Captains

Captain Sensible – Gameweek 23 a one-sided affair after Kane injury

The recent injury to Tottenham’s main man Harry Kane has reduced the Gameweek 23 captaincy debate to a one-sided affair.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah appears the favourite ahead of this weekend’s deadline but it is still worth digging deeper.

In this latest Captain Sensible article, we analyse how each Fantasy Premier League asset has performed for underlying statistics for the last four Gameweeks, also examining the team they play for and the side they are facing…

Captain Poll

Mohamed Salah (13.4m) has completely and utterly dominated the Gameweek 23 captain poll, looking set for the biggest winning margin of the season.

The Egyptian has so far managed to garner support from 64% of voters, at the current time of writing.

Those that have plumped for him as the best option will obviously be looking at his form over the last seven Gameweeks, which has seen him score a total of 72 points.

Liverpool host Crystal Palace this week in a fixture that gives Jurgen Klopp’s men a strong chance of three points.

Likely because of Harry Kane‘s (£12.5m) recent injury, which will see him out until March, our voters don’t really see a viable alternative to Salah.

That is clearly shown by the fact that currently second in our poll is Paul Pogba (£8.5m) with just over a 6% share.

The Manchester United man could certainly prove a handy differential skipper in Gameweek 23. He has produced an attacking return in all but one league match since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford, and this week the Red Devils host Brighton.

Marcus Rashford (£7.5m) is also receiving similar attention, convincing 4.5% of our voters to suggest he is the best captain this weekend.

The England international has in four of the last five matches, and has assisted twice more. On current form, he seems to have held off competition from Romelu Lukaku (£10.7m) and seems to be the most popular replacement for Kane among the FPL community.

Interestingly, Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) is considered the most popular captain option from Manchester City, despite the form of Gabriel Jesus (£10.1m).

He has 3.8% backing in the poll, keeping him ahead of Leroy Sané (£9.6m) on 2.4% and Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) on 1.8%.

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1,552 Comments Post a Comment
  1. NorwEagles
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Had two FTs, did TAA to Digne. Now I'm really torn. Should I go Hazard to Sané or roll the transfer? I have no other City or Chelsea players except Ederson.

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'd keep Hazard. Arsenal's defence is hilarious.

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. CAPTAIN_WALES
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        this

  2. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Hazard > sterling(c) -4
    B) keep hazard, sane(c)

    Own Salah too but prefer a city player for captain this week

    1. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Then B.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B and Captain Salah bro. I respect you dont want to play safe but a Salah haul will put you back.

    2. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

  3. Ahmed Adam
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    does Peterson and Arnold to Robertson and Pogba -8?

    1. The_Fish
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Peterson?

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        *Pedersen
        Morten Gamst

    2. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      *Paterson I believe

  4. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on: Kane and Felipe Anderson --> Aguero and Pogba

    1. The_Fish
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero a risk - Jesus in great form.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Good moves.

      Would be slightly worried about Aguero's playing time though with Jesus being in such good form

  5. Kuzser
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Current team on -4. Gtg or any hits required (lingard->pogba)?

    FAB
    Robbo Digne Pereira
    Sane hazard Salah Anderson lingard 
    Rashford Jimenez

    Subs: awb, kamara, schindler

  6. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Has the injury of TAA actually been confirmed by Liverpool? Cause those speculation of 4 weeks is based on some kind of newspaper or am I wrong?

    1. Gaffa914
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      confirmed by a hugely reliable source

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        That it will be four weeks?

        1. Gaffa914
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          yes

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers!

  7. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on TAA + Auba > Robertson + Rash for - 8?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not for a -8

      1. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, Bennett and Auba. Would be my starting two otherwise

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, I think you're more than OK there.

  8. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Try as I might, I can't find a way to squeeze Alli into this team while retaining a Liverpool defender that isn't Matip. So I'll wait for the pressers, of course, but this is the best balance I could come up with.

