CAPTAINCY HYPE 2016/17: FPL Gameweek 26

Picking a Captain in the Fantasy Premier League is among the most important 38 decisions any person will make throughout the course of the season. There's a lot of self-help out there for FPL enthusiasts, with our Hype Team providing three major considerations for the armband 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. Strap in tightly, it's time to lose your marbles. All aboard.

Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 26 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.

Due to the EFL Cup final between Southampton and Man United on Sunday 26th February, two fixtures (SOU/ARS and MCI/MUN) have been postponed.

The transfer deadline for GW26 is Saturday 25th February 2017 at 14:00pm.

CAPTAINCY HYPE: SEASON PERFORMANCE

To help track our progress throughout the 2016/17 season, below you can check how our Core Captaincy selections have done by week to week in the Fantasy Premier League.

GW1

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Man City vs. Sunderland) - 9pts

Alternative: Jamie Vardy (Hull vs. Leicester) - 2pts

Wildcard: Nathan Redmond (Southampton vs. Watford) - 10pts

GW2

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Crystal Palace) - 5pts

Alternative: Roberto Firmino (Burnley vs. Liverpool) - 2pts

Wildcard: Fernando Llorente (Swansea vs. Hull) - 2pts

GW3

Essential: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Hull vs. Man United) - 2pts

Alternative: Eden Hazard (Chelsea vs. Burnley) - 11pts

Wildcard: Romelu Lukaku (Everton vs. Stoke) - 2pts

GW4

Essential: Eden Hazard (Swansea vs. Chelsea) - 1pt

Alternative: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Southampton) - 1pt

Wildcard: Tom Heaton (Burnley vs. Hull) - 2pts

GW5

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Sunderland) - 9pts

Alternative: Romelu Lukaku (Everton vs. Middlesbrough) - 12pts

Wildcard: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace vs. Stoke) - 2pts

GW6

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Swansea vs. Man City) - 13pts

Alternative: Sadio Mane (Liverpool vs. Hull) - 7pts

Wildcard: Troy Deeney (Burnley vs. Watford) - 2pts

GW7

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Burnley vs. Arsenal) - 3pts

Alternative: Philippe Coutinho (Swansea vs. Liverpool) - 2pts

Wildcard: Marcus Rashford (Man United vs. Stoke) - 2pts

GW8

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Man City vs. Everton) - -1pt

Alternative: Diego Costa (Chelsea vs. Leicester) - 9pts

Wildcard: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace vs. West Ham) - -1pt

GW9

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough) - 3pts

Alternative: Theo Walcott (Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough) - 3pts

Wildcard: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea vs. Watford) - 2pts

GW10

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Sunderland vs. Arsenal) - 13pts

Alternative: Romelu Lukaku (Everton vs. West Ham) - 12pts

Wildcard: Troy Deeney (Watford vs. Hull) - 2pts

GW11

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Man City vs. Middlesbrough) - 6pts

Alternative: Charlie Austin (Hull City vs. Southampton) - 7pts

Wildcard: Wilfried Bony (West Ham vs. Stoke City) - 2pts

GW12

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Crystal Palace vs. Man City) - 2pts

Alternative: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland vs. Hull City) - 11pts

Wildcard: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. West Ham) - 13pts

GW13

Essential: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool vs. Sunderland) - 1pt

Alternative: Diego Costa (Chelsea vs. Spurs) - 5pts

Wildcard: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea vs. Crystal Palace) - 10pts

GW14

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Swansea) - 13pts

Alternative: Alexis Sanchez (West Ham vs. Arsenal) - 23pts

Wildcard: Victor Anichebe (Sunderland vs. Leicester) - 2pts

GW15

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Stoke) - 5pts

Alternative: Diego Costa (Chelsea vs. West Brom) - 8pts

Wildcard: Divock Origi (Liverpool vs. West Ham) - 9pts

GW16

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Hull) - 2pts

Alternative: Diego Costa (Sunderland vs. Chelsea) - 2pts

Wildcard: Marcos Alonso (Sunderland vs. Chelsea) - 7pts

GW17

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Burnley) - 2pts

Alternative: Diego Costa (Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea) - 6pts

