2018 Round 18 Captain’s conundrum

Round 18 in the MLS gets underway tonight, So I have taken a look at the best options to make your Fantasy captain this week. Picking the right captain this week , could see you claw back points on the leaders of your league , or even extend the gap at the top. Here’s my top four picks for this week.

Josef Martinez / Atlanta / $11.2 Million / vs Orlando

Josef Martinez and Atlanta head in to round 18 off the back of a poor round 17. A 1-1 draw with Portland would have frustrated the home side who dominated large spells of the game. United had 70 percent of the possession against the Timbers, which allowed Martinez to attempt four shots at goal and create two chances for his team mates. However, the forward only managed to earn fantasy owners three points last week.

United have another chance to secure their eleventh with of the season in the league against Orlando this week. In a match in front of their home fans, and against an Orlando side who have lost seven in a row in the league. It might not be if Atlanta win, but by how many. Martinez should have plenty of chances against Orlando, who cannot stop losing or conceding goals at the minute.

Federico Higuain / Columbus Crew / $10.5 Million / vs RSL

It’s been a tough few weeks for Columbus. The Crew have faced LAFC, New York Redbulls and Atlanta in their last three games. Winning only one point out of a possible nine, probably confirming their position as best of the rest in the Eastern Conference. No surprised then to find out Federico Higuaín’s numbers have taken a hit, no goals in this last three games and only one assist is a disappointing return from the Argentine.

However, Columbus are at home this week against a Real Salt Lake side who don’t like playing away from. Four defeats in their last five away games, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game isn’t pretty reading for RSL fans. However, the Crew have only won one of their last five games at home, conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game. So Higuain should be looking to add to his two goals he has this season in the MLS.

Miguel Almiron / Atlanta / $13.1 Million / vs Orlando

Miguel Almiron will be disappointed in his recent form. He has still not scored a league goal for Atlanta since week nine and has only managed one assist in his last three games. However, if Almiron would have picked an opponent to help him end his goal scoring drought then Orlando would have been top of the list.

One win from their last eight league games, is just unacceptable. Orlando have been conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game. In their last three away games, they have conceded three to New York City, three goals to Montreal and five to Vancouver, an average of 3.6 goals per game. So, Atlanta and Almiron should be looking forward to the game.

Adama Diomande / LAFC / $8.3 Million / vs Philadelphia (Wildcard)

Unlike the other three names on the list, Adama Diomande is bang in form. Four goals in his last three games is exceptional from the forward. His game time and responsibility has increased since Carlos Vela departed for the World Cup. So LAFC will be pleased Diomande has managed to make up the surplus in goals left by Vela.

This week LAFC face Philadelphia, who will come in to this game full of confidence after putting four past Vancouver in round 17. Though LAFC will be a much tougher task. LAFC are unbeaten in their last five home games and have managed to average 2.5 goals per game in LA. So Diomande will be hoping to continue his excellent record.