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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.

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

  1. Gordon Cole
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Will Klavan play?

  2. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Smalling to who max 5.5?

    1. Unfathomable Ruination
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Robertson?

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

      robertson

    3. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah Max 5.5 answer this guys question!

  3. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is this ok people please and thanks?

    Bench boost active.

    Cech
    TAA Vertonghen Mawson
    Salah (c) Sterling Son Arnie
    Kane Ayew Firmino

    Ryan Milivojevic Tark Long

  4. FPL Marc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Jones, Davies, Fernandez, Dummett, Mariappa
    Salah (c), Sterling, Alli, Arnautovic, Loftus-Cheek
    Kane, Jesus, J Ayew

    I'm thinking waaaay too much about closing this 10pt gap, so I need help:

    1) Are Jones or Davies likely to play?
    2) If not, should my sub go on Zaha or making sure 3 defenders play?
    3) Alexander-Arnold, Milner or Van Dijk?

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

      jones should play

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

      My guess is Jones wont play. Bailly and Blind will play. Could see Mou giving. Rojo a start too if Blind on the LB

  5. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone fancy Rashford over Zaha?

    1. Geezer
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Different positions

      1. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I know mate, I mean points potential

    2. Unfathomable Ruination
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Not really but worth a punt - hasn't worked out for him recently and I think I'd tend to go for the in-form player this final week

      1. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        WBA are very hard to break down with the way they have been playing lately. Palace seem to play very well against teams who attack and don't park it...

        1. doublyG
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          I dont see why WBA would park it when they have nothing to play for

          1. Ziyech on the Bench
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Because they stay in games like that and score on set pieces / counter attacks...they won't change their style of play when it has been working even against stronger teams

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

              Agreed.

    3. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      No I think Zaha would be the more adventurous lover.

    4. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Considering it....

    5. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me. United are playing like a team fighting relegation

    6. Maddamotha
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Jose will set the horses free here as 2nd is secured. United will score, so might work.

  6. Unfathomable Ruination
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed. Would love some feedback.

    I have a 13 point lead in my ML. It's a three horse race. My team:

    Ryan
    Vertonghen - Lowton - Smalling*
    Salah - Sterling - Mili - Son - D.Silva
    Jesus - Vardy*

    I'm thinking of doing Smalling to Monreal or Robertson, and then Vardy to Aubameyang. Smart moves?

    Context: Both rivals have Monreal, one has been captaining Aubameyang. The other will captain Salah. Alternative would be to play Maguire / Naughton for Smalling and downgrade Son or D.Silva (likely to Zaha), but now I think both will play.

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

      Good moves but not sure how nailed Monreal is. Robertson better option I think.

      1. Unfathomable Ruination
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers - yeah, Monreal hasn't played last two games but I just figure he could and if he gets one of his trademark goals (in the likely goal-fest at Huddersfield), both rivals would gain on me so it would be just for cover.

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

    who to start?

    a. Lowton
    b. Long

    1. Geezer
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Lowton

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

    It you had to guess what would be the 3 transfers used in the team below..

    DDG - Ryan
    Morgan - Valencia - Mawson - Dunk - Lowton
    Son - Sterling - Willian - Eriksen - Gross
    Jesus - Kane - Barnes

    Thinking DDG + Willian + Morgan > Romero + Zaha + VVD

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

      valencia willian barnes

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

        good shout didnt think about valencia.

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

          i heard united will play jones bailly blind and darmian

          1. Maddamotha
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Where did you hear that?

    2. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Valencia, Son, Willian - TAA, Salah, Zaha (I haven't done the maths)

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

        yea maths adds up - think this is the likely move for him

    3. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Is he a casual or is he sad enough to stay up until 1:30am looking to get the edge?

  9. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Goooood evening DZ.

    Not long to go - everyone ready?

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

      Not even close...pva or vvd? Cheers

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        PvA is more exciting at least 🙂

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

      quite excited to be honest

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Just doing Smalling and Cédric to Robertson and PVA for a hit then I will be!
      You all sorted for the final GW or still contemplating?

    4. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Yep.
      a -4 on the cards for a crack at b2b top 1k finishes.
      Currently 14 points back.

  10. Down with this sort of thin…
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Hello all, I posted this earlier looking for some advice. Who scores most?

