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12 August 2016 2993 comments
J0E J0E
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It’s time for the first pre-Gameweek members article of the 2016/17 season as we check out the main captaincy contenders on offer. As usual, we analyse the Opta numbers and also check up on the Rate My Team ratings before offering up a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.

The Captain Poll

Not surprisingly, Sergio Aguero is the outright frontrunner for our Gameweek 1 Captain Poll, with over 55% of the votes cast ahead of City’s home encounter against Sunderland.

The Argentine netted 15 of his 24 goals at the Etihad last time around and faces a Black Cats backline that was breached more times on their travels than any other side in 2015/16.

Sunderland managed just two away clean sheets all season and given that Aguero has scored in both his pre-season matches, we can’t see the visitors spoiling Pep Guardiola’s first match in charge.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes the runners-up spot ahead of his Premier League debut for United. The second most popular player in Fantasy Premier League, he’s selected by 14% after notching twice over the recent pre-season matches, including a Community Shield winner against Leicester.

Having already clinched the first silverware of the season, United will roll up to Dean Court in confident mood. Bournemouth boasted the second-worst home defence in the league last year – only Villa conceded more – and managed just four clean sheets in front of their own fans.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez head the chasing pack behind the big Swede.

Selected by just 5% and 4% respectively for Leicester’s trip to crisis club Hull, the duo look very viable differentials this weekend – both bagged double-figure goal hauls on their travels last term, with 12 of Mahrez’ 17 strikes arriving on the road.

Further down, Eden Hazard (3%) and Burnley’s Andre Gray (2%) offer form alternatives for their home encounters against West Ham and Swansea.

Having scored nine times over the summer, the latter, in particular, could prove a very brave punt – the Swans conceded in all nine away fixtures under Francesco Guidolin in 2015/16 and are reeling from the departure of former skipper Ashley Williams.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

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

    Capoue fit?

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

      Sorry meant Souare.

      Geez, don't even know my own players.....

      1. Sigga -Cardiff City-
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I really want to know too,
        He represents good value at 4.5, with Fabio signing at Boro i'm not as comfortable with friend in my team

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

    A) Lamela + Mahrez

    or

    B) Eriksen + Townsend w/ 1.5 ITB to make changes if needed for GW2.

  3. cruzex
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    My team will be.....

    Heaton
    Shaw Stones Morgan
    Hazard Mahez Redmond __8.0__ Barkley
    Kun Gray

    bench: Foster amat targett Carroll

    Who should i buy?

    a) tadic
    b) oscar
    c) william
    d) coutinho
    e) sterling
    f) walcott

    ty

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

      Coutinho

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Throw Lamela in there too

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

      Wouldn't bench Carroll personally. That team just screams benching headaches.

    4. Sanchit
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Coutinho

  4. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Are we DZ yet?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      No DZ today

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thought that might be the case. Holding out hope

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

    Would appreciate some advice guys

    A) Lamela + Morgan
    B) Deulofeu + Terry

    1. Dom15
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      A

  6. FantasyFreak
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Regardless of the cost., Vardy or Mahrez?

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

      Impossible decision, flip a coin.

      Could say Vardy looking hungrier from preseason and Mahrez might be distracted with transfer speculation etc.

    2. Ne0
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy if regardless of cost. I am going with Mahrez because of cost.

  7. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Repost. Thoughts on this team thanks.

    Foster - Jaku
    Azpi - Stones - Shaw (Kone - Amat)
    Deulofeu - Firmino - Redmond - Hazard (Capou)
    Gray - Aguero - Ibrahimovic

    I had originally had Fegouli, Long and Williams in place of Redmond Gray and Kone . (Just have to hope Kone goes to Everton) Right moves?

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

      Kone > Friend

  8. E25
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Have two spots to fill out of these three with no other cover for these teams:

    Lamela
    Redmond
    Townsend

    Please rank...

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

      For me for the first fixtures,you have them in the correct order

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

    RMT?

    Foster (Jakupovic)
    Valencia Stones Friend (Evans Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Townsend (Capoue)
    Aguero Gray Vardy
    3m ITB

    I originally had Kane and Alli instead of Townsend and Vardy. Any suggestions on what to do with the 3m?

    1. WoofWoofGrrrr
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      townsend to alli to cover spurs

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

    lamela+walcott
    or
    eriksen+redmond
    or
    alli+redmond

    thanks

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      2nd or 3rd for me. I actually prefer Eriksen to Alli but believe I'm in the minority

  11. The EJJ
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    A. Mahrez and Redmond
    or
    B. Hazard and Ramirez
    ?

  12. IWR
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Should we buy Williams now?

    Feels obvious.

    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I think I still am

    2. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm getting him in for Zabaleta in a few weeks

    3. phace
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Instead of who? And he's not playing v. Spurs.

  13. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone have both Shaw and Valencia? I'm toying with the idea...

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me gw1

    2. Ne0
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I was torn between Shaw, Valencia and Stones and I'm getting Stones. I fear only one of Shaw and Valencia will start for ManU and there is no way to know which one.

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

        Surely they'll both start. Much prefer them over Stones tbh.

        1. Ne0
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Are you sure both of them will start? In that case, I might go with Shaw. But Stones does seem to have better fixtures.

