Metrics

Captain free-for-all set to re-shape top 10k FPL managers as Wildcards remain intact

Fantasy Premier League managers are set for an intriguing captaincy battle in Gameweek 17, especially those currently ranked inside the top 10,000.

At that level of the game, four different players have soaked up at least 20% support for the armband, which could lead to a weekend of significant green and red arrows.

Spurs’ meeting with Leeds is the most popular match of the weekend with the top 10k but there was also interest in Manchester United and Liverpool’s Gameweek 17 fixtures.

As you can see, Son Heung-min (£9.7m) proved to be the most fashionable Gameweek 17 captain among the top 10k in the end.

Despite attracting votes from only 19.1% of votes in the latest Fantasy Football Scout captain poll, 26.8% of 2020/21’s highest-performing managers handed him the armband for an appealing clash with Leeds.

The Whites’ last four matches have featured an average of 5.3 goals, a statistic that has evidently also influenced the 23.3% who captained Harry Kane (£11.0m).

That was marginally more than the 20.4% of Fantasy Football Scout readers who voted for the Spurs striker in our captain poll.

However, it is of particular note that the relatively routine winner of that ballot Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) had to make do with a bronze medal in terms of support among the top 10k.

Just 21.9% of them chose the Manchester United man as their Gameweek 17 captain for a solid 10-point haul against Aston Villa

Nevertheless, Fernandes is still the most powerful asset among the top 10k for Gameweek 17, offering an effective ownership of 114.3% among the top 10k.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) is not far behind the Manchester United man in that regard.

He may be only the fourth-most captained among the top 10k for this round but his effective ownership of 111.0% is still ominous for any not in possession of the Egyptian.

Son is the more dangerous Spurs asset for non-owners, considering he is the third and final asset with more than 100% effective ownership in the top 10k.

However, those worried about not having Kane for Gameweek 17 might be relatively (the keyword here) relieved to see his effective ownership standing only at 70.5%, lower than Patrick Bamford‘s (£6.6m).

A small portion of top 10k managers have pulled the trigger on the second Wildcard at the first time of asking.

After 9.3% of them used up their first Wildcard last time out, it 

perhaps suggests considerably fewer of the top-level managers have decided to get a new team in preparation for Double Gameweek 19.

We saw just 0.7% usage for Wildcards in the top 10k for Gameweek 14, 1.9% in Gameweek 15, 9.3% in Gameweek 16 and now 1.8% for Gameweek 17.

That adds up to just 13.7% top 10k managers preparing for Double Gameweek 19 with a Wildcard.

So, for all the talk of this tactic in the community, often combined with the view to Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18, it means 86.3% of these managers were happy to approach the upcoming ‘chip season’ using only their free transfers.

Of course, some of these managers might use the Wildcard in Double Gameweek 19 (doing so in Blank Gameweek 18 seems unlikely) but that would, of course, prevent them from deploying a Bench Boost or Triple Captain.

That said, the most recent Wildcard template is still an important frame of reference for all Fantasy managers.

Fernandes (95%), Bamford (86.7%) and Salah (81.7%) are the must-haves, it would seem; unsurprising considering their Double Gameweek 19 fixtures.

However, 67.2% of this week’s top 10k Wildcarders are still interested in Son despite just one match in that round.

With 41.7% of these managers securing the services of Kane, it is clear that the argument of not overlooking single Gameweek players in a Double Gameweek is one shared by some at this level. After all, Spurs travel to face Sheffield United that week, the Premier League’s worst side this season.

And, of course, it shows plans to avoid Double Gameweek blinkers in the build-up to one either. Son and Kane face an obliging Leeds defence this weekend and boast a fixture in Blank Gameweek 18.

Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) and Tomas Soucek (£5.2m) are the key budget enablers for those preparing for Double Gameweek 19, featuring in 55.6% and 43.9% of top 10k Wildcard squads in Gameweek 17.

The relatively differential options include Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m), Ezgjan Alioski (£4.5m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.5m), all included in between 20% and 26% of top 10k Wildcard squads.

There is some interesting disparity between the latest Wildcard template and the matrix of most popular players in the rest of the top 10k.

