CAPTAINCY HYPE 2017/18: FPL Gameweek 5
Picking a Captain to double down on in the Fantasy Premier League is the most important question asked ahead of each of the 38 Gameweek's in the Premier League season. There's a lot of self-help out there for FPL enthusiasts, with our Hype Team providing three major considerations for the armband for each and every Gameweek. We'll be detailing the Essential choice for captain, a popular alternative that's pushing the consensus, and a Wildcard pick to add to the chaos. Captaincy can make of break a Gameweek so strap in tightly, it's time to lose your marbles. All aboard.
Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek Deadline
For the 2016/17 Premier League season, the FPL deadline will be one hour before the commencement of the week's first game. The Premier League website lists each FPL deadline, you can always ask on social media, and you can also view a real time countdown on our Weekly Hype page
CAPTAINCY HYPE: 2017/18 SEASON PERFORMANCE
In each Captaincy Hype article we track our progress throughout the 2017/18 FPL season. Below you can check how our Captaincy selections have performed by week to week in the Fantasy Premier League.
GW1
Essential: Romelu Lukaku (Man United vs. West Ham) - 13pts
Alternative: Roberto Firmino (Watford vs. Liverpool) - 12pts
Wildcard: Josh King (West Brom vs. Bournemouth) - 2pts
GW2
Essential: Romelu Lukaku (Swansea vs. Man Utnited) - 6pts
Alternative: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace) - 1pt
Wildcard: Steve Mounie (Huddersfield vs. Newcastle) - 1pt
GW3
Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Burnley) - 2pts
Alternative: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Man United vs. Leicester) - 5pts
Wildcard: Alvaro Morata (Chelsea vs. Everton) - 12pts
GW4
Essential: Romelu Lukaku (Stoke vs. Man United) - 6pts
Alternative: Alvaro Morata (Leicester vs. Chelsea) - 6pts
Wildcard: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Bournemouth) - 1pt
Totals
Essential Total: 13 (1), 6 (2), 2 (3), 6 (4) = 27 points
Alternative Total: 12 (1), 1 (2), 5 (3), 6 (4) = 24 points
Wildcard Total: 2 (1), 1 (2), 12 (3), 1 (4) = 16 points
CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE ESSENTIAL PICK
Our Essential picks for captain are selected each and every week on our main Twitter account, @RealHypeTrain, with four highly selected FPL options battling it out for alpha status amongst fellow FPL players.
Gameweek 4: Essential
Player: Harry Kane (TOT)
Position: Forward
Player Price: £12.4 million
Player Selection %: 28.2%
The first week of European football has been played out, with Paul Pogba at the major casualty for many FPL players ahead of Gameweek 5, which kicks off on Friday evening with Bournemouth hosting Brighton in a south coast clash. With no evening to potentially ponder your captaincy choice, we're left with a nail-biting three days ahead.
In our essential captaincy selection this week, our choices once again were narrowed down to four highly selected forwards. Unlike last season, which saw midfielders compete for the armband, our confidence is unwavering for Forward's every week, with the top six clubs from last season offering a player worthy of captaincy potential.
For Gameweek 5 we pitted Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Roberto Firmino, and Alvaro Morata against each other, and in turn we received a clear winner this week.
We hate to bring up the dreaded 'A' word when mentioning Harry Kane in FPL articles, as the premise of a particular lack lustre month to kick the football off has been a hindrance to the Spurs forward, and to the masses of Fantasy Premier League players that are expecting the sharp-shooting England international to be at the top of his game. Thankfully that dreaded 'A' is long in the past, with the Hurrikane back to doing what he knows best, scoring goals.
First, Kane bagged a brace against Malta during the first day of September whilst on England international duty. Next, Kane scored his 100th goal for Spurs, and another brace, in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Everton during Gameweek 4. Lastly, Kane completed a treble of braces when he ripped Borussia Dortmund's defenders to pieces in Spurs's first Champions League game of the season at Wembley in a 3-1 victory.
There's no doubt that Kane's boarded the hype train of momentum that will have Fantasy players rubbing their hands together gleefully (or menacingly if you're plotting the downfall of a friend or rival in a Head to Head league) at the sight of Kane's quick resurgence of form.
