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12 May 2018 4315 comments
Paul Paul
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For the last time in 2017/18, we roll out our pre-Gameweek members’ article looking at the main armband contenders for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

Kicking off with an assessment of our Captain Poll, we then check in with the player and team data and the Rate My Team rankings before considering a differential or two ahead of tomorrow’s 2 pm deadline.

The Captain Poll

Three players dominate our final Captain Poll of the 2017/18 season.

Golden Boot rivals Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane claim the top two spots, with the Liverpool winger well clear of the pack on 39% backing for a home encounter against Brighton.

Despite blanking in each of his last two appearances, Salah’s relentless record at Anfield looks set to trouble a defence with just two clean sheets in their last 16 matches.

The Egyptian has scored in seven of the last eight in front of his own supporters, tallying 12 goals and three assists in that rune.

Furthermore, he has delivered a lofty nine double-figure hauls at home – more than any player.

Roberto Firmino served up his season-high 13 points in a 5-1 win over the Seagulls back in Gameweek 15 and looks the best alternative for the Reds, with Sadio Mane a doubt.

After scoring in three of his last four, Kane earns over 23% of the votes as Spurs finish their temporary stint at Wembley with a visit from Leicester’s porous defence.

The Foxes have just two clean sheets in 13 attempts and have struggled to keep out the Spurs striker in previous matches – Kane has fired five goals in their last two meetings.

Meanwhile, midfield trio Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min have all found the net four times in their last seven league starts.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabs third spot (11%) as Arsenal visit Huddersfield in Arsene Wenger’s last match in charge.

The top scoring player in Double Gameweek 37 with a haul of 23 points, Aubameyang is the most bought forward ahead of Sunday’s 2pm deadline.

The Gunners’ striker has bagged a goal or an assist in eight of his last nine outings.

His hosts have struggled to keep out top six sides in front of their own fans, conceding 13 goals in five meetings so far.

That could also profit Alexandre Lacazette, who is expected to return to the teamsheet after being rested at Leicester in midweek. The Frenchman has five goals and an assist in his last five appearances.

With the majority of votes going the way of our top three candidates, there’s plenty of scope for differentials heading into the last round of fixtures.

Having rung the changes in midweek, Pep Guardiola is expected to name a strong Manchester City line-up for a trip to Southampton.

Both Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have much to make up for after a disastrous Double Gameweek 37.

The Brazilian blanked against both Huddersfield and Brighton at the Etihad but has scored in each of his last three road trips.

Rested against the Seagulls in midweek, Sterling mustered just two points over City’s pair of fixtures. With three goals and seven assists in his last seven, though, he could profit against a defence with two clean sheets in 17 at St Mary’s.

Leroy Sane is ending the season in strong form – a midweek trio of assists earned him an eighth double-figure haul of the season. The German has scored in four of his last six away matches.

The top target in midfield for transfers in, Wilfried Zaha has served up 14 points in each of his last two home matches ahead of a visit from relegated West Brom.

And Marko Arnautovic could be the man to deliver for West Ham as David Moyes looks to get one over former club Everton.

The Austrian has three goals and a pair of assists in seven and will face a defence with a single clean sheet over their last eight away from Goodison Park.

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  1. Gabriels Dentist
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba to martial for a FT?

  2. R Whites
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Any suggestions with this team? 53 pts clear in League but they have triple C. They currently don't have salah but reckon they will transfer in

    DDG-hart

    Lowton-smalling - Morgan - Dummett - Tomkins

    Sane - Sterling - eriksen - zaha - Lingard

    Kane - Jesus - Barnes

    1ft, 0.1itb. Worth a -4 for salah?

