Final Word Week 18 | Supercoach EPL trades, captains, PODs

Merry Christmas all – hope you’ve enjoyed the glut of festive football and hopefully shared in a high GW17 score.

What a round! 162 points for the Bolywood Bhoys – cracking a 66th placed finish for the round –  and bumping us back inside the top 6k Overall.

Sticking with Woltemade has proved the right decision (for now…) should have had a hat-trick & Haaland and Rogers completed a very strong attacking performance.

If you’ve been following me the whole way through the season – you’ll know my forwards are only one or two performances from dropping out of the side – and funnily enough it’s Rogers I expect to drop off more than Woltemade over the next few weeks. Hopefully that means a bit of cash growth.

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The big talking point this week though? Injuries. Bruno Fernandes owners have a big decision to make – as has been well noted – I’ve avoided that conundrum by moving to Foden last week but for a full walk through of potential move-ins for the Portuguese midfielder make sure you listen to this week’s podcast.

One thing I will offer not being an owner is that Gabriel is expected back over the festive period – hanging on to that cash for a couple of weeks could be beneficial even if you do decide to move on from Bruno – leave yourself open to 2 different options in the new year, whether that’s moving for the midfielder or the Arsenal leader once he’s back to fitness and form.

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Trade Plans

Some nerves around the injury concern to Szoboszlai & Arne Slot’s continued insistence on using him as a swiss-army knife. The suspension this week could actually function as a blessing in diguise offering him the rest he clearly needs – although missing Wolves at home will sting a bit – Liverpool’s run over the next 3 games means he will be in and should post a significant score against one of Leeds or Fulham.

Viktor Lindelof has a tough run but his price rises should stay ahead of the curve for at least another week – and even then with Pau Torres not expected back until mid-way through January in a side that has won 10 straight games I’m inclined to see just how far I can ride my luck. Not a trade in now but if you followed me in last week hold on for now even if you’re not playing him.

I’ll re-iterate what I said regarding Ekitike last week – I’m not pushing anyone away from him and Alexander Isak’s injury will keep him in the team indefinitely – but it’s now or don’t bother with Wolves and Leeds at home followed by Fulham (A), Arsenal (A), Burnley (H), B’mouth (A). Make of that what you will – I think their will be other’s who fly up over that period.

As spoken about with Niko on this week’s podcast – the real midfield push is Keane Lewis-Potter – he’s an out and out Cashie but B’mouth (H), Spurs (H), could even bank you some points with Outtara out at AFCON. Could even ride him through Everton (A), Sunderland (H)…

On a personal level though – there’s nothing else glaring at me and with 20 trades and 18 Gameweeks remaining I’m enclined to hold.

First names on the chopping block next week – Senesi & Smith Rowe – but for now they’ve been performing – they’re relative PODs & so no rush to move them on…

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Captaincy Strategy

With the Christmas fixture congestion in full swing, captaincy becomes even more critical. We’ve got multiple games across the week and loop opportunities galore – make sure you’re maximizing every chance you get.

The safe play is sticking with Erling Haaland – he’s made me look silly opposing him the last 3 weeks and he continues to be the most reliable captaincy option in the competition. City at Nottingham Forest. That’s about as straightforward as it gets. 

Declan Rice will be the alternative in the late kick-offs against Brighton – Arsenal should dominate that game and Rice’s base stats provide a nice floor even if he doesn’t hit the scoresheet. As I mentioned on the pod – 5 goals without an Arsenal scorer from a set-piece – with or without Gabriel, they’re due.

Trades

None

Captaincy

VC: Haaland (v Forest – Away)

C: Rice (v Brighton – Home)