Wildcard: Marcos Alonso (Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea) - 6pts

GW18

Essential: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United vs. Sunderland) - 15pts

Alternative: Sadio Mane (Liverpool vs. Stoke) - 2pts

Wildcard: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea vs. Bournemouth) - 6pts

GW19

Essential: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United vs. Middlesbrough) - 5pts

Alternative: Romelu Lukaku (Hull vs. Everton) - 2pts

Wildcard: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea vs. Stoke) - 3pts

GW20

Essential: Sergio Aguero (Man City vs. Burnley) - 7pts

Alternative: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace vs. Swansea) - 1pt

Wildcard: Olivier Giroud (Bournemouth vs. Arsenal) - 15pts

GW21

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Swansea vs. Arsenal) - 11pts

Alternative: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. West Brom) - 17pts

Wildcard: Andre Gray (Burnley vs. Southampton) - 2pts

GW22

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Burnley) - 8pts

Alternative: Romelu Lukaku (Crystal Palace vs. Everton) - 2pts

Wildcard: Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth vs. Watford) - 2pts

GW23

Essential: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United vs. Hull) - 2pts

Alternative: Dele Alli (Sunderland vs. Spurs) - 3pts

Wildcard: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal vs. Watford) - 2pts

GW24

Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Middlesbrough) - 6pts

Alternative: Romelu Lukaku (Everton vs. Bournemouth) - 21pts

Wildcard: Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland) - 0pts

GW25

Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal vs. Hull) - 15pts

Alternative: Diego Costa (Burnley vs. Chelsea) - 2pts

Wildcard: Gabriel Jesus (Bournemouth vs. Man City) - 1pt

Totals

Essential Total: 9 (1), 5 (2), 2 (3), 1 (4), 9 (5), 13 (6), 3 (7), -1 (8), 3 (9), 13 (10), 6 (11), 2 (12), 1 (13), 13 (14), 5 (15), 2 (16), 2 (17), 15 (18), 5 (19), 7 (20), 11 (21), 8 (22), 2 (23), 6 (24), 15 (25) = 157pts

Alternative Total: 2 (1), 2 (2), 11 (3), 1 (4), 12 (5), 7 (6), 2 (7), 9 (8), 3 (9), 12 (10), 7 (11), 11 (12), 5 (13), 23 (14), 8 (15), 2 (16), 6 (17), 2 (18), 2 (19), 1 (20), 17 (21), 2 (22), 3 (23), 21 (24), 2 (25) = 169pts

Wildcard Total: 10 (1), 2 (2), 2 (3), 2 (4), 2 (5), 2 (6), 2 (7), -1 (8), 2 (9), 2 (10), 2 (11), 13 (12), 10 (13), 2 (14), 9 (15), 7 (16), 6 (17), 6 (18), 3 (19), 15 (20), 2 (21), 2 (22), 2 (23), 0 (24), 1 (25) = 105pts

CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE ESSENTIAL PICK

Player: Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

Position: Forward

Player Price: £9.9 million

Player Selection %: 32.6%

We knew this time was coming, and we all know what awaits. A few uncertain weeks of reshaping FPL squads is taking place, to help accommodate for shorter Gameweek's with notable teams missing. Gameweek 26 is only a few games shy of a full compliment of ten matches, but preparations have been made, or should be, in making more players available for Gameweek 28, which as of writing, contains just 4 matches, which you can see below.

How have our previous Captains fared against Sunderland?