    A) Salah + Firmino + Lowton + K Long

    B) Salah + Son + Blind + K Long

    Not sure how likely Blind, Son and Firmino are to start, that could come into the decision.

    Thanks for your thoughts!

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

      a

      1. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Double Burnley defence not too risky?

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

          not against Bour

          1. Down with this sort of thin…
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I save -4 going with A) too. Cheers for that.

  11. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    This is me...

    Ryan
    Lowton - Vertonghen - Alonso
    Sterling - Son - Lingard - Salah - Fernandinho
    Kane - Jesus

    De Gea - Barnes - Long - Morgan

    What do we reckon? 1 FT, 0.2m in the bank. Options I've considered:

    De Gea + Lingard to Adrian+Martial or Romero+Ramsey

    Or just Barnes to Vokes / J.Ayew.

    Anything else stand out?

    1. Unfathomable Ruination
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Romero and Ramsey could be a good option.

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

      Barnes > J.Ayew only - dont take a hit for keeper

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        The boring but probably sensible approach

    3. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Can you afford De Gea + Lingard -> Karius + Arnie? If not Adrian + Arnie?

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

      as a united fan it pains me to say the game has brighton written all over it pick a different keeper maybe karius

    5. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Does DDG and Lingard to Karius and Martial or Ramsey work?

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        For Ramsey it does, not for Martial

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Liverpool head the CS odds so if you want a keeper that may be the one...

          1. George Sillett
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Bookies odds are completely meaningless at this stage as they are determined by the weight of money from stupid punters.

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

              yeah but but Doos is his mentor

              1. George Sillett
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                Good point.

            2. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Incorrect.

        2. doublyG
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Is Ramsey nailed given midweek game?

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

      Yes Andy! Like the confidence in Son, I'm sticking too 🙂

      Does Barnes to a real cheapo (like Quaner) and Lingard to Zaha/Arnie work?

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        It would. But wonder if I'm taking a hit if getting in a better GK option might be better

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

          True, maybe something real punty and exciting like DDG to Adrian and Barnes to Rashford (maths?) as it's the last day!
          With Barnes crocked just thinking he has to be one of your moves

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

      DeGea and Lindgard to Karius and Mata (-4).
      That surely appeals.

  12. gunner-niner
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    is it worth a -8 hit to get salah, auba and romero in, im trailing ML by 9 but I have a TC chip and the leader doesnt

  13. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Not been too shabby a season. Only 96k OR but easily leading Mini-Leagues. So took a few hits to form this team:

    Karius,
    Otamendi, Bellerin, Moses
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Pogba,
    Lacazette, Vardy, Perez

    Attack suffers but why not 🙂

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

      Good luck Random 🙂 That is one expensive defense! Pogba is an apparent doubt

      1. Random Name
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Haha yeah i fancy otamendi to grab a goal or something vs southampton. Maybe moses or bellerin get a few assists. Just having fun with the last gwk really

        And ugh i'll just leave him in. One of my bench fodders can replace him lol

  14. FPL_ UP_Down
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Leading by 2 points in ML

    Worth a hit for -8 Smalling + Pogba >> Salah + TAA
    My Rival has Salah + Van Dijk

    My Defenders: Monreal Christensen Morgan Vertonghen Smalling..!

    Worried 3 defenders not playing..!
    Morgan will be 1 pointer vs Spurs

    Any advice please?

    1. Unfathomable Ruination
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldn't take a -8 hit if leading by two. Who is your third trade?

      1. FPL_ UP_Down
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        A: Smalling >> Van Dijk or Azpilicueta -4
        Smalling iout..! Looks like Monreal & Christensen won’t play..!
        B: Pogba > Mane -4
        C: leave it at is...

  15. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Willian to whom?

    A) Arnie
    B) Zaha

  16. Snapes on a Plane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    0FT; 0.8ITB

    Fabianski
    TAA-Tarkowski-Vertonghen
    Salah (c) -Sterling-Pogba-Alli
    Kane-Jesus-Ayew

    (DDG-Cedric-Morgan-Kennedy*)

    What to do?

