Captains

Captain Poll – Gameweek 17

With Harry Kane (11.3) recording a second successive blank at home to Hull City last night, his Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Christian Eriksen (8.5) may well find himself vying for top spot in this week’s poll.

The 11% owned Dane’s recent form has been electrifying. Five goals and two assists over the last four Gameweeks makes him a strong armband option when Burnley drop by White Hart Lane on Sunday.

No player has had more goal attempts or more shots on target than Eriksen over that period.

Those who believe the absence of Mousa Dembele has contributed to to Kane’s troubles in front of goal will be keenly anticipating Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference for news of the Belgian’s return.

We’ll also be monitoring Antonio Conte for an update on the fitness of Eden Hazard (10.5) as Chelsea visit Crystal Palace this weekend. The 37.5% owned schemer missed the Blues’ 1-0 victory away to Sunderland with a minor injury and, if fit, could be a popular option against an Eagles side that still has just a single clean sheet to their name.

But given his erratic away form, which has seen him deliver only one of his four double-digit FPL points hauls on the road, Hazard’s 53% owned colleague Diego Costa (10.9) is surely likely to be a more popular captaincy choice.

The Spain international may have failed to find the net against Sunderland, but that was one of only three Gameweek blanks this season.

With a goal and assist against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 16, Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is another set to garner support. However, the 27.6% owned Swede will not find it so easy when he visits a West Brom side that has conceded just four goals in their last quartet of league matches.

Goals look on the agenda when Arsenal visit Manchester City this weekend. The Gunners have scored 19 times on the road, while the home fans have witnessed their side notch 15 goals at the Etihad this season.

This puts Alexis Sanchez (11.8) firmly in the frame for top billing in this week’s poll. The 35.7% owned Chilean’s goal in the 2-1 loss away to Everton on Tuesday was his ninth on the road.

No player has been more prolific on their travels, who will be seeking a fifth double-figure away haul this weekend.

The Manchester City teamsheet is far more difficult to second guess, which may temper interest in assets such as the 9.7% owned Kevin De Bruyne (10.7), who registered an assist in City’s 2-0 victory over Watford in Gameweek 16.

The Merseyside derby also looks tough to call, with Ronald Koeman’s troops showing a determination and attacking edge against Arsenal that had been lacking in recent weeks. This could yet revive confidence in striker Romelu Lukaku (9.4), who ended a four-match scoring drought with a brace away to Watford in Gameweek 15.

Mid-price assets among the Liverpool ranks may offer further differential candidates for the armband.

In the absence the injured Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana (7.2) and Divock Origi (6.8) have excelled.

The England international, who tops the “transfers in” table this ahead of Saturday’s deadline, has registered three goals and an assist in his last two starts.

Meanwhile, Origi has netted in four successive Gameweeks and also supplied an assist away to ‘Boro last night. He’s expected to recover from the minor knock sustained late on at the Riverside.

Reds’ winger Sadio Mane (9.4), who has accrued four assists and a goal since Gameweek 13, is another potentially explosive option. The 20.7% owned Senegal international already has four double-digit hauls this season.

For those looking for differential armband picks, West Ham have three candidates on the menu ahead of the visit from a Hull City side which have conceded 20 goals on their travels, more than any other team.

Andy Carroll (6.1) and Michail Antonio (6.7) are set to be the Hammers main goal threat, with the former set to earn a second successive start having turned out against Burnley on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Dimitri Payet (9.1) offers strong assist potential, having created 22 chances for his team-mates over the last six Gameweeks, a tally bettered only by Sanchez.

Another strong alternative captaincy selection is Sunderland’s 24.8% owned Jermain Defoe (7.8), who will be looking to add to his eight goals when Watford visit Wearside. With Walter Mazzarri’s troops conceding 16 goals on the road this season, the veteran Black Cats striker looks a promising option.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll tomorrow when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.

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

1,152 Comments Post a Comment
  1. New Post
  2. justmatt
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    After 5 straight red arrows I've stopped the rot, managed a green and moved up an impressive 403 places.

    Any suggestions on how to move 404 places this week?