Andrew Robertson (£7.4m) appears in 31.7% of their squads but was not among the top-five most-fashionable defenders by those who Wildcarded for Gameweek 17.

Meanwhile, there is a gap of 13.2 percentage points between Son’s ownership among the top 10k as a whole and those who acquired his services on Wildcards at this level.

And it seems as if Jack Grealish (£7.7m) owners are at something of a crossroads. The most recent batch of Wildcarders are not too fussed with the Villa man (which was also the case for Gameweek 16) but he remains in 42.6% of squads at this level.

However, his stock has fallen significantly. In Gameweek 15, 68.5% of the top 10k owned Grealish. That number has fallen by 25.9 percentage points in just two Gameweeks.

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2,259 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many baps for Jack?

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3

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

        Confirmed?

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 probably

    3. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 sorry

      1. Sloane426
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ban

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2

  2. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Utd top

    1. Fpl_Juggernaut
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Second.. With other top teams left to play

      1. brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol

  3. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    LET THE GAMES BEGIN

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

      ?

  4. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'd do anything to go back and captain Bruno over son

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Huge Bruno haul and Son likely blanking

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          😆

        2. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          1 return is huge now ?

        3. I Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          10 is huge?

      2. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        As a kane captainer and bruno there is genuine hope for tomorrow

        And even if kane blanks its only an 8 point swing.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          16

          1. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            no it's 8

            check your workings again and we'll test you

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      what has changed between now and 4pm that tells you Son will blank?

    3. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wish there was a mute function on here.

      1. Wheyyyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah that would be so extremely satisfying.

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

    Will Salah get a soft pen on monday?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  6. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fernandes (34)
    Grealish (33)
    Wan-Bissaka (31)

  7. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 5 players next week plus Lamptey and 1 FT. Should I play my free hit? Surely it’s better to keep it for a DGW?

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry 4 not 5

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Play it if you have 5 mate easy choice for you

    3. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Play it if you have only 4 otherwise you will crash

  8. The buck starts with me
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does price changes affect my players this week even if I play fee hit? Should I sell Debruyne tonight for example before he drops ?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Does he have Covid? - KDB? Is that why he is dropping fast?

    3. Big Ping
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pretty sure your team goes to what is was before any transfers if you play free hit

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

    Grealish still top fpl pick!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      will bring him back in gw 20-21

  10. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    16 from 2 and a fat red arrow, don't like how this is going already

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have more than that on bench...

    2. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      red arrow? you must be high up the rankings?

  11. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    6.9 K or . Getting a nose bleed.

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice mate. I’m back to 200k. Horrible season

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Plenty of time for us to go opposite ways.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hopefully we both go further up matey? Best of luck

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      awesome... keep doing whatever you're doing

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers Salt

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Flying 😎

    5. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well played mate!

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    50k rank drop from that Bruno goal? Can’t even celebrate my own players scoring now

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow. Crazy that

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Was quite surprised tbh, went from 160k to 210k as an owner?

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Mad. I’m on 21pts own Bruno non capper, dropped 2k to 19k. Didn’t see how much his goal specifically affected it.

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No point in checking rank after two games

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There isn’t I agree just found it strange I had a check at 1-1 and was 160k and then after the goal and BAPS and 210k.

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. The premiums are so heavily owned. If you don't captain them, you will lose ranks. Just have to hope your captain outsocres the other premiums.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, annoying as I was in Bruno(c) but moved to Son(c) by selling KDB. Has mistake written all over it haha

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Until Son’s hatty

        2. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I did the same move but captained Kane as his ownership was lower. So, I thought there's more upside if he hauls.

          If Bruno was captained, Son goal would've pushed you down as well. We just can't win.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Haha yeah. Just got to hope for a Son hatrick then yeah? 🙂

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Decent start to the GW as a Bruno(c) and Grealish owner. Just need some jam with Cancelo/Lowton missing out so I can get Cresswell’s juicy 11 pointer off the bench!

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Decent choice Cancelo misses I guess.

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm I think he’s fine tbh. Hoping Fulham match called off

        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Even that's 50-50. Hopefully more news tomorrow. Lowton could get 7/8 points himself anyway. Can see it being 0-0.

