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Captain Sensible – Gameweek 18

Our pre-Gameweek members article, focussing on the main captaincy contenders, arrives once again this evening. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.

The Captain Poll

Alexis Sanchez heads this week’s Captain Poll as Arsenal prepare to host a QPR side without a point on their travels. The Chilean has mustered just one goal and three assists since the return of Olivier Giroud but has still been backed for the armband by over 24% of the voters. Giroud, on the other hand, has netted four times in those six appearances, with his presence up front forcing a tactical re-think which has nudged Sanchez onto the flank. So far, though, less than 9% are convinced by his form.

Chelsea duo Eden Hazard (17%) and Diego Costa (12%) are also in contention for the home clash with West Ham. Hazard has scored in each of his last five appearances at the Bridge, but with no press conference from Jose Mourinho so far, we’re still in the dark over his ankle problem in time for Friday’s encounter. Costa’s home comforts cannot be ignored – he’s blanked in just one of seven matches in front of his own fans. For all their form, Sam Allardyce’s side have yet to earn a clean sheet on their travels and face a tough task to address that record.

Robin van Persie is your United weapon of choice for the visit of Newcastle. The Dutchman has delivered three double-figure hauls in his last five and faces a backline that’s without a shut-out since Gameweek 12, though his withdrawal on the hour mark against Villa last weekend is somewhat concerning.

After getting amongst the goals last weekend, City pair David Silva and Yaya Toure (both 4%) could be relative differentials. The champions roll up to West Brom still devoid of any fit strikers and a false nine system seems set to continue against Alan Irvine’s strugglers. Wilfried Bony is backed by 5% for Swansea’s home match with Villa. Benched for last week’s trip to Hull, the Ivorian is expected to lead the line once again – five goals and an assist in his last six at the Liberty sums up his form in front of the Swans’ faithful.

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1,476 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    When u have Siggy and Sanchez Choose best two Strikers to get ?

    A- Giroud
    B- Bony
    C- Kane
    D- Benteke

    😥

    1. Rafabio
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      AD for me

    2. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      A and D, QPR will be ripped apart like Shamu did to that bird once.

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers

  2. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Guzan
    Baines / Azpi / O'Shea
    Haz / Sanchez / Yaya / Siggy
    Bony / Austin / Lukaku
    (McCarthy / Downing / Wisdom / Saylor)

    1 FT & 0.4m itb
    A) Save FT
    B) Lukaku -> Giroud or Kane

    Getting Kane would allow me to bring in ADM for Siggy next week...what you guys suggest?

  3. jam
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Anything to choose between Mangala and Demichellis?
    Figured Demi plays more if Kompany returns...

    1. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I would say Mangala is more nailed but has 4 YCs

      1. jam
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Good point, decision made! Ta

    2. Rafabio
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Mangala one YC away from a ban

      Demishells is gone when Kompany is back

  4. Jimbo123
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Anybody know how nailed on Lovren is likely to be?

    Thinking of bringing him in gw 19 in my draft league. Those fixtures.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Got dropped didn't he?

      1. Jimbo123
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Ahh did he? I saw the yellow flag and assumed injury

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I'm doubting myself now, but I'm pretty sure he was available for a while and just not pinked.

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Picked...

    2. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty sure he was dropped before his injury and only played to aid rotation.

      Would punt on Toure if I had a Liverpool defender.

    3. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks chaps. Sounds like its Skrtel or a gamble?

      1. The Nuttman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Skrtel himself is a gamble due to YC's.

  5. YORKIDDINGMEE
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Merry Xmas Guys.

    What to do with this lot? 2 FT. Any ideas much appreciated.

    Hart
    Baines, Azpi, Clyne, Hutton, Moore
    Hazard, YaYa, Siggy, Downing, Boyd
    Austin, Costa, Bony

    Was thinking of Downing----> Erikson & Austin-----> Kane
    Any suggestions?

  6. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Best Duo:

    1.(-4) Silva + Clark/Vlaar
    2.no hit: Sigur + Zaba

    1. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      2

      1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        even tho u have risk of zaba gets rotated?

        1. Hurri Kane 42
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Everyone carries that risk mate !!

  7. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Can someone post the goalscoring odds for this week ?

      1. The Nuttman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        8/13 for Costa, hmmmmm.

  8. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Happy Xmas lads from Auckland

    Guzan
    Baines Zabaleta Terry
    Yaya Siggy Downing Haz
    Austin Rooney Costa

    4.0 Boyd Bruce Yun 1FT 0.5 ITB

    Save or?

    Yun to?

    1. Rafabio
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Merry Christmas

      Save

  9. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I'm still not sure if i should do Costa ---> Giroud (C). I would sell Giroud for Benteke next week and also sell Siggy for Fabregas, but somehow these one week transfers never work out.
    It's all about the captaincy option, i think Giroud probably is a better choice than Hazard/Sanchez/Costa this week. What's your opinion ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa can easily outscore Giroud this week.

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I really fear his high ownership, could be a huge drop in rank if he scores well.

    2. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Girou not worth

    3. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm debating the exact same thing. Probably not worth it as Costa just as likely to score as Giroud.

    4. Big Al Stankovic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking the exact same thoughts, and I'll probably swing that way as it seems the best move this week. But I also have Lukaku, whom I just might sell instead.

      Would that be wiser u think?

  10. Kessler
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go lads? Any thoughts?

    Guzan
    Debuchy Clichy Baines
    Siggy Hazard(vc) Yaya Eriksen
    Costa Bony(c) Kane

    Bench: Krul Taylor Downing Wisdom

    1. darko
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Looks great mate. No utd attack but it's hard to fit in everything.

  11. CHANCING PUNT
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go?

    1.0 in bank, 0FT.

