Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Blank Gameweek 18?

Fantasy Premier League managers face a difficult choice for the Blank Gameweek 18 captaincy.

Even before Monday’s fixture rearrangements for Spurs, Fulham and Aston Villa, differentiating between Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) was proving challenging for many.

Now that Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.8m) have been handed a favourable home fixture against underprepared opposition the debate has been thrown wide open.

More than ever, Fantasy managers need some help with the armband, which is where the Captain Sensible article comes in.

As always, we will look into the best options’ underlying statistics, comparing them against the defensive data of their upcoming opponents using the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area.

CAPTAIN POLL

Poll results before Spurs’ Aston Villa fixture was replaced with hosting Fulham

Captain poll results after Monday’s fixture rearrangements

KEY MATCHES

Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion

3,604 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Burnley only 3 goals conceded since start of December, not sure i'd hang my hat on a goal fest

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This. For that reason I went Lacca instead of Rash. In form and if I am going to punt on Ars time is now imho

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's why you own but don't captain 🙂

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

      As a united fan I don’t imagine there will be a goalfest. I will take a 1-0 happily

    4. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Those goals allowed at home, fwiw.

    5. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And the game before that they lost 5-0.

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        To another Manchester club 😉

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          And United are the only team left in the league undefeated away from home. I think united will get 2

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

      Last five PL games between Burnley and Man Utd at Turf Moor:
      Aggregate score 0-7

      Stack up on United's defence.

    7. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not only december even if you go further back, burnley don't concede much. But they concede more from good attacking teams like city chelsea and Leicester.

      Is united a good attacking team? Thats the real debate

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

    Already on a -4 (10 players no FH).

    What do I do with DCL, 1.8 itb?

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends who your 10 are, but personally shipping Dcl. No dgw as well

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Essentially the best fwd 8.5 under with best 18 and 19 fixtures.

        1. George Agdgdgwngo
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Who’s that?

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            That's what I am asking

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

            If he means dcl I think he's missed the hammy news.

            1. Gabbiadini
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Not playing hence why I need to trade.

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in a very similar position but only 8 players. Plan was to ship DCL to Ings for free next week, think I'm going to stick with that and just play my 8.

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ings would be my choice but Leeds game looks like being postponed.

  3. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feel like I’m going to regret not going both KDB + Sterling on FH this week...

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

    First to 5...Dias or Gundagon as third city? (I have KDB & Cancelo)
    GO

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo

    3. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo

  5. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Has anyone got any useful wildcard articles for me to have a read over? TIA

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

    -2 bgw players in the last 24 hours, but still not keen to FH.
    What would by the best way to approach both gw18 and 19?
    1) gw18: Salah Dcl -> Sterling Laca for -4
    gw19: Saka Brewster-> Souchek Adams/Antonio for -4. Play BB (no Salah for dgw)
    2) gw18: Salah Dcl -> Sterling Laca for -4
    gw19: Son Laca-> Salah Adams/Antonio for -4. No BB
    3) gw18: Dcl-> Laca
    gw19: Laca Saka Brewster-> Souchek Adams Antonio for -8 and BB
    4) gw18: Dcl-> Laca
    gw19: Laca Saka-> Souchek Adams/Antonio for -4. No BB

    Team atm:
    (Johnstone Martinez)
    Dier Stones (Dallas Coufal Justin)
    Son KdB Bruno Saka (Salah)
    Brewster (Dcl, Bamford)

  7. yalala
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Did they say who got the virus

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For who

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      need more context

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah loads.

  8. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH18 team:

    Lloris
    Cancelo Stones Holding
    KDB Bruno Son Rashford Saka
    Kane Wilson

    Bench: Brewster, Mitchell

    Rashford or Lacazette?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lacca

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      IMO Laca.
      Better option anyway this week, but can the extra cash get you from Holding to someone a bit more exciting like Tierney?

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

      Rashford has returned in every away game this season

  9. Right In The Stanchion
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Here’s a list of referees for GW18

    https://www.premierleague.com/news/1966354

    City v Brighton ref - https://www.whoscored.com/Referees/132/Show/Darren-England

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace ref - https://www.whoscored.com/Referees/107/Show/Andre-Marriner

    Spurs v Fulham ref - https://www.whoscored.com/Referees/95/Show/Paul-Tierney

    Burnley v Man Utd ref - https://www.whoscored.com/Referees/120/Show/Kevin-Friend

    Andre Mariner has given the most pens recently, also note Mike Dean is doing the VAR for the City game. Not sure if these stats matter much but always worth checking the refs.

