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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.

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  1. Pericles Shooters
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Rondon or Benteke

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Rondon

    3. myboycharlie
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I went Rondon

  2. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone tempted to bring in Firmino? He seems to be a differential over Lallana these days...

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

      Not sure if he will be rested and then Coutinho is back after the FA Cup.

    2. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      We've all still not got rid of him.

      1. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        This. He`s stayig in my team for now. At least until Swansea match:)

      2. Bleach †
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        This.

    3. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sold for Lallana a few weeks ago. No ragrets.

    4. merin
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Firm has been frustrating me for weeks now, so I'm actually considering getting Lallana instead :p

    5. :
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Firmino is Fools Gold. Lallana wins hands out at nearly 1m less.

  3. Higuita
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Need some advice for the best DEF at 5.1 to fund aguero (already have holebas and lovren), any thoughts would be appreciated

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cedric, P Jones or Brunt

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Brunt

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Brunt

    4. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Brunt.

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Brunt, Cedric, tomkins

  4. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso isn't flagged yet?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Why would he be? Just because some chicken dinner said so?

  5. smix
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Kun in for Zlatan for a hit ?

    1. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Madness

  6. Dazzrb
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard and clyne > Sanchez and Brunt -4?

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

      yes

  7. merin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Torn between Ibra and Sanchez as captain.
    Who would you pick and why?

    1. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez. Great stats away v 'lesser' teams

      1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        But then he played up top without Giroud.

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Ibra in hot form against weak defence

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

        Oh and also Mike Dean is officiating.

  8. Gustavo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Grant (Jaku)

    Alonso - Jones - Nyom (Cedric, Tarkowski)

    Alexis - Haz - Siggy - Allen - Phillips

    Ibra - Kane (Anichebe)

    0 FT and 4.9 ITB. Save or take a hit for Kane --> Kun (C)

  9. Dont give a fuchs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else tempted to go benteke captain?

    1. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I have him as captain.

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A. Kun
    B. Aguero

    1. nikush
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Both A & B 🙂

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      C. Ergio

    3. :
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm putting 1.5 armbands on both of them.

  11. v12w12
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Walcott to Lallana -4 and lose out on prise rises/drops or play Allen?

    1. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Play allen

  12. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Walcott won't start right?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      We won't know until tomorrow

  13. Tree House
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I want aguero. Who should insacrifice for him a Phillips:'

    A) Costa and Eriksen
    B) ibra and siggy

    Thanks!

    1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I was in same dilemma and went with B

      1. Tree House
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Thinking same

  14. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    Jones (whm)
    Carroll (MUN)
    Pieters (WAT)
    Alonso (tot)

    Opinions appreciated! Struggling with this one. Currently leaning towards Jones although the bookies odds suggest not..

    1. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso.

  15. nikush
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    A. Play Heaton; do Haz -> Sanchez (Play Costa & Siggy) FREE
    B. Pickford -> Valdes; Haz -> Sanchez (-4 Hit)

  16. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Repost:

    Stuck on what to do this week...

    A) Holebas - Evans
    B) Alonso + Anichebe - Evans + Rondon
    C) Alonso + Costa - Evans + Aguero

    Would appreciate any thoughts

    1. nikush
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

  17. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I have Cedric and Llorente. For a -4 ?

    A. Evans + Rondon / Ake + Rondon
    B. Brunt + Negredo
    C. Just Llorente -> Negredo
    D. None and play Fletcher (assuming Llorente is off)

  18. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone think Aguero will get rested with city facing west ham in the fa cup in 4 days?

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

      No - FA Cup is a rubbish competition

    2. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      higher chance of him getting rested in the fa cup game

      he's had quite a long rest before the last match already..

  19. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    bottomed -

    Keep Origi for one more GW or bring in -

    Defoe
    Benteke
    Rondon

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Keep, he should start

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Rondon for me

    3. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I've the exact same dilemma, just don't know!

    4. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping. Will start.

  20. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Holebas --> Brunt (-4)

    Or

    Play Alonso

    1. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Play alonso

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      play alonso. holebas isn't bad nick this GW too

    3. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Play Alonso for attacking returns and a possible shut out.

  21. AdamJ91
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Am I crazy to consider captaining someone like Phillips/Rondon when I have players like Sanchez, Hazard, Ibra, Costa?

    I am chasing my ML leader by 40 points but think this might be too risky potentially.

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

      Not crazy - Hull shown a lot of fight recently which puts me off.

