Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 4?

Jan Sienkiewicz was the king of the Fantasy Premier League captaincy in 2019/20, scoring a whopping 657 points from the armband, the second-highest in the whole world. He’s here to help once again, this time assessing the Gameweek 4 options.


For a second consecutive Gameweek, there is no standout favourite for the captaincy – which presents an opportunity for Fantasy Premier League managers to make real strides ahead of the international break.

The pool of armband candidates seems to be growing after an unpredictable start to the season, epitomised by Gameweek 3 which featured several unexpected outcomes.

They included Manchester City’s heavy loss to Leicester City, Chelsea’s struggles at The Hawthorns and Wolves’ capitulation at West Ham United. Such results have created enough caution among Fantasy managers to eradicate the possibility of a runaway favourite captain for Gameweek 4.

It is time to take advantage of that development and use it to get some big green arrows. In this latest Captain Sensible article, we will look into some of the top contenders, examine the defences they are about to face and try to identify which players might be worth avoiding. 

As the uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

The Fantasy Football Scout Captain Poll for Gameweek 4 sheds some light on the early trends, as Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.1m) are sitting quite comfortably in the top two spots with 22.6% and 19.0% of votes, respectively.

However, those household names account only for 41.6% of the so-called electorate. The majority of our users have decided to choose their captains from a large group of other options. 

Perhaps surprisingly, Raúl Jiménez (£8.6m) is currently the third most-popular choice with 10.2%. Despite an underwhelming performance at the London Stadium last week, which featured an own goal, many Fantasy managers are hoping the Mexican can make amends against a struggling Fulham side. 

In-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m) sits in fourth position, as the midweek hat-trick hero nods just ahead of Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Danny Ings (£8.4m). Each of this English strike-force trio gaining over 5.0% of the votes.

The top eight most-popular is closed by Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) and Chelsea’s Timo Werner (£9.4m), with both of those players receiving over 4.0% of votes. 

Further down the list, despite delivering in two of the opening three Gameweeks, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) and Sadio Mané (£12.0m) have been considered for the captaincy by only 3% and 2.8% respectively. 

With these figures in mind, let’s have a look at some of this week’s most important encounters…

KEY MATCHES

Leeds United v Manchester City

1,487 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner to:

    A) Ings
    B) Jimenez
    C) Lacazette
    D) Hold

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D one last chance IMO

    3. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for fixtures
      A for form

      avoid Laca doesn't get 90 mins

      would not hold - CFC not playing well enough (am a CFC fan)

    4. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking of D myself...

    5. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves our of sort? Maybe I’m
      fooling myself. A for me anyway.

    6. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B... those fixtures are sweet as!

    7. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  2. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Ings, Sterling, Taylor

    B) Jimenez, Barnes, Robertson

    Best option?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A with Jiminez, or are you priced out?

      1. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        priced out

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  3. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will dele still be a spurs player next week?

  4. The Wheeler Dealer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    is a kane or vardy really worth the investment at this stage of the season? Both super expensive but producing alot of points, and if the penalties keep raining down...

    Thinking of ways to pivot away from one of my 2 x 11.5-12m midfielders to upgrade to Kane or Vardy, but perhaps its a bit speculative, thoughts?

    1. thewakka
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its too early to tell

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m currently not biting.

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Kane looks like he could be on for his best season yet. Looked incredible last few games. Just needs to stay fit.

      Vardy is Vardy. Does nothing all game and gets 2pens. We always question if it’s sustainable and he always defied the odds.

  5. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hellooo all. Just played WC, 1FT 1.0 ITB - would you just roll FT to have 2 in the IB? Werner the main issue obviously, with DCL / Ings out scoring him, but 2FT could be nice...

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Taylor (Lamptey Mitchell)
    Salah KDB JRodriguez Foden Podence
    Werner Jimenez (Davis)

    🙂 thanks in advance as always!

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      hate to break it to you - you won't have a FT to roll....

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why?
        Ah I see sorry I was unclear. I wildcarded last week lol. Sometimes that factors in people’s responses when saying whether to hold on moves or not

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          honestly would be tempted by Werner to Ings. Palace are tight and have good record vs CFC

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I did Werner to DCL

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. On this form it’s scoring not owning him honestly - just feels a bit eggs/basket with JRod as well... can Everton keep this up? Heard Allan and Rich may be doubts too?

