Members

Captain Sensible – Gameweek 24

We turn to our Opta data next in our usual pre-Gameweek members’ analysis of the main armband contenders.

First up, we take a look at the leading players in this week’s Captain Poll before moving to the Opta numbers and Rate My Team ratings, then consider a differential or two ahead of Saturday’s 11.30am deadline.

The Captain Poll

There’s a three-way tussle for our attentions in the Gameweek 24 Captain Poll, with Harry Kane once again leading the way on 31%.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker is one of a handful of players who have already delivered big returns against their weekend opponents as recently as Gameweek 20.

Kane bagged a hat-trick and 17 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points against his upcoming hosts Southampton that weekend – that’s the eighth time he’s scored one than one goal this season.

The Saints, meanwhile, have offered next-to-no resistance at St Mary’s, managing just a single clean sheet in their last 11.

That looks good news for Kane’s team-mate Son Heung-min. The South Korean supplied 14 points in the 5-2 win over Manuel Pellegrino’s men last month and has three goals and as many assists in the last four Gameweeks.

Sergio Aguero grabs the runners-up spot behind Kane, thanks to 22% backing.

With Gabriel Jesus still sidelined, the Argentine has bagged six goals in his last seven across competitions ahead of a weekend visit from a Newcastle outfit with one clean sheet in their previous nine on the road.

Aguero has struck 11 times in as many league encounters with the Magpies, including a five-goal home haul in 2015/16.

Just 4% are considering Raheem Sterling, who has bettered Aguero for home goals (nine to seven) and double-digits (six to three) – indeed, his last 10+ points haul arrived against the Magpies in Gameweek 20.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne (1%) is another strong City alternative, with four lots of double-digit returns in his last six at the Etihad.

A trip to Swansea City earns Mohamed Salah third spot with 17% of the votes cast.

The Liverpool wide man’s goal and assist in the 4-3 win over Man City means he’s returned points in 13 of his last 14 league outings and took him onto ten sets of double-digits for the campaign.

Salah is now back in training as of this evening after suffering from illness in midweek, with the Reds facing the south Wales at 8pm on Monday night.

Yet only 2% are looking at Roberto Firmino, who bagged two goals and 13 points against the Welsh outfit in Gameweek 20. The Brazilian’s last seven starts have harvested seven goals, three assists and four sets of double-digits.

With the top three persuading the vast majority of voters, it leaves a number of in-form differential candidates to consider.

Marko Arnautovic entertains Bournemouth looking to mirror his 15-point haul against the Cherries in Gameweek 20. Only 3% are willing to back the West Ham man, who has five goals and three assists in his last five league outings.

Jesse Lingard also netted twice against his upcoming hosts Burnley in Gameweek 20. He has 50 FPL points, and three sets of double-figures, in his last five away matches.

Riyad Mahrez entertains a Watford side without a clean sheet in the last 10 Gameweeks. Over that period, the Leicester wide man has racked up five goals and four assists to climb into fourth in the FPL midfield standings.

Marcos Alonso collected 14 points against weekend hosts Brighton in Gameweek 20. With three goals and five clean sheets in the last six Gameweeks, the wing-back is Chelsea’s form player ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off.

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1,385 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BananaNose Maldonado
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    I might be the only one, but I found the discussion on the Scoutcast about going template to be a bit discouraging.

    I understand that having Salah, Kane, Sterling, Jones and a few others makes perfect sense. It's hard to argue with that.

    But I'd like to think that one of the benefits - for the listeners - of having a podcast with a panel of experts is that they will unearth hidden gems, highlight players that could move you up the ranks that are lesser owned, and rely a little more on their instincts, experience and guts than on group think (or group behavior). Advocating a strategy that a bot/computer program could carry out seems...unsatisfactory?

    Anyway, I get that the approach can be successful. But, man, that sure seems like a boring and unfulfilling way to play the game.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Martina and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Ive if you are a bit short. You're welcome. 😀

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        *Ibe

        1. BananaNose Maldonado
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yep, already have Ibe, and have opted for Aguero and Shaw as sort of differentials. I'd like to find a few more in the next few weeks.

