Captains

Captain Sensible – Spurs and Man City the focus in Gameweek 17

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City appear to be the two sides at the centre of this week’s captaincy debate.

Both clubs have favourable fixtures in Gameweek 17 as well as some interest options for the armband.

As usual, we are here to compare the players themselves, their clubs, their opposition in order to work out which player should be our captain this weekend.

Captain Poll

Harry Kane (£12.6m) is our runaway poll leader for Gameweek 17 as Tottenham prepare to host Sean Dyche’s struggling Burnley side. He tops the pile with the backing of 46% of the vote, despite his no-show at Leicester in Gameweek 16 and an intense outing at Barcelona midweek. We are sure that the bulk of his support is chiefly influenced by opponents Burnley, who we will assess later in the article. That and the fact that Kane has four goals and two assists in his last five Premier League starts.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) is proving the second-most popular captain choice this week with 17% in the poll. That makes him the most fashionable Manchester City option ahead of their meeting with Everton on Saturday lunch-time. Sterling has four goals and five assists in the last seven Gameweeks but hasn’t registered attacking returns for the last two.

Up next is last week’s poll winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) who comes in with 10% backing with Arsenal travelling to Southampton this week. The Saints are still in a transitional period with new manager Ralph Hasenhuttle fresh in his role and the Gunners, given their attacking form, are expected by many to record a comfortable win at St Mary’s Stadium. Aubameyang has registered returns in three of the last four Gameweeks. The fact he was rested for Thursday night’s Europa League match indicates he should get an eighth successive Premier League start on Sunday afternoon.

Eden Hazard (£10.9m) looks to be the best of the rest heading into Gameweek 17 with a backing of 4.56%. Chelsea travel to Brighton this weekend, where they emerged 4-0 winners last season. The Belgian has four assists in his last three matches but is without a goal of his own since Gameweek 8.

Despite last week’s hat-trick, Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) remains in the differential section of another captain poll. Ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester United, just 3.93% of our voters are confident enough to hand the Egyptian the armband. That could prove a sensible decision considering that Salah has never scored or assisted against Manchester United in the Premier League.

Gameweek 17’s potentially powerful alternative Son Heung-min (£8.5m) sits just behind the Liverpool man on 3.44%. The fact that such a small number are backing him this week, those putting the armband on him may feel more confident in doing so, as the effect could be bigger.

The effect of Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy means that, despite Manchester City being at home, Sterling is the only of their options above 3% backing in this poll. Leroy Sané (£9.5m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) are the next most popular but have been chosen by 2.03% and 1.61% of voters respectively.

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1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Donblaster
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Which is the best punt to replace Siggy for next 2-3 games...

    A) B. Silva
    B) Pedro
    C) Moura

  2. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Am I too late to board the Doherty train?

    Thanks.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      It's on platform 9 3/4. I'm refusing to believe it exists after passing up the chance to buy him at 4.4m.

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Never too late to board the Doherty train.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No I wouldn't have thought so, not like he's risen to 6m.

      1. Sickboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks all

    4. mysteryDave
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Not if you run.

  3. Bend It like Trippier
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Crazy to consider Delph as TAA replacement?
    Nice fixtures but Pep's mind can drive you crazy..

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      total cray

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I think i'll just go with Lovren

    3. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Girl, why you ackin so cray cray

  4. mysteryDave
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any Spurs defenders worth a look?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      They keep being rotated which is the issue. Lloris is the best shout tbh

  5. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Would you replace TAA with Doherty or Kolasinac. Im top 10K so thinking Doherty is a safe option but Kolasinac is a nice punt

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Kola if you think he will play

  6. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with Martial and TAA?

  7. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    For next 1-3 gws before wc...

    A) Rich and Davies/Bellerin
    B) Alli/Mahrez/Son and Dunk

    Leaning towards B as will probs bench Rich or Dunk anyways so midfielder over defender? Thoughts

  8. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Isnt this article member only?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Targeting new members

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Too lazy to read it anyway 🙂

  9. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Why does the hot topic say that TAA is out for a few weeks? The only quotes by Klopp was that the injury "is not as serious as the other two boys but is not top-class news", that he will be assessed day-to-day, and that he'll try to find a solution for Sunday.

    Only thing it implies is that he's out for Sunday and then we'll see - not that he's out for weeks.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Journalist comments, but correct that it's speculation

      • Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        The author is encouraging a fire sell due to not owning him.

      • Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed. Looks like the worst case scenario is he's out for United & Wolves. Most probably just United.

      • Jimmy Floyd
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I’m going to hold myself and asses again next week

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

        Yeah, depends on how it's defined in a way. At this point him being out 8 more days is two GWs. 15 days is 4 GWs.