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I need Dias/Stones and Mitchell to sit out! Knew I should’ve started Cresswell over DCL -.-

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oh great. Well i need the Burnley game on and the famous Bubz jam is saying that isn't happening. Thanks for nothing 😆

  14. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lollie Shitkins. Hurting Villa with his blanks.

  15. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    36 from 5 (inc Bruno cap) it's all downhill from here

  16. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    38 from 5 and still captain Salah 🙂

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      nice!

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent

  17. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    There's something I like about owning Watkins although he gives me blanks!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Entertaining pick at least.

      He’ll score a hatty at some stage.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I know right, keeps getting good chances.

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

        Yup

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Awful finisher imo

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed, but so is Bamford

      2. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Had Watkins from gw5...certainly been an interesting ride.

        Somehow I can't help but really like him

        Dunno if he is out of his depth or likely to come good

        Even though he hasn't scored for a while think he does a great job for villa!!

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He works really hard, no risk of getting dropped even if he doesn't score at least

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m eyeing him up to replace DCL in 19, had a few chances tonight

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Preferred the 25 minute Antonio cameo early tbh. 10 times the player

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Each to their own, I prefer players who actually play.

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He is great Jack sets him up, he misses, jack collects baps

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😀

  18. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you select FH, are you able to cancel or is it set in stone?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      set

  19. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Top of the table actually exciting this season.

    The best player in the league quite a loss for Liverpool, it’s catching up to them.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City yet to get started ....

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Defence wins Championships... they finally look well see there again.

  20. Fpl_Juggernaut
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Manutd fans are so naive.. They come out of their caves after several years and actually think they can win the league with this lousy bunch.. The jam won't last forever.. Villa robbed today with that dive from pogba

    1. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      most man united fans myself included it are just enjoying it while it lasts, just try and smile

    2. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nowt worse than sour grapes sad arse lololololololo

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's neutrals who are putting us there more than United fans. We've suffered from enough heart breaks in the past 7 years to not hope much anyway. Liverpool still favourites.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They are the most annoying by far. Most live on another planet.

      1. Fpl_Juggernaut
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I agree completely.. Most annoying bunch of fans. Period.

  21. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    28 from 3 *champagne cork*

    1. Master Frieza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      which players?

    2. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek, Fernandes, Grealish

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes. Hope the week carries on as started!

        1. Lukakwho
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same as you haha , who’s your armband on?

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Kane. Hmmm

  22. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have the exact cash to do Verrips to Johnstone and Mitchell to Coufal for GW19. I’m using my FH in GW18.
    I’m screwed aren’t I?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not necessarily. There will be alternatives come GW19 even if those rise.

  23. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can I get away with not using fh 18? Could do Salah to KDB then get Salah back for -4 over son for dgw.

    Martinez
    Dias Mitchell*
    Bruno Son Grealish KDB?
    Kane DCL

  24. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GGMU

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      LOL

    2. Fpl_Juggernaut
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hahaha.. Funny guy

  25. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is 6 players enough for BGW or should I FH?

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably not enough

    2. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends which 6?

  26. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Other than Dias, who's the 2nd most nailed City defender at the moment?

    1. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t go near any others to be fair.
      Stones seems the be the second most nailed

  27. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My gw18 team

    Martinez
    Dias, Lewis
    Kdb, Bruno, son
    DCL, Brewster

    Would you take a 4 point hit to do

    Son & Brewster > Grealish & Wood

  28. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    32 from 3, great start now just need son to haul tomorrow and I'm in the top 5k

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fair play

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Class well done

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Luck seems endless for some

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    never understood why managers have Watkins, Championship player at best.

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bit like Calvert-Lewin last 3 seasons then

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      More fpl points than Firmino Werner Abraham Ings- I’ll take that for his price

    3. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You can't be called a championship player after being top scorer in the championship, then come to the prem and be as influential as he has been

  30. rupopo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Damn. Was umming and arrrring over Rashford to Son for -4. In the end bottled it. Son is surely odds on to get more than 6 pts against Leeds...