      2. BananaNose Maldonado
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ha. Cheers, Doos. I'm definitely eyeing up the Ox come GW28.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Ox is the next template mid shift imo

    2. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Fantasy risks

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I figured out template few weeks ago myself

      1. BananaNose Maldonado
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        You are a genius.

    4. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I think they did also mention ways to find some possible differentials amongst the template team. Jonty mentioned doubling up on pog/Lin or kdb/sterl could reap additional benefits and break being the mould, which has been my strategy for a few weeks now.

      1. BananaNose Maldonado
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, by no means was my note meant to be a critique of the site or the panelists on the Scoutcast. It's more that the main theme that emerged this week about the safety (and possible success) of just going template bores me.

    5. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      100% agree. In fairness the site used to be more like that.

      The scout picks is the perfect example, it used to feature several ballsy choices, now it's done by committee and it's just blatantly obvious and mostly highly owned picks

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        It used to be the case that if you owned a lot of the Scout Picks then you were likely to have a bad week, and vice versa.

        They are less maverick and more dullard now, but is that a bad thing?

        Look at final Scout Picks selection if you want the majority view, but look at the five sets of candidates for the Scout Squad if you want some alternative suggestions.

    6. Jake Donahue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Was thinking the exact same thing, I want a mix of dullard and maverick on the scoutcast.

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I think there is a decent mix. Let's be fair to Granville, he got to the template before it was a template! He's always trying to mix it up.

        Also, I do try to inject a bit of imagination myself - I was fighting the tide on Tuesday though.

        In the defence of Andy and Jonty, they have their reasons to play conservatively which they did explain on the episode.

        1. BananaNose Maldonado
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yep, I agree with that. If your rank is already flying, there is some safety in just holding tight, and playing conservatively.

          Mark, I think you've made some of the riskier - and more fun - moves this season. And Granville always injects some outside-the-box thinking.

          Again, my note was mostly a critique on the move to base decisions off of the template. I feel similarly about basing captain decisions on ownership percentages rather than who your gut tells you will score the most points. Is that a smart way to play? Possibly. Do I find it boring and unfulfilling? Absolutely.

        2. SuperMane Returns
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          I really enjoyed this week's scoutcast. I like the mix of you all. It would be good if you could get Luke or Jay E back soon to as they are quite the mavericks. Anyway, keep up the good work Mark 🙂

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

          I do like your vardy pick over firmino. And I totally get Jonty and Andy's tactics, it's very similar to my thinking.

          I would just like someone coming from a totally different angle and putting forward different options, whether that's formation or players. I liked Az's wingback strategy earlier in the season for example.

        4. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          You can't go against the template just for the sake of it. Sometimes it just makes sense due to fixtures and form but there will be a new template in 4 or 5 weeks time and if you want to climb the OR in a meaningful way then you need to have the cajonas to have this template before everyone else imo.

    7. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I had that "template" for weeks now so pretty content with the ranking. Depends on what's your goal and where u at. Template would bore me too if my season was crap. From my pow, no need to change a thing tbh.

    8. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      But surely the reason there are template players is because those players are obviously good fpl picks.

      They covered that the differentiating points in the team are the fringe lesser picked players.

      They did go over a few potential gems iirc - talked about wilson I think?

    9. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      For this week:

      Okazaki
      Wilson
      Choupo moting
      Martial
      Ramsay

    10. Salah'n'Sauce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I get your point and agree....your solution is to play the draft game as well. I have enjoyed that more this year as you obviously avoid a lot of these issues of mirroring the same teams etc. Have to add, if it (the draft version) had the facility to trade players with other managers in your league plus a few tweaks to the site, it would be perfect. Anyway, worth trying if you and your mini league haven’t already imo. Cheers.

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Marco Silva - "Richarlison damaged by transfer speculation"

    Marco Silva admits Richarlison has been distracted by interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

    Silva wants to help the Brazilian handle the mental aspect of a difficult few weeks.

