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. mlm
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I am planning WC18 BB19...

    DDG (Martinez)
    Dias Cancelo Tierney AWB (Coufal)
    KDB Bruno Son Saka (Raphinha)
    Kane Wilson (Bamford)

    ITB 0.0, GTG?

  2. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Shaw, Lindelof or Davies?

    Only have 4.8m.

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shaw.

    2. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tusnzebe

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Lindelof comes back in IMO, Ole loves him.

  3. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Fpl blackbox is what scoucast used to be. Was great episode once again

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That's just the mark effect

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably

    2. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      nice cheers.

  4. Judders
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Getting ready for GW18. Have 2FT and was hoping to use them and hold chips but think I'll have to use the FH chip. Only players I have with a fixture are Mitchell, Bruno, Son, Stones, and DCL who is probably injured. Should just pull the trigger. Was going to take a -4 but more sense to field a full 11 with the Free hit? Pull the trigger?

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pull it

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yup

  5. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is FPL statistics down for anyone else? It's saying invalid search or initializing table - i scrolled down and saw that this can happen if your IP is blocked but I have no idea why that would ever happen as I'm not using python or scripting tools that it mentions can cause it. Only just happened today after working fine earlier on

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

      Fine for me

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Try different browser or clear cache maybe.

  6. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On the back of Camzy's post about Sterling, tempted by the punt. Exact cash to do this but not if I wait until the press conference.

    Pull the trigger now?

    Leno
    Cancelo Dier Yedlin
    KDB Son Bruno Sterling ESR
    Kane Laca

    (Sondergaard, Davis Mitchell Douglas)

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I honestly wouldn't risk it with more pep info beforehand

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        without

        1. Teahupo'o
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers. It is quite risky and there's always the chance that Pep is evasive about Sterling.

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Link to post please mate? I was all set to do Salah -- £ and DCL - Cavani until I heard £ is a risk

        1. Evil Greg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          that's fair enough what he said...need pep info...

  7. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Saka or gundogan?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gundogan but I kinda want both

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why Gundo?

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Dem recent xG numbers

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    best fodder midfielder 4.7 and below not named smith rowe this week?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anguissa.

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anguissa

    3. vova
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anguissa?

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

      Anguissa is rumoured to have had COVID, nothing confirmed, but just for anyone reading.

  9. vova
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Cancelo Dier Stones
    KDB (C) Fernandes Son Saka
    Kane (VC) Laca Wilson
    Steer ESR Mitchell Douglas

    Good to go?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same first XI as me. Hope you smash it 🙂

      1. vova
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        haha thanks bro! You too! Kinda want Rashford but I do prefer to have a stronger bench.

        1. Luton_Fan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yep same, very tempted by rash over laca.

          1. vova
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I do think Burnley can keep it tight at home though.

  10. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Imagine the uproar in here if City concede vs Brighton lol

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I really want Wilson to miss a penalty to punish those making such a horrible pick!

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Definitely not a horrible pick.

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Penalty merchant playing for a poor team

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

        That's a bit sad.

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hardly

  11. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson or Gundogan on free hit?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Both

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        na like the rest of my attackers

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gundo

  12. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start awb or saiss?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Awb

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

    So this is where I am on FH. Would be interested to hear any thoughts, but I think I'm probably done.
    DDG
    Tierney Davies Cancelo
    Bruno Son KdB Zaha Neto
    Kane Laca
    4.0 Brewster Coady Mitchell

    Only Davies is a real risk, but Coady's 2 points are there as a back up.
    (0.1 short for Saiss)

    Good luck everyone. See you on the other side.

  14. JayKay1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Final draft FH, hopefully 14 starters from 15, just in case re: rotation, Foden is my one real punt (over the template Saka) - was maybe going to risk Aguero, but unsure he'll be cleared to play when I learnt he was isolating...

    DDG | (Whoever)
    Stones | Tierney | Dier | (Coady) | (Mitchell)
    KdB (C) | Bruno | Foden | Son | (Anguissa)
    Kane (VC) | Laca | Wilson

    Locked and loaded?