        The Hot Topic is there to talk about options for people selling. But you're right of course, there hasn't been a date set for his return

    2. MGD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Is Trippier out? May be a good TAA replacement

      1. mysteryDave
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        To be assessed ahead of game. Likely back for GW 18.

    3. John Colby (Capt)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      In real need of your insight FF community. I am considering the following moves but which do you think is the better option and why please? Robertson is my only big-hitting defender and I’m not confident of Trippier’s game time.

      Trippier - Alonso
      Salah - Mané
      Sigurdsson - Sané
      Arnautovic - Chicharito
      (With Hazard and Kane in squad)

      Tripper - Davies
      Salah - Sterling
      Billing - F Anderson
      Arnautovic - Mitrovic
      (With Hazard and Kane in squad)

      Trippier - Kolasinic
      Billing - Hudson-Odoi
      Sigurdsson - Sane
      Arnautovic - Chicharito
      (With Salah - Hazard - Kane in squad)

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Very confusing layout sorry it’s Friday

        1. John Colby (Capt)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Good point. The players on the left are transfers out and the ones on the right are transfers in

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 4 months ago

          B or C. Wouldn't want Mane, but would find someone else rather than Davies (Rose).
          So basically Sterling/Siggy/Anderson vs Sane/Salah/H-O I think - comes down to how much you value a playing 5th mid

          1. John Colby (Capt)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Really good points. The midfield in the third option looks better. Kolasinac with Robertson is an attacking proposition too. Kenedy is my other option off the bench

        • Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I'd be happy to answer but cannot fathom what the question really is? can you set it out differently?

          1. John Colby (Capt)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Repost:
            I am considering the following moves but which do you think is the better option and why please? Robertson is my only big-hitting defender and I’m not confident of Trippier’s game time.

            Trippier to Alonso
            Salah to Mané
            Sigurdsson to Sané
            Arnautovic to Chicharito
            (With Hazard and Kane in my squad)

            Tripper to Davies
            Salah to Sterling
            Billing to F Anderson
            Arnautovic to Mitrovic
            (With Hazard and Kane in my squad)

            Trippier to Kolasinic
            Billing to Hudson-Odoi
            Sigurdsson to Sane
            Arnautovic to Chicharito
            (With Salah - Hazard - Kane in my squad)

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              I like the look of C.
              I don’t rate Davies and Chicha is a safer pick than Mitro because of red card risk imo!

      3. davies
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Save ft?

        Fabianski
        Alonso Robertson Doherty
        Sterling Sane Anderson Richarlison Fraser
        Kane (c) Lacazette

        4.0 Kamara AWB TAA*

      4. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So start Fraser and go 442 or go 433 and play kamara, reason being I have Doherty and never like to play attacking player versus defender If I can help it...

        Thoughts all?

        1. Teror
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I say go Fraser. Ferck your superstitions: play the best option. This week it's Fraser.

      5. cuppatea78
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thinking of selling Stephens for Camarasa and Alonso for Luiz in order to free up some money and then next week selling Patricio and getting either Alison or Ederson in.

        Opinions?

      6. Klip Klopp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Any help on how to fix this lot? 2m and 1FT in the bank...

        Fabianski / Hamer
        Alonso / Doherty / Robertson / Laporte / Bennett / Kayal
        Sané / Richarlson / Anderson / Sterling
        Jiminez / Auba / Wilson

        A. Sterling —> Salah
        B. Sané —> Hazard
        C. Laporte —> Kolasinac
        D. Kayal --> Snoddy
        E. Wilson --> Rashford
        F. Any other suggestions?

        1. mysteryDave
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Not A-C I'd definitely play Sterling and Sane. If you want to switch to Hazard or Salah do it next week.
          Maybe D although there are probably better options.
          If you don't expect Wilson to start how about Hernandez or Mitrovic?
          Richarlinson -> Son

      7. Teror
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I remember back in GW8 or something when Kane was supposed to score a shedload against Cardiff at home and ended up blanking in a 1-0 win. He was my captain that day and that memory remains seared into my memory. I don't doubt that he'll score, but haul? Not so sure. Sorry lads, but it's either Sterling or Obamayang captain for me. I'm fine to just have Kane covered.

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I also remember just two GWs ago when Kane was supposed to score against Southampton at home, and then he did 😉 Got a goal, assist and maximum bonus for 12 points.

          Recall bias can cloud your judgement. I'm not saying Sterling or Aubameyang are not good captain picks (Auba especially), but I wouldn't reject Kane based on the reason you mentioned.

          1. Teror
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            You are entirely correct. Entirely so. But how did Kane look against Barca's reserves? Not so good. Of course Barca reserves are better than Burnley. This I agree. But Sterling and Obamayang are both solid options this week too. Good fixtures. Maybe Kane gets 12 points. Maybe Sterling gets 8 points. It's a risk I'm fairly ready to take.

