Members
2 January 2017 2549 comments
Paul Paul
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The final batch of festive matches arrives this morning, giving us just enough time to roll out our usual pre-Gameweek members article.

We kick off by assessing the main Captain Poll contenders, then take a look at the Opta numbers and Rate My Team rankings before suggesting a differential or two to help with your armband dilemma.

The Captain Poll

Sergio Aguero tops the Gameweek 20 Captain Poll as Manchester City prepare to host a travel-sick Burnley.

After failing to get on the scoresheet upon his return from suspension against Liverpool on Saturday, the Argentine now faces a defence that’s conceded 18 times in eight road trips.

Whereas Aguero has earned 29% votes, City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne (1%) could prove a decent differential – the Belgian has supplied an assist in three of his last four at the Etihad.

A trip to Bournemouth earns Alexis Sanchez second spot behind his fellow South American.

The Chilean has served up four sets of double-figures on the road already, producing four goals and two assists in his last three away appearances.

Eddie Howe’s men have been pretty resilient in front of their own fans, earning four clean sheets – only Chelsea (six) and Spurs (five) have managed more home shut-outs.

Manchester United’s in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also backed by 15% of voters as he pays visit to a West Ham United defence that’s kept back-to-back clean sheets at home, albeit against Burnley and Hull City.

The Swede’s assist at home to Middlesbrough means he’s produced points in seven of his last eight league outings, with three deliveries of double-digit returns in his previous four away appearances.

With just under 5% of the votes cast, Adam Lallana is the favoured Liverpool pick for their trip to an injury-hit Sunderland side that have just shipped four goals at Burnley.

Subject to more transfers in than any player for the Gameweek, the midfielder has bagged four goals and two assists in the last five rounds of fixtures.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane – in his final match before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations – hover around the 1%-mark as major differentials.

Christian Benteke and Alvaro Negredo both earn 3% votes ahead of home clashes against Swansea City and Leicester City sides that have conceded 21 times on their travels.

West Brom’s man of the moment Matt Phillips also earns 3% backing for a home clash with Hull City – the Scotland international has four goals and five assists in the last nine Gameweeks and recorded 13 points in the New Year’s Eve win at St Mary’s.

Chelsea’s trip to Spurs has understandably diminished expectations of both Diego Costa (3%) and Eden Hazard (1%), given that the White Hart Lane side have shipped just five goals in front of their own fans.

Similarly, Spurs’ Harry Kane receives just 1% of the votes despite taking his tally to eight goals in nine appearances with a brace at Watford yesterday. He’ll be buoyed by the Blues’ defensive problems at home to Stoke after Antonio Conte’s men conceded twice on New Year’s Eve.

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

  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    No preamble this morning?

  2. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    No real seasonal rotation there, Valdes is injured and there was always a chance of Friend being rested after coming back from injury. Encouraging for the rest of the games 🙂

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Agree. Fabio has played better than Friend IMO.

    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not sharing your optimism on Friend - got the feeling he's second choice now

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Agree - Friend has no right to that spot given how well Fabio has played.

    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Aye, bit scary. Luckily I have one active sub.

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's the big teams that can really afford to rotate. I'm expecting chaos. I've stuck the vc on benteke for a bit of security

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        The only thing I'd stick on Benteke is the tail of a donkey. He's been woeful

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          😆
          I agree. But he will start and it's swansea. Sanchez cap. Was gonna vc ibra but imagined a scenario where they both get rested

    5. GHB
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yep i agree. Thought it was a certainty that Friend rested for this especially as Fabio done ok when called upon

  3. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is a goal from DeRoon too much to ask for?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      3rd on the bench so I'll take a nice and simple 2 pointer

  4. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Alonso won't start or Friend won't play as I've made some big mistake here...

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Benched Kun?

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Benched Alonso and played Friend

  5. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'll be very lucky if I have 11 playing this GW

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm already down to 10 😆
      Valdes and pickford ftw 😎

      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Greens greeting you yet?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          2 in a row for just the second time this season. Looking to make it a record 3
          Valdes not helping

      2. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm praying to the footballs god (Eboue) that Jaku gets a game. 🙂

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Praise Eboue!

        2. 824545201
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Even if he does, he'll have a 0 pointer.

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            How dare you number man

          2. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            I 4 1 8 2 L U U R wrong.

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I've no defenders on my bench. 🙁

  6. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My De bruyne (c) will do to forget Aguero. I wish!

