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Captain Sensible – Gameweek 4

After a two-week hiatus, our Friday evening analysis of the armband options in the Gameweek ahead comes around again. Our three-part approach takes in the weekly poll standings, the Opta player statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the Captain conundrum.

The first section is free to view for all visitors to the site and will analyse the chief protagonists, as selected in our Captain Poll. The latter two parts are restricted to our members, as we delve deeper into the Opta and Rate My Team data.

Captain Poll

Unsurprisingly, Chelsea’s Diego Costa leads the way after notching four times in his first three appearances. The Spain international once again heads into the weekend with hamstring doubts hanging over his pitch time but, after recovering from a similar problem to bag a brace at Goodison in Gameweek 3, he has earned the nod from over 29% of Fantasy managers so far as Jose Mourinho’s side welcome Swansea to the Bridge.

Despite scoring just twice in their first three matches under Louis van Gaal, United are still heavily backed for their home encounter against QPR. Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney sit second and fourth respectively in the Captain Poll and the Colombian’s previous ability to settle quickly in his new surrounds have persuaded 15% to select him compared to Rooney’s 13%. Harry Redknapp’s side have shipped four goals in their only road trip to date but a switch from 3-5-3 to 4-4-1-1 earned the R’s their first clean sheet of the campaign last time around.

Liverpool’s attackers are also high in our collective estimations. Raheem Sterling is the favoured option from Brendan Rodgers’ side – after scoring in two of his first three appearances, the youngster has picked up over 13% of your votes for a plum home clash with Aston Villa. With Daniel Sturridge sidelined for the Merseysiders, Mario Balotelli could be a real differential for this one, bearing in mind he’s owned by less than 6% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

In spite of a testing clash with City at the Emirates, Arsenal new boy Danny Welbeck remains on the radar. A double for England against Switzerland has certainly had an impact – 3.55% of Fantasy managers fancy handing him the armband, more than either Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard for Chelsea’s encounter with Swansea.

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4,610 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    COSTA OR BALO FOR C

    (is nobody bothered by Costa potentially out or diminished minutes?)

    (yes I know what happened last time..)

    1. BayerNevaLusen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Costa

    2. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I'm picking Tadic or Sterling instead of Costa due to minutes.

    3. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      COSTAAAA won't make the same mistake as last week xD

      1. Last Resort...
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Last weeks mistake is this weeks plaaaaaay

    4. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Neither

  2. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Start Ramsey (possibly inured) or Chadli? :/

    1. BayerNevaLusen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Both?

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Can't start both, unless I take Naismith out? :/

        1. BayerNevaLusen
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Flip a coin

          1. Ibralicious
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Nah Chadli stays off, that's the logical thing to do

    2. PhoggyRatherGroggy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Rambo

    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Chadli..but it's close

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm why do you think so? :/

  3. UptheBlues
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    which option to go with?

    A) pelle and 6.0 mil and under 5th mid

    or

    B) Aguero and 4.5 mid

    if B), which 4.5 midfielder would you have?

    1. BayerNevaLusen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      B) Boyd

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      B if you are playing 3-4-3

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Boyd or Marney

  4. Ash_195
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Yup i am done....hopefully i dont need to change anymore!!!

    Begovic

    Jamnaat Ivanovic Clyne

    DiMaria Sterling Siggy Fabregas

    Costa Naismith Rooney

    Bench: mcCarthy Zaha Moore hutton

    out of all this Jamnaat scares me the most!!!

    1. johnbarnes
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      start zaha instead of siggy imo

      1. rickardinho
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        yeah

      2. Ash_195
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        really??? surprising

    2. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      looks great.

  5. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Bego

    Caulker / Terry / PVA / Moore / Hutton

    Ramsey / FAB / Sterling / Marney

    Rooney / Costa / Dzeko

    WC or not ???

    1. BayerNevaLusen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. FionnMac
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Predictably, no

    3. Rex Lapis
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      no

    4. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No

  6. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    A. Eriksen to Sterling
    B. Mata to Sterling
    C. Save FT

    my team:
    Krul Mannone
    Cahill Colo PVA Wilson Rio
    Marney Eriksen Hazard Mata Ramsey
    Rooney Jelavic Dzeko

    1. baraka1670
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. FionnMac
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Mata to Sterling I think

  7. rickardinho
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Help appreciated. Pick one please:

    A)
    Begovic McCarthy
    Lovren, Clyne, IVANOVIC, KOLAROV, JANMAAT
    Siggy, Fabregas, Tadic, Sterling, ZAHA
    Costa, Naismith, BALOTELLI
    0.1 itb

    B)
    Begovic KRUL
    Lovren, Clyne, CAULKER, CHAMBERS, WISDOM
    Siggy, Fabregas, Tadic, Sterling, RAMSEY
    Costa, Naismith, ROONEY
    0.5itb

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      B. But Balo over Rooney?

      1. rickardinho
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, on my radar 🙂 Thanks.

