Captains

Captain Sensible – Aubameyang can challenge Salah and Hazard

It looks like a three-way battle for the Gameweek 22 captaincy this weekend.

Fantasy Premier League managers are having to think big as we head into the first round of action for some time.

With the wealth of premium options all in decent form at the start of 2019, choosing the right captain could prove harder than ever.

We’re here to analyse the debate from all angles by looking at individual data, team attacking statistics and opposition defences.

Captain Poll

Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) is set to win the Gameweek 22 captain poll as, at the time of writing, he has 40% backing from the voters. The Egyptian faces Brighton on Saturday afternoon having scored 12 points in three of his last four Premier League outings. Salah’s ownership continues to rise again, now just over 42% after his excellent recent form, which is probably the reason why he has done so well in our poll. The Liverpool man seems to be returning to the ‘auto-captain’ status he ended the 2017/18 campaign in.

Some way behind Salah in second place is Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard (£11.1m). It appears that 23% of our voters are confident the Belgian will deliver in Gameweek 22 after two consecutive blanks to round off the hectic festive fixtures. If we are to believe that Hazard tends to punish those who sell him after blanks, maybe he is indeed set for some attacking returns at home to Newcastle on Saturday. The Magpies have registered just one clean sheet in their last five away matches.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) looks set to claim the bronze medal with his 11% backing ahead of Arsenal’s trip to West Ham. The Hammers still have just one clean sheet at home while Aubameyang has attacking returns in all but one away match against sides outside the top six this season.

Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) is the best of the rest with just 6% backing, the voters suitably afraid both of the Wolves defence and the form that Manchester City have shown in Premier League matches. As we discussed in our recent League Cup notes, a 9-0 win over League Cup opposition could mean little when the top flight action is resumed. Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) has just a third of Aguero’s support, with 2% of the vote, with Leroy Sané (£9.5m) even further behind on 1.25%.

Sandwiched amongst those options are Harry Kane (£12.6m) whose 2.49% share is reflective of a match against Manchester United, while Felipe Anderson (£7.4m) remains the most popular West Ham man. The Brazilian has garnered 1.9% of the vote at the time of writing.

Richarlison (£6.9m) is the only other player over 1% while Marko Arnautovic (£6.9m) and Son Heung-min (£8.8m) were close at the time of writing. The West Ham man on 0.95% and Spurs’ South Korean international with 0.83%.

 

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1,560 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Js31
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    2FT
    Alonso & Anderson > Digne & Salah ?

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds good

      1. LosBlancos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        no the best GW to ditch Alonso though

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would.

    3. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I did alonso and anderson to Tomkins and Salah (had to go cheap and already have digne) so I recommend this move

      1. Js31
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        do like the idea of Alonso being bit of a differential now though, good fixture too. But only way i can get Salah in

    4. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      not this week

    5. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Can you do TAA instead of Digne?

      1. Js31
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        already got him

  2. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Why Barnes over Deeney?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Deeney might get a ban for after match comeents?

  3. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best way to save cash if needed? Think medium term and to fund Salah.

    A) Pereya/Fraser (instead of Richarlison)
    B) Arnie/Barnes/Wilson (instead of Rashford)
    C) Guaita (instead of Fabianski - have Button)
    D) Auba (sell Kane - A/B/C means losing Auba next week)

  4. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? Planning on either getting Richarlison in 352. Or either Salah for Haz depending on this GW.
    Fab
    Alonso, VVD, Digne, AWB
    Hazard, Sane, Martial, Anderson
    Auba, Wilson
    Button, Jiminez, Doherty, Obiang

  5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play 3
    A) Anderson
    B) Digne
    C)AWB
    D)TAA(playing Robbo)
    E)Brooks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      ABD

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Same

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers, was thinking that too!

