Background

Firstly my theory on captain picks is 3 fold (added one from last week!)

1.  Pick a captain from a top team home game against a poor team

2.  Pick a player who is a “flat track bully” ie someone who scores well against poor teams.  Rooney or Aguero are the best examples.  Not really enough fantasy premier league games for data to establish that this season though

3.  The exceptions, the “Ronaldo effect”  ie someone who can be picked against anyone home or away.  At the moment that player is only RVP

To me there is only 1 game this week that qualifies and thats:

1.  Everton v Southampton – Fellaini

Other – RVP

Analysis

1.  Fellaini

Will he play?

Seems impossible to think he wont.  Everton are not in Europe and now not in the Cap one so no need to rotate.  No injury concerns.  Did play in mid week but so did alot of first teamers.  Hard to think he will be rested.

Hows his home points record so far?

10 points in the United home game but only 1 point in the 2-2 game against Newcastle.  Not an even distribution of points and no home or away bias.  Explosive or quiet points wise.

Whats his underlying shoot stats like overall

Monstering the midfield shooting stats.  The best by a mile

How consistent is his underlying shooting stats?

Has never failed in a single game to produce good underlying shooting stats.  The only criticism you would make is that his on target % isnt that good but always has plenty of shots in the box.

Anything else?

His position has been the only concern.  Can play as a def mid and with Mirallas in such good form he could play as a 2nd striker in a 4-4-2.  However so far Mirallas has been accommodated on the right with success

Whats the opposition (Southampton) like defensively

Utterly hopeless.  Admittedly they have had a very difficult start but have the worst defensive stats in goals conceded and underlying stats by some distance

What about if I dont have him now should I buy him.  I dont want to buy short term

Very sensible!  Everton have the best next 6 fixtures and the trend is strong going forward.  He has the best underlying stats,  The only question is position. Definitely worth buying

Is he a viable captain option

Definitely.

2.  RVP

Will he play?

They are playing champions league on Tuesday in Romania and SAF has already shown he’s not taking any chances in the champs league this year.  He didnt play mid week but if youre not going to start him against the team that finished 4th last year then when are you?

Hows his home points record so far?

In 3 games started home or away hes produced 9 15 and 6  points.   Only started 1 home game and that produced the goal and 9 points against Fulham.  Takes pens and shares set pieces

Whats his underlying shoot stats like overall

In the top 10 but not as dominant as last year.

How consistent is his underlying shooting stats?

Not that consistent.  In the 3 games he started, Fulham it was 1 shot 1 goal, Southampton he  absolutely ran riot and probably had the best stats of the season.   Liverpool wasnt impressive underlying stats wise

Anything else?

Can Utd give him the service.  After Arteta and Song producing strong chances created numbers last year for him, will Utds wing based style work.  If Scholes doesnt start in the midfield they seem to lack direction.

Whats the opposition (Spurs) like defensively

Strong.  One of the best defensive records in the fantasy premier league to date.  They have been helped by favourable opening fixtures and havent really been tested as yet though.  AVB has promised to attack Utd which is good news

What about if I dont have him now should I buy him.  I dont want to buy short term

I own him and Im afraid I cant answer this question.  Ive been promising an article on this for a week or so.  Its not conclusive at best

Is he a viable captain option 

As long as he starts he’s always an option on the basis of pure class.  I cant believe he wont start today, champions league or not

Who’s best then?

1.  Fellaini

2.  RVP

Good luck with your choices today