Dec 14

Gameweek 38+ Captain and Player Picks

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Holly Shand from Fantasy Football Community returns with captaincy corner and her three player picks in three positions for Gameweek 38+.

Gameweek 37+ brought a mixed bag for the captaincy. Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne each returned a solitary assist, with the heavily backed Bruno Fernandes scoring just one point. Plenty went with differentials in a big to make up ground, with Raheem Sterling backers handsomely rewarded with a 17 point haul, despite his penalty being saved. With overall rank and mini leagues set to be decided, and some having the Triple Captain chip still to play, the armband could be decisive in the quest for glory. Now is as good a time as ever to take a risk if you've got ground to make up.

Captaincy Corner

The shield pick is likely to be the most captained player of the week, allowing you to play safe and keep pace with the pack. The sword pick will be a less popular selection: if they perform it can shoot you up the overall rankings, but the risk from failure is higher.

Shield Pick: Kevin De Bruyne vs Norwich

Some FPL managers will be in the fortunate position of being safe at the top of their mini leagues, with only holding rank required to secure prizes. For them, this weeks shield pick is Kevin De Bruyne. Manchester City's fixture against Norwich City is obvious to target, and despite neither side having anything to play for, City will have that 3-2 defeat on their minds from earlier in the season. Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative heart of this City side, with a League leading 18 chances created over the last four games. From five of those big chances, his team-mates have managed just two assists: there's certainly potential for higher returns. He is now one short of Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single season: a target you'd expect him to smash in this game given the lack of quality from the opposition. Will you play it safe with the Shield Pick?

Sword Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Norwich

Those who backed Raheem Sterling last week were handsomely rewarded and a repeat could be on the cards here, should he start this game. He was substituted early in the Watford fixture so should be reasonably fresh for this one: provided Pep Guardiola hasn't put him on the naughty step for hogging and then missing a penalty at a crucial time in that game. His goal threat is second to none, with a League high of six goals in his last four games coming from six big chances. He's excelled during the restart in the absence of Sergio Aguero, and while Gabriel Jesus' form falters, there's always potential for him to take on the false nine role. There's also a slim chance he remains on penalties: he clearly has the Golden Boot in his mind and while he remains four goals off the tally set by Jamie Vardy, the fixture could not be better. Are you going to take a risk in selecting the Sword Pick?

Holly's Hopefuls

I share my top three players for each Gameweek, selecting one defender, one midfielder and one striker. These are players that I'm tipping for the FPL Dream Team and they could also make intriguing differential captain decisions for you to consider too.

DEF: Andrew Robertson vs Newcastle United

Andrew Robertson has gone under the radar the past few weeks, but has picked up three assists in his last four games, having created a league high of five big chances. He's also top for successful crosses, with 10, bettering the performance of Trent Alexander-Arnold on the opposite flank. Having delivered offensive returns in four consecutive games, there's high hopes for this game. He bagged an assist in the reverse fixture. Can he achieve the holy grail of attacking return, clean sheet and bonus points once more?

MID: Mo Salah vs Newcastle United

Mo Salah has been incredibly frustrated in his last few games, delivering just two goals, despite having eight big chances. It's just not been clicking for the Egyptian, who has perhaps been trying too hard in his quest for the Golden Boot. Nobody has taken more shots than him in the last four games and he was on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture. Newcastle United are without a number of key personnel in defence, so will struggle against this potent Liverpool attack.

FOR: Harry Kane vs Crystal Palace

Finally, Harry Kane completes the set, with form and underlying numbers converging in recent weeks. He has four goals from his last four games, taken from five big chances, demonstrating his clinical finishing. His opponents Crystal Palace have looked out of sorts for a number of weeks now, having secured safety earlier in the season. I've fond memories of Harry Kane delivering big points on the final day of the Premier League season, and we can expect another signature haul here.

Until next time…
Good luck!

Holly

Find even more Fantasy Premier League Tips over on Holly's website: Fantasy Football Community