            1. Pierce34
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Yeah fair enough - the comment below by Tamagotchi backs up this view, at least in terms of how Tottenham do after mid-week CL games. We'll see - I think the outcome of the game vs. Barcelona was important too, i.e. the fact that they qualified vs. being knocked out, as well as the fact Kane had had his rest the game before that.

        2. @fpl_phenom
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          will sterling start though?

          1. Teror
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Of course. You think Peperoni isn't going to field his outstanding player after such a damaging defeat last week? Come on my guy, don't be daft.

        3. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Spurs score a mean average of one goal fewer in matches that follow competitive mid week fixtures, if you want the stats to back up your suspicion. They typically start sluggish and grind out a low scoring win relying more on their defence than attacking capability. People will not listen even though the pattern is there clear as day

          1. Pierce34
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I think that's a much better reason to not captain Kane compared to "I captained him in the past and he blanked".

          2. Teror
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            My brother man. I SEE you. I HEAR you. And I FEEL you. This is the kind of sensible talk I expect when I discuss matters of such importance. In honour of you I will captain Sterling. If I score high, my score will be your score. THANK YOU.

            1. Pacer.
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Stats were from previous two seasons. Haven't looked at this year. They had a comfortable win against wolves, put two past Brighton, but also slogged to a 1-0 against Cardiff, palaceabd lost to city and arenenal. A mixed bag and hardly promising

          3. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            People who think playing and grinding out a draw in the last 10 mins against BARCELONA is not exhausting are silly

          4. avfc82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I think Kane's got 2 goals and 1 assist in the 5 matches that have followed CL games this season, which isn't bad considering they've included City and Arsenal.

      8. RUUD!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Luiz, Alderweireld or Bavies?

        1. Teror
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Alderweireld

        2. @fpl_phenom
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Luiz

      9. EL_FENOMENO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        a) Balbuena
        b) Doherty -4

      10. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Erm - as a non-member am I meant to be able to see all that data after the orange box??

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          yes, the column with the amount of points they score this weekend has been hidden.

        2. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I don't see what's so special about membership - we can see the same stats for free on other sites 😀

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            all stats at one place is good I guess

          2. All de Gea no iDier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Got to admit that you are right in that respect. I joined for the first time this year hoping for more information to be available and possibly a closed member's area chat where we could avoid the incessant ABC questions and off-topic posts immediately following an article.

            On both counts I am disappointed.

            1. Pierce34
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              As a non-member, I agree! Also, making a dedicated forum area for chatting that is separate from articles might be better too.

        3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Its Xmas coming...season of goodwill to all non-members

        4. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          yep

      11. Aymerical
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Advice please, A or B or C or D

        Zabaleta + Wilson >

        A) Schindler and Mitrovic
        B) Holebas and Chicarito
        C) Holebas and Jimenez
        D) Holebas and Rondon

        Thanks!

      12. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Does it make sense to do Sané to Hazard for -4?

        1. RUUD!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          absolutely not

        2. Write Home
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          No!

      13. Villa Velour
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Likelihood of Sane starting?

        1. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          70-80%

        2. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          fairly likely

      14. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        when are the press conferences anyone?

        1. RomeluAndJuliet
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Man City presser starts now

      15. HAMMERTIME107
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Help please?? How is this looking any changes???

        Fabianski
        Luiz | Laporte | Wan-Bissaka
        Richarlison | Sterling | Martial | Maddison
        Aubameyang | Kane | Chicharito

        Subs - Speroni | Dunk | Bennett | Diangana

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Martial out.

      16. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I think we might be good for a GW troll galore which will see:

        - Lacazette actually starting with Aubam on the left and Lacazette outscoring PAM
        - Kane blank
        - Sané and Sterling both starting
        - Mané and Alli back in the game
        - Giroud haul

      17. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Did I get a free membership for Christmas?

        I can see the article 😆

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          You've got a 5 minute preview. Go wild.

      18. Bullet Eder
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Aguero back, that should spice things up a bit.

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Straight back into my team

      19. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Aguero back in contention.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Nicee.Makes it more important to save to save 2fts next week

      20. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        If on WC
        Sterling or Sane
        Money not a problem..

        1. Bullet Eder
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Sane and use the 2m wisely

          1. Winston.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            this...but only temporary solution

            1. DARE TO BISCAN
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              How so?

            2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Lool howw

            3. mysteryDave
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Once Mendy is back Sane will be less assured of starts and you will need to switch to Sterling or KDB if he is back.

      21. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Guess who’s back oh no this has gotten much hsrder

        1. SirT83
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          KDB?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Aguero loads of people beat me to it

            1. SirT83
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Just got back on the site today. Haven't backtracked comments yet.