    2. :
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Chancey. Sometimes it works but the fails happen much more often.

    3. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Don't do it! Could work but C Sanchez. I tried it a few weeks ago with Allen and he was benched! Never been so long in the ranks since 🙂

      1. AdamJ91
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah you're probably right lads, it's likely to be too much of a risk.

        Cheers anyway lads.

  22. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Rondon is on penalties?

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

      No.

      1. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Chadli is probably.

    2. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No where near them

      Order is - Chadli, Berahino, Morrison.

      So basically Chadli or Morrison.... I'd imagine Brunt would be next in line among regular starters.

  23. Karan_G14
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bench?

    A) Chambers (LEI)
    B) Pieters (WAT)

    1) Valdes (LEI)
    2) Hennessey (SWA)

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A, 2

  24. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Wow, looking back at last couple of Swans results...some serious assists possibly for someone...lots of SP goals conceded.

    Crosses galore i reckon. Dann and Tekkers to score.

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      You're gonna get the JP doll too?

    2. Hooky
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Puncheon on corners?

      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, him and Cabaye.

        1. Hooky
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Interesting that punch stayed on in the last game and Cabaye was subbed. Punch probably more of a BFS type player.

          1. Christina.
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Maybe, he's price also makes it possible for me to upgrade Antonio to Lalana if required.

            1. Hooky
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              If he plays no. 10 today and is on set pieces I'm getting him in for Siggy.

              1. Christina.
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                Who? Punch?

                1. Hooky
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  Yes. I guess the main concern is where he plays when Zaha is away. Could stay where he is and Sako comes in or could be moved out wide with Cabaye going to 10.

                  1. Christina.
                    • 16 Years
                    9 years, 2 months ago

                    Yeah, Sam hinting at the fact that CP have 24hrs less to recover than Swans so rotation could play a roll.

    3. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I am possibly the only one here talking about Townsend. Why no love for the greediest of them all?

      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Pity he's not getting corners. He also tempts me.

  25. nad
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    WC this team? No idea what to do it's killing me - any help appreciated

    1FT 0.4ITB

    Foster / Pickford*
    Daniels Walker Holebas / Amat* VVD*
    Hazard Sanchez (c) Sig Eriksen / Coq
    Defoe Carroll Costa

    Thinking I need to WC right now but even struggling with that. Thanks!

    1. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I think you need atleast 2 out of Costa, Kun, Ibra

      I would sell Hazard to Alli/Pogba and try to get Kun or Ibra

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      What's your TV? Looks quite low? If so something like

      Foster - Grant
      Chambers - Baines - Pieters - Jones - Holgate
      Sanchez - Lallana - Alli - KDB - De Roon
      Costa - Ibra - Rondon

  26. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Jones, Brunt, Alonso
    Sanchez, Hazard, Phillips, Lallana(VC)
    Aguero (C), Ibra, Origi

    Can, Holebas, Amat

    GL ALL !

  27. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Eriksen dropping in price tonight?

    5 goals and 4 assists in last 7 isnt good enough ? You cant expect him to get returns in every match

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen to Alli is a popular transfer I guess

    2. :
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Remember, in this game your only as good as your last fail.

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Do you reckon he's nailed on?

      1. Hooky
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        100% imo 😉

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          More of an Easter post this one 😉

          1. Christina.
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Hey Jonty, help me...I'm tempted with Puncheon!

            1. J0E
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              I'd wait and see... CPL midfield a little bit of a mystery under Big Sam and with Zaha missing after this week.

              I think Cabaye and Townsend may be better. Today is a good chance to find out.

              1. Christina.
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                😕 ...I need to make a call now though.

                1. J0E
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 16 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  My 'gut' says Cabaye if you have to get one in this morning.

                  1. Christina.
                    • 16 Years
                    9 years, 2 months ago

                    Ta...Sam said he made changes with a view on Swans, so Cabaye & Townsend probably to play as they were subbed around 6-70 minutes vs Ars.

                2. The Overthinker
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  Zaha as a punt?

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

            that's more a Christmas cracker joke!!
            Still not as bad as Mark's debut FPL show one about Jules being a "gem".

  28. nikush
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Repost..

    A. Haz -> Sanchez (Play Heaton, Costa & Siggy) FREE
    B. Pickford -> Valdes; Haz -> Sanchez (-4 Hit)

    1. hafakilo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

  29. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Start

    A) Williams
    B) Jones

    Cheers

    1. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I`m starting Williams & Valencia. Your other defenders?

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Evans and Pieters