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

      I should say so

      1. JayKay1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I see we're not miles apart ;o)

        You sure Davies (Spurs?) will get a start?

        And from your name, you a Leics lad, like myself, or was it just a nice play on words?

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

          Its a play on words, nothing more. Plus I always played CDM, so a bit of recognition for the engine room never hurts.
          Davies has played 90 mins in 3 of the last 4 in the league, and was taken off early in the cup, replaced by Reguilon, so I'm thinking he will. If he does, he could go quite big. If he doesn't, I've got a bench.

          1. JayKay1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Fair play ;o)

            Having a decent bench a must I feel, even on FH, so we think alike...

            Good luck this week mate!

  15. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    GW 18 Options:

    A) FH
    B) Start 7 players plus a -4 hit (Pope Dias Anguissa KDB Bruno Son Kane )

  16. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to go for as the last defender:

    A) Saiss
    B) Dier
    C) Maguire

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

      If you are FH in 18 I would go Saiss. If not, I would go for Maguire as has the DGW in 19.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH = Saiss
      If not = AWB (Maguire on 4 yellows).

  17. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL to either Martial or Wilson for -4?

    I'm still undecided about FHing in 19, so maybe Martial? (would mean no Salah though!)

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd punt on Martial or possibly Cavani.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well, Cavani probably won't play both in 19 if I decide not to FH, so probably Martial then?
        Thanks.

  18. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio looking good for the DGW?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He played a game without getting injured and they don't have any other strikers. It's a risk, but with Adams likely having no DGW I'll probably punt on the West Ham man.

    2. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I got him in a couple of weeks ago for this reason... 90 mins tonight with croacking himself, and they've sold the other bloke, so half decent chance he'll get 2 * 90... Worth a punt at £6m-0ish (I thought) when planning for DGW19...

    3. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Haller sold, yep

    4. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good question. He played 90mins in the FA Cup tonight, but didn't look great. If he had scored tonight, or at least looked dangerous I would definitely have brought him in for the DGW. May still be worth a punt, but it is definitely a punt.

  19. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Saka or ESR?

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

      Saka, unless you really need the extra money.

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

    Think I've settled on
    Lloris
    Tierney Stones Cancelo
    KDB( c ) Son Bruno Saka
    Lacazette Kane Wilson

    Yedlin Mitchell Anguissa

    Thoughts lads.
    Any glaring problems?

  21. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How's this first FH draft? Could potentially downgrade a City defender to Stones to raise funds or alternatively go double City attack...

    Wasn't planning on FHing but the Villa postponement has killed me:

    Lloris (4.0)
    Cancelo Dias Saiss Tierney
    KDB Bruno Saka Son
    Kane Laca
    (Brewster Burke Mitchell)

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Template, so very strong.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty much perfect

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

      Similar to me. I've Wilson and one less defender.

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

      I’d want Stones and a Utd defender over Dias and Saiss

  22. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Zouma to AWB for a hit?

    Thinking it's more like a -2 this week and will be a longer-term hold. Have 3 City and 6 players at the mo for GW18 if it helps.

    1. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Just 6? Bit of a risk with the amount of FHs that will be played for v strong starting 11...

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I have the core big hitters and double City defence in that 6. Think I have a decent chance of hitting 40+ points. I'll save the FH for later.

        1. JayKay1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          OK, but depends on players in your ML (if that's your focus)... If ManC conceed, where you at? I'm expecting 70+ from my FH squad, who knows where we'll be later in season when FH is usually a strong play (which is why I would usually hold, but not this season)...

        2. JayKay1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          By which I mean with Covid there could be DGW / BGW spread all over the place and no really obvious FH GW to target like in previous years, so decided (on the balance of probabilities) that this was the week to pull the plug myself...