    Heaton, Pickford
    Alonso, Walker, Holebas, Evans*, Amat
    Sanchez, Hazard*, Firmino, Siggy, de Roon
    Kane, Costa, Anichebe*

    2FT - 0.6 ITB

    A - Firmino / Siggy to Lallana / Erikson
    B - Firmino / de Roon to Lallana / Phillips
    C - Something else?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Just Firmino out to either Eriksen or Lallana (I've gone with the former). No need to take Siggy out yet. Upgrade Anichebe.

      Defense is the same as mine, looks great.

    2. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      With Ani being your 3rd striker Id B for sure.

    3. Donkey_Sanctuary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Why would you consider taking out Siggy?

  3. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    OMG i just checked the upcoming fixtures, as of next sunday theres literally games everyday for like 10 days, fantasy fest!

  4. Le _ Professeur
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pogba or Ibra ? ... Do you guys think Pogba could be a good Man U cover instead of going for the obvious Ibra ?

    1. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think he can be in nr.10 role 🙂

  5. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kane, Antonio and Benteke to Ibra, Lallana and Rondon after this GW, or just Kane to Ibra ?

    1. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Do you have Aguero plan? 🙂

  6. Cabra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ake or Francis?

    Zaha or Phillips?

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ake and Zaha

  7. Folars
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Foster Jaku
    Mcauley Rose Smith Williams Amat
    Payet Eriksen Sigurdsson Hazard Fletcher
    Kane Costa Nacho
    1FT, 0.3 ITB My plan:Nacho-> ?
    Who is the best replacement for Nacho?
    Carroll/Negredo/Origi/Llorente?

    1. TVG
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Has to be Carroll

  8. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you go for as a Firmino replacement over Christmas:
    A) Eriksen - Excellent form, risk of rotation
    B) Walcott - Great fixtures, risk of rotation (I already have Sanchez)
    C) Pogba - Great Fixtures, unlikely to be dropped

    1. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I liked the Pogba unlikely to be dropped thing. If Pogba is fit and not suspended he's playing every minute of every game.

  9. Scott10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    pickford
    alonso,walker,mccauly
    Sanchez,hazard,mane,erikson,zaha
    origi, Kane(c)

    (foster,Prodl,diomande)

    good to go? struggling to decide on who takes the arm band at the moment. Thoughts would be much appreciated!

    1. akashan99
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Problem over mcauly as Watford has a better chance of clean sheet against Sunderland that west from has against man u.
      Kane would be the one choice but original if u want a differential

  10. Kanteisking
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Hey all thoughts on team? Good to go? Any changes?

    Pickford
    Vertong / Alonso / Ake
    Hazard / Siggy / Lallana / Sanchez
    Defoe / Costa / Kane
    Bench Nyom / Amat / Allen / Grant

    Thanks heaps

    1. akashan99
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Grant over Pickford Stoke has kept some clean sheets and against Leicester at home would be better than pick who has just I cs and lots of save points

  11. akashan99
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford or grant?
    Who to bench?
    Alonso, walker, amat, Ben Gibson, taylor

  12. cb0851
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Should I do any transfer?And if then whom?

    Valdes, De Gea
    Amat, Evans, Keane, Walker, Pieters
    Lallana, Phillips, Antonio, Pedro, Sanchez
    Origi, Costa, Kane

    Whom should I make cpt.?
    In bank: 0.4

    1. zm82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I would not make any transfer here as the squad looks very good. Costa or Kane look like the best option to captain, although Antonio could be good as well, especially if you want to take a risk.

      1. cb0851
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, mate. 😉

  13. Zikry
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kane or Eriksen captain? Been getting the captain choice wrong all year 🙁

  14. zm82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the best to captain, Kane, Eriksen, Costa, Hazard, or Sanchez? Any advice is more than welcome. I think Hazard and Sanchez would be a gamble.

    1. cb0851
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I would give the armband to Eriksen or Kane.(Regretting not having eriksen)
      And I definitely won't make Costa or Sanchez captain.
      Your choice. Gamble may payoff.

  15. zm82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks a lot. I usually avoid captaining a player who exploded the previous week unless it is someone like Aguero, Sanchez or Costa, so it will probably be Kane.