  14. choop32
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    RMT

    Heaton (Jaku)
    Stones Evans Friend (Ake Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Ramirez (Capoue)
    Kun Ibra Vardy

  15. FantasyFreak
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Nailed on defenders at 4.5m? Already have Evans.

    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Loads. Too many to count. Look at the budget defenders article

    2. ACROSS-THE-POND
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Friend

    3. FantasyFreak
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pieters just came into my mind. Is he nailed on?

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yup good pick

  16. ACROSS-THE-POND
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Start Ramirez or Friend vs. Stoke? Thanks and Cheers !

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

      ram

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

      gaston...i fancy stoke to score

  17. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton (Foster)

    Stones Fuchs Valencia (Friend Amat)
    Alli Firmino Deulofeu Tadic (Capoue)
    Gray Aguero (C) Vardy (vc)

    1.5m ITB. G2G? Suggestions?

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Surely upgrade Del?

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

        Lol guess I'm the only one thinking that he might be played up top?

        Had a decent preseason playing as a 9

  18. Serendipity
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    How's i

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

      Straight up & down, with a wee dot at the top

    2. Serendipity
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Oops!

      How's it looking folks please:

      Foster, (Jakupovic)
      Shaw, Stones, Fuchs, (Friend, Amat)
      Hazard, Firmino, Redmond, Eriksen, (Fletcher)
      Aguero(VC), Vardy(C), Gray

      Yes, I'm backing both Vardy and Aguero to score some goals, but Hull is the weakest link IMO.

  19. the.insid3r
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Scmeichel (Jakupovic)
    Friend Valencia Stones (Smith Fernandez)
    Firmino Alli Tadic Sigurdsson (Capoue)
    Aguero Ibrahimovic Gray

    I think this should do. A little light on in the defensive line but it's either that or go light on in the mids but mids should offer better potential than a slight upgrade to one of the cheap defenders?

  20. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    @TM hows your defence looking? I'm struggling with how much to invest.

    I'm on 24.5 D with 9.5 GK. What's yours?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      About to start soon, maybe 9 and 24

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. And sorry I lied, 8.5 and 24.5.

        I always regret spending too much in defence but those 5.0s look to have value and the 4.0 market is non-existent. Have you considered any 4.0Ds?

  21. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Most points gwk1? Lamela or Radio?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Stupid phone. Lamela or Ayew?

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

        Ayew

  22. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Everything will be turned on its head come game weeks end
    Things that now seem like sure things wont look so sure

    Lots of managers are going to be caught with there pants down with high ownership players

    Massive fire sale of Zlatan and Sergio next week it is bound to happen

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Unless they do well. Will be harder to get them in than to sell them πŸ™‚

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

      can maybe see it with zlatan, but not aguero - unless he is injured or something

  23. MountainBeach
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Any updates on KDB and Lukaku? No point risking it?

  24. Deicide
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Rp2

    Foster Jaku
    Friend Valencia Wilson Stones Pieters
    Firmino Sanchez Redmond Townsend (Fletcher)
    Vardy Kun Gray
    2 itb

    How does this team looks?

    Should I invest the extra money and get Ericksen ?

    Townsend -> Eriksen?

    1. E25
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I would do this. Not keen on Sanchez gw1 either but each to their own πŸ™‚

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

      yep i'd do townsend to eriksen/alli

  25. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Courtois, Jak
    Valencia, Stones, Friend, McAuley, Amat
    Hazard, Firmino, Tadic, Fischer, Capoue
    Aguero, Ibra, Gray

    Should I just go to bed? Good to go?

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

      there's no right answer(s). go to bed. watch free porn.

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

      i'd go ibra to kane personally, as utd are playing too deep for zlatan's style of play. that will change over time. i think you'll see the best of him from gw4 onwards

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Ownership too high to ignore imo, I think I will take a chance, then if he flops will swap to Kane

    3. Dom15
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yep! Solid. I'd go Fischer > Ramirez but that's minor.

  26. Francescoli
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I have 1.5 in the bank.

    I could also downgrade my defence to have a bit more to jump on Sanchez and upgrade Redmond (if he flops this weekend). Hold or free up funds at the back? If so, which 4.5 defenders should I get?

    Heaton
    Stones / Friend / VVD
    Tadic / Redmond / Firmino / Hazard
    Vardy / Aguero / Gray

    Foster; Evans, Capoue, Amat

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pieters perhaps, though fixtures are sucky

  27. Weinish
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I'm putting Shaqiri in.

    Yeah, I'm doing that πŸ™‚

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Are you sure?

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

        I'm not...

  28. TokyoRisingSun
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Good idea to go without any big hitters in defence? I've gone for 4.5s across the board

  29. dave619
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    foster/ jaku

    valencia friend amat fuchs paredes

    tadic hazard barkley eriksen capoue

    kun vardy ( long/ gray/ negredo/ llorente)

    RMT??

  30. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Redmond or Ramirez for first few GWs, considering Redmond is vsing man it's gw 2

    1. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Man utd*

    2. Straitpizza187
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I've gone for the latter, but can't afford the former...

      Fixtures are good enough to have a punt on.

      1. Pepereina Pizza
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        you mean, ahhh, away to Arsenal, United and WestHam in the first six?