Members

Captain Sensible – Gameweek 37

Our usual Friday members article comes around now as we analyse the captaincy conundrum ahead of the final double Gameweek of 2016/17. We take a delve into the Opta data for the main contenders and assess the team statistics and Rate My Team’s reckoning, before rounding off with our opinion on the current poll standings in light of the data analysis, including our view on differential captains.

The Captain Poll

Double Gameweek 37 understandably dominates our selection, with nine of the top ten in the Captain Poll facing a couple of fixtures.

With a goal or assist in seven of his last ten, Dimitri Payet boasts a healthy 34% of the votes cast. The popular Frenchman has a higher ownership (33%) than any double Gameweek player ahead of home clashes against Swansea (one away clean sheet all season) and a United defence with two shut-outs in their last 11 road trips.

Eden Hazard just edges Andy Carroll in the tussle for second position by 13% to 12%. The Chelsea winger’s three goals and six bonus points in two outings since returning from injury has piqued our interest ahead of trips to Sunderland and Liverpool.

Finally free from his injury worries, the 6.5-priced Carroll offers a tempting route into an attack that’s scored at least twice in each of their previous seven. The big Geordie has chipped in with six goals and an assist in the Hammers’ last six fixtures and looks a viable double-up option along with Payet.

United’s Anthony Martial is backed by 8% to do the business away to Norwich and West Ham. The Frenchman has notched five times in ten outings across all competitions and faces a couple of unconvincing defences – the Canaries have one clean sheet in their previous at Carrow Road, whilst the Hammers’ 3-0 win at West Brom earned them a first shut-out in seven.

Just 7% are willing to back 14-goal Jermain Defoe as Sunderland host Chelsea and Everton. Big Sam will take solace in their visitors’ defensive data as he looks to secure survival – Guus Hiddink’s side have one clean sheet in 11, whilst the Toffees’ backline has been breached in all but one of their previous ten.

Five goals and an assist in seven highlights Daniel Sturridge’s form yet with Jurgen Klopp’s team sheets proving a huge source of frustration, just 5% are willing to roll the dice for Liverpool’s home matches against Watford (one clean sheet in nine road trips) and Chelsea. After playing virtually every minute against Villarreal last night, though, there are still concerns over his minutes in light of the Reds’ progress to the Europa League final.

Further down, the likes of Robbie Brady, Diego Costa and Mark Noble are amongst a host of differentials hovering around the 2% mark.

Are the current rankings backed by the underlying statistics, though?

We kick off by breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches in order to shed a little more light on the situation.

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1,794 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Robles is a headache! Can't see any cs for him

    Worth Getting in DDG for a hit?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not

  2. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Screw it, life is too short to be boring, Hazard TC

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yayyyy I've got him captain . Good luck hope it pays off for you and me

  3. pax888
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know why the Goals Imminent table is showing Bradley Johnson & has had Rooney in it for weeks?

    Has it not been updated?

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Johnson plays for Derby doesn't he?

  4. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one-

    A-Lanzini + Kane + Coutinho + KdB -> Noble + Carroll +hazard + payet

    B-Lanzini + Kane + KdB + Otamendi -> Hazard + Carroll + Payet + Cresswell

    C-Lanzini + Kane + Coutinho + KdB -> Hazard + Carroll + Payet + Townsend

    D- C + Otamendi -> Cresswell (-12)

    A, B, C are for -8

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Funkyav
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Gastar
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C for me

  5. efcdave1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Transfers done, team in place apart from one last conundrum:

    Play either
    A. Simpson
    B. Fosu-Mensah
    C. Koscienly

    The allure of the DGW is strong but its best to pick Simpson surely. Right? Right? 🙂

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely Simpson IMO

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B for me

    3. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely A

  6. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Evening gents. Is the following worth a -8? Hoping for my first double digit finish so maybe two hits is a bit extravagant

    Kane + Alli + Simpson > hazard + Creswell + Carroll

    The Hazard move is the one I am least convinced of so I could just save the second hit and play Milner/Rose.

    Team would be

    Robles
    Creswell PVA Smalling (Rose Gabriel)
    Haz Sanchez Payet (TC) Firmino (Milner)
    Martial Caroll Kun

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me. West Ham will conceed in both, i think

    2. Xenq
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like an easy move to me.

  7. Numb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A. Lanzini and Martial

    B. Fabregas and Carroll (-4)

    I won't triple captain any of the above.

