It's form vs fixture in this week's captain picks for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 15.
This week we compare premium midfielders Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane, popular attackers Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and outside bets Christian Benteke and Jermain Defoe.
All statistics in this article, both player and team, are taken from the last four gameweeks.
Which player is in the best form?
# |
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
PPG |
1 |
Sanchez |
5 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
Kane |
5 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
Costa |
3 |
3 |
8.75 |
4 |
Hazard |
3 |
1 |
8.5 |
= |
Defoe |
3 |
2 |
8.5 |
6 |
Mane |
3 |
2 |
8.25 |
7 |
Ibrahimovic |
4 |
0 |
7.5 |
= |
Benteke |
4 |
1 |
7.5 |
After his incredible hat-trick and 23-point haul last week,
Alexis Sanchez unsurprisingly tops the form chart for his last four matches. The Chilean also managed a brace against Bournemouth and has become the highest scorer in the game as he continues to thrive in his striker role.
Harry Kane is another man who appears to be finding form as we approach winter. Since returning from injury, the Spurs striker has scored five goals in four games and only failed to score against a Chelsea side who had kept six consecutive clean sheets prior.
Chelsea pair
Diego Costa and
Eden Hazard continue to fight for our affections and have recorded similar scores over the last four gameweeks. Costa appears to hold the edge for consistency having delivered returns in 12 games out of 14 this season, while Hazard is more likely to hog the bonus points when he does score. It is worth noting that the Belgian usually outperforms the Spaniard at the Bridge however, having delivered an average of 9.25 over his last four home matches.
Veteran striker
Jermain Defoe has stepped up his form in an improved Sunderland side of late and has actually matched Hazard's average over the last four.
Sadio Mane also makes the list after a goal and assist against Bournemouth - the Senegalese has also scored in his last three Anfield outings.
Finally
Zlatan Ibrahimovic seems to be regaining the form he showed at the start of the season having bagged four goals in four games - the same as
Christian Benteke, who managed a brace in Palace's shock win over Southampton.
Which player has the easiest fixture in Gameweek 15?
# |
Player |
Vs |
Goals Conceded |
Big Chances Conceded |
1 |
Defoe |
SWA (A) |
9 |
7 |
2 |
Mane |
WHU (H) |
6 |
12 |
3 |
Benteke |
HUL (A) |
6 |
7 |
4 |
Costa |
WBA (H) |
5 |
6 |
= |
Hazard |
WBA (H) |
5 |
6 |
6 |
Ibrahimovic |
TOT (H) |
4 |
4 |
7 |
Kane |
MUN (A) |
3 |
3 |
8 |
Sanchez |
STO (H) |
2 |
5 |
Defoe has the best fixture of this week's contenders as he faces a Swansea side in freefall. Bob Bradley's side have conceded goals in each of their last five and are giving away an average of 1.75 big chances a game - something a striker like Defoe should be able to take advantage of.
Mane owners will also be hopeful of returns against a West Ham side who have not only let in six goals in their last four away games but also a league high 12 big chances. Those who own Roberto Firmino should also consider him as an option.
Hull have also conceded six goals in their last four along with seven big chances.
Benteke should be the main beneficiary in a Palace side that may be about to turn a corner after last week's 3-0 win.
Despite usually being resolute in defence, Tony Pulis' West Brom have only kept three clean sheets this season as they seem to have adopted a more attacking approach. They will likely try and shut up shop against free-scoring Chelsea, although the likes of
Hazard and
Costa will fancy their chances against a side who have let in five goals in their last four.
United vs Spurs will be a tough game to call. The Red Devils just hold the edge with their home form which means
Kane will be in for a tough time, although it should be noted that Toby Alderweireld is set to return to Pochettino's defence, meaning
Ibrahimovic's chances will be limited.
Finally there is a shock at the bottom as hosting Stoke City is statistically the toughest fixture of the week. The Potters have conceded only two goals in their last four games on their travels and haven't allowed the opposition a big chance in the last three. With
Sanchez in the form he is in however, his owners may fancy his chances of creating something out of nothing.
Who is the best captaincy option for Gameweek 15?
[caption id="attachment_6724" align="alignleft" width="250"]
Jermain Defoe - High risk, high reward.[/caption]
For those willing to risk it,
Defoe tops our charts this week. The Sunderland man beats out Costa by way of his similarly hot streak and potentially profitable fixture at Swansea. It remains to be seen whether David Moyes' side perform as well on the road as they have been at home, but with the form Defoe is in he will fancy his chances home and away.
Costa is perhaps the more reliable option or - for those who don't own the striker -
Hazard is at number 3. As has been mentioned Hazard usually performs the better at home, but you could do a lot worse than backing either of the Chelsea pair.
Heading to North London,
Sanchez is joint-third with Hazard and may fancy himself as the one to ruin Stoke's solid away form, especially with Arsenal having scored at least two goals in their last three home games against the Potters.
Kane is in fifth place after placing just behind the Chilean for form, although few will back him ahead of other options.
Mane has the potential for points in a Liverpool side that love home comforts. Adam Lallana's return should boost his prospects while Philippe Coutinho's absence didn't stop the Reds scoring three goals last week.
Finally we have the interesting case of
Benteke. The Belgian has penalties and hogs most of the chances for the Eagles - a decent performance at Hull could see him rise up our charts. Finally it doesn't seem worth looking at
Ibrahimovic this week as Spurs continue to improve and will be buoyed by the return of Alderweireld at the back.