The game a massive 69% of our vote voted Kane in for should bring back some painful memories for Swansea City fans, as it was determined in a 5-0 victory over The Swans last season at White Hart Lane, that the result and performance was statistically the most one-side affair in Premier League history. Many spectators will also know it as the afternoon in which Dele Alli got away with a blatant dive. On that afternoon Kane scored twice, with Spurs have 28 shots on goal with 15 on target.
The stars have aligned for Spurs and Kane to take the main stage in the FPL with a mouthwatering four games against Swansea (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (A), Bournemouth (H). Goals are coming, and Kane will most likely be the top captaincy pick in each of these four matches, so you'll be seeing his face on most Fantasy blogs for a long whilst to come.
Stats and Information: Harry Kane
Harry Kane has begun the FPL season with 17 points from 4 matches, having played the full 90 minutes in every match, with 2 goals and 3 bonus points.
Harry Kane has not scored a Premier League goal in August after the fourth time of asking, but has now scored in 3 of his last 4 games in all competitions.
Kane's first goal against Everton was his 100th for Spurs in all competitions.
No player in Europe's big 5 leagues have a better goals-per-game ratio than Spurs's Harry Kane in 2017.
Harry Kane is the 3rd most selected Forward in the FPL, with 28.2% ownership.
Kane's 28.2% ownership isn't even half of Romelu Lukaku's 57% ownership for Man United.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Spurs beat Swansea 5-0, with Kane scoring twice. An Eriksen brace, and a Son goal, completed the rout.
Spurs have a 100% home record against Swansea in the Premier League.
CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE ALTERNATIVE PICK
Our Alternative selection for captain typically commands a smaller FPL ownership percentage, but can be reserved for The Hype Train's own gut instincts on who could be captaincy inspiration.
Gameweek 4: Alternative
Player: Gabriel Jesus (MCI)
Position: Forward
Player Price: £10.4 million
Player Selection %: 9.8%
Initially, we were going to retain faith with Chelsea's Alvaro Morata in the alternative captain position this week, with the Spanish forward currently in irresistible form, but we've opted to change our pick due to Eden Hazard's potential return to the FPL high heavens this weekend. The replacement? We wouldn't call him that, as Gabriel Jesus has scored as many league goals at Morata this season, and is in a free-scoring Man City side that have put nine shots past opposition goalkeeper's in just the last two matches.
Man City are undefeated so far this season from their opening four Premier League matches, and Jesus has been called upon in each game as a starter, to help further solidify amongst FPL players that he is one of Pep Guardiola’s chosen elite at the Etihad.
To open the season, Jesus frustrated his FPL faithful with a brace of one point Gameweek’s against Brighton (GW1) and Everton (GW2), before he found his shooting boots in an away trip to Bournemouth, and the demolition of Liverpool at home. Jesus has scored three goals this season having only completed 60 minutes of action twice this season, but yet has managed to claim the maximum three bonus points in his last two outings.
Gabriel Jesus’s Premier League Minutes GW1 (Brighton, A): 77 mins GW2 (Everton, H): 45 mins GW3 (Bournemouth, A): 81 mins GW4 (Liverpool, H): 56 mins
Jesus added to his goal tally in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring into an empty net against Dutch Champions, Feyenoord, in an eventual 4-0 victory for the visiting City side.
Owners in Fantasy games won’t be rushing to get rid of the Brazilian with Watford the next test for Man City, a fixture which finished 5-0 to Man City on the final day of last season, and a game which both Jesus and Aguero scored. City then entertain Crystal Palace for Gameweek 6, before the money clash with Chelsea for Gameweek 7. As long as Man City's rotational policy doesn't directly come into contact with the Brazilian this week, we could be looking at one of the Dream Team player's.
Stats and Information: Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus has started the FPL season with 23 points from 4 matches, with 3 goals, and 6 bonus points.
Heading into Gameweek 5, Jesus is Man City's top FPL player with 23 points. Behind the Brazilian is Sergio Aguero with 21 points.