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Scary not scoring lol

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

      Um u played ur wildcard. Why would u have a free transfer to roll over

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        See other response - sorry that was unclear. By just, I meant last week

    4. Lestat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      keep Werner - he will score against Palace

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Man i hope so (unless I end up selling 😆 )

        1. Lestat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I am keeping him this week.....just a hunch

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah... gut kinda telling me that.

            Gut also told me to captain him last week tho lol - hope we don’t get a repeat of that ****

    5. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner ~> Ings is your best move.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If I had to make a move it’s probably be that. Just don’t know if maybe 2FT over the IB would be more beneficial, with no WC....

        1. AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          In that case, save FT.

    6. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think, for me, I like to save after a WC. I Werner may kick in if Pulisic plays.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah.. hope it doesn’t bite me in the you know what not getting Ings / DCL instead this week! I hope that’s the case

    7. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hold for me. That's a good team and Werner could do well this week.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers fella 🙂

  6. Lestat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best Option?

    A) Mahrez/Jimenez/Mitrovic

    B) Foden/Jimenez/Werner

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would like to say B as it’s exactly what I have. Probably B, but does depend on chelsea getting up and running

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes, Jimenez, Ings

  7. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Already used my FT:

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo Justin KWP
    KDB Salah Podence
    Jimenez Werner Adams

    (Steer Saka Mitchell Bissouma)

    A) Hold - G2G
    B) Werner to DCL (-4)
    C) Werner to DCL, Saka to Foden (-8)

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Lestat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      definitely A

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yikes not B.

  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is son to sterling (c) for -4 crazy?

    Otherwise it’s no hit and play Soucek

    1. Lestat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      go for it....the game is meant to be fun 😉

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Go for it imo

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, however, I rationalize -12 every game week.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If Son is 100% ruled out, I’d probably do the move.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        We got probably our last press conference before deadline. Mourinho refused to rule Son out but said very unlikely.

    5. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers

  9. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start one

    A) Soucek - LEI(A)
    B) Taylor - NEW(A)

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for me

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you start Lamptey(eve) or Taylor(new)?

    Currently on Taylor... the other could come in if Podence or anyone else out

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I just think I’d play Lamptey every week if I owned. So exciting to watch as a neutral must be even more fun as an owner!

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      id say Taylor, I have lampty and dunne, but good chance dunne is benched for burnly

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You reckon Tarkowski comes straight back in after injury and with the links away?

        Should I change Dunne to a different 4m on WC?

    3. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamptey

  11. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Maybe I'm really pessimistic, but this season will descend into chaos sooner rather than later the way things are going!
    Won't be helped with the internationals/europe competition starting up either.

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      How so?

      1. Leonard hatred
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Injuries, fixture congestion, rotation etc

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Currently have this on my WC but it’s constantly changing.

    Martinez
    Trent, Robertson, Castagne
    Salah, Kdb, Barnes, Trossard, Pereira
    Ings, Dcl

    Forster, Dunne, Davis, Mitchell/Ferguson

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Any thoughts?

    2. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get Jimenez

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sacrifice who?

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Downgrade Castagne to afford Jim?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Castagne is hard to lose at the moment... in order to do Ings to Jimenez (which I’m not sure is best) is by:

        A) Salah to Manè
        B) Barnes to Foden
        C) Trossard/Pereira to Klich

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Or D as you suggested, Castagne to ____

        2. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          A Salah on pens
          B Barnes more nailed, better stats
          C Yeah that could work

          I think there is other def options that can match Castagne

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I like those boys as my little gems in the rough. Such a hard call.

          2. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Which defenders are you thinking of that can match Castagne at a lower price?

            1. Henryyy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Saiss Boly Semedo Coleman

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                3x Wolves in that. They may match him for points come end of season but Leicester are currently firing on all cylinders and I can’t say the same for Wolves.

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When does the transfer window close?

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which one? GTS

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      5th Oct

  14. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Guys, keep Son or take out for Barnes -4? Already made my FT.

    Martinez, Steer
    James, Saiss, Robbo, Lamptey, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB, Son, Foden, Podence
    DCL, Jimi, Brewster.

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Play Lamptey

  15. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Bamford, Sterling
    B) Jimenez, Barnes

    Really want to captain Sterling....

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  16. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Son Brewster to Ings Trossard for a hit?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      would mean I can start benching Soucek as well

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      why sell Brewster now it looks like he'll be moving?