    Hart
    Clyne - Naylor - Terry (Dummett - Yun)
    Hazard - Sanchez - Sigurdsson - Yaya (Boyd)
    Costa - Kane - Austin

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      g2g

  12. Hurri Kane 42
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    How
    Baines Clyne Clichy
    Haz A.Johnson Siggy Tadic
    (C)Kane (VC)Pelle Carroll
    Jakupovic Walters J.Ward Dummet

    That order correct for Boxing Day ???

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

  13. JAC THE CAT
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Merry Christmas

    My front 3 are

    Costa, Rooney, Austin

    Pick one to ship out

    1. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rooney

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa

  14. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Can't wait for Giroud's blank 😀 I wouldn't be surprised either.

    1. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I can't see it happening.

  15. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    MCI Def:

    will BOTH, demi & mangala play all games over holiday period? given zaba risk of rotation, then oldr demi can he play all?

  16. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1 please

    a) Chambers (h) to QPR

    b) Downing @ Chelsea

    c) Clyne @ Palace

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      b

    2. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. Mr Pink
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm between b and c at the moment.

      1. Thunder Warrior
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Will Chambers play??

    4. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Will Chambers play??

    5. Big Al Stankovic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      B)
      But Chambers might not play.

    6. Mr Pink
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I think Chambers will play with Kos out, and if he doesn't, I don't expect him to come on for a cameo, in which case he'll bench himself.

  17. Tozier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Begovic (Guzan)

    Wisdom, Terry, Taylor (Yun, Duff)

    Sterling, Barkley, Sanchez, Eriksen, Silva

    Costa, Bony (Kane)

    1.6 itb and 1ft. Stumped. Ideas?

    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      save xfer team looks fine

    2. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      You do know you can save, right? 😆

  18. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Guzan - Given
    Baines - Clyne - Naylor - Dummett - Yun
    Alexis - Yaya - Haz - Downing
    Costa - Bony - Austin

    A) Baines to Zaba
    B) Baines + Clyne to Zaba + Terry
    C) Clyne + Bony to Terry + Giroud
    D) Suggestion?

    2 FT, 0.8m in the bank

    1. Jay_
        9 years, 5 months ago

        D: Baines > Demi then gw20:
        Downing Costa > AdM Benteke

        1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          demi will get benched when kompany bak dec 28

    2. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      So Chambers probably won't play against QPR?

      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        wenger is hinting he needs rest

      2. fatherted
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        See below

        🙁

    3. Keno
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts Please:

      Foster
      Baines-Azi-Naylor
      Hazard-Sanchez-Yaya Toure(VC)-Siggy
      Costa-Kane(C)

      Bench Order- Austin, Dummett-Wisdom

      Good to go?

      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        3-4-2? 😯

        1. Keno
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I prefer to start Siggy over Austin this week yes.

          1. Toonzie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            you only listed ten players in yr RMT incase you dont know what i meant

            1. Keno
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              I apologize, I forgot Downing 😛

              Foster
              Baines-Azi-Naylor
              Hazard-Downing-Sanchez-Yaya Toure-Siggy
              Costa-Kane

              1. Caesar, Hot Mustache
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                suggest you start Austin ahead of Downing. both have fixtures, but Arsenal's defence is more porous

              2. Caesar, Hot Mustache
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                form. both have form! fml

          2. Norco
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Missing a player?

    4. fatherted
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Kos to start for Arsenal? ?

      Need Chambers to play, if not its Reid(yikes) Wisdom(double yikes)

      1. Thunder Warrior
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Monreal will start...

        1. fatherted
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Nightmare!!!!

    5. MMN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pick a captain

      A) Sanchez

      B) Hazard

      C) RVP

      D) Bony

      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        C

      2. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I'm doing B

      3. thunder_mike
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        C or D

      4. parity
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        B

        1. parity
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Sorry *D

      5. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        C

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

        After RVPs captain disappointment last week I'm not sure I want to rely on him, he only came close like once as well

    6. thunder_mike
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Merry Christmas folks.

      Hart
      Baines Azpi Bertrand
      Eriksen Haz(vc) Sanchez Nasri
      Bony Giroud(c) Austin

      Hamer Downing Hutton Duff

      Good to go?

    7. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Who you guys captaining?

      Sanchez (c) Bony (vc)?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Hazard

      2. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Hazard (C) Bony (VC)

        Sanchez will play some part in the game. But likely to be off the bench imo 😆

    8. AH 🙂
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm hearing Eden hazard is fit and will start the boxing day Boxing Day clash against West Ham .

      Alexis Sanchez to be rested.

      1. teachmunna
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Source?????

        1. AH 🙂
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Unconfirmed reports.. Please remember I was the one who predicted his injury last Friday

    9. jacksonbarber125
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Zaba nailed in for the week?

    10. manimal
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      bench two of

      chambers
      milner
      austin
      downing.

      currently milner and downing but I have low confidence about my decision so far.

      1. jacksonbarber125
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Milner and Austin

      2. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Chambers and downing?

    11. chrisdale98
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Austin and Sanchez ----> Giroud and Cazorla? -4

      1. Big Al Stankovic
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Not for me. Check out Austins plum homefixtures.

    12. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going in circles. Please help...
      A. Captain sanchez, vice kane
      B. Captain hazard vice kane
      C. Other?
      And
      1. Siggy or downing to Silva
      2. Save and get jovetic next week

      Will siggy score more oriental to Silva this week is what I keep asking in my head and
      I only have 1 of the scout picks ( Baines) lol
      Thanks

      1. Caesar, Hot Mustache
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        A, 2

    13. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      This article now makes me want to change armband from Hazard to RVP!

      Would you captain RVP if you owned him over Haz/Sanchez?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I am . I have Yaya , Had and Sanchez too