Here’s the options for choice of captain in fantasy premier league game week 17
RVP – (Sunderland H)
Mr reliable. Third in the overall shooting stats and 4th in the last 6 shooting stats which is disappointing given the quality of the last 6 fixtures. Also 3rd in both sets of chances created stats. Mr reliable has returned in 12/15 starts
Lets look at his record against qualifying opposition at home:
Fulham 9 points
Stoke 11 points
QPR 2 points
West Ham 9 points
Cant really criticise that.
Will he play. Some rotation will come around Christmas but there’s no reason to think he wont play tomorrow.
Sunderlands defence away from home is ranked along the lines of Reading, QPR and Southampton so expect goals against them.
Its hard to look past him
Suarez (Villa H)
Will definitely play with no other strikers and having had a rest yet.
1st in the overall shooting stats and 3rd in the last 6 shooting stats with a game missed and the 12 most difficult fixture ranking. Also 1st place in chances created overall but slipping in the last 6 ranking to 8th.
In contrast to RVP’s record of returning in 12/15 starts, Suarez has only returned in 8/15. Lets have a look at his home record against captain qualifying teams
Stoke 2
Reading 5
Newcastle 9
Wigan 11
Southampton 1
That’s a 3/5 record. Not bad but he’s not as reliable as RVP.
Aston Villa’s away defence is only slightly better than Sunderlands
Defoe (Swansea H)
Should play despite the Adebayor effect. Was worryingly quiet last week though.
not in the last 6 shooting stats but is 6th overall. Doesn’t contribute in chances created though
Returned in 9/15 games. Lets check his home record against captain qualifying teams
Its a pretty impressive record
WBA 2
Norwich 5
QPR 8
AVL 5
WIG 1
WHM 12
Thats 4/6 which is pretty good going.
the bad news is that the Swansea defence is much stronger away than either Villa or Sunderland (witness the Arsenal game) So its this and the Adebayor effect which casts some doubt
Summary
I would probably stay away from Defoe this week and its a straight choice between RVP and Suarez. I’m going with RVP as more reliable
Here’s some I’ve ruled out
Rooney
An option if you don’t have RVP especially as has penalty duties. Its just that the recent revival is way ahead of the underlying stats.
Holt
You’ll be shocked to hear this but the Wigan defence away is surprisingly good
Tevez
A bit of game time risk and he’s more comfortable knocking over rubbish teams on his own patch
Cazorla and Giroud
Its a bit of a sad state of affairs when you cant rely on Arsenal away to Reading but thats the case