Dec 14

Game Week 26 Captain Picks

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FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 26. We are back on a Single Gameweek, with plenty of enticing fixtures to get our teeth into, plus some big match ups at the top and bottom of the table. Double Gameweek 25 was a crazy one, particularly with captaincy, including blanks, hat tricks and triple captain chips! Those who kept faith with Hazard were rewarded, Salah blanked for the second week running, Aguero banged and Sane walked the tightrope! Getting the captaincy right, and conversely wrong, resulted in huge swings in overall rank, in what could be a pivotal week in the season. How will we fare going into Gameweek 26? Shield Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Bournemouth (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 6/10 It was a highly disappointing blank in the last two weeks for star man Salah, coinciding with a slump in form for Liverpool. It's Salah who will be relied upon to bring an upturn in Liverpool's form. Bearing in mind Salah scored 21 points in the reverse fixture, with a hat trick and all 3 bonus points, he's likely to be a popular selection here. To my memory, he's never blanked in 3 consecutive Premier League fixtures, so he is certainly due here. He has the pedigree, with 16 goals and 8 assists already this season, plus he could be on penalties too. Given his ownership, he's likely to be the most captained once more this week, so provides an ideal selection for those playing safe. Will you go with the shield? Sword Pick: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Huddersfield (A) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 19/20 It's been a mixed bag for Aubameyang owners in recent weeks, but he usually performs well against weak opposition, so is an excellent contender here. The away fixture could be problematic and a solitary assist in the reverse fixture is a turn off. He's got away FPL returns of 8, 5, 15 and 8 in games against Cardiff, Newcastle, Fulham and Brighton respectively. Huddersfield are really struggling, particularly since David Wagner departed, most notably in that 5-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend. The score really could be anything here, but Aubameyang is bound to be involved in any Arsenal goals. Are you being attacking with the sword pick? Form Pick: Sergio Aguero vs Chelsea (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 17/20 Double Gameweek hero, Sergio Aguero, is given the nod here, despite a tough fixture. His form cannot be ignored, since returning to the side he has 6 goals and 2 assists in 6 Premier League starts. Manchester City are back in the title race and after losing 2-0 to Chelsea earlier this season, they'll be needing their star striker to deliver once more in this game. With penalties further boosting his appeal, he presents an intriguing pick this weekend. As always, there's the caveat of rotation by Pep, but you'd imagine he will be relied upon in this game. Will you be considering the form pick? Fixture Pick: Marcus Rashford vs Fulham (A) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/10 A fixture against Fulham always has a high points ceiling, with in-form United striker Marcus Rashford gaining selection here, following his 16 point haul in the reverse fixture: a 4-1 win for United with a goal and 2 assists. Rashford is in great form, with 3 goals in his last 4 games: he's scored in every away game he's played under Solskjær. Meanwhile, Fulham are without a clean sheet in 4 games, conceding 2 goals in each of those fixtures. Can Fulham provide another huge return for our fixture pick? Reverse Pick: Heung-Min Son vs Leicester (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 21/20 With Salah the standout pick, we look to Son and his Gameweek 16 return as our reverse fixture pick. It was 14 points for the South Korean at the King Power Stadium, with a goal and an assist, plus all 3 bonus points. His form hasn't dwindled, despite a quick trip out to the Asian Cup, he has goals in consecutive games since returning. He is the talisman for Spurs in the absence of Harry Kane and will hopefully play in the Number 10 role, linking up with Llorente once again. Are you selecting the reverse pick? Punt Pick: Sadio Mane vs Bournemouth (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: Evens With goals in 3 consecutive games, Mane is a worthy selection as our punt pick, as he embarks upon another hot streak. He's a form player, so more goals are expected soon: the Bournemouth defence have been unpredictable lately, resolute at home and frail away. They've conceded 18 goals over their last 6 away performances, including 5 to Spurs and 4 to Manchester United. If the stars align once more, Mane will be involved in the goals, within a convincing Liverpool win. Will you take a punt on Sadio? Park the Bus Pick: Andrew Robertson vs Bournemouth (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 12/1 Clean Sheet Odds: 17/20 It's been a tough spell for our popular Liverpool defenders, but a home game against Bournemouth is likely to yield some clean sheet points once more. Bournemouth have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 games on the road. Robertson is never far from attacking returns and bonus points to boost his total score, he now has 6 assists this season, including one in the reverse fixture. Are you brave enough to captain a defender? Clueless Husband Pick: Eden Hazard vs Manchester City (A) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 21/10 My Clueless Husband is pursuing the ultimate fantasy troll this weekend in a tricky fixture: a 30-point captain return last time against Huddersfield is enough to persuade him to keep the faith in Eden. He's starting to build a relationship with new signing Higuain. City have just one clean sheet in 4 and lost the reverse fixture 2-0, a game in which Hazard chipped in with two assists. Will you side with my Clueless Husband? Until Next Week… Good Luck! Holly and her Clueless Husband Follow FPLBet for weekly fantasy features... [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]