GW1 Essential: Sergio Aguero (Man City vs. Sunderland) - 9pts

GW5 Essential: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. Sunderland) - 9pts

GW10 Essential: Alexis Sanchez (Sunderland vs. Arsenal) - 13pts

GW13 Essential: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool vs. Sunderland) - 1pt

GW16 Alternative: Diego Costa (Sunderland vs. Chelsea) - 2pts

GW16 Wildcard: Marcos Alonso (Sunderland vs. Chelsea) - 7pts

GW18 Essential: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United vs. Sunderland) - 15pts

GW23 Alternative: Dele Alli (Sunderland vs. Spurs) - 3pts

Everton's Next 5 Fixtures

GW26: Everton (h)

GW27: Spurs (a)

GW28: West Brom (h)

GW29: Hull (h)

GW30: Liverpool (a)

Last time out for Lukaku against Sunderland was a highly memorable occasion for the Belgian international. A treble from the bench and 17 FPL points was the biggest haul for a Forward at the point. Omens are looking good for the 30% + ownership that Lukaku commands, with Sunderland struggling to keep out the Belgian once, and still bottom of the table, and with Everton currently on the Hype Train, it is looking a formality that Big Rom will be the man to bank on hen Saturday comes about.

With any essential option there is the chance to negate fellow FPL rivals, and not missing out on the green arrows. It's a safe bet, but this week the safe bet might be the best.

Notes on Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku has a total of 142 points in the FPL season, with 16 goals, 4 assists, and 22 bonus points to his name.

Priced at £9.9 million, Lukaku is the 8th most expensive player in the FPL, with the 7 players above him all priced higher than £10.0 million.

The only player to score more than Lukaku's 16 goals in the Premier League this season is Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, who has 17.

The top 3 players in the FPL for bonus points are all Forwards. Zlatan and Defoe both have 24 bonus, with Lukaku in 3rd with 22 points.

Lukaku has acheived the maximum of 3 bonus points on 4 occasions this season.

With 32.6% ownership, Lukaku is the 3rd most owned forward in the game, behind Costa and Ibrahimovic.

Last time out against Sunderland, Lukaku scored his first hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 away victory, picking up 17 points in the process.

The only fixture that Lukaku has not featured in is the opening game of the season, which saw Everton draw 1-1 at home with Spurs.

CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE ALTERNATIVE PICK

Player: Sadio Mane (LIV)

Position: Midfielder

Player Price: £9.3 million

Player Selection %: 13.9%

When offering an alternative for Lukaku in our Captaincy article for GW26, the obvious standout option is not only a player in a different position, but a Merseryside rival also. Sadio Mane's return to the Premier League was firmly cemented against Spurs with the Seenegal international scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory at Anfield. Solidifying his claim that he is the difference maker for Liverpool, the one player who determines a win or a loss, Mane was dearly missed as he ventured to the semi-finals of AFCON, missing the crucial penalty for Senegal as they were beat by Cameroon.

Now back in the domestic league, Mane was given a massive boost in his FPL stock, not only due to his performance against Spurs, but due to Burnley's failings in the FA Cup at home to National League side Lincoln City. The shock victory for the non-league side now means that Liverpool will entertain Burnley during Gameweek 28's condensed round of fixtures - which currently stands at 4. Mane is now the top attention for FPL managers, and is aided by a Liverpool visit to Leicester, a side who haven't scored, but conceded in each of their last 5 Premier League matches.

Mane's Previous Captaincy Picks

GW6 Alternative: Sadio Mane (Liverpool vs. Hull) - 7pts

GW18 Alternative: Sadio Mane (Liverpool vs. Stoke) - 2pts

Liverpool's Next 5 Fixtures

GW26: Leicester (a)

GW27: Arsenal (h)

GW28: Burnley (h)

GW29: Man City (a)

GW30: Everton (h)

Mane and Sturridge ran the show last time out against Leicester in a dominating 4-1 home victory, with the Reds winning 3 of the last 4 matches with the Champions. Leicester have struggled against Liverpool, even when on their march to title glory, and despite winning this fixture 2-0 last season due to two Jamie Vardy strikes, the tide has turned, and perhaps crucially for Liverpool. The Spurs victory felt like Liverpool of old, with Mane's inclusion of our alternative Captain not without its question marks.

Liverpool have chronically played well against the top half sides this season, but have fallen to the waste-side more often than not against teams fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. Leicester will have picked up belief that they can qualify for the Quater Finals of the Champions League after picking up an away goal in a 2-1 defeat, so their focus will be on building that platform. Liverpool are the perfect stage for Leicester to compete - this is largely the Reds side that lost to Seville in the Europa League final last season, so there will be cause for concern for some Fantasy managers who are questioning Mane's influence.