    Thanks

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one. Probably B, just...

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. He!senberg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    3. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

    4. Gastar
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B for me

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Ta

  8. He!senberg
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ready for GW37? (Already -8)

    DDG
    Cresswell - Smalling - Ward
    Lanzini - Fabregas - Hazard (TC) - Milner - Townsend
    Defoe - Aguero

    Robles - Kane - Fuchs - Bellerin

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, I reckon you're good

    2. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes but maybe Fuchs over Ward?

      1. He!senberg
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks.
        But what do you think if I change Aguero to Kane. He played 90 minutes vs Real.

      2. Gastar
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This

    3. Marquis-Cha-Cha
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe Bellerin over Ward.

  9. Fantasyfootballer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sturridge and Alli out for Carroll and Hazard?

    1. Fantasyfootballer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      For a -4

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        yes, do it.

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    3. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Could end in tears if Sturridge goes nuts. Though not likley to play a lot over the two games, could still bag a couple in 30 minutes.

  10. teki0s
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sakho > Ogbonna for -8? Cannot afford Cresswell. Any other WHU def??

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Reid would be my 2nd choice after Cresswell.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This

    2. Eskimooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Reid is nailed buddy .

      1. teki0s
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks all! Is it worth the -8 ? At the moment I have PvA Simpson Morgan Sakho Bellerin. I am leading by 41 pts

        1. Gastar
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I would say it is the most sensible option (especially since you are leading). Also, consider each hit in isolation and on is own merit

          1. teki0s
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks for the answer. Yes i meant -4 (-8 in total).

  11. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If you only could get one:

    A) van Aanholt
    B) Cresswell

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Ed
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    6. teki0s
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    7. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    8. Gastar
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who should I get rid of? Kane or Kun?

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kun

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    3. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane. No Dembele, nothing for Spurs to fight for, morale will be low. Only positive is going for Golden Boot, but Aguero has that too

    4. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    5. Gastar
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    6. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    7. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I guess Kane has 73% ownership in the top 10k as opposed to 89% for Aguero so that's a big factor here

    8. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Haha, was about to ask the same question!

      1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        It's a tough decision for sure. I can't believe Carroll has become this much of a necessity.

    9. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty unanimous which I'm kind of surprised about, thanks everyone

  13. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A) Rose -> Reid (free). Rival 30 points behind has Creswell.

    B) Coutinho & Kane -> Haz & Carroll (-4). Same rival has Defoe

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Blocking tactics don't really work imo

  14. Gastar
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Evening! Opinions please guys?

    ---------------------| de Gea | ----------------------
    -------------| PVA | Rose | Simpson | ----------
    ---| Hazard | Payet (TC) | Lanzini | Milner |--
    ---------| Agüero | Kane | Defoe |--------------

    Subs: | Darlow | Sánchez | Bellerín | Gabriel |

    £2.9M in the bank, 1FT

    I'm chasing a 26 point lead. I have triple captain, rival doesn't.

    Similar teams (only 2 different in front 7). Similar defenses (both got DDG, Sunderland, and a Spurs).

    Best option?

    A): Rose --> Cresswell [0]
    B): Kane + Rose + Lanzini --> Carroll (TC) + Smalling + Fabregas [-8]
    C): as B) but also Simpson --> Cresswell [-12]
    D): Kane + Milner --> Costa + Fabregas [-4]
    E): Kane + Defoe --> Sturridge + Carroll [-4]
    F): Something else I've missed?

    Thanks!

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A with B coming 2nd.

      -12 is too much, don't like Chelsea double up and Sturridge a rotation risk.

      1. Gastar
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Ok, thanks! I probably should have mentioned: rival already has Cresswell. Would that change your mind?

    2. Xenq
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Rose->Smalling. Gives you the third defender in GW38. Then you could go Kane->Carroll if you wanted to, I think it's probably worth it chasing. Or even Costa if you needed another differential.

