Captains
21 December 2018 1232 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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There is such a wide range of options for the Fantasy Premier League captaincy in Gameweek 18.

Not only do Manchester City have a favourable fixture against Crystal Palace, Arsenal host Burnley and Spurs travel to Everton.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah and Eden Hazard have been offering some impressive individual statistics.

We’ve compared the most popular options in our poll against the player, team and opposition statistics to try and come up with the best option this weekend.

Captain Poll

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) is set to be the poll winner for Gameweek 18 ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to the Etihad Stadium, with 27% of the vote. The Manchester City midfielder’s popularity probably stems from the fact that he is fairly likely to start this weekend after missing out on the last two line-ups, his minutes managed by Pep Guardiola against Everton and Leicester. In Sterling’s last six Premier League starts he has five goals and five assists, making him a strong candidate for Gameweek 18.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) comes in with just under 19% backing this weekend and is the closest challenger to a poll leader for some weeks. The Arsenal man has been unfortunate not to find the net more often recently, now without a goal since his Gameweek 14 brace against Tottenham. However, a home match against an out-of-form Burnley could be the tonic Aubameyang and his colleagues need after their defeat at Southampton, and his owners seem confident he will deliver.

Leroy Sané (£9.7m) has been backed as an alternative Manchester City option this week, with the German international coming in at third place in the poll. 12% of voters are planning on giving him the captaincy, presumably because of his slightly greater chance of starting the match than Sterling. Sané has been named in the Manchester City line-up in six of the last seven Gameweeks and has considerably less competition for his place while Benjamin Mendy is injured.

Hot on Sané’s tails in the vote is Chelsea man Eden Hazard (£11.0m), backed by 11% at the time of writing. He has been remarkably consistent recently, with a goal and five assists in his last four outings for the Blues. With Leicester City the next to visit Stamford Bridge, Hazard owners will be confident of further returns in Gameweek 18, with a number of them looking to captain him.

Mohamed Salah (£13.1m) leads the chasing pack this weekend, with just under 8% believing he is the ideal captain candidate ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves on Friday night. He is just ahead of Harry Kane (£12.6m) who will travel to Everton on Sunday afternoon, backed by 6% of the poll voters.

Another big name far down the list of popularity is Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) who is fit again and had some minutes in the League Cup midweek. 3.7% believe he is the best option for Gameweek 18, keeping him just ahead of the most popular defender: Matt Doherty (£5.2m). The Wolves man has the support of 1.7% of our voters.

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  1. Sliver
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    First.

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      The worst, nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh

    2. Merry Christmas!

  2. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal presser today?

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Second the best

  3. _Make
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Sané or Sterling? Place your bets...

    Now!

    1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

    2. Sliver
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Both to fail. Murphy's law.

      1. _Make
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Josh Murphy to outscore both? 🙂

    3. _Make
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling has the highest ceiling. Sané seems guaranteed a start. Tricky one.

    4. Amey
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

    5. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Raz

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Did you mis-spell Haz?

  4. Jamb0
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Fabianski
    Bednarek, Robertson, David Luiz
    F.Anderson, Sane (c), Hazard (vc), Richarlison
    Jimenez, Aubameyang, Kane

    Patricio, Bennett, Hojberg, AWB

    GTG?

    1. JariL
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, looks v good

    2. Super Silva
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Solid team without Salah.

  5. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Brooks to anderson

    Or

    Success to rashford

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A is safest

    2. Midlands Saint73
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Both for -4

  6. seewhyaxe
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Cheers!

    Own all 3 and am going with Sane, just slightly

  7. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Good to see defenders like Luiz rising

    Usually a sign that we are at the TWENTY POINTER stage in the Alonso cycle :0

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

      Hopefully not.
      Binned him 3 gws ago

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Has to happen some time, we've been so patient.
      In fact, he scored 21 pts vs LEI 2 seasons ago...

  8. VardysParty
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    When's Arsenal presser?

  9. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    If Lukaku confirmed out..
    Jiminez to rashford?

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

      If for free, sure.

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Why sell Jim, best budget Fwd option in the game...do you have much value tied up?

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Look at his Fixtures
        3 of next 6 are spuds city liverpool...

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Don't sell Jiminez

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        See above

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          He's scored points against Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton to name but 4 strong teams this season.

  10. JariL
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Any ideas for transfers? 2FTs 0.3ITB.

    Note that I have a WC left that I'm planning on using for GW19, so looking at my team only for the next 2 GWs.

    Pickford (TOT, bur)
    Robertson (wol, NEW) / Laporte (CRY, lei) / S.Cook (BHA, tot)
    Salah (wol, NEW) / B. Silva (CRY, lei) / Anderson (WAT, sou) / Richarlison (TOT, bur) / Snodgrass (WAT, sou)
    Kane (eve, BOU) / Lacazette (BUR, bha)

    X / Yedlin (FUL, liv) / Kamara (new, WOL) / AWB (mci, CAR)

    1. JariL
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Looking at it, I think Richarlison has the toughest fixtures over the next 2.

      Rich, Laca --> Sane, Rashford for free?

