Dec 14

Gameweek 16 Captain Picks

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FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 16. As we hit the congested period of the season it becomes an uphill battle to find a playing captain to select, with some clubs having less than 72 hours between games. Gameweek 15 was disastrous for many: Aguero, Sterling, Robertson and Mane failed to feature at all, with Salah limited to minutes from the bench. Many popular captaincy options failed, with popular transfer in Aubameyang failing to contribute. Those who went with Harry Kane were richly awarded. It's set to be another difficult call this weekend: Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs all face particularly tight rest times and then there's crucial European fixtures to contend with next midweek. Again, rotation is likely and it's important to select the Vice Captain wisely, as they may be needed. There should be less rotation in high profile fixtures, and Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea can afford to rotate for their European games next week.

Shield Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Bournemouth (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 10/11 Salah was substituted on 74 minutes against Everton on Sunday and then played just 25 minutes as a substitute against Burnley on Wednesday, so you'd expect he starts and sees significant minutes in the early kick off on Saturday. He is one of the highest owned attacking players, so he's likely to be the most captained going into this weekend. The early kick off does tend to put off many fantasy managers but Salah has had an improved away form in recent weeks: he has 2 goals and 3 assists from 8 games. If Milner is rested again, Salah should have penalties too. Liverpool beat Bournemouth home and away last season by 3-0 and 4-0 margins, with Salah getting on the scoresheet each time. The Cherries haven't kept a clean sheet in their last five games, conceding an average of 2 goals per game. Are you going to play safe with the shield pick?

Sword Pick: Harry Kane vs Leicester (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 5/6 Our sword pick didn't disappoint in the midweek games, and get's another feature for the weekend. He's now delivered fantasy points in five consecutive games, with 4 goals and 2 assists. His away form is arguably better than his home form: he has 6 goals and 2 assists in 9 games, blanking just twice. Poch rarely rotates his star man, but a crunch Champions League tie away to Barcelona next week could be the catalyst here: it's unlikely but it could happen. Kane is familiar with his Gameweek 16 opponents: he had a loan spell at Leicester earlier in his career, and has 11 goals from 7 Premier League games against them. He scored in both of their meetings last season and he's on penalties. Leicester's defence has improved in recent weeks, with clean sheets in their last two home games, but it's been a while since they've faced a big club at home. Will you go with the sword pick?

Form Pick: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Huddersfield (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/11 Aubameyang may have disappointed his new owners in Gameweek 15, but this fixture is certainly one that could be armband worthy. Aubameyang has 3 goals and 1 assist across his last 4 games, and leads the Premier League top goalscorer charts with 10: he's also on penalties. Rotation is a concern here, he's played 90 minutes in each of the last two games and now Lacazette is fit, Aubameyang could easily see himself back on the bench or shifted to the wing: braces in substitute performances may ease these concerns though. Huddersfield have kept just 3 clean sheets this season, so you'd expect Arsenal to score plenty in this one. Are you going with the form pick?

Fulham Pick: Anthony Martial vs Fulham (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/10 Martial delivered on his birthday in Gameweek 15, and despite a slight knock, he's looking the best bet for goals from this Manchester United team as Fulham head to Old Trafford: will they keep conceding? Martial has 7 goals this season, coming in his last 8 starts. Meanwhile, Fulham are the only Premier League side yet to keep a clean sheet, conceding 5 goals in Ranieri's 3 games. Could it be the last opportunity for a Fulham captain before their fixtures turn?

Punt Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Chelsea (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 29/20 Sterling celebrates his birthday on Saturday, so looks like a good punt for a captain return, to make it two on the bounce following Martial's success on Wednesday. He was rested in the last game so you'd expect him to start here: he has 4 goals and 4 assists across his last 4 starts and could even play centrally with Aguero struggling to recover from injury. Marcos Alonso has been struggling defensively for Chelsea in recent games and Sterling will be looking to exploit this space on the right flank. Will you take the punt?

Park the Bus Pick: Hector Bellerin vs Huddesfield (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/1 Clean Sheet Odds: 10/11 Huddersfield have scored just 10 goals this season, making an Arsenal clean sheet look hopeful this weekend. It was Gameweek 7 that Arsenal last kept a shut out at the back, but surely they are due another? Bellerin is rarely rotated in the Premier League and has played more advanced in recent weeks as Emery has shifted to a wing back system. He already has 4 goals this season and could improve on that tally this weekend. Are you brave enough to captain a defender? Clueless Husband Pick: Ryan Fraser vs Liverpool (H) Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/1 The Clueless Husband pick failed spectacularly in Gameweek 15, as Duffy was sent off for Brighton for a massive -2 points. He will be hoping for better things this weekend as he chases last weeks points, to give Ryan Fraser the armband once more. Fraser managed 12 points last time out, with a goal and assist, but has failed to deliver in games against top opposition. Liverpool have 9 clean sheets this season, conceding just 9 goals in that time. Will you be siding 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]