Ok here’s my fantasy premier league captain options for gameweek 5.
Background
Firstly I’ve identified 3 games that are worthy of looking at from the fantasy perspective.
They are
1. Arsenal v Stoke
2. Chelsea v Fulham
3. Liverpool v Southampton
Out of that I’ve identified 3 candidates for captain possibilities those being Giroud, Walcott and Sturridge. I haven’t gone for anyone in the Chelsea team as to be honest with Mourinho having put out a virtual full strength team for 2 losses in a row, the team against Fulham could be anyone.
In addition I’ve looked at Benteke as an option due to his good form. I haven’t included RVP as away to city especially with Kompany back is just a bit too tricky a fixture for me
Options
Giroud
4 goals and an assist in 4 games. A 100% consistency rate for return in a team that’s oozing creativity with Ozil having joined. Giroud will definitely start as Arsenal have no real alternative. Only RVP has better underlying shooting stats than Giroud but Giroud has the advantage of creating chances for others which RVP isn’t doing so far this year.
The Stoke defence has shown definite improvement in the last 2 games but showed at Liverpool how vulnerable they can be against the top 4 challenging teams away from home. Yes the score was only 1-0 but it could have been anything. Last year they were particularly poor away from home and although they got a clean sheet away at West Ham they were under the kosh to a pretty ordinary attack. However they were fantastic against City but that was at home.
Giroud should also take pens in absence of Arteta and Podolski which is a big bonus.
In summary definitely an option for me.
Walcott
Only 2 assists so far and a 50% consistency return rate but blowing all midfielders away in underlying stats and should really have had a hat trick against Sunderland. Last year only Mata had a better consistent return rate and I’m still expecting big things especially with Ozil joining as he has the ability to put killer through balls to Walcott on the break.
Stoke defensive comments above also apply.
Definitely an option but if you’ve got Giroud I would favour him at the moment
Sturridge
4 goals in 4 games. 100% consistency return rate. Doesn’t really have the underlying stats to support this though and sometimes Liverpool have struggled to break teams down especially as Coutinho (now injured anyway) has failed to replicate his last years form in either returns or underlying stats. gerrard will take pens and no set piece involvement.
The Southampton defence definitely aren’t mugs that’s for sure and will provide much more resistance than Stoke having introduced Lovren at CB and Wanyama as CDM. They’ve only conceded 2 goals got 2 clean sheets and have underlying stats that are only bettered by the top 4 challenging teams
Personally these 2 issues make Sturridge a step too far for me. It’s a no
Benteke
4 goals in 4 games and a 75% consistency rate is a good start. Add to that pen duties and a team with all sorts of pace on the break and you’ve got a winning combination. Very good underlying shooting and creating chances underlying stats. Despite scoring from a corner he was a little disappointing against Newcastle. Norwich away should be more up his street as he will play on the counter again.
Norwich don’t look like the team that got 8 home clean sheets last year although they were very good home to Saints if not against Everton.
Personally it’s a bit too much of a risk for me and a no
Summary:
Yes in order to:
1. Giroud
2. Walcott
No to Sturridge and Benteke
William Hill check
Here’s how William Hill see the anytime goal scorer odds market with all players at £2.00 or better
1. Sturridge – £1.61
2. Giroud – £1.73
3. Eto’o – £1.73
4. Torres – £1.91
5. Demba Ba – £2.00
6. Walcott – £2.00
They have Benteke and RVP at £2.25.
So my summary has covered everyone except the 3 Chelsea players and to be honest I just can’t say with any certainty which of the 3 strikers will start so I’ve dismissed them from the equation. Interesting that they rate Sturridge so highly. Personally I think he’s a risky choice with no pens or set pieces to fall back on plus a strong Saints defence so far.
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