    Etheridge
    Robbo - Digne - Doherty
    Salah (v) - Sane (c) - Pogba - Moura
    Auba - Rashford - Jimmy

    Speroni, Nasri, W-B, Connolly

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      0.3 ITB FWIw

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Could downgrade Auba to Firmino if you really wanted alli

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I could, I suppose. I like Lucas, though, when he does play, especially if he's essentially taking Kane's spot.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for presser, news on bargains like Lamela & Moura

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Don't fancy Lamela, but yeah, Moura would be a keeper for at least the next month and change if he nails down Kane's spot.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Lamela has an eye for goal & very selfish which is good for fpl points?

  9. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play? Both at home
    A) Doherty vs Leicester
    B) Hobleas vs burnley

  10. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Play Rich (sou) or Jimenez (LEI)?

    On Jim for now, on penalties, at home and SOU defence has been looking fairly solid recently.

    Anyone want to change my mind?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Jimmy, surely.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Play both.

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Similar attacking threat over the last four, however start Richarilson because SOU defense looks atrocious. Richarilson will get one more point for a goal plus the possibility of a point with a cs.

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

    GTG?
    Patricio
    Pereira Robbo Holebas
    Salah(C) Pogba Haz Anderson Rich
    Firmino Rashford
    Hamer Bennet AWB Kamara

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Playing Pereira (away) instead of Bennett (home)? That's...bold.

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        WOL are more likely to concede imo. I think it's the right move and Pereira offers a great attacking threat.

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          If Puel rolls out the mid three of Choudhury, Mendy and Ndidi like he did AT HOME to SOU, no chance. I was at the match, looked absolutely dire.

          1. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I think Puel is smart enough not to repeat the same mistake twice.

    2. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Potentially OOP and I have Pat in goal, spreading the risk I guess.

  12. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed:

    A) Eriksen & Jiminez
    B) KDB & Jiminez
    C) Hazard & Jiminez
    D) Sane & Rashford
    E) KDB & Rashford

    Pls help.

    To the user that kindly said D, I've owned Sane during 4/5 blanks and 2 benchings and worried that will be the story if his season with Mahrez very productive when he plays. Am I right in thinking that when KDB is in full flow he will displace Bernado Silva for pretty much all league games?

  13. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Time for some player score predictions for this week:

    Sterling (hud)
    Sané (hud)
    Haz (ars)
    Salah (CRY)

    What do you reckon?

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling (hud) - 7
      Sané (hud) - 1 (Bench)
      Haz (ars) - 3
      Salah (CRY) - 14

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Oof that doesn’t help me decide if Haz to Sterling double up with Sané for -4 is worth the punt!

      2. Son is Rising
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Get out of here with your Sane bench nonsense 😆

    2. Son is Rising
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling 20
      Sane 15
      Haz 15
      Salah 5

      I'm still captaining Salah ):

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Lol that would be fairly epic.
        I’m trying to decide if a punt on Haz to Sterling to go alongside Sané is worth a hit

        Assuming not!

        1. Son is Rising
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I'm in the same boat. If Haz was playing at home against some crap team I'd do it. Away to Arsenal is prime for him to troll sellers though unfortunately. I'm also scared not to captain Salah. Sterling is missing GW 27 too so hit in to take out soon feels bad man.

          1. Son is Rising
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            You and I have the same front 7 by the way. I did Son to Sane, I presume you have (or are doing) Kane > Rashford, Snoddy > Sane

            Pog Martial Haz Salah Sane
            Wilson Rashford

          2. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Exactly why I haven’t done it yet!

            Now cue a Sané 3 pointer!

  14. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Captain sane or sterling? Heart says sterling, head says sane. Thanks.

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Why head? In the last 5 games Sane has scored 2, 2, 1, 10, 8. One of those being 6 minutes. Just because he's returned well the last 2 weeks means nothing to Pep and he could well sit one out.

      No Salah?

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No salah.

        And because he feels less benchable in the current situation just because of offering width on the left.

  15. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Deli Alli (c).