          Maybe I'll regret it, but only had 3 maybe 4 starters myself ;o)

          1. Phil's Stamps
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Oh yeah it's a definite risk but i feel that having Bruno, Kane, KDB, Son, Dias and Stones (no hits) means I'm well set up in terms of damage limitation to punt on the possibility of a better chance to use the FH later on. I also think in terms of Covid we're going to be peaking in the UK over the next week so it's the worst time to risk chips (if you were cautious you'd want a near full bench on a FH, lessening it's impact).

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

    A) Laca + ESR
    B) Wilson + Saka

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

      I'm going with A

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A...really thinking Sheff Utd are goona win 1-0.

    4. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    6. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    7. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A... ESR is a nice punt

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

      A

  24. FPL_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you rather have Lacazette or Rashford on a FH this week?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Laca

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Laca, I think.

    3. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gone Laca too, BUR DEF hs tightened up a lot in recent weeks, doubt they'll make it easy for ManU on the break...

      Assume you've alrready got Bruno?

    4. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Laca, Rashford will mostly likely play from the right n he's a bit shite there.

  25. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Maguire or Saiss on fh?

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

      Probably Saiss for me, bigger goal threat and Wolves good defensively at home

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      debating between those two myself. Wolves gone to a back 4 now so I'm thinking Maguire.

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saiss

    4. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maguire for me, I'm expecting an Everton victory with goals from Tosun.

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

      Maguire

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

      Maguire.

  26. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH with Sterling squeezed in? Worth the compromises?

    Lloris
    Maguire - Stones - Mari
    Sterling - KdB - Bruno - Son - Smith-Rowe
    Kane - Lacazette

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      sorry, it's AWB over Maguire. Or could get Saiss.

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely. Similar to what I’ll get if Sterling is fit. What’s your tv?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        104.9

    3. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      looks vey strong.

    4. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling is flagged as injured. Not worth the risk.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        does he have an actual injury? I can't find anything.

        1. Evil Greg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          pep said he missed the game with injury, but it sounded minor. could have covid! it was in the embargoed press conference bit.

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

          Go for it, if you think it's worth the risk. I think there are a lot of other good options. It's a lot of money to be tied up, if he doesn't play though.

  27. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What are the actual chances Southampton v Leeds is Postponed next gw? Very likely I’m hearing

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Clubs are happy with it so I'd say 90% :/

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

        Shrewsbury may still not be able to play in GW19. They won't cancel the PL game unless Shrewsbury players test negative in time.

        1. Evil Greg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          ah. when did they begin quarantine , the date? e.g villa players come out of quarantine on thurs (10 days)

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

            No guarantee Villa will be clear if they still test positive for Covid. I think the Everton game is still a risk.

  28. The Mighty One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on Sterling?

    I am hell bent on having him on FH unless we really do think he is injured. Cheers all. Best of luck to you tomorrow.

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      need pep

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same. Want to C him on FH.

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Daring! Huge points to be gained there. I'm still captaining KDB either way, so maybe that suggests that I should stick with Son and spread the 1.5M to others if I'm not going to captain Sterling.

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who do you not have? Kane? Son? Bruno, KdB?

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I would go up from Son or Rashford to Sterling and drop Dias down to maybe Yedlin or Mitchell.

      2. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I do have all 4 of those right now.

    4. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's flagged as injured in the game. You could take the risk, but make sure you have a good first bench player. ESR is a good budget option.

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I do have ESR so it means Brewster or Mitchell would start. Ugh. Thanks.

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

          Keep Son and Rasford then.

  29. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you BB this? 3 from Leeds and 2 Soton. Balbuena also.

    McCarthy-Johnstone
    Balbuena*-Coufal-TAA-Dallas*-Dias
    Salah-Soucek-Bruno-Raphinha*-Perez*
    Bamford*-Adams*-Kane*

    I will sell Kane and Perez in DGW 19 for hit but dont know how to fit KdB.

    BB out of cards?

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

    Best 4.5 dgw defender option that is not WHU?

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm honestly not sure now Leeds is most likely scuffed.

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

      Ayling. I know the Southampton game is at risk, but the Brighton game is still a good fixture. I can't see too many other options.