane DCL

    Elliot Kiko Morata Moreno

    1ft 1.5itb

    A) save and do Alonso, Gross-> Christensen, Sterling next GW on my 2ft
    B) Morata-> Aguero now and forget about City cover
    C) Morata->Firmino

    1. klavan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

  3. L S P
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Do I:

    A) Ramsey->Richarlison for -4
    B) Morata->Firmino/Lukaku for -4
    C) Both moves for -8

    Bench is Simpson (sou), Stephens (tot), Carroll (MCI)

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B if you must. To Firm.

  4. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Tyson Fury and his cousin Hughie squirm out of a steroid ban, claiming they ate a meal of Wild Boar together, and the animal hadn't had it's balls cut off.

    Heard it all now.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Dumb.

      But I like him as a boxer.

  5. Kermit Special
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Cout over Kane? Am I mad? 🙂

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Considering it too.

      1. Kermit Special
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Huge Diff IMO

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      (C)ou will go crazyyy

    3. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Same here but my cup opponent will Cpt Kane I guess so its Kane this time (again)

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Play your own game mate.

  6. Golden Delicious
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed:

    Ramsey to who? 9.3 to spend. Current front 8:

    Hazard, Sterling, Salah, Carrol and Ramsey
    Kane, Frimino, Austin

    a) Eriksen
    b) Son
    c) Coutinho
    d) Martial
    e) other and who?

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. rkpower1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        D

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

  7. Knowledgeable meerkat
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Seems a hideous question but

    Morata owners, are you starting or benching?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He's out

    2. rkpower1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If you are keeping, just start and then your first sub will come on anyway.

    3. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Only just found out..gutted... don't know.. frantically trying to decide...

    4. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      starting... just in case 🙂 RLC ready & waiting

    5. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I had to sell because I had Niasse and Kiko on my bench who probably won't play/start

    6. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think the question is: keeping or ditching?

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I dunno... this meerkay seems pretty knowledgeable 😉

    7. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Bench atm.

  8. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one:

    A. Ramsey -> Coutinho/Mahrez (-4)
    B. Morata -> Lukaku/Kun (-4)
    C. Both (-8)

    1. rkpower1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      neither until I know your bench

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Daniels and RLC are the ones who will play.

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          to me they're better than a -8 plus you'll prob want Morata back soon when Chelsea pick back up the pace

          btw, they're my 2 playing subs aswell & I reckon both will come on

          1. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I have Kiko on my team who is a doubt as well.

            1. kennethrhcp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              oh balls!

              A so in that case, Coutinho would be my choice

              1. WE GO FOR IT
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers! 🙂

        2. Darklord_bg
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          B, for Kun

          1. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers! 🙂

  9. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I will be well pleased if Salah is benched tonight comes on just gets an assist. Everyone in my league is Salah trigger cap crazy I'm the only one that kept it on Kane.

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      tomorrow mate

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I hope so even tho I own him as well. It will make ranks and league positions more interesting.

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I can guarantee he isn't playing tonight mate.

    3. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Salah is definitely not starting tonight 😉

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I hope so

    4. Deano
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Might be disappointed tonight.

  10. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Start Loftus-Cheek (WAT) or Kabasele (cry).

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      hmmmm, RLC, but very close

    2. Dsmythy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Easy RLC

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Tarkowski Christensen Otamendi
    Hazard Richarlison Salah Sterling
    Kane DCL Morata
    (Perreira RLC Kenny Kiko)

    a) Bench Morata and play RLC/Kenny
    b) Transfer out Morata > Firmino/Vardy (free)

  12. Mohit20
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is hazard (c) madness or should I go safe with Kane (c)?.....looking to close down the gap with my mini leauge leader.

    1. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Something I am considering now Morata is out as Haz should be up front?

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You close gaps by making a lots of boring but sensible decisions, not by making numerous punts. If it goes wrong you will just increase the gap.

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hazards form tends to be at home. Chelsea have been struggling for goals. Huddersfield have 4 cleansheets from 8 home games.

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not madness. But I'd still go Kane.

    5. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Won't Bats play?

  13. SirStevieG
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Azpi - Otamendi - Gomez - Ward
    RLC - Salah (vc) - Hazard - Richarlison
    Kane (c) - Firmino

    Elliot - Gross - Abraham - Naughton

    G2G?

