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
    7 years, 4 days ago

    First.

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      The worst, nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh

    2. Merry Christmas!

  2. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Arsenal presser today?

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Second the best

  3. _Make
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Sané or Sterling? Place your bets...

    Now!

    1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Sterling

    2. Sliver
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Both to fail. Murphy's law.

      1. _Make
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        Josh Murphy to outscore both? 🙂

    3. _Make
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

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

    4. Amey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Sterling

    5. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Raz

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        Did you mis-spell Haz?

  4. Jamb0
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Yes, looks v good

    2. Super Silva
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Solid team without Salah.

  5. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Brooks to anderson

    Or

    Success to rashford

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      A is safest

    2. Midlands Saint73
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Both for -4

  6. seewhyaxe
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Cheers!

    Own all 3 and am going with Sane, just slightly

  7. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Hopefully not.
      Binned him 3 gws ago

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 days 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
    7 years, 4 days ago

    When's Arsenal presser?

  9. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    If Lukaku confirmed out..
    Jiminez to rashford?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      If for free, sure.

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Don't sell Jiminez

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        See above

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

  10. JariL
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

  11. istanbul05
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Tottenham attacker is needed imo

  12. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Any press conferences today?

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

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days ago

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

    2. Lazaretti
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      GTG.

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

    4. Pacer.
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Prefer the 2 better attackers I think

            1. Jam0sh
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

  14. Jamb0
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      yep, they are

      1. Jamb0
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        thanks Holmes

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Yes

  15. Nesvy
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Who play ?

    a/ Doherty
    b/ Jimenez

    1. Amey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Jimmy

      1. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        B

    2. Rinseboy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

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

      1. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        sorry B I mean!

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      B

    4. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Jim

  16. DaniCT
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

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

    1. Rinseboy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      I would yes

    2. tibollom
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Yes good move

    3. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      That could hurt you badly

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Im not so sure after reading this article.

    5. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      For GW19 yes

  17. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Hi....any views on:

    Auba and camarasa to kamara and hazard - 4

    Moving to 352

    Thanks

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      doing something similar with Lacazette, so yes

      1. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        How come you are losing Laca this week in particular?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days ago

        What midtfielder are you shipping out if i may ask?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 days ago

          gunnarson

    2. Amey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Popular transfer

    3. tibollom
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Yes worth it IMO

    4. MTPockets
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

      • Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        Dangerous this week. Prefer it next week

        1. Flynny
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Start one

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

      1. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        BCA

      2. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        C

    6. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days ago

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

      2. tibollom
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        Do numbver 2 mate - good move

      3. MTPockets
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

      4. Rinseboy
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

          1. Rinseboy
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 days 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
        7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

        2. Amey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 days ago

          G2G
          Sane

      6. Oggle22
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days ago

          It is madness for any gw tbh

          1. davidmcnamara
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 days ago

            This

        2. MTPockets
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Probably. I have Yoshida but still benching him

          • Bullet Eder
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 days ago

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

            1. Oggle22
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 days ago

              Wanted Salah Kane and Hazard haha

              1. Patch
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 days ago

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

        3. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Not for a hit i wouldnt

        4. Manani
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Can't do much without a hit.

          2. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Could backfire

        6. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Probably A if it looks like he's starting

            1. El-Kloppico
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 days ago

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

              1. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            neither

        7. CunkOnFPL
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days ago

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

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Is this a joke?

            Poch does it out of necessity.

            1. tucaoneo
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 days 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
          7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

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

            1. JackQualt
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 days ago

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

              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 4 days 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
            7 years, 4 days ago

            Wouldn't make those transfers

        10. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 days ago

          Keep Auba and Wilson? Not convinced either will start