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Sounds ok if you think Rashford will be a starter under Ole. Could also easily backfire though. Could you squeeze Hazard or Sterling in there?

        1. JariL
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah, Laca might very well start after being on the bench this week. And the fixtures are not horrible for Rich either and I have some value tied on him, might want him back on my WC...

          I could also go for Haz and Ings instead of Sane and Rash.

          1. Midlands Saint73
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            I went Son and Mitro to Ings and Haz. Expecting big haul from Son now. Am waiting 1 game for Utd assets.

      2. Duffy Dunk
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Rich has 8 good fixtures, starting gw19. Don't sell now.

  11. istanbul05
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Fabianski,
    VVD, Stones, Doherty,
    Salah, Sterling, Sane, Anderson,
    Laca, Murray, Jimenez.

    4.0, Bennett, Obiang, TAA.

    A) Murray/Obiang to Ings/Snod (-4 and bench Jiménez)
    B) Murray to Ings (Play Jiménez)

    There isn't really anyone I want that is cheaper than Stones, so may hold him for now..

    Cheers

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tottenham attacker is needed imo

  12. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Any press conferences today?

    1. Yes, everyone who didn't have one yesterday.

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg? On wc: 0.1 itb

    Fab/4.0
    Doh/AWB/Luiz/Robo/Dign
    Haz/Sane/Rich/FA/Shaq
    Kane/Jimenez/Rash

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If Alonso hauls I can always downgrade Shaq and upgrade Luiz quite easily

    2. Lazaretti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      GTG.

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Benching headaches galore, plus you'll be downgrading to a 4.5 mid or cheaply forward for funds in no time...personally I'd get Camarasa now and save the pain.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Was thinking him but i feel good about shaqiri throughout Christmas. I'll give it 2 weeks i guess

    4. Pacer.
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If you are saying IF Alonso hauls then for me that's enough reason to spend the extra on Alonso. When he hauls, and historically he does, you'll miss it. The beauty of Alonso, for me, is that he's set and forget. Removing him and redistributing finances and reversing that is not the money saving and pointmaking exercise it appears imo

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        True, happy with attack and midfield though. So Alonso rn means downgrade Robo to TAA or Lovren or Digne to someone like Bednarek

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          If you want Alonso in there just work it through Shaqiri and Rashford

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Prefer the 2 better attackers I think

            1. Jam0sh
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              I'm not sure if they are better but it seems you've made your mind about having them

    5. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If you swapped Shaq and Rashford for Sterling and Ings its exactly my team. Which has been doing great
      So i like it

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers 🙂 rash and Shaq are my 2 punts through Christmas I guess

  14. Jamb0
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    In terms of the cup - are hits deducted from your score? I see my opponent has taken a -8..

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      yep, they are

      1. Jamb0
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        thanks Holmes

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  15. Nesvy
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who play ?

    a/ Doherty
    b/ Jimenez

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

      Jimmy

      1. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        B

    2. Rinseboy
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      tough but gotta be A as Jiminez has more chance of attacking returns

      1. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        sorry B I mean!

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    4. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Jim

  16. DaniCT
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    auba + torreira - > Haz + Ings for - 4 ?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I would yes

    2. tibollom
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes good move

    3. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      That could hurt you badly

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Im not so sure after reading this article.

    5. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      For GW19 yes

  17. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Hi....any views on:

    Auba and camarasa to kamara and hazard - 4

    Moving to 352

    Thanks

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      doing something similar with Lacazette, so yes

      1. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        How come you are losing Laca this week in particular?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          dont like to have doubts over an expensive forward

          if i keep him and he do well, then I will be tempted to hold again and cycle goes on... just have to accept the mistake and move on.

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

        What midtfielder are you shipping out if i may ask?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          gunnarson

    2. Amey
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Popular transfer

    3. tibollom
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes worth it IMO

    4. MTPockets
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I wouldn't this week, but seems a popular move

      • Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Dangerous this week. Prefer it next week

        1. Flynny
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks. I'll wait for pressers.

          There must be a little doubt over auba starting tomorrow I think

          And over Xmas I expect hazard to do better than auba...

          Thanks

    5. davidmcnamara
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Start one

      A) Doherty (LIV)
      B) Digne (TOT)
      C) Kamara (NEW)

      1. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        BCA

      2. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        C

    6. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      1. Save the FT and re-assess next GW.
      2. Move for Hazard now. (-4). Gibbs-White + Auba -> Hazard + Ings. (Exact cash if I do this now too). The prob I see with waiting is that I wont be able to make the same changes to bring in Haz and will have to go a diff route of getting him in.

      Fabianski.
      Kola, Digne, Lowe.
      Rich, Sane (vc), Sterling (c), Felipe.
      Mitro, Auba, Kane.
      Hamer, Doherty, AWB, Gibbs- White.
      1ft, 0.9m

      There is a decent chance that Auba doesn't start this GW + now would be the best time to move for Ings I think with 2 very good fixtures + it means I have Hazard!

