Each week, Sport360 will bring you tips for the English Premier League’s official fantasy football game. Fancy pitting your wits against us? You can join “Sport360 Fans'” league using the code 118790-38575.
In this week’s column, we look at why you should captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic and provide three tips ahead of the midweek action.
But first, a shout out to these tactical geniuses who top our Sport360 fans league going into this week!
WHO TO PICK AS CAPTAIN
Zlatan Ibrahimovic [11.7m] was the pick for captain in Gameweek 23 but it’s safe to say that he had an off day.
The Swede didn’t look sharp at all and fluffed his lines when the rare opportunity came his way. The good news is, Kevin De Bruyne was the only player among the 15 (yes, FIFTEEN) most popular captains to get on the score sheet.
In fact, Gameweek 23 was the lowest point-scoring round of the season with the average tally being a mere 35 points.
This week, things are going to be shaken up a bit with Seamus Coleman [5.7m] featuring as the top pick for the captaincy. It’s the first time this season a defender has been considered for the armband but there’s honestly no better time for it.
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet for only the second time in their last six games, Everton look a solid unit and Coleman did bag an assist in the 1-1 draw against Stoke City.
The full-back has been getting further forward since Ronald Koeman switched to three at the back and is the most in-form defender in the game, scoring 38 points in the last four rounds.
With Bournemouth making the trip to Goodison Park, he may well add to that tally. Let’s not forget that if this captaincy pays off, you’ll also bag yourself a tidy differential.
👌 | Seamus Coleman makes the shortlist for January's @premierleague Player of the Month.
— Everton (@Everton) February 3, 2017
Cast your vote at https://t.co/bMruqWb8Dr. #EFC pic.twitter.com/6SmfIBd6pT
FIVE NEW SIGNINGS TO CONSIDER
The popular option is Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus who scored on debut and has already seen his price rise by 0.1m from 9.0m.
However,he’s bound to miss a couple of Gameweeks through cup action in the near future and with Champions League football around the corner, Pep Guardiola will be shuffling his side around a bit so theBrazilian is exactly guaranteed a starting role.
Instead, here are five other options to consider.
JORDAN AYEW – SWANSEA CITY (5.0m)
With big brother Andre leaving for West Ham in the summer, Swansea have decided that they hate life without an Ayew and have opted for the forward’s sibling Jordan in January.
He bagged seven goals in the Premier League which was very impressive given that he featured for a woeful Aston Villa side. He’s also a bargain at just 5m and the Swans certainly seem to be on the up as well.
However, Ayew may not be involved as early as this weekend given that he’ll only just be returning from the African Cup of Nations.
Good morning #Swans fans. Here's a quick reminder what new boy @jordan_ayew9 is capable of. pic.twitter.com/rlS8mZ76Ft
— Inside SCFC (@InsideSCFC) February 2, 2017
ROBERT SNODGRASS – WEST HAM UNITED (5.7m)
Snodgrass has some big shoes to fill at West Ham following Dimitri Payet’s move to Marseille. However, the midfielder has been inspirational for Hull City this season and will probably have better players around him in London.
He already has seven goals and three assists this season. He’ll be on set-piece duty for the Hammers as well and may well have more joy with the likes of Andy Carroll getting on the end of his deliveries.
Robert Snodgrass has scored 7 goals and 3 assists and put 137 crosses into the box in the last 20 games dg pic.twitter.com/N7JlW7fxN9
— David Gold (@davidgold) January 28, 2017
PATRICK VAN AANHOLT – CRSYTAL PALACE (5.0m)
The full-back was one of Sunderland’s best players this season and while he excelled in attack, the team struggled to keep clean sheets which cost him points.
At Palace under Sam Allardyce though, the Dutchman may well start picking up a few clean sheets to go along with his attacking exploits.
Moyes: Van Aanholt departure "good deal" #SAFC https://t.co/DojsVP1vDx pic.twitter.com/XVAFuroR3f
— ITV News Tyne Tees (@itvtynetees) January 30, 2017
MANOLO GABBIADINI – SOUTHAMPTON (6.5m)
Arriving from Napoli, Southampton will be hoping that Gabbiadini solves their striking woes at the moment. Charlie Austin has been out injured since Gameweek 15 but remains their top scorer in the league with six goals.
The Saints have good fixtures coming in the next three weeks as well so he’s worth keeping an eye on.
#SaintsFC completed the signing of @Mgabbia23 last night! 😇
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 1, 2017
Get to know more about #SaintGabbiadini: https://t.co/WqkEydCibI
M’BAYE NIANG – WATFORD (6.0m)
Even cheaper than Gabbiadini though is another Serie A recruit, Niang from AC Milan. He has already impressed in his debut against Arsenal with even Arsene Wenger tipping him as one to watch.
Watford’s home fixture against Burnley will be a good test of his potential to score points.
NIANG CAM 🎥
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) January 27, 2017
.@MBaye9Niang has been settling in around UCL today as he joined up with his #watfordfc teammates!
➡️ https://t.co/veCOiVng9U pic.twitter.com/9QXw97R2vm
Fancy pitting your wits against us? Join the “Sport360 Fans'” league using the code 118790-38575.