    Season pretty much over for me anyway. Salah blanks then happy days.

  16. boc610
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    just cant help but feel that no city attacking assets this week (of which I have none..yet) = a red arrow

    their xg is off the charts for this game, it could be 5,6 +

  17. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Anything better currently than Success as a striker bench fodder around hi price?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Niasse 5.0 if he goes to Cardiff

  18. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    G2G this week? Bench correct?

    Fab
    Shaw - Doherty - Digne
    Salah (c) - Sterling - Pogba - Richarlison
    Auba - Rashford - Jiminez

    Hamer - Kiko - AWB - Gunarsson

  19. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Firmino or Auba replacement for Kane?
    I have No Salah!

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Firmino in that case.

  20. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Kane to Aguero seems a no brainer. What's the consensus?

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      High risk - Jesus in form.
      Plus, Pep likes to play a striker for 65-70 mins. So even if Ageuro starts expect him to not play full 90

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This. Also, spend the money in midfield, more bang for buck.
        Rashford the best option up front if you don't already have him.

        1. Lebowski85
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I would do, but that would require another sub. Already got Rashford & Jiminez. I fancy taking a punt. Aguero looked ace against Liverpool.....Jesus does have form though. Hmmm

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Nah too risky

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kane ~> Auba.

  21. Yoyoyoman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Jimmy or Deeney for next few weeks before I decide to WC?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Jimmy

    2. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Deeney

  22. Shaw must go on
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Greetings from Portugal,Nice weekend to everyone...
    I really need advice here..

    GUAITA
    Alonso,Bennet,Digne,TAA,YOSHIDA
    Hazard,Salah,Rich,Martial,Camarasa
    Rashford,Jimenez,Arnautovic
    0 ft,5.4 itb

    any updates on Guaita?? need to get rid of yoshida and taa and probably Arnie...but what i really wanna do this week for a -4 is swap Martial with Pogba..afraid he will be rested for Sanchez... what do u guys think??sorry if the post its confusing...

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Just replace Guaita so you have a full playing 11. Camarasa can come in for Martial if worst comes to worst and you’re not spending more than -4

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Palace press conference at 1:15pm UK time.

      1. Shaw must go on
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        cheers lads...Aprecciate it..

  23. SUPER 11
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Will John stones play GW23?

  24. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who Is likely to start?
    A. Kun
    B. Jesus
    C. Both

    Cheers

    1. SUPER 11
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Jesus

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Jesus until Pep loses faith. Aguero will be subbed in with 30 mins to go until then.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think Aguero extremely likely to start and will happily gamble -4. Makes way more sense that Kun gets this game

  25. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Fabianski
    Shaw, Doherty, Digne
    Salah (c), Hazard, Richarlison, Pogba
    Auba, Rashford, Jiménez

    Button, Højbjerg, AWB, TAA*

    -4, 0.1 ITB

    1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Looks strong.

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It looks great. Hopefully Shaw will start coming good for you

  26. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    ??
    A) Alonso +4
    B) Robbo

    1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Probably keep Alonso. Bring Robbo in for free next week?

    2. balint84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      keep

  27. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one.

    A) Jimenez
    B) Doherty

    1. balint84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      b

  28. PukkiBlinder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Last wildcard pick? Already have Jimmy and Rash.

    A- Ings
    B- Deeney
    C- Rondon
    D- Barnes

    1. balint84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      b

    2. SUPER 11
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Deeney

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Barnes looks good.

    4. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

  29. balint84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    my -4 team

    Ederson
    Luiz-Diop-Robbo
    Hazard-Salah(C)-Fraser-Rich-Bilva
    Firmino-Rashford

    subs: patricio,awb,kamara,boly

    gtg?

  30. Mayo for Sam
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What are people doing with Wilson, holding or shipping?

    ""Callum, from his hamstring, has been on the grass once this week, so we're going to have to make a very late call on him"

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Holding.
      But I don't expect him to start tomorrow from those comments.
      Still think their are legs in the transfer story.