    1. Frasmac
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      G2G but with that lead you can afford -4 for Salah. Good luck

      1. Frasmac
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe Ddg to other keeper as hart unlikely to play

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      You probably have 5 non starters which is a problem

      DDG - Hart - Smalling - Lingard - Barnes

    3. syke63
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Can't see how you get him in for -4

  3. Frasmac
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Evening, thoughts from new crowd?

    A - Play Dubravka v Chelsea (DDG bench) and do Mustafi to Robertson

    B - DDG to Romero and play Mustafi (Lowton first sub)

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B. I’d play Lowton anyway

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Frasmac
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1-1 so far, first to 3

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B. Mustafi will play

  4. Chasing Waves
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Im going Captain Lacca, rolling dice and hoping Huddersfield are on beaches. Im chasing, wish me luck! And good luck to you all

    1. syke63
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Wild

  5. Hardly Athletic
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    2FT and 0.0ITB

    Fabianski
    Cedric - Smalling - Vertonghen
    Sterling - Arnautovic - Eriksen - Salah (c)
    Kane - Jesus - JAyew

    Subs: McCarthy - King - Dummett - Chilwell

    Thinking of doing Smalling + Cedric > van Dijk + Tomkins. Any other suggestions?

    1. syke63
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Good call. Robbo & pva an option?

  6. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Please help to use my FT .. 0.0 bank

    Ryan
    Vert Alonso Lowton (Mustafi Long)
    Salah Sterlo Arnie Son (Holjberg)
    Kane Jesus Ayew

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ryan to Adrian

  7. FPLShaqiri
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    16 point lead in ML.

    Me vs rival:

    Ryan v Pope
    Lowton/Tark/Mawson v TAA/PVA
    Salah/Arnie/Lingard/Alli v Sterling/Sane/Zaha/Son
    Jesus v Perez/Rashford

    He brought in TAA this week and chance he will play a BUR/SWA def instead of Perez.

    Should I:
    a) Lingard > Zaha (1.1ITB)
    b) Alli > Sterling and Tark > TAA for a hit
    c) something else

    1. aborg
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A surely

      1. FPLShaqiri
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I probably will do that, but if it's leaked that Lingard starts then I might do b and captain Sterling. Worried TAA could haul oop but then if he does Salah (c) should at least cover that

  8. barracuda
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    The music is toon loud and I am happp to be your friend... I think Taa i sgoing to score. Adios

    1. Fat Frank
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Drinking again?

  9. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who will start in Mane place?

    1. Rash
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Llanana possibly

  10. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Chasing 8 points! How do these moves look for -4?

    DDG & Haz to Romero & Salah (c)

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      who is your second keeper

      1. SheBangsTheDrums
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Ryan

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          personally i would just do the salah for free

    2. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Decent moves imo.

  11. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    How is this team for the final week?

    DDG
    Tarkowski / Vertonghen / Lowton
    RLC / Zaha / Sterling / Sane / Salah (c)
    Jesus / Kane

    I have a 20 point lead but 2nd place has Triple Captain!

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team should beat the other.

  12. Oh Mane Mane
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Current midfield
    Mahrez Son Willian Lingard Cook

    Only 0.5 in the bank.

    Best way to get Salah in??

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Got to see while team.

      1. Oh Mane Mane
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Lloris Ryan
        Smalling Lowton Tarkowski Dunk Morgan
        Mahrez Son Willian Lingard Cook
        Auba Kane Vardy

        Ahead in ML by 7 but rival has Salah and will Cap him

  13. 1stepbeyond
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What changes do you think?

    Playing bench boost

    Pope, Hennessy
    Davies, Zanka, VVD, Cresswell, Tomkins, Milivojevic
    Salah, Sané, Shaqiri,
    Auba, Kane, Barnes

    Need to switch Barnes and possibly Mané, will be a -8.

    Any thoughts who to swap to? Thanks

  14. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is there not a chance that Moreno starts?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Think they want top 4.

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Fair point.

  15. aleksios
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Chasing 7 pts.Best option here? 1ft 0.8itb.

    -Ryan
    -Alonso-Lowton-Smalling
    -Son-Alli-Sterl-Sane-Fernandinho
    -Kane-Vardy

    ---Ddg---Morgan---Barnes---Klavan.

    a) Morgan to TAA
    b) Smalling to PVA/ Virgil.
    c) Vardy to Firm.
    d) Any combination for a hit.