    “What we can do is be smart with him and take care of him,” said Silva, ahead of today’s match against Leicester. “I don’t want to put all the pressure on him. He had a fantastic impact on Watford and in the Premier League".

    https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/907222/Chelsea-transfer-news-Richarlison-Marco-Silva-update-Premier-League

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Oh dear

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      14 shots on target all season. He's a lemon

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Most of his shots miss the goal by a lime.

  3. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Ok whats this whole Courtois thing about, gonna have to waste another transfer ffs

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Scout tweet.

    2. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Expected to miss out according to Dinnery

  4. _figu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What are Courtois owners doing? Elliot as 2nd.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Speroni my second, guess I'll sell to de Gea

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Don't have funds for him so it would have to be Pickford/Schmeichel

    2. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Fuming.. Brought him in this week

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ouch. Who is your 2nd? Keeping/selling?

        1. TOBY1
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          keeping for now - not spending -4 -

          Fab as 2nd

      2. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Early transfer risk

      3. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Speroni second. Chelsea fixtures are so good but looking at Pickford.

        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah that's the thing...Courtois would be good for next 3 after this GW. Was planning on getting Pickford after those. Uff.

    3. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      kane or salah or sterling captain ?

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Tough one this week! Check who your rivals have and will likely captain ... should help with the decision ....

        For example if your ahead and 3 of your chasers have salah but no Kane then Salah captain can’t really go wrong for you ....

    4. jdogg
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Mee to danilo

      Or

      Speorni to pickford

      Or both for a hit?x

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Speroni...keep Mee. Also consider Schmeichel IMO.

        1. jdogg
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Got simpson already.x

          1. Legomané
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Fair enough, just Pick then!

      2. Walcoff life
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        both imo

    5. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      1FT 0.5ITB
      A. Eriksen > Sterling
      B. Save FT
      C. start shifting the deadwood...

      Pope
      Jones Christensen Kenny Ogbonna
      Salah Eriksen Son Arnautovic
      Aguero(c) Kane(v)

      (Elliot DCL Duffy RLC)

      1. Chazz69
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        DCL , RCL

    6. cjhewitt92
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      This team good to go

      Pickford
      Jones Alonso Danilo VVD
      Sterling Salah Sane Arnautovic
      Kane Firmino

      Adrian Wilson Chilwell Romeu

      Not sure about benching Wilson but can't see how to get him in

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        If the quality of a team was judged on the first bench spot, you're right up there, very G2G 🙂

      2. Gasa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        How about bench boost?

    7. Sadio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Someone convince me not to get Arnie for Richarlison.

      I really want to carry over my FT.

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Do it.

      2. jam
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Deffo do it!

      3. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
          6 years, 2 months ago

          For a FT definitely do it

        • Sadio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          So far you guys are not doing a great job.

          1. jam
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Haha well it sounds like a no-brainer to me 🙂

        • Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          4 shots last 10 for 0 goals 2 assists 29pts. Are you a masochist?

        • Tazah
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Just wait for the rich Stoke game

      4. HVT
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Play
        A - Ogbonna (BOU-playing Adrian)
        B - Kenny (WBA)

        Thanks

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          b

          1. HVT
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            You reckon Kenny starts?

        2. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Kenny

          • Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            a

          • _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            I'm playing Kenny, Ogbonna 1st sub

          • Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Bournemouth score imo

          • HVT
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks all, much appreciated

        3. Alli
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          DDG
          Otamendi - Christensen - Ogbonna
          Alli - Sterling - Salah - Lingard - Arnautovic
          Kane - Firmino

          Speroni - DCL - Kenny - Kabasele

          2FT - 0.3 ITB

          DCL to Ayew ?

          1. Chazz69
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            no brainer

        4. New Post
        5. jazzy g
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Who is the best 4.8 m or less defender?

