Captains

Captain Sensible – Blank Gameweek 27 a tough call

Fantasy Premier League managers face one of the hardest captaincy decisions of the season so far in Blank Gameweek 27.

The absence of fixtures for Manchester City and Chelsea, who were originally scheduled to play favourable opposition in Everton and Brighton, has removed several options from the debate already.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Liverpool, two clubs who normally provide a handful of captain candidates each week, go head-to-head at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

That leaves Fantasy managers with the choice of either boldly handing the armband to one of those players or to look elsewhere.

Arsenal are currently the popular alternative in the search for a captain this week, but with many managers avoiding the Gunners for longer-term reasons, and plenty of viable alternatives elsewhere, we could see a whole host of different skippers this weekend.

As usual, we’ve had a look at the results of our latest poll, analysed each popular player, and some of the less fashionable options, using our members’ data and assessed the offensive and defensive statistics of all the teams involved to find the best candidates.

Captain Poll

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) is this week’s poll leader ahead of Southampton’s trip to the Emirates Stadium. The absence of Sergio Aguero (£11.5m) and the meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United will have played a part in Aubameyang’s popularity for this Gameweek, amassing 32% support at the time of writing. Although he has just one goal in the last five Gameweeks, you do have to go back to Gameweek 16 for the last time he failed to find the net at home against a side outside the top six.

Son Heung-min‘s (£9.0m) trip to Burnley has captured the attention of a healthy number of Fantasy managers too. His case appears to be centred around form rather than fixture, the South Korean averaging 8.9 points per appearance since Gameweek 13.

Felipe Anderson (£7.2m) heads up a crop of differential options as West Ham prepare to host the worst defence in the Premier League this season: Fulham. The Brazilian does only have one attacking return in his last seven outings, but the appeal of a home match against such poor opposition may be too much to resist for his owners. Currently, the West Ham midfielder has the backing of 9% of our voters.

Just behind Anderson is Liverpool’s star man Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) on 7% ahead of a trip to Old Trafford. The Egyptian’s form may have slowed a little in recent weeks but he still has six double-figure hauls in the last 11 Gameweeks and remains a key FPL asset to own. The fact that Manchester United are still without a clean sheet at home under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may suggest that Sunday’s encounter may not be as tricky as first thought for Salah and his Liverpool attacking colleagues.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) also features in the top five captain candidates for Blank Gameweek 27 according to the poll. The 6% who have backed the Frenchman may have found themselves a shrewd option here. Lacazette was not involved in Thursday night’s Europa League action for Arsenal, which gives him a slight edge over Aubameyang, in terms of security of start.

A few more managers are proving bold enough to look to that Old Trafford showdown as 3.8% have voted for Paul Pogba (£8.8m). The Manchester United midfielder has blanked just once since Solskjaer took over and has averaged 12 points per game at home in that time. With Liverpool’s defence not quite as strong as it was earlier in the season, Pogba looks the most likely of any Red Devil to breach them.

Some slight interest in Marko Arnautovic (£6.8m) confirms the popularity of West Ham’s home match against Fulham. 2.5% have selected the Austrian as the best captain candidate for Blank Gameweek 27 despite the fact he has started just once in the last four Gameweeks.

Salomón Rondón (£5.8m), Raúl Jiménez (£6.8m) and Callum Paterson (£5.0m) are the only other options above 1% while Harry Kane (£12.4m) is not far behind them on 0.9% backing.

1,283 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Where has all the rum gone?
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any love for
    Kamara > rondon? - 4

    1. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes!

      1. Where has all the rum gone?
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Kisses from rondon!

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do it. I've always liked Rondon as a player actually, perhaps too much to own in FPL if you get me.

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I came to ask the same question.

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this template team?

    Fabianski
    Pereira Doherty AWB Robertson
    Salah Pogba Anderson Son
    Jimenez Rashford

    1. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah it's about right

    2. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Same here but have Laca over AWB.

  3. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play Snodgrass and bench Diop this week?

    West Ham are not great at keeping CS and hoping Snodgrass will start as Nasri still likely to be out.

    Snodgrass has been one of these players I wanted to get rid of but not had the chance too!

  4. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lanzini to deliver this gameweek.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm eyeing him up as part of a double up with Felipe for 31 if I don't fancy Fraser or Maddison. Love him as a player.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Great to watch.