    3. CROCosta
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      abd

  6. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    One last time, play one of:

    A) AWB (WAT)
    B) Mitrovic (bur)

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go B

    2. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely B

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

      b

    5. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      That settles it one last time. Cheers all

  7. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Gua
    Alonso Lovren* AWB
    Sterling Hazard (v) Pogba Rich
    Auba Mitro Rashford
    Hamer Shaw Doherty Holjberg
    1ft 2.7 itb
    Just waiting on Lovren news now, I can play Shaw v spurs. Cash itb is for sterling or Hazard to salah next week so don't want to spend it!

  8. Yo Deli Alli
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would appreciate some thoughts on a dilemma:

    (a) Fraser and Auba
    OR
    (b) Pogba and Firmino

    Am playing my wildcard and these are the two slots left to fill - Muchos Gracias

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It does depend on the rest of your team.
      If you have Salah, I'd say A.

      1. Yo Deli Alli
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        A it is !! - thanks both

    3. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A. Pereyera an option as well?

    4. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one. What's the rest of the team?

  9. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    My personal captain poll, will be going with your help FFS community as I really can't decide for myself.

    A. Hazard (NEW)
    B. Sterling (WOL)
    C. Kane (UTD)
    D. Richarlison (BOU)

    Thanks all.

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Tricky between A/B.. leaning towards B

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B out of those. A good differential and an entertaining monday.

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

      a

    5. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

    6. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A and B close

    7. Malwin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    8. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The stats in the captain article suggest A quite strongly if I'm reading them right

    9. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A or B, very close. Monitor Chelsea news. If Pedro and William are fit, then A

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Lots of replies, A looks to be the winner, thank you all.

    10. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  10. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hello guys, GTG?

    Fabianski
    AWB, TAA, David Luiz
    Salah(c), Pogba, Hazard(v), Richarlison
    Jiminez, Arnautovic, Kane

    Patricio, Bednarek, Bennett, Hojbjerg

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Arnie leaving or staying?

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, gtg.

  11. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A. Luiz, Kolasinac, Kane
    B. Robertson, Digne, Aubameyang

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Out of those, B

      Trent/Robertson, Luiz, Auba would be ideal though

      1. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  12. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Capping Sterling as a necessity (Non Salah owner) but with such low ownership and even less caps it’s rare to get a shot at such a good differential... I’m looking forward to it!

  13. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone think Hudson-Odoi will start this weekend?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Think Giroud will start so think it will be one of Willian or Pedro and Hudson Odoi on the bench

  14. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here with lovren injured (already on -4)
    1) WC
    2) play Jimenez 
    3) play schindler
    4) do another hit for defender (4.9max)

    Team is:
    Fab 4.0
    Lovren*** Digne awb Pereira 
    Sane hazard Anderson lingard Salah
    Kane
    Subs:Jimenez kamara schindler

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Play Jimmy

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes play Jimenez

  15. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:
    1. AWB vs WAT(H)
    2. Digne vs BOU(H)
    3. Taylor vs FUL(H)
    4. TAA vs BHA(A)
    5. Anderson vs ARS(H)
    6. Richarlison vs BOU(H)

    Or really go for differential benching and bench one of Pogba/Rashford/Kane playing each other.

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3 > 1
      Benching 4 or 6 is mad

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1 or 3

    3. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3

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

      Excellent choice guys. I had already benched Taylor of those.

    5. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bench all of Pogba, Rashford, and Kane.
      Then you can be one of those people who post on the official FPL twitter feed with a ridiculously bench score claiming to be so unlucky.

      ...serious answer 3.

  16. Black Knights
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So Dejan injured... time for him to leave my team.

    26 points in 3 games though; that really is befitting of the greatest defender to grace the game.

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is there an update then?

  17. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    martial and Anderson for Salah and 4.4?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1 player in exchange of 2, hmmm

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        2 actually...read my comment properly

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          4.4 is of no use and has zero potential

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Does the 4.4m player need to play, or will they be bench fodder?