    1. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bold pick. KDB low on confidence right now.

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I hope DB and Co. steal all the points from Kun.

    3. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling (c) for me

  7. Viprin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Mark?

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      polo

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        o

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          pole?

        2. A.T
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Hi ILF. Long time no see. Hope you're well sir. 🙂

  8. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Fabio early inury. Friend in and makes an assist.

    1. Punty
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      #inyourdreams

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That's the spirit!

  9. Unbelievable Jeff!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Fabio could get injured in the warm up?!

  10. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Valdes you goddamn wuss

    1. Evans
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I know ....Ffs

      1. squintykid
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Valdes+Jaku (o pts for me in GK)

  11. A.T
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Im stickying this incase Jonty isn't doing one.
    Get your diffs in and check back later to upvote the oracles. 😀

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/01/02/captain-sensible-gameweek-20-3/?hc_page=3#hc_comment_14780778

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Where is the preamble? None for 2 GWs in a row. And now no spot the differential.

      Is Mark busy with official FPL?

      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        See previous page

      2. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 19 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Busy full stop. Turning around team news, picks etc in 24-hours after one Gameweek finishes is very tough. Normally drops before New Year and sadly, something has to give, sadly. Always the case during the festive period.

        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          You guys are doing a great job

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Here, here 🙂

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Understandable with the tight turnaround between GWs.

          Any chance of a Burning Question article over the FA Cup break?

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bit late now? But too tough for you guys to do so many articles given the turnaround - excellent effort for what you did IMO

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    They need to upgrade their servers. It really shouldn't take 20 minutes to update.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Renewing wildcards

  13. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What is up with Valdes? I haven't heard about any injury?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That's because you haven't bothered to read the tweets

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

        Ah really?

    2. Evans
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Just rested I think ....what a

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He's injured

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing news now aggregator

    4. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Neither did I until 5 minutes ago, hope it's nothing too serious, but doubt it since he still finished the Manu game

  14. knirkefritt
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is Sterling (C) insanity?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Double figures incoming.

      1. knirkefritt
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Let's hope so!

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Too late now!

    3. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well as captain maybe. But still a decent diff despite the ridicule.

  15. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What hairstyle do you have?

    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mullet

    2. Roberto Baggio
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pube style

    3. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      best

    4. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Flock of Seagulls

    5. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Özil-esque

      1. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        How do you get it so smooth and fluffy like him?

        1. Arteta
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Magic! 😛

  16. Roberto Baggio
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Ozil recover in time for bmouth?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt it - if its flu. It was flu, right?

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm fine. Thanks for your concern!

  17. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Held off on making a transfer. This week will be a total write off but im glad to have 2 freebies for next week. No City cover! Yikes!

  18. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I consider my -4 a FT now that the other one was Pick>Grant to add to Valdes

  19. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    multi bet and cant decide on the M'boro V Leicester game?

    who do u think will win lads?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Draw

    2. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Boro 1-0

    3. Punty
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      0-0

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        hmmmm stay away from that game then lol

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's a game I would well avoid betting on.
      No idea.

    5. Jay_
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Under 2.5 goals
        0-0 if being greedy, or just do 'no goalscorer' in the first scorer betting because if it's a solitary own goal, you still win your bet at the same price as doing 0-0

      • bakayoko
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Draw

      • Siva Mohan
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        0-0

    6. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hands up who TC Kun?

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😯

    7. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Next GW deadline is 1 and a half weeks away

      Good time to have 2 FTs 😎 (rare for me)

    8. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      UPDATED

      1. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Who assisted?

    9. fusen
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      http://anewpla.net/fpl/league/live.php and we're liiiiive

    10. thep025
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Updated....

    11. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It has been a surprisingly smooth winter period for me (so far). Managed to get 11 playing every week

    12. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Failed right on deadline to resist kun in for costa .. I'm so weak willed bit I have my wonderful kun back with me

    13. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The length Boro will go to to prove that the Ibra goal was correctly disallowed!

    14. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Triple West Brom for TorresMagic!

    15. FPL Fanatic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      On WC, Appreciate any & every thoughts! Cheers 🙂

      Grant (Valdes)
      Brunt Baines Cahill (Ake Kingsley)
      Sanchez Lallana Zaha Phillips (c) (Alli)
      Costa Ibra Negredo

      ITB: 0.5m

    16. Alexis Nonsense
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      When are double gameweeks expected to pop up?

      When CL starts?

      Sorry, I'm just not an informed man