Jesus has been substituted one two occasions before the 60th minute in the Premier League's opening 4 matches. First, Jesus was subbed at half-time against Everton (GW2), and then against another Merseyside club, Jesus was replaced after just 56 minutes against Liverpool (GW4). Both these early switches were during home matches.
The Brazilian has been awarded maximum bonus points in the last two FPL Gameweek's. First, a goal against Bournemouth (GW3) was enough for the 3 bonus, and then a quick fire brace against Liverpool (GW4) saw him be awarded top bonus honours.
Jesus's 6 Bonus Points puts him joint top of the overall bonus standings, and is level with Wayne Rooney (EVE) and Roberto Firmino (LIV).
With 9.8% ownership, Jesus is the 10th most selected Forward, and the only one of those forwards with ownership less than 10%.
CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE WILDCARD PICK
Our Wildcard selection is one of the ten differential picks that is featured in our Weekly Wildcards article. This captaincy selection has a very small percentage of owners in the FPL, and is our left field option.
Gameweek 4: Wildcard
Player: Eden Hazard (CHE)
Position: Midfielder
Player Price: £10.5 million
Player Selection %: 2.5%
Arsenal fans are feeling. That tingling sensation that it's all about to go wrong yet again. Plotting methods and madness that could save their team against all opposition, but eventually submitting that their ultimate fate has been sealed before the whistle, and even if beloved by many, is directed by a long-serving manager who has struggled to keep pace with Premier League rivals in recent years. Arsenal have been put into a position where they have not been able to compete financially, with Chelsea, Man United, and Man City investing without mercy for the transfer market's well-being.
The Gunners travel to Chelsea for Gameweek 5, a side who have muscled them out of championship contention over the past decade, and it is one of their luxury imports who graces our wildcard captaincy spot this weekend.
The returning Eden Hazard is a regular thorn in Arsenal's side, and with a first start of the Premier League season an increased likelihood against a London rival, with Hazard scoring the second goal in a 3-1 victory last season. Gameweek 5's encounter must just be another which leaves Arsenal fans in a frustrated heap, and Hazard may be the star-man that reminds us of his obvious qualities.
Key Differential: Eden Hazard
The Belgian has steadily made his return to the Chelsea fold after coming back from a prolonged injury, and the timing couldn't be any better for the Blues. Arsenal in a real awkward situation as they enter the Europa League group stage for the first time in Arsene Wenger's tenure at the North London club. The Gunners hosted FC Koln in a delayed 3-1 victory at the Emirates, and it is very likely that against Chelsea they will capitulate once again at the hands of a rival top six team.
Chelsea also have the added advantage of playing from Tuesday to Sunday which means they will be fresh for their visit of Arsenal, giving more time to Conte to integrate Hazard back into the mix. We don't need to sell you on the benefits of Eden Hazard, he is one of the best players in the league, an FPL option when fit, and Chelsea's penalty taker. Arsenal are normally put to the sword by Hazard, and in recent history they get beaten heavily by the Blues.
Eden Hazard comes into the Gameweek as the most coveted differential we've had so far, and alongside fellow differential Alexis Sanchez it will be an interesting encounter on Sunday which could see Hazard announce his return to the FPL with a bang. Chelsea have won the last five encounters at Stamford Bridge, so we know who our money is on this Gameweek.
Stats and Information: Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard started his FPL campaign during Gamweek 4, coming on as a late substitute against Leicester, to open with a single point.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Hazard scored the second goal for Chelsea in a 3-1 victory against Arsenal.
Last season, on the way to the Premier League crown, Eden Hazard scored 16 goals, and assisted 9 times, for Chelsea.
Hazard made his full return from injury in a 9-0 victory over Gibraltar for the Belgium national side. Hazard scored on the 45th minute of his return.
In Chelsea's 6-0 victory in the Champions League at home to Qarabag, Hazard came off the bench on the 58th minute for Pedro.
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, live sport, and professional wrestling.
As well as providing FPL articles on our website, we are a founding Contributor to the new Fantasy Football Hub, where you can find more unique articles, including weekly Power Rankings, from The Hype Team. You can support us and read exclusive members only content for just £2 per-month by clicking here.
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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All aboard.