    Thanks a lot guys for help.

  16. Garlana
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    TAA likely to play?

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Hope so.

  17. redwiing
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts on what to do with my free transfer? I have 0.9 in the bank 🙂

    Pickford
    Ward / Mustafi / Davies
    Pogba / Zaha / Arnie / Sterling
    Kane / Jesus / Vardy

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ward to TAA or Vardy to Firm.

  18. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with Pogba?

    A)Arnie/ Zaha (-4)
    B) Hojberg
    C) Morgan

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A with Arnie

  19. Demí
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who'll get this season's surprise GW38 haul?

    I fancy Giroud

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      rashford

    2. el polako
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Martial

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Richarlison double figure return!

      1. DAZZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Wishful thinking

    4. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Agree.

    5. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Newcastle will be a tough nut to crack

      I will go for Ramsey

  20. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    A) DDG + Mahrez -> Hennesey + Salah (-4)

    B) DDG + Mahrez + Lingard -> Romero + Salah + Gudmundson (-8)

    C) DDG + Lingard -> Romero + Arnie (-4), Kane C, no Salah

    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

  21. 1stepbeyond
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What changes do you think?

    Playing bench boost

    Pope, Hennessy
    Davies, Zanka, VVD, Cresswell, Tomkins,

    Milivojevic
    Salah, Sané, Shaqiri, Mané

    Auba, Kane, Barnes

    Need to switch Barnes and possibly Mané, will be a -8.

    Any thoughts who to swap to? Thanks

  22. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 or lower defender? TAA looks assured a start given Pool will play their top 11 to get top 4 right?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      yes

    2. dodgystats
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ogbonna 4.2- West Ham

  23. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    De Gea, Lingard, Cedric > Romero, Arnie, Trent -8?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Would would play if you didn't take the hits? eg backup keeper?

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate!

  24. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Ryan (DDG*)
    Long Lowton Alonso (Morgan Smalling*)
    Salah Son Sterling Willian* Ki
    Kane Jesus (Barnes*)

    Only got the 1 ft, and thinking Willian to Zaha/Arnie is the best use.

    Worried that possible Son/Morgan rotation could leave me with less than a full 11.

    Would you take a hit for any of the following and bench Ki?

    a) Barnes -> Ayew
    b) Smalling -> Liverpool def
    c) Morgan -> TAA

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Yes... Smalling to Robo

  25. Alli
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    DDG - Hennessey
    Davies - Smalling - Tarkowski - Lowton - Kiko
    Sterling - D.Silva - Salah - Arnautovic - Milivojevic
    Kane - Jesus - J. Ayew

    1 FT - 0.2 ITB

    D.Silva, Smalling -> Zaha, VVD (-4)?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Just smalling to vvd if you can afford

  26. Rash
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Have DDG and pope. Is It worth switching one out?

    1. champion_elect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Pope good enough unless you get unlucky and he doesn't play. If it doesn't enable you doing anything (eg salah in) don't take the hit.

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      i have both and playing pope but if you can do it for free take out de gea

  27. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you prefer to keep?

    A) Alli
    B) Hazard

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A. Haz won't play many minutes with final next week

  28. champion_elect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Help please!
    A) Ryan, Robertson, Eriksen (rival 9pts behind has Robertson)
    B) Karius, Alonso, Son

    ?

  29. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Reckon Jesus will start? Need at least 70 mins from him or I'd want to ship

  30. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    please help out!! in cup h2h final, so moves are important (he has son, kane, sterling, jesus but no silva, arnie, zaha or salah...)

    ryan (ddg)
    robertson TAA vdH (dummett bertrand)
    sterling son silva arnie zaha
    kane (c) Jesus (Jayew)

    A) Keep Son
    B) Son --> Eriksen (-4)
    C) Son --> Ramsey (-4)
    D) Son Bertrand --> Salah tomkins/4.6 (bench) (-8)
    E) other