      1. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I would do 2. I am seriously considering Haz captain over Sterling too

      2. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Do numbver 2 mate - good move

      3. MTPockets
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Deadline's today so would just wait until later for free.

      4. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        All set for this week? Defence needs some work so guessing Laca could be the fall guy soon to make some upgrades!

        Pat
        Zabaletta Doherty Kola
        Sterling (c) Sane Hazard Anderson
        Kane Laca Jiminez
        Hamer Schindler AWB Hoj

        1. tibollom
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yea def is poor - i would get Laca to Wilson maybe?

          1. Rinseboy
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            yeah that's the plan next week I think. Think I gotta give Laca this week after being benched mid week

      5. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Hi guys, G2G with the team and subs below?

        Who would you captain?

        Fab, Stek
        Robbo Digne Alonso
        Haz Rich Sane FAnderson
        Kane Jimenez Wilson

        Stek, Doherty, Camarasa, AWB

        1. tibollom
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Would you do Wilson to Rashford for free or keep Wilson?

        2. Amey
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          G2G
          Sane

      6. Oggle22
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Is a double Southampton defence madness for this game week?

        Looking like my best option

        AWB/Bennett/Valery/Bedernak/Kolasanic

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

          It is madness for any gw tbh

          1. davidmcnamara
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            This

        2. MTPockets
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Probably. I have Yoshida but still benching him

          • Bullet Eder
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            How have you ended up with that defence and what is the rest of your team?

            1. Oggle22
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Wanted Salah Kane and Hazard haha

              1. Patch
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                I have those 3 but my defense is Robbo, Alonso, Jonny alongside AWB and Bednarek...

        3. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Would you do Eriksen > Sané for a hit?
          I am confident Eriksen can match Sané, if he plays.

          No other City covers. Team as follows;

          Allison
          Robbo - Digne - Balbuena
          Salah - Haz - Richa - Eriksen
          Auba - Rash - Chicha

          Bench: Kenedy - AWB - Bennet

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

            You going to cap Sane ?
            Go for it if yes.
            Sane is most nailed City attacker atm IMHO

          2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Not for a hit i wouldnt

        4. Manani
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Probably using WC next (or week after) week, so want to use my FT

          Foster
          Luiz Robertson kolasinic
          Hazard salah Fraser Brooks
          Jimenez Laca Kane
          (Patricio Doherty Masuaku AwB)

          0.0m in bank

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

            Can't do much without a hit.

          2. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Not sure tbh. Could get Begovic or Fab in who more likely to get cleansheets. Or maybe Brooks for a kenedy or something... But not too sure on fixtures and what cheap players likely to bag points. Brooks does imo if he starts

        5. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          1FT. 0 ITB

          Fab (Ryan)

          VVD Bellerin Laporte (Doherty WanB)

          Sterling Hazard Fraser Snod (Pereyra)

          Kane Wilson Jimi

          Is Sterling to Sane risky? Would free up some cash to upgrade a defender or midfielder

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Honestly I’d just stick. As soon as you move from one to the other you know what will happen...

          2. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Could backfire

        6. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          No City cover, what would you do?

          a. Auba > Kun
          b. Eriksen > Sane (-4pts)

          1. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Probably A if it looks like he's starting

            1. El-Kloppico
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Can Auba outscore Kun?
              Can't see kun getting 90min though

              1. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                Auba played 90 on Wednesday night. Chance he could be benched. I really don't know but if both were nailed to start my money would be on Kun. Burnley were dogged against Spurs last weekend and I see a similar pattern against Arsenal

          2. CunkOnFPL
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            neither

        7. CunkOnFPL
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          What to do with this mess:
          Flappy
          Alonso, Doherty, Kiko
          F Anderson, Fraser, Richo, Sterlo
          Auba (c), Wilson, Kane

          Patricio, AWB, Bennett, Hoj?

          2 FT, 1.4 ITB
          Thanks in advance!

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Kiko gotta go. How much will you have to spend? Digne would be a solid long term move but not the best fixture this week.

        8. tucaoneo
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Pep roulette is blown out of proportion. Poche and Emery are far worse.

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Is this a joke?

            Poch does it out of necessity.

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

              That's not how you define good or bad. Out of necessity, yes. But even given those available players, there is little logic in how he picks them, and position them. If Alli plays 90 minutes in a deep role supporting Lamela and Lucas, I would prefer him not playing at all.
              With Pep you kinda know he is trying to balance their minutes. I saw Sterling benching coming and was prepared, the last two times. With Poche you can't see anything.

        9. JackQualt
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Alonso, Richarlison, Wilson -> Luiz, Sane, Ings???? Seems sideways but two frees and the only thing I want to change in my team is getting Sane?? Or a Ryan change for second keeper?

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Not for me. Rich has decent fixtures coming up and Alonso is Alonso. Wilson better than zings, too.

            1. JackQualt
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Thank you, I think the points gap between Rich and Sane is enough to make it a profit though?

              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                What do you mean by points gap? Sane will outscore this week but then I’d fancy Rich over Christmas given that Sane is due a benching.

          2. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Wouldn't make those transfers

        10. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Keep Auba and Wilson? Not convinced either will start