    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gomez won't start, but you've got a strong bench so it's a great squad with top cover.

      1. SirStevieG
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I know but I've already done a -4 so no point doing another one.

  14. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison and Mee updates?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Argh, I didn't even know Richarlison was a doubt!

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison is a doubt?!

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Defenders Matt Lowton and Ben Mee remain the Clarets’ two injury concerns for the game against 15th-placed Stoke at Turf Moor.

      Lowton’s inclusion is rated as “improbable”, while Mee faces a check on the gash above his knee which ruled him out of the win over Watford.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

    4. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Don't do this to me man?

  15. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Top Transfers out this Gameweek
    FWD Morata CHE 446,799

    madness

    1. The Orienteer - find me in …
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not if you need someone who will play!

  16. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hmm.. to buy Jones or Smalling!?

    1. Dilzy
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      let me know when you decide... it's a hard call!

    3. klavan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones

    4. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      jones

  17. Dilzy
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Rate my Free Hit team:

    DDG
    Ward Christensen Otamendi
    Son Richarlison Hazard Salah Coutinho
    Kane(c) DCL

    0.5 ITB
    (Elliot Kenny Long Quaner)

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I've got 7 of those.
      So I give it 7 out of 11!

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Same as my current team except DDG and son! I’d want a spurs defender in if I was free hitting. Also I’d probably go for Kun and a cheap Man U mid like Lingard and play the fixtures more

  18. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Repost.

    How bad is the Fonte injury?

    Ogbonna/Masuaku to be nailed until GW 22?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      should be

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Bad. Out for a few months. Og is pretty much nailed

  19. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is sane to Coutinho (-4) worth?? And Captain couts
    300k rank??

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Could easily work out for you.

    2. Deano
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Is that a boast?

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Lol 300k is a boast. Lol.

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      yes

  20. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Bench Gross or DCL?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gross

      1. Clay Davis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        DCL

  21. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    going to take a -12 to ditch ramsey and morata for coutinho and firmino.

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      use FH chip...

  22. OnionBag
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What's the thinking behind Kane being so far ahead in the captaincy poll (Kane 48% vs Salah 16%)?
    I would have expected it to be closer between these two, given Brighton and West Brom have similar defensive records.

    (I need to decide between Kane and Salah for my team)

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Fear of limited minutes for Salah

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It's because we're voting, not providing calculated statistics. I only need to think that Kane is a 5% better pick than Salah for me to cast my (only) vote for Kane. Many others are in the same position.

      If you were offering odds to score, there might only be a couple of percentage points between them.

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I always vote with the one who I'm not captaining 😉

  23. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you play:

    A) Choupo (BUR a)
    B) RLC (WAT h)

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B, easy

    4. Dsmythy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

  24. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Salah, Kane or Hazard?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Dsmythy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Any.

  25. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Salah rested, probability?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      17%

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Unlikely, was taken off at 66 mins last match

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Klopp hinted he came off with a knock

        1. Woy_is_back
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Kane capitano it is!

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Ah, it's possible then. Tough to say. Don't captain Salah if that's the case

    3. Deano
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nil

    4. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      very likely

    5. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      50/50 and so too Kane, Hazard, Christensesn,Lacazette,Lukaku

    6. klavan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      25%

  26. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Bought to pull the trigger, second opinion needed, Morata to Firmino + 2.1m itb to upgrade my weak points the right move for this team?

    Pope (*Elliott)
    Otamendi Kolasinac Christensen Ward (Dunk)
    Salah Sterling Hazard Riacharlison (RLC)
    Kane *Morata *Niasse

    A) Good move
    B) Bad move

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Can't see any weak points worth doing it for

  27. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    best striker worth £5.9 for this GW or next 2?

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Prob Austin

  28. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Foster
    Ward Kiko Otamendi
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Grob RLC
    Aguero Kane

    Elliot Naughton Morata Mbemba

    No FT left.

    1. Save
    2. Mbemba to Kenny for a hit
    3. Morata to Firmino/DCL for a hit

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso to start or benched?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      start. Eraly sub against wham

  30. poohdini
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I have Monreal - Christensen - Mee - Dunk - Hünemeier.

    Considering Mee might not be able to play, is it worth taking -4 hit to upgrade Hünemeier to Kenny?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      no