    2. Totally Hammered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The guy had a horrendous knee injury and hasn’t played for months he will be eased back into the team from the bench....at least a couple of cameos before he starts...
      Will he get game time..maybe, can he deliver something in 20 mins of course... so depends what your expecting by way of ‘delivering’...

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I was so gutted for the lad just before the world cup too.

        Yeah he’ll probably be a month before he is match fit, massive injury - I just hope physically/mentally he is just as quick.

        Brings a lot to the team just being on the pitch.

  5. drughi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like we all are loading up our teams with shite players plying for shite teams just so we can get a full 11 ahead of gw 31 lol

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yay! because quantity beats quality before GW starts...

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A good reason to use the FH in GW31 and use transfers to plan for DGW32. Load up on Man United, Man City, Spurs, Wolves instead of Bournmouth, Leicester and Newcastle..

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        And where does that leave you in gw33? Up shiz creek without a paddle.

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Wildcard just before gw33

        2. QuintonFortune25
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Going to WC in GW33

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Wouldn't your dgw35 squad have loads of single game weekers from 33 then.

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            WC in 33 will leave you compromised for the rest of the season.

            FH in 32, WC34 is the better choice, no matter how you look at it.

    3. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Speak for yourself. You can save 2 FTs for GW31 itself, and in the meantime bring in cheaper defenders, Fraser etc.

  6. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    (P)ogba or (S)on?

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son

    2. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      (S)on

    3. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba for me.

  7. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at getting in Sterling for GW28. Currently on 3 liverpool assets (Robbo, TAA, Salah).

    A) Hazard -> Sterling and keep the defensive double up for Liverpool
    B) Robbo -> Pereira, Son -> Sterling. Keep Hazard and possibility of going Stelring -> Mané GW31 with an offensive double up against Fulham

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A, on current form Son > Hazard.

  8. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why is everyone going for F.Andersson? He has like 0.2 expected goals in the last six gameweeks

    1. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures: FUL, NEW, car and HUD in the next 5

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        hopium

      • Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He is a good player.
        Fulham are bad defenders.

        Not so much about fantasy football stats, more about betting on West Ham putting 3/4 past a Fulham side with an awful right hand side (against Anderson).

        1. Totally Hammered
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Exactly this....

      • Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Imagine Felipe against Mawson or Odoi once Lanzini has come off the bench on a Friday night with a full house baying for blood.
        That smells like goals....hopefully 🙂

    3. Dele
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero >>>

      A) Aubameyang
      B) Lacazette
      C) Neither

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        C

      2. Party time
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Ac

          1. Party time
              5 years, 1 month ago

              C*

          2. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            C

        • Erez Avni
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          any chance hamer will play this gw?

          1. QuintonFortune25
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Didn't see Huddersfield's last game but apparently he was pretty poor. So looks unlikely.

            Let's hope tho ey.

        • FlashG
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Anyone still not got a clue like me what to do with chip strategy?!

          All chips in tact still - on for 9 in GW31 and 11GW33 using all free transfers however I’m considering selling Aub to Aguero next GWK which would leave me with 1 less for above gameweeks!

          Stick or twist with Aub?

          1. Ron_Swanson
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Do it. Then FH in GW32, WC in 34 and BB in 35. TC whenever it tickles your fancy

            1. FlashG
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks mate

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I'm doing what you are. Auba out, Aguero in next week. Then the next same chip strategy.

            1. FlashG
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks buddy - glad I’m thinking same as others

        • JRO093
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Really struggling w Son vs Fanderson captain choice...

          1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Son

          2. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Same dilemma, went for the safe option with son. Dont want my gameweek ruined on night 1.

        • diesel001
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Ville Ronka: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/829593/event/26

          Has 1FT this GW.

          Currently no playing GK and 5 of his outfield players won't play this GW.

          Damn.

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            might play WC

        • Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          do we know that gameweek man u wolves will be?

          1. MTPockets
              5 years, 1 month ago

              no

          2. Bobby_Baggio
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Morning wise ones. Save or take -4 (Kamara > Auba)? 7m ITB. Thanks.

            Fab
            Robbo - AWB - Pereira - Bennett
            Mane - Pogba - Salah - Son
            Jimenez - Rashford

            Punch - Digne - Kamara

            1. b91jh
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              You look like the Wenger of FPL with 7m in your bank.
              Anyway, the squad looks good and not necessary to take hits imo

              1. Bobby_Baggio
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Haha massive insult but it's true. I think auba alone would get me my -4 back but if you think save then I may do

            2. Eytexi
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I'd do Kamara to Laca for a hit, but Auba equally likely to haul so yes.