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

    Is this worthy of a bb in 19?
    Ddg - martinez
    Cancelo -Dias - Zouma - Awb - dier
    Kdb - Bruno f - son - saka - Smith rowe
    Kane - wilson - Bamford

    A)yes
    B) no

    Trying to create a wc in 18, which is decent for 19 bb.
    Wilson would become Antonio in 19.

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a fan of both Saka and smith row

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

        Thinking is smith rowe is bench fodder most weeks.
        And saka seems decent value at 5.2.

        I do have 1.5 that could be used to upgrade either down the road.

        1. Chilli Heatwave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          To confirm, is this WC? If so, I’d agree looks good

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

            Yea, its a wc, that gives me a decent team for 18, and solid basis for 19(possible bb)
            Obvs drawbacks is no salah(or robbo).

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

      Think of it as Martinez, Saka, Smith-rowe, dier, not sure its worth a BB over other weeks

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

        True, arsenal and spurs have decent fixtures, even if they are single which is whats tempting me.

        Hard to know what way the season will unravel!

  11. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this FH team gtg?

    Darlow
    Cancelo - Stones - Tierney
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Rashford - Saka
    Kane - Wilson

    Sanchez - Brewster - Mitchell - 3.8

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would maybe go Lacca instead of Rash but cant blame you. Gtg.

  12. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How about this FH team:

    De Gea
    Tierney, cancelo, fernandez(Mitchell)
    Smith-rowe, Son, KDB, Rashford, Bruno
    Laca, kane(Davis)

    Bench and defence is weaker because i want to get kane and laca.

  13. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GK and defender combos. Which one? Best combo for 10.5 mill. No City.

    A) DDG + Bellerin
    B) DDG + dier
    C) lloris + shaw
    D) Leno + AWB
    E) darlow + Tierney

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

      Just for this gw on a fh?

      Id say they will all be very very close!

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just this GW on a FH yeah

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

          B.. but its a coin toss!

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      E

  14. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson or Steffen, who starts tomorrow?

    Currently on Steffen in FH and will have to downgrade a premium to change it around. I don't think it's really worth risking him not playing though.

    Pep made comments about Steffen being real competition for Ederson now but I think that was just a little smokescreen.

  15. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Darlow to start yea or no?

  16. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it now safe to hit the free hit button now!?

    1. yalala
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      hit me

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

    United haven't conceded a goal at Turf Moor since 2009.

    5 straight clean sheets. I want at least 1 United defender.

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer Spurs, Arsenal and double city but yeah decent cleanie chance i suppose.

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

        Definitely don't prefer Arsenal defense vs a pretty good attacking side in Palace.

        But yes to Spurs and City being better.

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah i guess, i just like Tierneys ceiling on a FH v a Utd defender.

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m looking at Awb. Who u thinking?

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

        Yeah AWB right now. I like that he's nailed and can pick up baps. Especially good if the game is low scoring.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire to finally get that goal from a corner?

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

        As a United fan.. we can dream on.
        The man is useless at attacking corners.

  18. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka and Foden

    Or

    Smith Rowe and Rash

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B imo

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

      B

  19. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth to keeo Grealish?

    Considering Grealish + DCL => Rashford + McGoldrick

    Then McG to Antonio in 19

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Surely someone better than Mg???

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        who for 5.4?

  20. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When reverting back to a non-free hit squad for the next GW, do you get your original budget back too?

  21. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lewis > AWB -4

    Yay or nay?

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Werner likely to play both games in 19.. Is he worth bringing back in as a differential..

    Tempted by Son/Lacazette to Salah Werner...

  23. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Cancelo + Darlow
    B) DDG + Stones

  24. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Wilson safe on FH? He didn’t play in the FA Cup as a precaution and seemingly no word on him in Bruce’s presser.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Avoiding because of this

  25. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) De Gea and Saka
    B) Ederson and Rowe

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A. Ederson as one of your city spots.... ha

  26. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going without Bruno @ FH?

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe you, don’t know about anyone else, I seriously doubt it. Why would you risk this - go find a punt somewhere else would be my advice. Lots will C too and EO will be high - too risky for me.

  27. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So antonio played 90 mins today. Anyone watch the game? Did he look sharp?

    Considering him for DGW19

  28. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I had Sterling as C but is this too risky now and should I revert to KDB either way I will VC Bruno just to spread the risk across two teams in the current environment

  29. Arsenal USA FC
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy - 4.0
    Stones Lowton - **Targett KWP Dallas**
    BFern Son ESR KDB - **Salah**
    Wilson - **DCL Bamford**
    _______
    1 FT - Should I play my FH?

  30. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    + or - changes