        Currently on B but I'm tempted to move towards a strong defense like in A.

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Defence does look good in first but Kolarov isn't nailed on plus every week there is a chance of points getting rested on bench as all are capable to score in any week.
          You will either play 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, so I would downgrade Kolarov to 4.5 or 4.0 defender and get decent 2nd GK.
          Overall I like the team. 🙂

          1. rickardinho
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah Kolarov is a risk, but his points potential when he plays home games is immense. I would play 442 or 433 often too with that defense.

            If McCarthy starts he'll be the best backup keeper imo, considering he's only 4.0. He cost them £6m so should get a look in...

  8. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Gut before the international break was to captain Costa.

    Stick to my guns or switch to Hazard or Sterling?

  9. FionnMac
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Bego
    Terry Clyne Jones
    Sterling Siggy Ramsey Eriksen
    Rooney Costa Jovetic

    Bench- Duff, Marney, Chambers

    A)
    Jones>Lovren
    Jovetic > Welbeck

    B) Something else??

    1. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      those moves are perfect. consider naismith though for better fixtures.

  10. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    On WC does anyone have PVA?

    1. PhoggyRatherGroggy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Not me

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sunderland does not have the easiest of fixtures in the next few weeks

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Need a 4.5 to rotate with naylor...
        Prefer other than wilson as I have bego in goal..

  11. FPLEL
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Should I get Aguero now?? Or get Balo/Falc with the money to later upgrade when fixtures improve?

    1. PhoggyRatherGroggy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I heard Aguerro pulled his hammy rolling over in bed tonight! 🙂

      1. FPLEL
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Yea that's always a worry as well

    2. boredjames
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      i am holding off on Aguero. He is amazing but you can ignore that Falco has QPR/ Leicester when Aguero has Arsenal and then Chelsea

    3. MrFlibbles
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Aguero is made of glass - you could end up constantly bringing him in and out of your team for hits. Looking at the fixtures Balo this next 2 weeks as Stuuridge is injured and Falcao perhaps wait 1 week but he could play right from the off and hit the ground running vs QPR.

      1. FPLEL
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Yea, I feel similarly and I'm leaning towards Balo. I just can't trust United atm.

  12. Edmond
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Been seeing talks about Sterling potentiallly getting rested around here. He's easily Liverpool's best player with Sturridge being injured, surely he's gonna start right? Any opinions?

    1. PhoggyRatherGroggy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      He plays imo

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Don't worry..

  13. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Last 3 slots of WC very hard to pick...

    1. Sadio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Indeed. Listen to my advice on the previous page boyo

  14. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    To captain Hazard (90 mins) or Sterling (approx 70)

  15. Le Blues
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please

    Bego (mannone)

    Colo Clyne Chester (Caulker) (Chambers)

    Ramsey Lamela Sterling (VC) Zaha (JWP)

    Rooney Balotelli Costa (C)

    Hows it looking lads?

  16. SpicyItalian22
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry for the repost, I just need someone's opinion on my team before I go to bed.
    Lloris (Gilks)
    Cahill Clyne Chester (Debuchy) (Dummett)
    Sterling Siggy Ramsey Hazard (Cattermole)
    Berahino Jovetic Rooney
    1 FT, £2.4 ITB
    Berahino + Jovetic > Naismith + Costa for a -4.
    Costa (c) Sterling (vc)
    Good to go?

    1. Le Blues
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Id definitely want costa in my team.

  17. MrFlibbles
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Who is Man U's defense right now then with Jones ruled out? Will Rojo come in because I liked the look of him during the World Cup.

  18. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Zaha and bench siggy
    Or
    Boyd, save 1.0 and play siggy

    Last piece in my wc puzzle !
    Please help

    1. Le Blues
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Id play zaha for this week if i had the option

      depends on what you use the 1.0 on really

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Not using it - saving for flexibility (like Rooney to falcao in a week or two)

        1. boredjames
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Zaha and bench sig for this week

          1. Lord Flashheart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers

        2. Le Blues
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          then i'd pick zaha.
          Great fixtures plus playing really advanced.
          you should try finding the 1.0 from somewhere else to finance falcao

  19. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Will robertson play for hull??

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      More likely than him playing for QPR

  20. Lukaku Go
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Are these three defenders good enough to rotate?

    Neil Taylor / Hutton / Duff

    £0.5m in the bank

    Only need one each game week

    1. PhoggyRatherGroggy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Haven't looked at the fixtures but should be fine I would say!

      1. Lukaku Go
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Short term Swansea and Burnley look okay, Villa shocking

    2. Aussie_Toon_Lad
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Turn Hutton into Chester and you're set

  21. 420king
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    ummm ok having second toughts about my WC again 😀

    A) Jaanmat + Rooney
    B) Clyne + Balotelli

  22. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Really, really want to captain Fabregas over Sterling.

    Thoughts?

    1. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      not the worst idea.