      1. Gastar
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Great - thanks!

    3. He!senberg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Rose + Milner --> Valencia + Fabregas

      1. Gastar
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks! I'm worried about Valencia's game time, but this could be a great option if I can get over that

  15. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    really stuck about whether to sell alli (means benching sanchez) or sell coutinho...both would be for a hit

    robles
    smalling pva bellerin --- clichy gabriel
    payet milner sanchez coutinho --- alli
    kun martial mitro

    - def removing mitro and one of clichy/bellerin

    A: clichy + alli + mitro >> martin + willian + carroll (-8)..bench sanchez
    B: clichy + alli + mitro >> cresswell + defoe (-8)..bench sanchez
    C: bellerin + coutinho + mitro >> reid + hazard + defoe (-8)..bench alli.

  16. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Which player should I bench?
    A) Lovren
    B) Simpson
    C) Bellerin

    Cheers!

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Funkyav
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

  17. Jøssy ⭐
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If you had Mignolet and Robles in goal, would you take a -4 to bring in Mannone? (even if you already have PvA)

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nope. Definitely wouldn't be doubling up on Sunderland for -4. Would play Robles and hope, it's what I'm doing anyway

      1. Jøssy ⭐
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no. Robles to save a pen i the DGW

      1. Jøssy ⭐
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Johnny

  18. TM44
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all,

    Which option is the best here or is there a better option over both?

    A) kun and Pelle>defoe and Carroll -4
    B)kun, pelle and a mid from below to haz -8

    Current team has Sánchez, mahrez, payet, lingard Milner, kun kane pelle

  19. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    (-8 & 7DGWers)

    Robles*
    Smalling* | Simpson | Cresswell*
    Payet* | Mahrez | Sanchez | Hazard*
    Lukaku* | Aguero | Carroll*
    Darlow | Rose | Gabriel | Iwobi

    Good to go?

  20. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If your chasing 3rd in the ML and want to make some sort of ground which one would you choose?

    A)Aguero > Defoe
    B)Sanchez > Hazard

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'd stick with what u have

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Think Kun & Sanchez will score big points this GW?

        1. Eden Azzzar
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I think u should keep Sanchez for villa. As for Kun I think there are better options out there than Defoe maybe Carroll ?

          1. Lecky Legs FC
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Already have Carroll & Deeney,any other suggestions?

  21. HNI
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Caroll Triple Captain it is!

    Who all with me but will still be tempted to switch to Payet 10mins before deadline??

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No Triple Andy Carroll for me 🙂

  22. Akeem
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Defoe & Carroll in for:

    A) Aguero(ARS) & Kane(SOT)
    B) Mitrovic(avl) & Aguero(ARS)
    C) Kane(SOT) & Mitrovic(avl)

    ?

    1. Funkyav
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

  23. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Stick or twist?!

    ROBLES
    SMALLING LOVREN PvA
    Sanchez PAYET(TC) MILNER LINGARD
    Kane Aguero DEFOE

    Darlow Iwobe Simpson Bellerin

    Milner>Fab -4

    Milner>Haz + Kane>Carroll -8

    I'd really like to go into the gameweek hit free but I'm tempted after Liverpool going through last night...

  24. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sell Lanzini for -4 to Hazard?

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  25. Desperate Dan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Need to do a -4 to get Payet in.
    Kane > Carroll?
    Firmino > Lanzini

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Carroll

  26. Darth_Newdar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Would you sell Coutinho or Milner? Probably for Hazard.

    (My midfield: Coutinho, Milner, Townsend, Sanchez, Payet)

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho probably

      1. Darth_Newdar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  27. Cov
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Start mignolet or robles????

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Robles

  28. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Think I may do Sturridge to Costa. Always like a differential and Carroll is far too popular around here. Is this stupid.

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No, it's just Chelsea rotation that worries me.

    2. Psakhotherapy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      at the rate sturridge is being sold round these parts, he is becoming a differential

  29. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez & TFM > Hazard & Martin - 4?

    Then next week Hazard & Payet > Sanchez & Mane?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah but I wouldn't sell payet

      1. ShaunGoater123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        i can probably find another way i'm sure, just need to find 0.3 from somewhere to be able to get sanchez back.

        means i'm going with no carroll and a front 3 of Aguero, Kane & Sturridge for this week

  30. Eden Azzzar
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Would u play one of Moreno cresswell or Pva over Kane