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Captain Sensible – FPL Gameweek 1

Fantasy Premier League managers face a number of selection quandaries as they put the finishing touches to their squads ahead of tonight’s 19:00 BST deadline, one of which, of course, concerns who to captain.

While one, all-too-familiar name leaps out as the leading candidate for the armband this week, there are plenty of other FPL assets whose cases ought to be presented.

We will first assess the fallout of the Gameweek 1 Captain Poll, then analyse the Opta data and Rate My Team (RMT) ratings ahead of this evening’s curtain-raiser at Old Trafford.

The Captain Poll

The percentage of votes cast for Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) in the Fantasy Football Scout Captain Poll actually outstrips his ownership in FPL, with 59.1% of the nominations on our site heading the way of the Egyptian.

Liverpool put a combined eight goals past this weekend’s opponents, West Ham United, in two league meetings last season, with Salah registering three of those strikes.

The Hammers’ defensive record was the joint-worst in the top flight in 2017/18 (68 goals conceded) and though Manuel Pellegrini has strengthened his backline with the acquisitions of Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena (all £4.5m) and Ryan Fredericks (£5.0m), the Chilean manager’s reputation for playing attacking football doesn’t suggest the Irons will completely close ranks at Anfield on Sunday.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino (both £9.5m) are alternative captaincy picks for the Reds, with 4.4% and 3.5% of the communal vote respectively. Both players were on target in the 4-1 home victory over the Hammers last season, while Mane also provided two assists in the reverse fixture in east London.

With 7.9% of the FFS vote, Sergio Aguero (£11.0m) is a distant second in our Captain Poll behind the runaway Salah.

The Argentinian striker’s brace in the Community Shield win over Chelsea last weekend has seen his FPL ownership soar, with Aguero outstripping Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) to become the fourth-most popular forward option in the game and featuring in 30% of Gameweek 1 squads.

While a trip to the Emirates poses a stern test, it should be said that City comfortably beat the Gunners on their own turf last season, with Aguero picking up an assist in that 3-0 victory. The striker also scored from the spot in the 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.

It should also be noted that the Gunners’ first home matches in the past two seasons have been seven-goal thrillers, with Arsenal prevailing 4-3 against Leicester City in 2017/18 and losing out to Liverpool by the same scoreline the preceding campaign.

A repeat of those scorelines would surely spell FPL points for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), who has garnered over 1,000 votes to become the third-most popular captaincy selection (5.2%) of the Gameweek.

A rare beast among premium forwards this season in having the summer off from international duty – of the nine strikers priced at £9.0m or above, only he, team-mate Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) and Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (£9.0m) weren’t involved in the World Cup – Aubameyang would also appear to be as close to rotation-proof as any of the heavy hitters in attack.

The one concern is Aubameyang’s starting position, with the possibility of the Gabonese forward being stationed on the left flank to accommodate Lacazette in attack.

That being said, no forward scored more goals than the former Borussia Dortmund striker (ten) after his debut in Gameweek 26 last season. Aubameyang also has six goals to his name in pre-season, the same amount as Lacazette.

Leicester City’s problems in central defence – Harry Maguire (£5.5m) having just returned from his post-World Cup break and Jonny Evans (£5.0m) facing a late fitness test before tonight’s match at Old Trafford – could mean that the somewhat unconvincing partnership of Yohan Benalouane (£4.0m) and Wes Morgan (£4.5m) might be pressed into action at the heart of the Foxes’ backline.

That would increase the appeal of Alexis Sanchez (£10.5m), who has attracted 4.8% of the vote in our Captain Poll. The Chilean midfielder was Manchester United’s form player in pre-season, scoring on two occasions and setting up another goal.

Only four sides had a leakier defence last season than Leicester, who shipped more Premier League goals (60) than relegated West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City.

Harry Kane (£12.5m), curiously, has attracted almost 3% of the FFS community’s nominations, despite doubts about his pitch-time following a belated return to training on Monday. The “August drought” – Kane has failed to find the net in 13 league appearances in this month – also hasn’t deterred well over 600 voters from backing the England striker for the armband.

Mid-price forwards Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) and Joshua King (£6.5m) have some backing (all around the 1% mark), following their successful pre-seasons. Arnautovic, whose West Ham side face a tricky trip to Anfield this weekend, found the back of the net on five occasions over the summer, while King and Zaha both scored four summer friendly goals.

King’s fixture is perhaps the most appealing, with newly promoted Cardiff City the visitors to the south coast. Zaha and Palace, meanwhile, make the trip to west London to face Fulham.

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1,681 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lord_Bendtner
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Best way into the Liverpool defence? TAA, Robbo or Van Dijk

    1. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Robbo

    2. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Robbo

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Alisson is great shot stopper also worth a thought

  2. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Please help me.... Rest of my playing back 5 is Shaw- Luiz - Mendy- Wan - Bissaka
    A. Ederson & Robertson
    B. Allison & Davies
    C. Van Aanholt and upgrade Wan- Bissaka to a 4.5 defender?
    D.Downgrade G.K to upgrade Wan-Bissaka?