    2. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      If ur captaining Costa then its safer to VC Fabregas because if Sterling might be rested you'll be in trouble so yeah.

  23. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    What's the consensus on Sterling today?

    Start or bench?

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Start

  24. donelshinoda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Dilemma please help !

    A) Ballo
    B) Fabregas
    C) Costa

  25. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Hi folks. Thought I'd re-post this from a season ago, by TheSportsGuy.

    TheSportsGuy - MenInBlazers:

    15 things you need to know about FPL (just some random thoughts that might help mostly new players):

    1 - taking hits is like drugs - it's fun in moderation, but when you get addicted there is no way back
    2 - if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck - Don't draft an off form player just cause his "due".
    3 - don't bother with heavy defence before Christmas - many mid table teams will provide many cs until January , when you separate the men from the boys.
    4 - RMT for members is just a tool. That said, it's a freaking great tool. Become a member.
    5 - price matters - bookmark fiso.
    6 - don't gamble with captain choices. Yes, once in a blue moon you will be the only one who captained anichebe when he drops 13, but more often then not Rvp/bale/Suarez/Walcott will score ten x two while your ingenious captain choice teaches you the meaning of "fluke" and why they are usually not repeated.
    7 - FPL is like golf - it takes at least 6 hours of your weekend and makes the wife annoyed. Buy an iPhone and pretend you listen while you check scores and forums under the table.
    8 - no player is worth 14m except Ronaldo.
    9 - buying a mid for 4.3 or a 3.8 defender will free a bit more funds, but will surely cost you points - you need a decent bench - you will be surprised how many times your bench will be in play.
    10 - winning your mini league is only fun when your biggest rival is NOT the secretary from the fourth floor - give yourself a challenge and join some strong leagues too.
    11 - don't waste a transfer on a keeper. You have wild cards for sorting goal keepers.
    12 - read this forum, listen to the podcast, research - but remember its just a game and there is luck involved. That's said, if you can't reach a top 100k at the end of a season - you are doing something wrong.
    13 - listen to people, learn, but make up your own mind - dont blame others for bad advice - dont forget YOU are driving this car. It's on you buddy.
    14 - watch some games - stats will only get you so far - sometimes you need to see players in action.
    15 - we know your wife does not have an active FPL team. Stop it. It's fine. Many people have a second team for whatever reason.

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Hey! Cool! Completely forgot I did that 🙂

      1. boredjames
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I would say Suarez was worth 14 million.

        1. Randy_Marsh
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          He would have been this season if he stayed with LFC

        2. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          But not Rvp 🙂

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Very nice, amusing as well. Posting it in the Saturday morning rush is probably not the best idea though, when it's just a stream of questions and very little answers.

  26. Mak_Gold
      9 years, 7 months ago

      RMWCT:

      Mannone,
      Ivanovic, Clyne, Moreno,
      Sigurdsson, Fabregas, Sterling, Ramsey,
      Costa, Welbeck, Balotelli.

      Subs: Krul, Wilson, Wisdom, Boyd. (£0.1m in the bank)

      A) Play Krul or Mannone?
      B) Get Moreno or Lovren?
      C) Captain Costa, Balo or Sterling?

      Thanks! 🙂

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Manone
        Lovern
        For slightly more secure place
        Balo only one with no game time doubts, but at your own peril

    • NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Help please. A few steps here to finish.

      Forster / McCarthy
      Ivan / Moreno / Clyne / Naylor / Moore
      Siggy / Sterling / Fabs / ?? / ??
      Costa / ?? / ??

      A: Naismith + Aguero + Ramsey + Boyd … 0.2 ITB
      B: Naismith + Balotelli + ADM + Chadli/Zaha … 0.0 ITB

      C: Naismith + Balotelli + ADM + Boyd … 1.7 ITB to get Welbeck later
      D: Naismith + Rooney + Ramsey + Boyd .. 1.9 ITB to get Welbeck later

      E: Welbeck + Balotelli + ADM + Boyd … 0.1 ITB
      F: Welbeck + Rooney + Ramsey + Boyd … 0.3 ITB

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        A

      2. rickardinho
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Naismith Balotelli Ramsey Zaha, is that possible?

        1. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Yes, it is.

    • Koflok
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      So basically, Welbeck or Naismith?

      Potato

      1. FionnMac
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Same dilemna. Let me know what you decide. Was thinking Welbs but the extra £1.5m-ish might do a lot for my squad in future weeks...

        1. Koflok
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          I hav Naismith right now

    • davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      La Roja still around?

      If so, who to captain, Hazard or Sterling?

    • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I currently have Sterling as captain. I feel uncormfotable due to uncertainties over him playing 90 mins (According to comments supposedly made by BR). Someone shed more light pls..

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I read an article posted by someone yesterday and BR was talking about the need to protect Raheem at such an early age. However it was more based on protecting him from the pressures of football, the pressure the press can put him under (especially since he is English)

        He didn't mention anything about resting him. So in my opinion, he will start.