Flip the coin over though, and we're talking about a winger that is occupying the space of a Forward player, splliting full backs a part and providing the eye for goal that will force Leicester deep into their own half. Mane's perhaps the safest bet for points from midfield for the next few weeks, so he is the top contender should you doubt Kane or Lukaku's fitness for the Gameweek.

Notes on Mane

Sadio Mane has a total of 132 FPL points, with 11 goals, 6 assists, and 11 bonus points.

Mane has scored 7 of his 11 goals at home, though 3 of his last 5 goals have come away from home.

Mane's opponents Leicester have yet to score in 2017 and have conceded in every fixture in 2017.

Last time out against Leicester during GW4 Mane managed 12 FPL points, with a goal, an assist, and 2 bonus points.

With 13.9% ownership, Mane has the lowest selection of the top 5 FPL midfielders.

Liverpool's 5 best FPL players are all midfielders, with Mane leading the pack with 132 points.

CAPTAINCY HYPE: THE WILDCARD PICK

Player: Troy Deeney (Watford)

Position: Forward

Player Price: £6.7 million

Player Selection %: 5.3%

Ahead of Gameweek 26's home tie to West Ham, here's what THT Chief Writer, @TheHypeTrainSam, has said about the Wildcard Captaincy pick - Watford captain Troy Deeney:

Differential royalty in the FPL is hard to come across, but in the form of Troy Deeney the table has a member with experience and class. Three goals from his last four games has seen his stock once again rise and with a home game against a questionable West Ham defence we are expecting a fiery London encounter that could have plenty of goal potential from both teams.

Boasting the rap-sheet of penalty duty and an unruly amount of strength that makes him a versatile number-nine, Deeney is the man for Watford and when he hits a hot streak it is hard to ignore. West Ham on the other hand do have the potential to continue with their good run of form, so if you fancy picking up Manuel Lanzini who is now filling the Payet role quite nicely then by all means trust the Argentine if you are in the Hammers corner for this match.

The Hype Train will trust in one of its longest serving differentials to once again step up and attempt to reclaim the differential throne from the Icelander, Gylfi Sigurdsson.

2016/17 Wildcard Captaincy Successes

GW1: Nathan Redmond (Southampton vs. Watford) - 10pts

GW12: Harry Kane (Spurs vs. West Ham) - 13pts

GW13: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea vs. Crystal Palace) - 10pts

GW15: Divock Origi (Liverpool vs. West Ham) - 9pts

GW16: Marcos Alonso (Sunderland vs. Chelsea) - 7pts

GW17: Marcos Alonso (Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea) - 6pts

GW18: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea vs. Bournemouth) - 6pts

GW19: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea vs. Stoke) - 3pts

GW20: Olivier Giroud (Bournemouth vs. Arsenal) - 15pts

Watford's Next 5 Fixtures

GW26: West Ham (h)

GW27: Southampton (h)

GW28: NOT PLAYING

GW29: Crystal Palace (a)

GW30: Sunderland (h)

Notes on Troy Deeney

Troy Deeney has a total of 94 FPL points this season, and 7 goals, 3 assists, and 13 bonus points.

Deeney has managed 3 goals in his last 4 Premeir League games, which included a three goal run in consecutive weeks between GW's 22-24 - his best stretch of the season.

On 94 points, Deeney has the same number of points as Sergio Aguero of Man City.

With 5.3% selection, Deeney is the best FPL forward with less than 10% player ownership. Ranked 7th in the Forward charts, the 6 above Deeney all have ownership higher than 10%

Deeney has managed 3 assists this season, his last coming in a 3-1 away defeat at West Brom during GW14.

Deeney has featured in every game this season, starting 23 of the 25 games this season, and playing 60+ minutes on 24 occasions.

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, television, live music, festivals, and any relevant topic in the public eye.

You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk

All aboard.