          3. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            F haven't thought of strategy to navigate through BGW and BGW.
            This lot G2G? All chips intact.

            Fabs
            Robbo, Kola, Bennet
            Salah, Pogba, Jota, Son
            Laca(c), Jimmy, Rashford
            Playable bench: AWB

            1FT, 1.9ITB.

            1. Eytexi
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Prefer AWB to Bennett, but looking very good with a FT to hold.

              1. JustPark
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers

          4. Greko82
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Start

            A) Rashford
            B) Gray

            1. Party time
                5 years, 1 month ago

                A

              • StayoutheSpiceZone
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                This can't be a real question

              • Eytexi
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                A

            2. Sedemuda
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Is Lejeune part of Newcastle's best X1?
              He's played 90 mins in each of the last 5.
              Is this due to injury or is he a regular?
              TIA

              1. #FPLBhuna
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                he's nailed now pal

                i'm also considering him

                1. Sedemuda
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Thanks, an enabler to get Laca in for me.

            3. The Pep Revolution
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Is using a free transfer this week to get in Aub for Aguero and then using a free transfer next week to reverse it too much wasting of free transfers?

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                depends on the rest of the team and DGW/blank plans. Impossible to value this statement alone.

              2. QuintonFortune25
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Yes it's a waste. Transfers are too precious at this stage. Plus, having played 90 minutes last night there's a risk that Auba doesn't start.

                1. Annie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  imo you can't say that. Team might be otherwise set up perfectly....

            4. CFC1990
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              West Ham Vs Fulham score predictions?

              I will go 2-1 West Ham

              1. StayoutheSpiceZone
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                4-2

              2. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                1-1

              3. Eytexi
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                3-0

              4. QuintonFortune25
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                3-0

            5. b91jh
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Desperately want Anderson to score a goal

              Against Fabianski.

              1. Eytexi
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                That would ruin me

            6. LaLaLand
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              those with all chips remaining - whats the plan going forward?

              1. Ron_Swanson
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Plan as best as possible for GW31 & 33 using FT's
                FH in 32
                WC in 34
                BB in 35
                TC some time!

                1. Totally Hammered
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Good plan Ron

              2. Totally Hammered
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Build a team for 31, FH 32, WC34, BB35... TC tbc.. but will be a single week player

                1. GREEN IS GOOD
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  * there could be another dgw

            7. Hart-ake
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Play one:

              a) Foster (Car, a)
              b) Fabianski (Ful, h)

            8. Eastman
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Lloris Rich > Fab Anderson -4?

            9. Blanka
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Would you rather play AWB or Arnie in for Kamara for a hit?

            10. Visionaries
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Current team

              Lloros
              Shaw, Robbo, AWB, Doh
              Salah, Pogba, Son, Jota
              Rash, Long

              Aguero, Laporte, Punch

              Best option?
              A Shaw > Pereira
              B Long > Barnes
              C Laporte > Pereira
              D Laporte & Jota > Pereira & Anderson -4

            11. Baked baines
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              With Chelsea’s transfer ban, higuain won’t be bale to sign after his loan or is that fine as it has already had a pre contract?!

            12. wolves_simmo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              What do you think of the following moves for -4?

              OUT: Digne / Sterling / Success
              IN: Pereira / Son / Arnie

              2FT (0.4 itb)

              Patricio – Hamer
              Robertson – Doherty – Duffy – Kolasinac – Digne*
              Sterling* – Mane – Richarlison – Salah - Pogba
              Rashford – King – Success*

              1. QuintonFortune25
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I definitely keep Sterling. Maybe, Digne and Richarlison out for Son and Yedlin? Is that affordable?

            13. Game&Watch
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Best combo of def + mid for 9.3m or less?

              - Peltier + Moutinho
              - Chilwell + Hayden

              Other??

              Saving to get Sterling + Kun for GW28

            14. tbhogal
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Hi Guys, Which option is best guys here??

              A) Firminho to Auba
              B) Rich to Anderson
              C) Save FT

              Patricio(Hamer)
              AWB, Robertson, Kola, Bennett
              Pogba, Son, Salah (Hojberg, Rich)
              Rashford, Firminho, Jimenez..