        6. jurgenklopp.8
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Pope
          Alonso - Maguire - masuaku
          Arnoutovic - richarlison - sterling - salah - alli
          Kane - Firmino

          Elliot - DCL - Kenny - Mee
          2ft 0.2itb

          Any ideas what to do?

          1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Rich and DCL out? Arnie and cheapie (or punty with Niasse/Crouch)

              Also play Kenny ahead of Masuaku

            • Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Pray

          2. Vamos Los Celeste
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            How to fix this def for this gw ? i'm doing Trippier > Alonso next gw and i want transfer schindler out too but he's a better shot this gw than my other defs

            Trippier Schindler Dunk Dummett K.Long

            any suggestions ?

          3. xtina
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            wilson or ayew?

            1. @fpl_phenom
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Wilson all day

            2. Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              flip the coin dude

          4. the egyptian king
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Ederson
            Jones Ota Alonso Kabasele
            Sane Hazard Salah
            Kane Firmino DCL

            Bench Clark Carrick Mctominay
            1 FT 0.2 ITB

            DCL to Wilson is happening
            But
            Kabasele and Hazard > Rudiger/Maguire and Mahrez/Arnie (-8)
            Can afford all combos just cant decide which one. Help???

          5. Ohh1454
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Is courtois defiantly out I can make a straight swap to ederson I own both Alonso and ota . Thoughts ?

            1. Walcoff life
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              if your 2nd keeper starts I wouldn't

          6. Game of Throw_ins
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Thinking of (C) Sterling ahead of Salah and Kane due to poor goal conceding record of Newcastle against city. Go ahead?

            1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
                6 years, 2 months ago

                You are going for an alternative captain, so most will say no...

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

              McBurnie/Quaner - Who is more likely to get starts?

              1. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                None

                1. Walcoff life
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  This

            3. Durpville St Germain
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Alli or Mane?

              1. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Mané

                1. Durpville St Germain
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  Cheers.... would you use a free transfer doing it, or would you save the transfer?

              2. Walcoff life
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                flip a coin

              3. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Mali

            4. Walcoff life
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              A: Ayew (LIV)
              B: Richarlison (lei)

              1. Durpville St Germain
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                ayew

            5. yanky
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              play one
              a) Demari Gray (WAT H)
              b) Calvert Lewin (WBA H)
              c) Schindler (STK A)

              1. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                C is the obvious

            6. golly28
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Is Aguero worth a 4 point hit this week?

              1. yanky
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                yes if you captain him 🙂

                1. golly28
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  Thinking Kane captain. Worried about his Newcastle record

              2. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Aguero is finished

                1. golly28
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  Explain?

                  1. Chazz69
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 2 months ago

                    Aguero is going to get injured soon, he's fragile and in my opinion he will not perform

            7. tbhogal
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Eriksen to Mahrez a good move this week ?

            8. the egyptian king
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Mahrez or Arnie and Maguire or Rudiger

            9. Bruno Bruno!!
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Wanted to take a moment to thanks Carrick for everything he has done for united during his career and time at the club. You've been a great servant to arguably in biggest club in England. Wish you all the best with your retirement at the end of the season and good luck being part of the coaching team at the club.

              1. markieffm
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                And all he did at spurs 🙂

            10. markieffm
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Pushing hard to make up some points on the leader in my league. He has Firmino Kane and Morata up top already and doubt he has enough funds to get Kun in. What do I do?

              Morata to Firmino

              Or

              Morata to Kun
              And
              Grob to Obiang for -4

            11. smix
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Have Firmino- with Kane (c) but no Aguero. Everyone in the ML has Aguero tho and could possibly captain him. Will it end up being a great differential or a disaster ?

            12. Postman Ty
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              OK crunch time. 2 FTs, who to bring in:

              a) Pogba --> Mahrez
              b) Son --> Mahrez
              c) Pogba + Vertonghen --> Salah + C.Martina
              d) Son + Vertonghen --> Salah + C.Martina
              e) Adrian --> Pickford
              f) Abraham --> Quaner (and re-assess double/triple transfer next week with more cash)