  18. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    pogba

    4th most transferred in
    5th most transferred out

    i'm personally considering joining the 'out' gang - what are you doing?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      holding

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

      So many transferred him out only based on the fact he was a doubt. Now decleared fit and hasn't become a bad player after blanking one game. Seems to be nailed and IMO a better option than not nailed City mids and other mid priced mids

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        fair comment mate

        thinking to make the most of the everton fixtures in the short term

        was considering pogba + anderson > richarlison + siggy (-4)

        any thoughts?

    3. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Easy keep

    4. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hold for me. Decent fixtures after this game week. Good value and in form

    5. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keeping, he's a keeper.

      Right up until he's not

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He plays, remember the Rashford exodus last game?

  19. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How will Chelsea line up? Thinking Hazard captain because of Salah traveling

  20. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench?

    A) Jimènez (mci)
    B) AWB (WAT)

    Starting Pereyra (cry).

    Cheers all! 🙂

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wolves have scored against the top 6 regularly, and I expect Watford to score.

      Id bench B

  21. Weefy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I have 0FT, 0.8ITB not sure who to bench?

    Fab
    Robbo Digne AWB WB
    Salah Pogba Sane Camarasa
    Kane Rashford

    Stek Martial Kola Success

    Thinking 3 ManU is overkill against an ok Spurs def?

  22. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Lingard to who?
    To free up some cash
    I’m thinking
    A. Camarasa
    B. McNeil
    C. Someone else
    Probably won’t play them often but will do this week cheers

    1. Weefy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A for me

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers for reply
        Just a little worried about his injury or knock

    2. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A seems the stand out at the sort of price if you have to play him occasionally. Particularly of course this week

  23. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN032N86d5I

    Great insight into how badly Arsenal FC have been run over the last few years, absolute farce and so sad to see for a Gooner!

  24. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A moment to talk about regression. Not regression is a phenomenon to be expected on a large sample size, but is something that does not happen gradually with xG usually.

    That being said, Hazard is expected to outperform his xG (as is the case historically with him due to him being much better than the average player that xG is based upon) yet he is under performing it currently.

    Newcastle are over performing their xGC, which could be in part due to a good goalkeeper, but luck as well.

    Hazard scoring a brace or more is likely to put things in order instantly. Just to get that out.

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for 4,9 or less?

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Doherty, but surely you already have him ?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah

        1. danishdynamite
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Holeba or Kiko, or double on Wolves nice run with Jonny

    2. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      shaw - after this gw

  26. Teddy Brewski
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    My 11th player is a bit stinky this week. Which one to play?

    Doherty (mci)
    Bednarek (lei)
    Kamara (bur)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B or C

    2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara

    3. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    LFC defensive double up or 1 Chelsea defender (Luiz) and 1 LFC defender?

    1. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      LFC double up. TAA (best value) and VVD (only one who will never be rested in the league)

    2. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think you'll want Salah AND Mane once the blanks arrive, so one liverpool defender

  28. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Patricio
    Luiz - Digne - Kola
    Haz - Salah - Pogba - Felipe - Martial
    Auba - Jiminez

    Subs: Button - AWB - Shaw - Kamara. 1FT and 1.4 ITB. Wise to bank the FT? What moves you look at doing later on?

  29. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard no goal at Stamford Bridge since GW7. Salah (C)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He's due then.

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard has scored 2 goals or more twice as many times as Salah this season. Hazard (C).
      😀

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wow.

      1. gauzah
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'm feeling salt after last week. Leave me be.

  30. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What's this Fraser yellow flag?

    101greatgoals.com says he's done his calf but 101greatgoals is probably the least reliable website in history.

    1. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      "Eddie Howe reports that Callum Wilson (hamstring), Joshua King (flu) and Ryan Fraser (hamstring) will all face late fitness checks ahead of the trip to Everton this weekend."

      See Tweets

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Prob should get on this Twitter malarkey, easier to just ask people here though and save myself the effort 🙂

        Any particular Twitter accounts definitely needing to be followed?

      2. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks btw

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Howe this morning - ''We've got a couple of knocks - Wilson, King was ill last week, and Fraser was limping at the end of the last game'' - all will face late fitness tests.