    Cheers

    1. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A easy

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you that was my preference I was just unsure. If you need any opinions give me a shout

  3. Jatz10
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Hi All

    Please rate my team :

    Stekelenburg
    Arnold Jagielka Daniels
    Salah B.Silva Mkhi Townsend
    Firmino Lacazette Aguero

    Ederson, Neves, Was Bissaka, Peltier

    Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Your whole defence is too risky

      Also b Silva a doubt now surely

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Like the Townsend pick I think he'll do well but I agree some risky selections there

    3. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Townsend is a good differential, has been excellent end of last season and all pre-season. Weighing it up myself.

  4. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5.5 striker?

    1. Squib
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Ings I reckon

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Comment your team so I can copy, cheers

    1. The Gobstopper
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      My team is great. I love it. ; )

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No chance Berbs, I’ve gotta top you this year 😉

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Git 😛

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      your team so I can copy

    4. Slurpy
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      your team

  6. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    KDB and Sterling are fit to play. That doesnt mean they will play. Interesting year ahead

  7. Oven Glover
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Can we please have a special article on whether to get KDB or not, please. And hire another task force to point posters to the right article. The RMT police have caved in so they won’t be able to help.

    1. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Lol

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      RMT police are stretched. I think they have lost the war.

    3. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      😆 this

  8. ng259
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    foster
    pva/mendy/robbo
    salah/mahrez/richarlison/cairney
    aguero/firmino/zaha

    fab/AWB/Bednarek/Westwood

    Do I need Mane in this team instead of Mahrez and then Lacazette instead of Firmino (would mean getting rid of rotation keeper and just having 1 4.5)

    Talk me into or out of it please!

  9. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Who to start
    A) Cairney
    Or
    B) Neves

    1. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

  10. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What time is the FPL deadline? (My timezones on the site are messed up so a little confused)

    1. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      4.5 hours from now

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      4 and a half hours from now.

    3. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      7pm UK

    4. Fred the Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers!!

    5. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      8pm CEST

  11. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Which option would you prefer? Why?

    A) Mahrez Kamara [352]
    B) Cairney (or other 5.0M mid) Arnie [343]

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going B

  12. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Transfer scenario:

    Barca sign Pogba for £60m + Dembele.

    Despite the (un)likelihood of his, is it possible for United to sign the swapped player now the deadline has passed?

    Would Demeble become a United player but just not be able to be registered for PL and domestic cups?

    1. MarvelouSuccess
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      It's not happening

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Well I could tell you that too... it’s just a scenario. I wanted to know if the swapped player could be signed, or would he only be available for CL until January when he can register for PL?

        1. Invincibles
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          PL clubs cannot sign any more players so no.

  13. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Panic Panic

    I like this.

  14. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Shaw likely to start? Want a temporary Lovren replacement.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

  15. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Why does bookies advantage give Hughes scoring a goal high probability, FPL calculator indicates he is going to do the best from that pricerange against Brighton. When the stats from last season where not that impressive and other players from same pricerange did it better?

    Something missing?

    Cheers

  16. s7scf
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Please let me know your thoughts:

    DDG
    Wan-Bissaka, Mendy, Robertson
    Salah, Mane, B.Silva, Jota
    Zaha, Aguero, King
    Speroni, Tomkins, Peltier, Ward

  17. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Those of you not going in with KDB & Pog are you not worried you will be spending the next few weeks trying to get them in?

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you perma captain Rondon there is no value in picks that expensive.

    3. Ninja Fury
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Have Sanchez > KDB linned up if needed!

  18. Dillonb93
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Who does everyone think is the best 5million defender?! Can’t decide between shaw and Keane myself

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Sakho or TAA

      1. Dillonb93
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Already got Tomkins & Robertson...

        1. thegame983
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Digne? Otherwise just get a 4.5

          1. thegame983
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Actually get a Burnley defender

  19. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Last call for FPL Draft:

    Code to join this league: 101841-27657

    2-8 man
    60 minutes pick time
    Player trades: manager veto
    Classic scoring

    Starts in 5 minutes (14.30 London time)

  20. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Which do you think is better ?

    A. TAA, Richarlison, Arnie Aubameyang

    B.
    Baily, Cairney, Firmino, Laccazette

  21. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A. Ings
    B. Jimenez

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Jiminez (for now)

    2. Hestefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

  22. Dele
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    All set!

    Patricio,
    Mendy, Robertson, PVA,
    Salah(c), KDB, Richy, Jota
    Aguero, Zaha, King

    Hamer, Cairney, Boly, AWB

  23. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Cairney or Ralls?

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      cairney imo

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Ralls for me

      1. thegame983
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I think Ralls. He takes all set pieces as far as I know

  24. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A) tomkins arnie
    B) shaw mitrovic

    cheers

    1. FlytzoBazooka
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

  25. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    In order of preference, what you reckon?

    Mane
    Eriksen
    Mahrez
    Sane

    1. FlytzoBazooka
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mane
      Eriksen
      Sane
      Mahrez

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      You have it right

    3. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      short term mane mahrez erik sane but long term i think mane erik sane mahrez

    4. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      That exact order

  26. Pap Boomez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    % chance of TAA starting GW1?

  27. Fassy
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Any news on Bailly his fitness?

  28. Tarzan
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Jota or mkhi?

  29. cheekumz
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Pogba in 9% of teams... any chance the masses see he doesn't play GW1 (assuming he doesnt) get him out and we see a cheeky drop?

  30. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Walker, Mendy & Kun a good way to go for the first few weeks and avoid the City minefield?

    Probably can't afford KDB for now and the other mids look pretty risky

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Ederson Mendy Kun.