    A) Pogba > Zaha
    B) Alli > Zaha
    C) Jesus > Auba
    D) Jesus > Firmino

    1. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      S

      1. nevins84
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry meant A

  17. Tiki-Taka
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    A) Vardy + 1 of Adrian or Hennessey
    B) Rashford + McCarthy

    Who would you rather have? Cheers guys. Think Rashford is better than Vardy this week but Vardy has a good record vs top teams and McCarthy could end up with 0 points vs City

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

    quite sad i will be watching michael carrick 1 last time in a united shirt so underrated other the years

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

      *over

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Hahaha .

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

        Lolled loud when I read that correction. Brilliant.

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

    RP:

    Ryan
    Naughton Tark Lowton Veet
    Sterling Salah Eriksen Gross
    Kane Jesus 
    (DDG Morgan Barnes Kenedy)

    a) Barnes > JAyew (bench Gross) 
    b) Tark > TAA
    c) Gross > Mili/RLC 
    d) DDG & Gross > Romero & Zaha (-4) - would cover rival (1 point between us) owning Zaha

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I would do ddg to Romero only or karius

    2. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      If your rival takes a hit d..

  20. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I so hope that Man U lose the Cup Final. They will finish second on merit granted but they are so shite to watch. A defeat for Maureen to Conte would really piss him off. Will he play his usual predictable tactics and try to boot Hazard from Wembley to Acton ?

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

      conte will still be getting sacked regardless

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        That was not my point.

  21. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Hm, Son to Zaha for a hit seems to be frowned upon. Not sure if Son will even play tbh:/

  22. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    One has to go: Eriksen or Son?

    1. Unfathomable Ruination
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Son for sure

      1. doublyG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        This

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

      easily Son

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

      son

  23. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is Smalling to Blind/Darmien/Lindelof worth a -4 hit?

    Context: 8 points behind leaders who's taken a hit himself. If no hit Fernandez (Stoke H).

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

      I would play Fernandez before taking a -4

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah just thought sbout it. Would require a cs from utd to gain only 2 points which Fernandez can do himself.

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

          thats how i looked at it too

  24. OldBenKenobi
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Just realised im now only 6 points of my work ML leader (due to him taking a -8 so far).
    Not sure I want to take any points hits now I've noticed this?
    Would you with this team?

    DDG
    Alonso, Cresswell, Bauer
    Salah(c), Son, Alli, Willian
    Kane(v), Vardy, J.Ayew

    Lossl, Tadic, Dummett, Stephens

    0.1ITB 0FTs

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

      i would take -4 and do Willian > Zaha

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

        over Arnautovic? he was my orginal idea...

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

          Arnie is a good shout too i just like Zaha

  25. MidTableFantasy
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    Lowton Robertson Tarkowski
    Alli Sterling (C) Salah Zaha
    Kane Jesus Ayew

    G2G?

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

      definatley

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

      indeed you are

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

    I can only see this transfer to keep me in 1st place in my ML for -4 agree? Smalling + Lingard > TAA + Salah

    Fab
    Vert - Monreal - Naughton
    Son - Lingard - Sterling - Arnie
    Jesus - Kane - J.Ayew

    (DDG) - McArthur - Smalling - Dummett

    1. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Thats pretty solid..

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      i would agree

    3. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Wise moves

    4. Random Name
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I see Jesus to Lacazette

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

        was contemplating but Lingard and smalling arent playing where as Jesus is so makes sense to transfer out non playing players right?

    5. Down with this sort of thin…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Defo Salah/TAA in.

      After his double blank, I'm considering binning Jesus for Firmino.

  27. nevins84
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    Naughton Chamb Bavies Masuaku
    Salah Sterling Erikson Zaha
    Lacazette Jesus
    DDG Perez Cedric Kennedy
    1ft 0.1itb

    Worried McCarthy might end up with 0pts...
    A)DDG to Romero/Karius ft

    B)DDG&Kennedy to Adrian&Ramsey

    C)DDG&Perez to Adrian&Rashford

    1. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B&C= -4

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

        Ramsey > Rashford IMO

    2. Random Name
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't be worried with Laca on the team tbh

  28. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba, Smalling, Kenedy > Zaha, Long, Arnie (-8) Yay or Nay?

  29. Geezer
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who will take penalty for United if they get one tomorrow? Carrick? Martial?

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Pogba?

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

      pogba if on pitch otherwise mata

  30. Down with this sort of thin…
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Son plays?

    Minutes for Salah/Firmino?

    Roll the dice on Walker-Peters?

    Any thoughts on these?

    Thanks for any advice!