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I see the Brewster news stagnating tbh theres only 5 days left in the window, unless I've missed something

        1. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          5 days is plenty. Not stagnated, sheff u keen. I don't see the point in selling before window closes otherwise why have him in first place

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Change of formation I guess

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son to Barnes?

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good

  17. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Gabriel owners you holding? Will he get his place or will be a season long battle with Luiz.

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get out

  18. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Ayling or Stevens?
    Stevens has a better chance of a cs but chances are neither will come close to one

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stevens

  19. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The journalists asking managers questions during press conferences always embarrass themselves.

    They say these long meandering statements that lead nowhere and give the manager very little to work with. And every single time, I hear them ask managers about players they don't have yet and transfer speculation which is always, always rebuked.

    It's as if they suffer from amnesia and never learn any lessons from doing hundreds of these press conferences and yet keep repeating the same useless questions. Listening to these press conferences to try and get news is painful as a result. I was a journalism major with emphasis on the 'was' because by god, they are useless at their job and egotistical to the point of always wanting to hear their own voice.

    How hard is it to ask:
    "Congratulations, Jose. Tell us more about who is available for this weekend against Manchester United. Is Son available?"

    End of rant.

    1. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I bow to your superior knowledge of long meandering statements that go nowhere

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        *doffs cap emoji* 😆

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        How clever...

        Anyway, trawled through the dross tonight and basically...

        Mourinho refused to rule Son out for this weekend. He says it's unlikely he'll play but he won't rule him out 100% because Son is determined.

  20. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Davies to Saiss for free? Need a one week punt before I WC. Max 5.3mil defender.

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good option, or James maybe.

    3. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’d go Justin if you don’t have him since it’s a one week punt, Lei defenders score points and Wolves defence doesn’t seem too stable atm with the new players still trying to adapt

  21. Lestat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    will Werner be dropped for Hudson-Odoi this wknd?

    front 4 of Abraham, Mount, Havertz Hudson Odoi seems likely to me.........

    1. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      based on what? Managers don't pick their team based on who's played the most minutes

      1. Lestat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Abraham, Mount, Havertz seem nailed for this weekend.....so it comes down to Hudson Odoi or Werner......Odoi did very well when he came on last weekend and Lampard could be persuaded to start him.....

  22. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender ?
    A_Ayling
    B_Dallas
    C_Taylor

    1. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prob Dallas as Dunne at 4.0 covers Taylor short term

  23. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What were the Pool Arsenal talking points if any?

    Injuries?

    Rests coming this weekend for anyone?

    Cheers all

  24. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This is my team for this weekend (cost -4)

    Guiata
    James Justin TAA
    KDB Sterling Podence Willian
    Werner DCL Bamford

    Nyland Mitchell ASM Egan

    Problem is, I was planning to WC over the int’l break and have the exact funds for the squad below but 4-5 of my planned picks are on the cusp of a price rise. So do I stick with the above or activate WC? Thanks for the steer.

    Guiata
    Robbo Justin TAA
    KDB Mane Podence Trossard
    Wilson Vardy Bamford

    Nyland Perreira Mitchell Lamptey

  25. Bloodnose_The_Pyrate
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son, Mitro, Werner to:

    A. Foden, Ings, Werner (hold)
    B. Foden, Jimenez, Werner (hold)
    C. Mahrez, Mitro (hold), Ings
    D. Mahrez, Mitro (hold), Jimenez
    E. Foden, Ings, Jimenez

    Which one?

    Rationale being that all of these players are facing the weakest defences of WBA, Leeds and Fulham this week.

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  26. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A)Robbo and Castagne
    or
    B) TAA and Saiss

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  27. Ams3014
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz and Kane vs Fernandes and Jimenez

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      EasyB.

    2. CBonci
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I agree with B. On WC? I wouldn’t do it for a hit, though.

      1. Ams3014
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah it would be a hit

  28. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Something holding me back from Werner to Ings and carrying free transfer with this team. Am I going to regret this by 2-15 on Saturday......?!

    Rodriguez
    TAA Saïss James
    Salah KDB (c) Podence Foden
    Werner DCL Jiménez

    Button Lamptey Mitchell Burke

    1. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings stats have been worse than Werner so far.

  29. wattalowz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are Son keepers:

    A) playing in the hope that he’ll start..
    B) benching to avoid a potential cameo

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's either fit or unfit imo.

      Start him and if he's out have a decent autosub.

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dont own Son but i would go A

  30. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner and wilson

    To

    Jiminez and dcl

    Worth-4?x

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yay